Tag: nonfiction

Red Earth Diaries by Jason Rebello 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. 

Two newlyweds from another country throw caution to the wind and travel the country they plan to call home in author Jason Rebello’s “Red Earth Diaries”. 

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The Synopsis 

A one-way ticket to Australia…two months of travel…and a shoestring budget.

In Red Earth Diaries we meet Jason and Ambika, a newlywed couple who migrated to Australia with the hope of a fresh start. However, unlike most migrants, they made a bold decision to postpone their settlement plans, throw caution to the wind and backpack in Australia on a shoestring budget. Their intention was to learn about the country and its people first-hand … a land they would someday call home. Swimming with sharks, cuddling cute koalas, chartering private helicopters, venturing deep into ancient rainforests, and getting to know plenty of locals – the couple had incredible experiences in this stunning country.

Their travel story is interwoven with snippets of history and provides the reader with a glimpse of Australia as viewed through the eyes of newly arrived migrants. Join Jason and Ambika on their spectacular journey of discovery. Red Earth Diaries is founded on four primary pillars: a migrant’s journal, a travelogue, a delve into Australian history, and an inspirational tale.

The central message of the book is for everyone to chase their dreams – however distant and impossible they may seem. Moving to Australia has been one seemingly impossible goal the author had set decades ago, and he likewise urges the reader to shed all reservations and to dream the wildest dreams possible. The Preface of Red Earth Diaries is called Dreamtime, and in it, the author describes the evolution of his journey to this strange and peculiar wonderland.

As a travelogue, the book harkens to all travellers as well as migrants who are already in Australia or who are thinking of making the move to this beautiful country. The book also contains stories of local Australians the couple met along the way. In it you will meet, amongst others – Helen, a 10-Pound-pom; Rowland Mosbergen, a sprightly man in his eighties who survived the horrors of WWII in a remote jungle in Bahau; Rafael and Nadia and their three kids based in Research, Victoria; Ranjit, a practising surgeon and his wife who are based in Kew, Melbourne. The travelogue aims to deliver an essential message to all migrants in Australia – to not take this country for granted and to try to understand and embrace its culture first.

Some Key Personalities mentioned: Paul Hogan, Ned Kelly, Steve Irwin, Captain Cook, Burley Griffin, Gregory Blaxland, Jorn Utzon, Eddie Mabo

Some key historical events described: The Endeavour striking the reef, finding a passage through the Blue Mountains, the discovery of gold, the naming of Sunshine Coast, the birth of Canberra as the nation’s capital, the iconic rail journeys in Australia, WWI and WWII, Early colonization, construction of Hume Highway, Blackbirding, construction of Opera House.

Charity Donation: Five per cent of all profits from the sale of this book in the first year of publication will be donated to the Red Cross towards the 2019–20 bushfire crisis management (www.redcross.org.au) and a further five per cent will be also be given to aged care in India through Help Age India (www.helpageindia.org).

The Review 

A wonderful blend of travel, memoir, and history, author Jason Rebello has done an incredible job bringing this book to life. The non-fiction story gives readers a unique perspective on not just general travel but immigrating to an entirely new country, as the newlywed couple immerses themselves in the culture and history of Australia while experiencing the nation firsthand. 

The author does a great job of sharing the experiences of their adventures and their relationship and the history and culture they were experiencing. The way in which the author brought that spirit of travel and adventure so many seek was felt throughout every chapter, while the attention to detail on Australia itself was fantastic to see unfold. From the nation’s history and pop culture to the nation’s strict quarantine procedures and so much more, the author poured so much culture and heart into this story, creating a truly interactive and mesmerizing non-fiction read. 

The Verdict

A gripping, heartfelt, and breathtaking travel and memoir-style book, author Jason Rebello’s “Red Earth Diaries” is a must-read. The wonderful blend of history and culture does a great job of mirroring the emotions and adventure that the couple themselves experienced along the way and creates an intimate and thoughtful narrative that many readers can identify with and that many of us can only hope for. A great and fantastic read, be sure to grab your copy of this amazing story on July 8th, 2021. 

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Jason Rebello was born in Mumbai, India and went to sea at the early age of seventeen.He spent many years sailing across the world on modern ocean liners, eventually rising to the rank of a ship’s Captain. His sea career was interspaced with a healthy dose of backpacking and intrepid travels and as a result, he was firmly hooked on a life of adventure and uncommon living.His travel blog, The Evolving Backpacker, was born out of his passion for travel. He has also written several self-help books under the ‘Migrant Ninja’ series.Jason along with his wife and two children is now settled in Australia.

https://evolvingwordsmith.com/

https://www.instagram.com/theevolvingbackpacker/

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0948GVRBM/ref=x_gr_w_glide_sin?caller=Goodreads&callerLink=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F58172451-red-earth-diaries%3Fac%3D1%26from_search%3Dtrue%26qid%3D2GKMQ0lXzA%26rank%3D1&tag=x_gr_w_glide_sin-20

Dear Dory: Journal of a Soon-to-be-First-Time Dad by Tom Kreffer Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews2 Comments

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.

Amazon: Say Hi

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https://www.bookbub.com/books/dear-dory-journal-of-a-soon-to-be-first-time-dad-adventures-in-dadding-1-by-tom-kreffer

Discovering The Colosseum: Between Myth and Reality by Mauro Poma 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 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.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/mauro-rometogo/

Life with the Afterlife: 13 Truths I Learned About Ghosts by Amy Bruni Review

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviewsLeave a comment

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.

https://www.instagram.com/amybruni

https://www.facebook.com/AmyBruni

The Joy of Living: How to Slay Stress and Be Happy by Barry Shore 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 the Ambassador of Joy, Barry Shore, reaches out to readers to combat the threat of stress by focusing on practices to bring joy into our lives in the book, “The Joy of Living”.

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The Synopsis

The JOY of LIVING (™) is Your passport to being Healthier and Wealthier. Barry Shore, the Ambassador of JOY, reveals the 11 Strategies that You can use to slay stress and be happy….no matter the circumstance. Imagine standing up in the morning fully healthy and in the hospital that evening completely paralyzed; and not from a car accident or a spinal injury, but a rare disease. You’ll join the journey as Barry moves from paralysis to now swimming 2 miles per day, 6 days a week. All with a SMILE. You’ll use these Strategies and transform Your world.

The Review

This is the perfect read for those who are looking for ways to really participate and educate yourselves for Mental Health Awareness Month. I’ve personally covered many topics within the field of mental health from myself and other writers here on my website, as mental health awareness is a very important cause to my heart. Whether people realize it or not, stress itself can be a critical factor in one’s own mental health. 

The author’s work here is quite amazing for such a short read, yet the words spoken within are quite powerful. As someone who lives every day with several physical limitations and health problems, it was an instant connection to the author’s own story. The first chapter hits readers instantly with the knowledge of the author’s own struggles in life, and gives the lessons shown to the readers here in this book a sense of authenticity and experience that will allow readers to feel comfortable taking in this knowledge for themselves.

The author expertly divides this book up into parts. First he takes the time to identify STRESS and the root causes often associated with stress, followed by the notion of how finding joy can physically and mentally combat stress and its affects on the body. Finally the rest of the book takes the time to establish steps and practices readers can take for themselves to implement joy into their lives, making for quite an informative and practical guide to happiness. 

The Verdict

Well-written, passionate and mentally refreshing, author Barry Shore’s “The Joy of Living” is a must-read non-fiction read on mental health. The author’s vulnerability in telling his own personal story and using this to not only find his own happiness to combat the stress, but showing readers how to do this for themselves, was a refreshing change from the self-help books typically seen on shelves. 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 “Ambassador of JOY,” Barry Shore is a mental health activist, philanthropist, multi-patent holding entrepreneur, speaker, author, podcaster, and former quadriplegic. After a rare disease paralyzed Shore from the neck down, he created the JOY of LIVING Institute™ (a platform that teaches people to live in joy, no matter the situation), Keep Smiling (a movement that has reached multiple celebrities and distributed millions of “Keep Smiling” cards worldwide), and Changebowl (a philanthropic platform featured in Oprah Magazine.) Barry’s podcast, The JOY of LIVING, is heard globally by hundreds of thousands and has over two million downloads. 

Barry’s latest book, “The JOY of Living: How to Slay Stress and Be Happy” is available on Amazon and Apple Books. For more information, check out Barry’s website and follow him @barryeshore on Facebook, or Instagram.

STRESS: AN EXCERPT FROM THE UPCOMING BOOK “THE JOY OF LIVING: HOW TO SLAY STRESS AND BE HAPPY” BY AUTHOR BARRY SHORE

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn Guest PostLeave a comment

I am so proud to share with you all this amazing excerpt and article from author Barry Shore, from his upcoming book THE JOY OF LIVING: HOW TO SLAY STRESS AND BE HAPPY. I will be reviewing this book tomorrow, but in anticipating for the May 11th release date I wanted to share this excerpt. May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and for anyone who knows me, you know that mental health awareness is a cause near and dear to my heart. Please take the time to read this book and share this post, and look for my review of Barry’s book tomorrow. Now, enjoy this exclusive excerpt. 

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An Excerpt From

“The JOY of LIVING: How to Slay Stress and Be Happy”

By Barry Shore the “Ambassador of Joy”

______________________________________________________________________

The Problem: STRESS…Kills!

Not directly. More like death by a thousand sighs.

It’s insidious. Invidious, invasive, and, if continuous and not stopped, will ruin Your physical, mental, and spiritual being.

Stress is a common occurrence. While You can’t remove every stressor from Your life, it’s possible to manage and reduce stress and maintain your health. This is important because chronic stress can cause mental fatigue, irritability, sleeplessness, obesity, skin ailments, heart issues, anxiety, depression, and gastrointestinal problems.

Yes, that list of symptoms observed across the population tells You that You’re not alone in this battle.

But even when You know the physical and mental effects of stress, You may be unaware of the different stages of stress, known as general adaptation syndrome (GAS). When You understand the different stages of stress and how the body responds in these stages, it’s easier to identify signs of chronic stress in Yourself.

I’m writing this in the year 2020. The world is beset with panic, disease, and economic and societal ruin.

Right now, the most searched word in the world after Covid (and its related causes/cures) is STRESS. It’s affecting everyone.

STRESS is an acronym that I use to describe how to deal with the effects of untoward circumstances. Essentially there are three factors that cause STRESS.

These are and have always been:

• Money

• Work

• Home

Yes, these are universal and constant. Even in the best of times.

There are however two divergent ways to deal with STRESS, both revealed in my insights.

STRESS can stand for: Stomach-Turning Reality…Enabling Self-Sabotage.

There is little need to go into depth regarding each of the three stressors above. It is self-evident that money issues can and do cause tremendous pressures. The same for work. And, certainly, for home/family. Often in times of recession and disaster, these factors are intertwined and exacerbate one another. They truly cause a stomach-turning reality.

STRESS can also mean: Stomach-Turning Reality…Enabling Self-Success.

Same exact situation/s dealt with in a different way/s. Your response to the stomach-turning reality makes all the difference. Struggling is the continual and real test of life. And it’s something we all face every single day.

How You deal with the reality of these issues determines how Your physical and mental wellbeing will be affected. Certainly, You can’t be cavalier. Yet You can utilize practices, tips, and tools to enable You to direct Your mind and guide Your body to avoid falling prey to a pity party which can lead to the use/abuse of medications, alcohol, or to other aberrant behavior.

Mind is the master. Once You grasp this fundamental fact and leverage this powerful tool, You can and will achieve success under all circumstances and vicissitudes.

How do You maintain inner strength during stressful periods?

Consider a submarine. As the ship goes down, the pressure (strength) inside needs to increase to counterbalance the pressure outside. Likewise, when we are in stressful situations, we must make sure our internal strength is adequate to offset the external forces pushing against us.

Anger also produces stress. Have You ever known people whose lives seemed to have a thin veneer of civility and calm, yet once the surface was scratched, anger bubbled up like a volcano? Stress and anger go hand-in-glove.

We also know that there are two types of stress: vertical and horizontal. The vertical is healthy because it pulls You up. Think of a flower on a stem. Without turgor pressure, the stem droops. Without the fluids pushing through the cells, the flower dies. We can grow limp as well. A useful example of the sort of pressure that pulls us up is the sense of awe or reverence of God.

Horizontal stresses pull us apart and create damage. Designing our lives to meet others’ demands and standards is horizontal. All the current talk about self-image leads to horizontal stress. I do not mean that we should have no concept of self-worth. But we want to have a clear definition of self-worth that comes from knowing we were brought into this world for a purpose. That knowledge is a settled knowledge and doesn’t change just because of what others think or say.

In our competitive society there is another prevailing stress—the fear of losing. The specter of losing by our choosing stresses us. When we make one decision, we give up other options. These are the “Y” points. Marriage and career are two of the biggest examples. One of the pitfalls of our current day is buyer’s remorse. “If I choose the left fork and it grows dull, I opt out and choose another road.” This is a mistake. The stress of always looking around for the better option steals the joy of commitment.

The true test of life is never in what happens to us.

It is always in how we choose to respond to situations.

As we’ll learn later in the 11 Strategies, the six most important words You can learn and internalize are:

Choice, not chance, determines Your destiny.

Repeat this. Often. Think about it. Internalize and utilize.

Choice, not chance, determines Your destiny.

“The JOY of Living: How to Slay Stress and Be Happy” by Barry Shore is available on Amazon and Apple Books. For more information, check out Barry’s website and follow him @barryeshore on Facebook, or Instagram.

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About the Book

“The Joy of Living: How to Slay Stress and Be Happy” is your passport to being healthier, wealthier, and happier in a time of unease and misgiving. 

Part journal, part memoir, part activity book, it’s a timely guide to slay stress, beat burnout, and cope with life, post-pandemic. Author Barry Shore reveals 11 strategies that you can use to slay stress and be happy….no matter the circumstance. Imagine standing up in the morning fully healthy and in the hospital, that evening completely paralyzed; and not from a car accident or a spinal injury, but from a rare disease. You’ll join the journey as Barry moves from paralysis to now swimming 2 miles per day, 6 days a week. All with a SMILE.

  • RELEASE DATE: May 11, 2021
  • GENRE: Healthy Living, Emotions and Mental Health, Journal/Workbook, Memoir, Motivational Self-Help, Nonfiction, Self-Improvement.
  • PUBLISHER: Joy of Living Institute Publishing
  • ISBN: 978-1-930376-15-1 
  • PURCHASING INFO: Available for Pre-order on Amazon or on Apple Books or by visiting https://www.barryshore.com/book 

About the Author

Known as the “Ambassador of JOY,” Barry Shore is a mental health activist, philanthropist, multi-patent holding entrepreneur, speaker, author, podcaster, and former quadriplegic. After a rare disease paralyzed Shore from the neck down, he created the JOY of LIVING Institute™ (a platform that teaches people to live in joy, no matter the situation), Keep Smiling (a movement that has reached multiple celebrities and distributed millions of “Keep Smiling” cards worldwide), and Changebowl (a philanthropic platform featured in Oprah Magazine.) Barry’s podcast, The JOY of LIVING, is heard globally by hundreds of thousands and has over two million downloads. 

Barry’s latest book, “The JOY of Living: How to Slay Stress and Be Happy” is available on Amazon and Apple Books. For more information, check out Barry’s website and follow him @barryeshore on Facebook, or Instagram.

Interview with Author Robert Moment

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn Interviews1 Comment

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

I am a Mental Strength Life Coach  and Entrepreneur who specializes in coaching women entrepreneurs on how to overcome imposter syndrome by becoming mentally strong to out think, out position, and out strategize their competition for profitable results , success and happiness in their business and personal lives.  Writing gives me the opportunity to share my business ideas to a worldwide audience. My goal in life has always been to uplift and help people become the best version of themselves. We all are a work in progress. 

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2) What inspired you to write your book?

I was inspired to write this book because being an entrepreneur isn’t for the faint at heart. You have to develop a mentally strong mindset to become an entrepreneur.  This book  has given me the opportunity to share my ideas and experiences being an entrepreneur for over 20 years. Life as an entrepreneur is a life time of continuous learning and growth.

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

The two most important messages that I want the reader to take away from this book is to (A) Always believe in yourself no matter what  (B) Never give up on yourself or your dreams.

4) What drew you into this particular genre?

I have always been an entrepreneur all of my life.  It started with grass cutting, selling Christmas cards,  designing custom t-shirts just to name a few entrepreneur ventures I started and had success with.  And I have had my share of failures along the way as well. Even when I worked in Corporate America for Fortune 500 companies I never lost the entrepreneur drive or desire .

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

The number one habit for first time entrepreneurs is to develop the right mindset for startup success. And the number one skill is to master the art of marketing to sell your product or service to your target audience and market successfully.

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

The most helpful social media site to help develop my readership has been LinkedIn Entrepreneur Groups and entrepreneur blog sites.

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

Starting out as an entrepreneur it is essential to clearly define your target market and research as much information you can to know what they want and need. There are two types of successful businesses (A) Solve a Problem  (B) Serve a Need .

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

I am thinking about hosting a Podcast Show for Entrepreneurs and writing a book of being kind.

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About the Author

My Story

For as long as I can remember I’ve had a real passion for personal growth, development and renewal. It’s a journey that’s allowed me to enjoy some amazing experiences, meet many inspirational people, and visit places I never thought possible. But more than that I want to use my own experiences to offer you the chance to live in exactly the same free and open way.

My Goal

As a Spiritual Life Coach I believe that anyone, from any walk of life, can go out there and change the world in their own unique way. It may not always be easy, but it does only become possible when you invest in your inner self and believe that it’s possible. The only problem is knowing how to make it happen so that freedom and spiritual awakening manifest themselves in your life.

My Approach

I specialize in offering Spiritual Life Coaching that’s designed to set you free in a whole host of ways that you could have never imagined. It doesn’t matter whether you’ve been connected with your spiritual side your entire life, are a complete skeptic, or you’re anywhere else in between, I want to connect with you and show you what can become possible.

Your Future

Living a spiritual life means different things to different people, and some see that as a problem. I’m different in that I see it as a solution to every potential problem out there as it allows you to define your life in your own terms as you find your voice amongst the noise.

Together we can connect, get to know the real you, and reconnect your authentic self with the inner you. Through my combination of coaching and writing I love nothing more than showing people just like you what becomes possible when you open your eyes to the spiritual side of life.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/lifecoachrobertmoment

Roller Rink Starlight: A Memoir by William Hart

On By authoranthonyavinablogIn reviews1 Comment

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

Author William Hart takes a look back at an important time in his life when he joins a male and female led team of roller skaters, and in the process learns the pitfalls of romance, love and life in general in this coming of age style sports memoir, “Roller Rink Starlight”. 

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The Synopsis

William Hart’s true coming of age memoir begins when at fourteen he joins an amateur roller racing team comprised of both sexes and loaded with RSROA national champions. A varsity sprinter in track, he soon excels at speed skating.

Insiders know roller rinks are conspiracies to turn singles into couples.

The main storyline follows Hart’s early education in romance—piquant, humorous, harrowing, and laced with major life lessons. The setting: Wichita, Kansas, early 1960s, when the sexual repression of the 50s still prevails, except in rare zones of marked liberation. Adults have their watering holes, teens the rink, where they can experiment with their budding sexualities. Immersed in powerful mood music they glide in pairs through darkness under stars and make out in the bleachers. Falling in love is ridiculously easy, as we see in the adventures of teammates, parents, and certainly the author. Hart fell hard for a gifted racer, his kindred spirit, costar of many of his most indelible memories.

This sports memoir about love and roller skating chronicles poignantly the ecstasies and perils of 60s high school romance against a backdrop of flat-out athletic competition.

Roller Rink Starlight is nostalgic nonfiction for seniors and educational nonfiction for young adults interested in love and sex in another time.

The Review

A fantastic and in-depth look into the life of a young man coming into his own and discovering life one step at a time, the author does a wonderful job of drawing the reader in with insightful looks into his own life and creative writing that makes the book feel like both a memoir and an original story all at once. The ease in which the author writes paints a visual image in the reader’s mind, transporting us all back to that era in the 1960s and watching the young man’s life unfolding before our eyes.

What really sets this memoir apart however was the way the author wrote the book itself. It seemed at multiple times that the author was not just retelling the story, but almost conversing with his younger self, reflecting on the important moments of his life and how he’s learned from them since. It immediately clear when he begins retelling his interaction with a young classmate named Gretchen, and how her actions during her high school years led to some major changes in her life and impacted the author as well second-hand. This was a brief glimpse into the rest of this narrative, and yet it felt like it set the tone immediately for the coming-of-age aspect of this book.

The Verdict

An insightful, engaging, and wildly descriptive yet narrative memoir, author William Hart’s “Roller Rink Starlight: A Memoir” is a must-read nonfiction story. The author’s discovery of life, love, and romance, and everything in between is so beautifully written, and the author masterfully engages the reader on both a nostalgic and thought-provoking level. Whether the author’s words reflected a similar time in the reader’s life or spoke to the road not taken, this was a read that shouldn’t be missed, so be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

William Hart is a novelist and poet living in Los Angeles. After earning a doctorate in English from the University of Southern California, he taught college writing courses in LA and wrote. Now he writes–fiction mostly–while helping produce the documentaries of filmmaker Jayasri Majumdar, his wife. Hart’s work has appeared in several hundred literary journals, commercial magazines, newspapers, and anthologies, and fourteen books. A pair of one-hour documentaries from Hartfilms aired nationally on PBS, the latest receiving Emmy nominations.

Cross That Bridge: The Effective Guide to Achieving Your Goals and Living a Purposeful Life by Samuel Jeremy Lucas 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. 

In author Samuel Jeremy Lucas’s book, “Cross That Bridge”, the author gives readers a fresh take on the self-help genre by examining the power of our thoughts and the impact it has on us as we seek to achieve our goals. 

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The Synopsis

Do you sometimes envy high-achievers? Have you ever wondered what they did to attain that level of success?

What if I tell you that you could also become successful and achieving your goals fasters than you’ve imagined? What would be your reaction if you get an effective template that will lead you to achieve your goals? Awesome! Right?

It is for these specific reasons that Cross That Bridge was written! This book offers you an effective approach and a series of best practices, methodologies, tips, and recommendations that will push and inspire you to achieve your desired goals, as it draws inspiration from the habits and lifestyle of successful people.

Here are some of the learning points you will come across while reading this book:

Tools You Need to Set Your Goals Right

How Self-Awareness Contribute to Building Positive Habits

Develop a Success-Friendly Mindset

Overcoming Your Fear Of Failure

Overcome Your Limiting Beliefs

Having a Positive Attitude to Problem-solving

Dealing With Procrastination

The Important Tips to Living Without Limits

Achieving Success in Life with the Pareto Rule

Balancing Your Private And Professional Life

…and lots more!

If you are diligent with the recommendations in this book, it’s just a matter of weeks before you start seeing changes in your life and achieving your goals.

The Review

This was a motivational read to be sure. The author does an excellent job of reaching out to readers on a personal level, showcasing a level of commitment to those reading his work that speaks to his extensive knowledge and personable approach to his writing. The book is short yet makes a major impact on those reading this work, examining the balance between action and thought in the pursuit of success. 

What really struck me as interesting was the way the author was able to back up his sentiments and thoughtful wording with action. Rather than focusing solely on thinking about what we want to achieve in our lives, the author proposes deliberate actions to help manifest those desires physically in our world, showcasing how we can take control of our own destinies rather than relying on the universe to help us out all the time. It helps to showcase the balance of happiness and hard work that goes into any given profession and the journey to find professional success. 

The Verdict

A quick, memorable and informative read, author Samuel Jeremy Lucas’s “Cross That Bridge” is a must-read, self-help book. The book is very thought-provoking and goal-oriented and puts the reader in charge of their own destiny. The author really does put the self in self-help, so if you haven’t yet be sure to grab your copy today!

Rating: 10/10

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About the Author

Samuel J. Lucas is a serial entrepreneur, high-performance coach, professional advisor, and associate professor at several business schools.

Samuel has dedicated most of his professional career to creating, advising, and directing companies. However, over the past 12 years he carried out a comprehensive study of the 145 most important books on self-development, happiness, and success.

Over these 12 years, he has also interviewed with hundreds of colleagues, top-notch experts in fields such as personal transformation, leadership, productivity, time management, problem solving, stress management or decision making.

After this life-changing process, he decided to distill all this knowledge, combine it with his extended personal and professional experience, and share it with the world.

Thus, the book series “The secrets to a beautiful life” was born.