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August 25, 2025August 25, 2025

Oscar the Ferry Cat

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Oscar the Ferry Cat 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Molly Arbuthnott ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
Oscar the Ferry Cat is a delightful children’s book written by Molly Arbuthnott. The story follows Oscar, a Siamese cat who prefers the comfort of his ordinary life. Holidays are not his favorite—so much so that when he didn’t want to endure another long car ride, he decided to run away.

To his surprise, Oscar ends up on a ferry. Feeling lost and longing for home, he meets Sammy, a cheerful seagull who encourages him to enjoy ferry life and join in as a “ferry bird.” But Oscar quickly realizes it’s not that easy—he doesn’t quite fit in. As the journey unfolds, Oscar encounters different creatures and learns valuable lessons about belonging, adventure, and friendship.

Molly Arbuthnott tells this story with warmth and charm, while the vibrant illustrations bring Oscar’s world to life in a way that will instantly capture children’s attention. The book not only entertains but also imparts a meaningful message: even when you feel out of place, friendship can make anywhere feel like home.

This is a lovely read for kids and a wonderful addition to any family’s bookshelf.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

August 24, 2025

Leadership Lessons From Monty Python and the Holy Grail

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Leadership Lessons From Monty Python and the Holy Grail 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Richard D. Parker ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
Leadership Lessons From Monty Python and the Holy Grail by Richard D. Parker is a thought-provoking and insightful read. In this book, the author draws valuable lessons from the classic film and shares them in a way that can genuinely impact readers’ lives.

One of the key takeaways is the importance of staying focused on our primary goals and not getting lost in trivial distractions during our interactions with others. Using the example of the Black Knight, Parker highlights that persistence for its own sake is foolish—sometimes the wisest decision is knowing when to quit.

The book also offers meaningful insights into conflict. While Parker acknowledges that conflict is an inevitable part of life, he emphasizes that it does not have to dominate our way of living. These lessons, drawn from the humorous yet insightful moments of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, make the book both engaging and practical.

By leadership, Parker refers not only to guiding others but also to leading ourselves. His writing style is clear and accessible, making the wisdom he shares easy to absorb. I found the book both enjoyable and enlightening, and I wholeheartedly recommend it to fellow readers.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

August 24, 2025

Estrangement

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Estrangement 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: John Edwards ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
In this courageous and heartfelt memoir, Edwards opens his soul to readers, recounting the painful reality of estrangement from his adult children. His story is one of love, regret, and relentless yearning to repair broken bonds—yet his efforts are often met with silence. When a rare message from his son read, “I don’t have time for you,” it became a turning point that led Edwards into deep self-reflection and prayer.

Estrangement, as Edwards portrays it, is not a passing wound but an enduring grief—comparable to losing someone dearly loved, yet without closure. The emotional emptiness seeps through every page, making this not just a memoir, but also a testament to the hidden anguish many parents silently endure. One of the most powerful moments is the open letter he wrote to his children—an outpouring of love, remorse, and sincerity that lingers long after the book is closed.

Beyond his personal story, Edwards gives voice to a broader and often unspoken reality: the painful unraveling of family ties. His candor sheds light on the psychological toll of being cut off, from spirals of self-doubt to the shattering of identity and trust. Yet, amid the anguish, what shines through is his unwavering commitment to reconciliation and his faith that healing—if not in family, then in spirit—remains possible.

This memoir is a moving, raw, and deeply human account of loss and longing. For anyone touched by family estrangement, Edwards’ story will resonate as both a mirror and a companion through the silence.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

August 24, 2025

The Tunnels of Buda

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Tunnels of Buda 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Don Sawyer ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
The Tunnels of Buda is the second installment in the Soul Catcher series. One early morning, Barbara knocked on Zoltan’s door. He let her in, touched her, and revealed his true name—breaking the very rules that bound him. The Mester, meanwhile, has been left dead or gravely wounded.

Now, the Mester’s black stone rests with Zoltan and Barbara. In a bold move, Barbara severed his finger bearing the black-stoned ring and stuffed it into her jeans. But the Mester was only a fragment of something much larger—an ancient Order, a hidden cabal. And now, the slaves once controlled by them are turning their skills and knowledge into weapons of defiance. Zoltan and Barbara’s cunning shines as they rise to the challenge.

Together, they also hold the gems belonging to other gem makers. To settle matters, they’ve called a business meeting. But the question remains—will the other gem makers stand with Zoltan, or against him?

The twists and turns of this story made it impossible to put down. The plot is original, the writing gripping, and the cover beautifully designed. This is the second book I’ve read by the author, and I’m eager to dive into more of his work.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

August 24, 2025August 25, 2025

Life Strikes Back

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Life Strikes Back 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Candace MacPhie ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
For the author, life on the road feels like a double victory. Candace gets to explore far-off, exotic destinations while also easing the pain of her mother’s long struggle with cancer. Most recently, she left Moscow and journeyed by train to Estonia with Khadejah, a friend she had met in London through mutual acquaintances.

I found myself on edge while reading about Candace’s nerve-racking attempt to secure a visa for Estonia. Her letters to friends were captivating, and the small mishaps she encountered offered readers valuable insights into the realities of travel.

The story turned truly frightening when Candace felt she was about to be abducted. Her backpacking journey was nothing short of a rollercoaster. While she was in Poland, her mother’s fourth death anniversary passed, and the raw emotions she expressed drew me closer to her experience.

Having read the first book in the series, I was eager to dive into the second one—and it certainly lived up to the anticipation.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

August 23, 2025August 23, 2025

Interview with author James Snow

Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.

A1. I’m James Snow— I am a retired Sergeant from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department with over 28.5 years in law enforcement. I am a former SWAT sniper and Major Accident Investigation Team leader, and a guy who’s had to “pivot” more than once after injury, loss, and transition. I also spent over a decade as a college professor teaching criminal justice and running the extended police academy for the college. Today I build furniture and historic wood lighting in my small shop, Snow Woodworks, and I write and speak about how to move forward when the mission changes. My book, The Pivot, is a field guide for anyone who’s staring down a hard change and wondering what’s next.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “The Pivot”?

A2. Three big ones:
Telling hard truths with respect. I had to protect people’s privacy while still being honest about the lessons learned.

Switching mindsets. After-action reports are one thing; writing a book people want to read is another. I learned to trade law enforcement jargon for plain English and story.

Indie publishing logistics. ISBNs, print specs, metadata, and distribution were a new world. Worth it—but a grind.

Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?

A3. Well I have been a voracious reader since I was a kid….I started on Louis L’Amour westerns and moved on to fiction (thrillers) Brad Thor, Vince Flynn, Jack Carr, etc. and non fiction – generally leadership stuff – Leaders Eat Last (Simon Sinek) for leadership strategies and the why, Extreme Ownership (Jocko Willink & Leif Babin) for accountability. Man’s Search for Meaning (Viktor Frankl) for purpose in suffering. The War of Art (Steven Pressfield) for beating resistance. And Jim Collins’ Good to Great—a reminder that excellence is a choice.

Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?

A4. Well with where I live in southern California, I can be in the mountains (Big Bear or Lake Arrowhead) in under an hour or I can drive to the beach within an hour. I grew up a couple miles from Huntington Beach and was able to ride my bike to surf before school every morning and that will always hold a special place for me.

Q5. What inspired you to write the book “The Pivot”?

A5. After decades in uniform and then a forced change, I watched too many good people stall out—isolated, angry, or stuck in the past and the final catalyst was when one of my friends stuck in this cycle with loss of purpose took his own life. It is a real thing in the world I come from – as well as other service related jobs and I wanted to do what I could to give people hope that there is more out there and their journey isn’t over just because a job ended. I wrote the book I needed: practical steps, straight talk, and stories that say, “You’re not done. Here’s how to re-aim your life.”

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book “The Pivot”?

A6. About a year of focused writing and revision—built on three decades of lived experience. The pages went faster once I treated it like training: daily reps, no excuses.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?

A7. Hardback, Paperback and eBook are available on Amazon. You can also request it through your local bookstore via IngramSpark distribution. Easiest hub for links: my site, snow-woodworks.com.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title “The Pivot”.

A8. The title had to be simple and actionable—what you do when the path changes? When a lot of people think of a pivot, they think of basketball and pivoting back and forth to find the right direction to go….I liked that tie in and visual. The cover features a brass compass and woodworking tools—navigation and craftsmanship—because rebuilding a life is both: know where you’re headed and have the skill to make it. The subtitle, “A Guide to Moving Forward When the Mission Changes,” makes the promise clear.

Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?

A9. I pressure-tested every idea against the street: “Would this help someone at 2 a.m. on their worst day?” After I was basically done, I gave the manuscript to a few close friends who I trust – one of them a writer and filmmaker and then I rotated between story, step-by-step tools, and reflection prompts so the reader gets insight and action. For me, I reset in the woodshop—hands on tools keep the writing honest.

Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice you’ve been given about writing?

A10. “Serve the reader, not your ego.” Say it straight and cut what’s clever but not useful. Be honest, because you readers will see through B.S. My friend Chris Lee’s book is titled “The Story Comes First” and I think that is a great insight to have….serve the story – don’t try to steer it where you want it to go. Let it play out and just record it for others to read, see, and learn from and the rest will work itself out.

Buy book on Amazon

August 23, 2025

Ella and Her Neurosparkly Brain

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Ella and Her Neurosparkly Brain 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Lauren Gilbert ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
“Ella and Her Neurosparkly Brain” by Lauren Gilbert is a delightful children’s book. It tells the story of Ella, a young girl with a neurosparkly brain. At school, everyday tasks feel challenging for her—her thoughts race so quickly that focusing on just one thing becomes difficult.

Even simple activities, like tying her shoes, seem overwhelming. Ella often feels discouraged because no matter how hard she tries, things don’t always turn out right. But when her friend Mia explains how busy her brain feels, Ella begins to see her uniqueness in a new light. The story leaves us wondering—will Ella learn to embrace her differences and believe in herself?

The book’s vibrant illustrations make the reading experience even more enjoyable. The cover is appealing, and the title fits perfectly. While written for children, the story carries an important reminder for adults too: to embrace individuality. Young readers will learn that everyone is special in their own way.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

August 23, 2025

One Big Misunderstanding

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: One Big Misunderstanding 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Daniel C. Davis ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
“One Big Misunderstanding” by Daniel C. Davis is a compelling read that pulls you in from the start. The story follows Ethan Cole, a hardworking executive assistant who gave his all for his boss, Victor. When his efforts went unrewarded and he was denied a performance bonus, Ethan’s frustration turned into a scheme for revenge.

Victor entrusted Ethan with the simple task of delivering flowers to his wife. Instead, Ethan sent them to Sarah, the woman Victor was secretly having an affair with. The flowers, accompanied by the note “Thinking of you – V,” reached Sarah’s husband, David Morris. Believing his wife had betrayed him, David was devastated and began to fear losing custody of their daughter, Angela, in the event of a divorce.

Meanwhile, Victor, completely unaware of Ethan’s sabotage, went on to praise and reward him for his dedication. But how long can the truth remain hidden? And what will happen when the tangled lies unravel?

This is a sharp, suspenseful story with an engaging plot and memorable characters that linger long after the final page. It kept me hooked until the end.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

August 23, 2025

You Noticed That?

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: You Noticed That? 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Anastasia Akbulut ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
“You Noticed That?: Who you were, what you were, and all the things you’ve caused… Have you ever noticed that?” by Anastasia Akbulut is a compelling book that most readers will finish in one sitting.

The author emphasizes the importance of change, stressing that it should be a personal choice—whether good or bad. The book reassures us that there is no reason to fear death and encourages us to keep fighting for ourselves while remaining open to transformation.

Reading this book prompts deep reflection on the purpose of our existence. It makes us question what we are doing with our lives and what we aspire to achieve. The butterfly metaphor in particular stands out as both beautiful and meaningful.

The book inspires readers to give themselves the chance to truly discover who they are. It is a thought-provoking work that urges us to place trust in ourselves above all else. Personally, it left me with a strong desire to change the way I perceive myself and to strengthen my self-belief. The title alone invites deep self-introspection. I wholeheartedly recommend this book to fellow readers.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

August 21, 2025

The Deep Dark

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: The Deep Dark 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Amy Plenert ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
The Deep Dark, authored by Amy Plenert, is a gripping and deeply moving account of survival. In it, Amy bravely recounts her journey as a victim of childhood abuse, highlighting how its impact lingers for a lifetime. Out of fear and shame, she never confided in her parents, carrying the heavy weight of a secret that consumed her for years.

At eighteen, when she was raped, Amy was left questioning why it happened to her and what she had done to deserve such pain. She reveals how shame often traps victims in both physical and mental submission. In the book, she also explores the concept of dissociation as a survival mechanism, and how depression is forced upon victims—never something they choose.

Amy candidly addresses how therapy does not always bring healing, and how many turn to drugs or alcohol in an attempt to dull their depression and anxiety. Her story gave me a profound glimpse into life from a survivor’s perspective and helped me better understand the daily battles they face.

Survivors, Amy explains, are constantly finding new ways to cope with the scars of childhood abuse. This book is also a call to action—urging other survivors to share their truths, confront their abusers, and step into the light. It is a raw and emotional rollercoaster, and I am deeply grateful to Amy for the courage it took to share her story with the world.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon