๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ: Short Stories ๐ ๐๐๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ: Chris McDonald and Clifford L Crenshaw โ๏ธ . .
๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ: “Short Stories” penned by the authors Chris McDonald and Clifford L Crenshaw is a gripping read.
“A Fateful Visit” is a story about Caturday and Feather. Feather was the expert of Who-Mans worldwide. She wanted to raise awareness about poor little creatures. Caturday offered a partnership opportunity which Feather gladly accepted. They formed the amazing Caturdayโs Cafe and Who-Man Adoption Center! Read this story to know will their business be successful.
“Peete meets Pierre” is another short story about Peete who arrived at Van Grow Culinary College in Amsterdam. By looking at Peete, others were wondering where this knucklehead had come from. Pierre realized that Peete was hurt and befriended him. This story teaches us to be welcoming to new people.
The stories are gripping and easy to follow. The narration is smooth and strong. One can enjoy a couple of stories in a single sitting. These stories pulled me inside the fictional world. The writing style of the authors is amazing. Those who are looking for an escape from their monotonous life should dive into this book and read adventurous stories. I am delighted to read this book and would like to recommend it to short stories lovers.
Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
A1. Karma and Kismet with Michael Shandler Award-winning, multi-published author, life coach, and organization development consultant Dr. Michael Shandler has spent the better part of the last forty years coaching individuals in their psycho-spiritual development and well-being. Growing up in a dysfunctional family during the apartheid era in South Africa, Michael spent most of his childhood and teen years surrounded by conflict, abuse, and guilt. Filled with poor self-esteem and serious psychological damage, Michael reached adulthood, lost with no real sense of meaning or purpose. Setting out on a transformational personal journey that would span over the next 15 years and across many continents, Michael experienced life through many cultures, lifestyles, and settings that eventually helped him discover a deep meaning of place and purpose, earn him a masterโs and a doctorate, and eventually help him find a sense of home with the love of his life. Now, in his new book โKarma and Kismet: A Spiritual Quest Across Continents, Cultures and Consciousness,โ Michael shares his journey in this heartfelt memoir about overcoming bad karma and the role of kismet, or fate, and how it shapes your life and destiny.
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book “Karma and Kismet”?
A2. Since Karma & Kismet is a memoir, challenges arose regarding content to be included and/or excluded. I worked to an algorithm that helped make the necessary choices of inclusion in terms of how they furthered the story. Because it is such a deeply personal book, writing about difficult scenes and episodes meant being scrupulously โcleanโ
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
A3. Bryce Courtney โ The Power of One, Rian Malan โ My Traitors Heart, Aldous Huxley, The Doors of Perception,
Q4. Whatโs your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
A4. Cape Town and the Western Cape Province in South Africa where I was born and spent the first twenty years of my life. It is arguably one of the most dramatic geographical areas on the planet. I donโt live there anymore, but I like to return to the southerly tip of Africa from time to time.
Q5. What inspired you to write the book ‘Karma and Kismet’?
A5. The stories in Karma & Kismet have been with me my entire life. Only when I reached a ripe old age did I have the perspective necessary to understand what had happened. I knew that some remarkable things occurred, but it took a lifetime (now pushing eighty) to gain perspective and write about it.
Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Karma and Kismet’?
A6. About eight to ten years
Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your books?
A7. Amazon, B& N, BAM
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Karma and Kismet’?
A8. The manuscript was completed before the cover was designed by Suzanne Bradshaw, a designer at my publisher โ Koehler Books. The bookโs structure โ Part One โ โKarmaโ covers the challenging karma of my childhood and youth. Part Two โ โSeekingโ details the internal and external journey undertaken in search of belonging and reconciliation with my painful past. Part Three โ โKismetโ- shows how the negative karma of my youth was transmuted and transformed by fate or the unseen hand of God, including the miraculous reconciliation with my abusive father and my finding love and belonging.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
A9. I strived to be completely present in my writing sessions, to be patient, to write and rewrite until I was satisfied, and writing in the present tense, except for flashbacks.
Q10. What is the most valuable piece of advice youโve been given about writing?
A10. Be true to yourself. Write honestly even when it is embarrassing or challenging in some way โ trust the truth as the ultimate arbiter.
๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ: Be The Weight Behind The Spear ๐ ๐๐๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ: Dr. Josh McConkey โ๏ธ . .
๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ: Through this book, the author is inspiring Americans to be a part of something that is making a difference. People can use their available resources for the betterment and development of those around them.
The author encourages us to support the youth of the nation so they can make a change. The author has also shared some examples of how to NOT be the weight behind America’s spear. He has highlighted the importance of integrity. Josh has shared his work as an emergency doctor and how it made him have a profound respect for life.
Our services and the examples we set become the building blocks of our community and they become the weight behind the spear for the generations of Americans to come!
This is an eye-opening book. Before reading this, I hadn’t realized how important our role is in shaping America’s future leaders. By supporting the youth, we can make a positive impact on our national security. This is a well written book. I am grateful to the author for sharing his experiences with us. After reading this book, I am inspired to support others so I can be the weight behind the spear.
๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ: Silent Sirens ๐ ๐๐๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ: Forbes Johnson โ๏ธ . .
๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ: Forbes Johnson’s novel โSilent Sirensโ is a compelling exploration of life behind the scenes in emergency services. This story provides an intimate look into the emotional and psychological toll on those who work in high-stress environments. The protagonist, Joe Gibson, is a fifty-year-old paramedic living in London.
Though the demands of his job are immense, Joe and his team often find humor amid the chaos. Joe is aware that every call holds a potential for an emergency so he is fully committed to providing the best care possible. However, the weight of each call takes its toll, leaving invisible scars. His military background has helped shape his perspective, giving him a strong sense of duty. For Joe, the ambulance service became a lifeline after his military career, offering him a renewed sense of purpose.
Yet with each traumatic call, Joe is drawn deeper into a dark mental space he refers to as “the black.” His desire to be a reliable paramedic is being overshadowed by the growing weight of “the black,” which becomes increasingly dangerous with time. Will Joe find a way to balance his dedication to saving others and the need to save himself?
This thought-provoking novel sheds light on the hidden struggles paramedics face. Johnson masterfully conveys the emotional strength required in this profession. This book is a must-read for anyone wanting a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by those in emergency services. Itโs a powerful reminder of the resilience and vulnerability of those on the front lines.
๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ: JAKE – Don’t Look Back ๐ ๐๐๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ: Barbara Eckhoff โ๏ธ . .
๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ: “JAKE – Don’t Look Back” by Barbara Eckhoff is a thrilling novel with an engaging storyline. The protagonist, Savannah Lanier, is tasked by her employer, Raymond Blackborne, to travel to Washington and recruit Jake Forester, the head of Guardian Angels.
Raymond’s company, Poole & Blackborne Drills, has been plagued by mysterious accidents, and he seeks Jake’s expertise to ensure his safety. Although Jake and Raymond share a complicated history, Raymond knows Jake is the best for the job. Initially, Jake declines Savannah’s offer, but after a personal meeting with Raymond and receiving a cryptic warning letter, he reconsiders. Blackborne told Jake that they get quite a few aggressive letters a year. Jake agreed to work alone on the case. Savannah has to convince him as she wants to work on this case too.
The story keeps readers on edge as they follow Jake’s journey and his dynamic with Savannah. Will Jake be able to handle the dangers ahead and form a solid partnership with Savannah?
This novel is packed with suspense, and I found it impossible to stop reading. The unpredictable twists and expertly crafted characters, especially Jake and Savannah, kept me captivated until the end. Barbara Eckhoff’s writing is sharp and compelling, making for a fast-paced and enjoyable read without any slow moments.
Please introduce yourself so that the readers will get to know you better.
A1. I am Molly Arbuthnott and I write. I write poems and stories. They convey more than just my observations of life. They are a way I share hopes, dreams, wishesโฆ everything really. I have written hundreds of poems and published twelve picture books. I like to think that three books are the equivalent of one child so technically I have four children!
What is the inspiration behind your book “Oscar the Ferry Catโ?
A2. We lost our cat on the ferry. I was feeling a bit lost in London myself at the time so decided to write a story conveying a sense of belonging and hope centred around our cat.
When did you realize you want to be an author?
A3. I donโt and I am not sure I really am. I just find it is an enjoyable way to pass time and it brings amazing people into my life too. It is a way I can observe the world and share and give. I love what I do and feel happy every hour of every day. I used to spend a lot of my life pining to be somewhere I wasnโt. This is not a very healthy way to be and so I can now imagine I am somewhere different sometimes through my stories and teach others about different places too.
Please tell us something about your book “Oscar the Ferry Cat”?
A4. It is a story about hope, the courage to try new things and always be open to new experiences and adventures and bringing new people into your life. It is easier to write about human experiences in animals because one is not restricted to a humanโs way of being; breakfast, work, lunch, tea, bed, marriage, children etc etc. It is very prescribed. Writing humans as animals gives one much more freedom.
For which age group is your book “Oscar the Ferry Cat” suitable for?
A5. I like to hope that the sign of a good book means that any age can enjoy it so I like to hope it is a book suitable for all age groups.
What is your favorite Quote?
A6. From my book โ โOscar thought for a while and then said โOk.โ Life- โI have that I might give.โ
What do you like the most about your country?
A7. The traditions- the dancing, the food and the multi-cultural environment.
What suggestion do you want to give to parents of little readers regarding a reading habit?
A8. Donโt force it. It will come naturally if it is supposed to. Do not feel you need to progress on from picture books to chapter books in order to be a โgood readerโ either. So much can be learnt from reading a picture book. I think the reading progression we teach in our Schools is so wrong for this. It encourages children to not really concentrate on what they are reading, just get though it so they can get onto the next book which is so wrong, I think. It is much better to inspire a โlove of readingโ whatever it is in a young child as this will stand them in very good stead for the future.
What does literary success look like to you?
A9. Encouraging someone to read a book who maybe wouldnโt otherwise and encouraging a different way of looking at the world.
Lastly, who is your inspiration in life and why?
My mother. We have a fairly up and down relationship; we are so similar you see. But she is one of the smartest women I know and she has always encouraged us all to follow our dreams and never give up and not worry too much about what other people think.. just do what is right for you.
๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ: The Benmar Chronicles ๐ ๐๐๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ: Jordan Beaudoin โ๏ธ . .
๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ: โThe Benmar Chroniclesโ by Jordan Beaudoin offers a captivating story centered around the Jason siblingsโMichael, Austin, and Janeโwho have faced significant challenges. Five years after losing their parents, they find themselves living on their own, with only their uncle Chris providing financial support through monthly checks. Despite this, Chris remains absent from their day-to-day lives.
The siblings were led to believe that their parents died in a tragic car accident involving a drunk driver. However, a conversation overheard between the school principal, Mrs. Beasel, and history teacher, Mr. Dinits, suggests otherwise. They claim that the parents were murdered in their home and that Susan Bovile, who was blamed for the crime, was framed. Now, with doubts raised, Michael and Austin embark on a mission to uncover the truth behind their parents’ deaths.
This novel is an engaging page-turner, with strong character development and smooth, compelling narration. The plot moves at a brisk pace, keeping the reader intrigued throughout. Michael and Austin stand out as particularly well-crafted characters, and their quest for answers adds depth to the narrative. I found this book impossible to put down until I reached the final page.
๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ: “Gone Mia: Deadly Deception” by Tess Raynes is a psychological thriller that will keep readers guessing from start to finish. The story follows Mia Agostini, a fiercely independent woman who finds herself in an unexpected situation when her car breaks down on the side of the road. Stranded and unsure how to fix a flat tire, she hesitates when a charming stranger named Alex offers his help. Despite her reservations about trusting a stranger, Mia allows Alex into her life, hoping he might be the one to fill the emptiness she’s been feeling.
What starts as a whirlwind romance quickly takes a dark turn. Alex, who seemed perfect at first, begins to subtly control Mia’s life. Her father senses something is off, and even her best friend, Sara, expresses concerns. As Mia slowly becomes isolated, manipulated into cutting ties with her family, she realizes she’s losing herself. But who is Alex really, and what does he want? As the layers of deception unfold, Mia’s entire world is thrown into chaos.
This gripping novel will leave you breathless with suspense. Raynes’ sharp writing and masterful pacing make it impossible to stop reading. The tension builds with every chapter, and you’ll find yourself desperate to uncover Alex’s true motives. Fans of psychological thrillers will be eager to see what Tess Raynes delivers next.
๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ: Of Vital Interest ๐ ๐๐๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ: Frank Demith โ๏ธ . .
๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ: Few books have the ability to captivate readers from the very first page, but Frank Demith’s “Of Vital Interest” does just that. This military thriller follows the story of Sergeant Abdullah, a man deeply committed to serving the country that has given him so much. Originally from Iraq, Abdullah returned to his homeland on several military deployments. He began his career as a linguist before training as a mechanic.
One day, a young soldier named Samir Al Khafaji speaks something in Arabic that catches Abdullah’s attention. Samir, who was granted U.S. citizenship through a special program, soon raises suspicions with his behavior. Could he be hiding something?
Sergeant Abdullah stands out as my favorite character due to his unwavering dedication to his duty and country. The writing style is engaging and easy to follow, making it an enjoyable read. The story is fast-paced, action-packed, and keeps you hooked throughoutโyou wonโt want to put it down.
๐๐ผ๐ผ๐ธ: The Third Way: Book 1 – Awareness ๐ ๐๐๐๐ต๐ผ๐ฟ: Dr. Karl Phillips โ๏ธ . .
๐ ๐๐๐ฏ๐ข๐๐ฐ: Karl Phillips’ “The Third Way: Book 1 – Awareness” is a distinctive and thought-provoking work. Divided into three sectionsโThe Mind, The Body, and The Soulโthe book offers a compelling exploration of self-awareness. Phillips emphasizes that we are more than just our thoughts and urges readers to be vigilant about their mental patterns, actively combating negativity.
One of the standout quotes for me is: “Make sure you give more energy to your dreams than to your fears.”
Phillips encourages us to trust both the Universe and ourselves, revealing that we are not just physical beings but eternal souls. He insightfully notes that while we control our thoughts, we often fall victim to our emotions. Negative feelings like fear, jealousy, and anger can overwhelm us if we’re not careful.
This book is a powerful reminder to cultivate faith, which can generate positive energy and momentum in our lives. It’s a resource I’ll keep close at hand for quick inspiration. I’m grateful to the author for sharing his profound insights, drawn from various facets of life, society, and nature. The writing is engaging, and the cover is visually appealing. I only wish I had discovered this book sooner. It’s a must-read for anyone seeking deeper understanding and growth.
Sassy Reviews 