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Interview with author Patrick Greenwood

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

Fictional writer drawing from life’s experiences and adventures into a blend of storytelling with a deep connection to the emotional side of the human heart. With a mix of 25 years of technology sales, marketing, and content creating, I enjoy sharing my experiences with the world. Being a cybersecurity expert, this background has become a nucleus for my fictional writing and short essays.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book ‘Sunrise in Saigon’?

The book is a blend of a non-fictional and fictional storyline. Many of the plots began with an element of non-fiction and ended with some creative storytelling fiction. The challenge in writing this story was around how to maintain a balance between the two writing styles.

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

Tom Clancy – The Hunt for Red October – Clancy provided extraordinary detail in his novels. He, too, also flirted with the balance between non-fiction facts and fictional storytelling. I loved all his books.

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

I live in Carlsbad, California, 4 Km from the beach. I love to cycle in California, and pretty much anywhere in the world, I can take my bike.

Q5. Is there lots to do before you dive in and start writing a book?

That depends on the book you are writing. “Sunrise in Saigon” was influenced by my trip to Vietnam in 2012 and 2013. I started writing the book in 2019 based on many events from those trips.

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Sunrise in Saigon’?

Great question. I wrote the draft edit in 3 months. Due to Covid-19, my publisher- Austin Macauley, like everyone else, struggled with the remote work challenges. In the end, they helped bring the book to market, and I love to write for them.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your book ?

Amazon.com, BarneandNoble.com, Walmart.com, Austinmacauley.com, Abebooks.com, Blackwells.co.uk, and bookshop.org.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Sunrise in Saigon’?

I shot this photo on the morning of 12-12-2012 from the 18th floor inside the Renaissance hotel in Saigon(Ho Chi Minh City). The river is very symbolic. You will need to read the book to understand better 🙂

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

Always remember that every story has a beginning, a middle, and an end. How you get the end is based on well you tell your story from the beginning and use the middle to “big the plot” in hopefully creating a wonderful ending. The ending in “Sunrise in Saigon” took almost two weeks to write. Once you read the book, hopefully, you will know why 🙂

Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?

Oh.. well yes. Lots of non-fiction to fiction and back to non-fiction again. You will just need to read the book and discovery which parts are fictional and non-fictional 🙂

Patrick Greenwood on Amazon

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Interview with author Anthony Waldren

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

My name is Anthony Waldren. I’m a husband, father, internationally award winning author, and an entrepreneur. I have a graphic design firm, called Starvin’ Artist Graphic Design.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book ‘Starvin’ Artist’?

I started writing my book in 2019. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, I faced challenges with staying focused on writing and completing the book during the pandemic. Also, this is my first book, so I had a lot to learn this go around.

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

I was inspired by many authors and their work. I’ve read and was influenced by many authors, like Kiese Laymon, Damon Young, Cathy Park Hong, Booker T. Washington, Malcolm Gladwell, Robert Greene, MK Asante, Jesmyn Ward, and Carol Dweck to name a few.

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

My favorite spot to visit is home. After a long day of work, I love to be home where it’s peaceful. Home is my safe haven. My family is home. Other than that, anywhere my family is, is a great place to be. We’ve visited the Grand Canyon and that was a beautiful site to see.

Q5. Is there lots to do before you dive in and start writing a book?

Before diving into writing a book, I like to start the process with research and reading other books for inspiration.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Starvin’ Artist’ book?

It took 2 and a half years to write Starvin’ Artist: Hunger for Success.

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your book ?

Readers can buy my book on Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, Audible, Apple Books, Walmart, and more!

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Starvin’ Artist’?

I came up with the cover myself. I’m a graphic designer by trade, so I designed it. The title is named after my graphic design firm.

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

I keep things fresh by staying current with today’s media.

Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?

I tell readers what “Starvin’ Artist” means and why it’s spelled the way it is.

Starvin’ Artist on Amazon

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Interview with author Patrick Riccards

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

I’m an advocate, a dreamer, an agitator, a co-conspirator, and a father. For four years, I coached my daughter’s competition cheerleading squad, working with 19 tween girls as we competed and won at both Nationals and Globals. I began coaching knowing nothing at all about coaching. I did it because my daughter asked if I would. The experience not only gave me 18 more daughters, but it changed my life and changed how I lead at work. 

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book ‘A Dad in a Cheer Bow’?

My experience as a coach was so personal and so challenging. I honestly never thought that others would care about my journey and the lessons I learned. But when people heard about my experiences, they loved asking questions. They didn’t believe me at first. As I thought more about it, I wanted to tell the story. But I was never sure I could do it justice. 

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

My father is a presidential historian, so I spent my whole life watching him research and write and edit. So he is my greatest writing influence. I see myself as a storyteller in life, so I’m constantly looking for inspiration from those who can bring stories to life. McCullough, Amanda Ripley, and even recent authors like Jay Glazer and even Khloe Kardashian all inspire me. I love a great story!

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

There is nothing like NYC to watch people, listen to conversations, and observe lives. I can sit in a train station or an airport or a pizza joint and just soak it all in. As I work on a novel, it is a great way to understand dialogue. And the food just can’t be beat!

Q5. Is there lots to do before you dive in and start writing a book?

Dad in a Cheer Bow is my third book (Why Kids Can”t Read, an education book was my first. Dadprovement, a memoir, was second). I start by just writing. I skip over the intro of the book or of the chapter and just dive in. I write a few chapters and then show it to my wife. I’m a horrible editor and a worse judge of my work. So everything goes through my wife, Jennifer. She tells me if it is worth continuing, needs work, or needs a lot of work. She’s my guide through it all. 

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘A Dad in a Cheer Bow’ book?

I started writing the book during Covid. All told, it was written and edited in about eight months. 

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your book ?

It’s currently available in print or ebook on Amazon. It is also available as a print book on Barnes & Noble. We are conducting an audio version now. 

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘A Dad in a Cheer Bow’?

The cover choice was an easy one. That is me and my daughter at Eastern Regionals, The competition that won us a bid to Nationals. At cheer competitions, I was a unicorn as a male cheer coach. I had some competitor coaches who told me I had no business coaching cheer as I was a boy. So I leaned into. I first got a tutu from the mom of one of athletes. Two other moms gave me the feather boa. I had one cheerleader ask me if I would wear the same cheer bow all my athletes wore at competition. With my shaved head, my only choice was attaching it to a fedora. 

Thus the title. I am a dad in a cheer bow. I only coached because of my daughter and my wanting to be a more involved father. I wear the title with honor. 

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

The big thing in competitive cheer is working to compete at Nationals, which was hosted at Disney World (before covid). So I spent quite some time finding the right Disney quotes to start each of the chapters, quotes that would foreshadow what the reader would discover. I wrote chronologically, which can be boring as an author. So I had to really think about the life lessons I wanted to communicate at the end. Ultimately, the final section of the book (the first four sections are the four seasons) is what I would hope each of my athletes would one day read. 

Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?

Most tweens are embarrassed by their parents, particularly their dads in a tutu. While my daughter would get embarrassed when I would be stopped for photos at competitions, the experience made us incredibly close. Even at 15, she still considers me one of her closest friends. 

At a national conference for cheer coaches in Las Vegas, I was one of only a handful of men, in a group of more than a thousand. I actually had another coach slip me her hotel room key that week. 

I never thought it, but I miss coaching terribly. During the middle of COVID, my daughter and I both retired from cheer. She tried to come out of retirement last year, but we were in a gym where racism was a problem, and with a Latino daughter, we felt we needed to quit the gym and make a statement (I ended up writing about it on Medium). This year, my daughter came out of retirement for a second time, cheering for her high school and its competition cheer team. For the first time in eight years, I can now go to competitions and just watch and enjoy my daughter and her effort. 

A Dad in a Cheer Bow on Amazon

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Interview with author Brian Parsons

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

A1. Absolutely! Thank you for speaking with me! My name is Brian Parsons. I am the author of the Don’t Bee a Prick series, which is a collection of literary works I have developed over twenty years of serving in a multitude of leadership roles to include serving as a U.S. Marine, peace officer, teacher, public speaker, drill instructor, CEO, curriculum and programs developer, parent, and non-profit manager. 

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing your book ‘Don’t Bee a Prick’?

A2. Great question! Don’t Bee a Prick was not only in no way challenging, it was so much fun to write! Aside from the contributing challenges every leader experiences over the course of their tenure working with people that assist us in our growth and development, this book series has been an absolute pleasure to work on and I’m so excited to share it with leaders at all levels!

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

A3. I don’t know where I would be without Dale Carnegie’s books! How to Win Friends and Influence People is my earliest exposure to leadership and effective communication. Stylistically, my books resemble Shel Silverstein’s work; and that is no accident. I am a songwriter first and foremost, so transposing my leadership philosophy into short and memorable poems and including my own bee illustrations was not only where I felt the most comfortable but was also definitely a nod to him for all of the enrichment he added to my childhood. I also love absorbing new and interesting perspectives from brilliant leaders like Simon Sinek, David Groggins, and Steven Covey.

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

A4. This is such a beautiful country and every place I’ve been holds sentiment with me. No place quite compares or inspires me more than the Oregon coast. Perhaps it’s because I look like a sea captain, but if I have the ocean air in my face, the sand in my toes, and the sound of waves crashing against the shore I am completely at peace.  

Q5. Is there lots to do before you dive in and start writing a book?

A5. Excellent question! For me and my process, it really depends on the book. The first installment of Don’t Bee a Prick was conceptualized, written, illustrated, designed, and published all over the course of three days. The second installment wasn’t much different. Perhaps that is a result of the time I spent gaining the experiential base and credibility to write the books. They were subjects I have spent over two decades gaining an expertise in. My current installment is requiring quite a bit more research and subject matter expert consultation. 

Q6. How long did it take you to write your book ‘Don’t Bee a Prick’?

A6. The first installment was written and illustrated in three days. 

Q7. On what platforms can readers buy your book?

A7. Thank you! The Don’t Bee a Prick series is available on Amazon.com, BarnesandNoble.com, BooksaMillion.com, and DontBeeaPrick.com. 

It is available in paperback, hardcover, on Kindle as an eReader (most economical option), and it will be available as an audiobook on Audible in 2023.

They will also be available in individual prints on Etsy if a certain page or principle stands out to you enough to make you want to hang it in your office, classroom, or home in a frame.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Don’t Bee a Prick’?

A8. I love this question because the book title and cover have garnered a lot of attention! I really just wanted to write a leadership book using a familiar phrase of mine that I’ve used for years and present it like a children’s book for adults. I wanted to hone in on the simplicity of the basic leadership principles that I would be outlining as the main content for the book. The bee illustrations were used not only to draw the parallel between the two definitions of “prick” I was alluding to, but also as an illustration of the leadership structure inherent in bee colonies. This was the book and title that I was most intrigued by, and I wanted to write the leadership book that I wanted to read.  

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

A9. Great question! This was a primary focus of this book. I always say that I’ve never read a bad leadership book, but I have read some long ones! I have accumulated so many books on leadership over the years I feel like I can furnish a whole library with them. One of the adjustments I wanted to make when I published Don’t Bee a Prick was trimming out any of the author’s unnecessary and self-aggrandizing narrative that would occupy the first thirty pages or so of most of the leadership books in my library. 

This book is organized into short memorable poems as mnemonic devices to assist the leader in recalling the most important foundations of the leadership applications and principles that are outlined in the book. Getting right to the point was a paramount focus. 

Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?

A10. Yes! There is also a book in the series for parents and children, and teachers and students, to read together that cultivates early leadership principles during early developmental stages through play activity and storytelling called Don’t Bee a Little Prick also available on Amazon. I would love for you to visit my website containing regular blog posts, book deals, and updates on the Don’t Bee a Prick series and I would love to connect with you all on LinkedIn, Instagram @BrianParsonsAuthor, and Facebook at Facebook.com/DontBeeAPrick. 

Thank you very much for speaking with me!

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Interview with author Katherine Meier

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

Katherine Meier is a trend setter and trail blazer. Many will be helped by her life, her discoveries, and her contentions as well as Holy Spirit inspired aspirations. Dave Pedersen

I am the Katherine Meier referred to above… I need to pinch myself to reconnect my brain to the fact that THIS IS ME being spoken of. I am a wife to my husband of 16 years and a mom of 5 biological boys and we are currently in the adoption process of two wonderful little girls.

I am also a lover of Jesus that walks very closely in intimacy with Him. I have a seer anointing that has opened up the realms of visions and dreams. The call over my life is intimacy with Him. I am an activator that activates people into a deeper relationship and intimacy with the Trinity. I am also an author and I write blogs.

I am very adventurous, and I love connection with people and nature. I am real, honest and authentic.

Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing ‘Fight’ book?

There was a lot of spiritual warfare that my family had to go through in releasing this book but even though it was very hard, we have come out stronger and more committed to the call over our family.

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

There are too many to mention but some of my favorite influences are: Nate Johnston, Lana Vawser, Patricia King, Ian Clayton, Bill Johnson, Sarah-Jane Biggart, James Maloney’s accounts of the golden candlestick ladies, Candice Smithyman, Brian Simmons, Jeremiah Johnson, Roland Buck, Jodie Hudges, Dutch Sheets, Justin Paul Abraham, Lou Engle, Gary Oats, Paul Keith Davis, Dr Bill Hamon, Troy Brewer and Leif Hetland.

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

My favorite place is Riet River. It is a small little seaside village in the Easter Cape. It has been my place of retreat once a year for two weeks. I sit on the sand dunes in the night hours and enjoy the stillness around me and the clarity of His voice. It is a yearly time of rest in Him and where He fill my cup to overflow and where I receive my blueprints for the year ahead. It is also a time of great fun and family connection that fills me with so much joy.

Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?

Honestly, for me, I felt like I was set up by the Holy Spirit. I started filling up journal after journal since 2016 and that ended up being a lot of my preparation for this book. I prayed about the chapters and wrote that down first and then just started writing in the different chapters as I was led. I did not write in order; I wrote as He said, and it all ended up in this beautiful step by step journey of how I went from being broken to live in freedom in Him.

Q6. How long did it take you to write ‘Fight’ book?

I heard the call to write the book in 2019 from the Holy Spirit and started to get all my visions and dreams from many years together. I officially started in January 2020 and sent it of to my editor on the 23rd of December 2020. I then waited until the Holy Spirit gave me the go ahead to release it and that call came in March of 2022.

Q7. On what all platforms readers can find ‘Fight’ book to buy?

You can order through my linktree (linktr.ee/Kat_Meier) under ‘order form’ and I have a courier that sends it to places in South Africa. It is also available on Kindle. You will find the link on my linktree. It’s also on the website: achosengeneration.co.za.

Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title ‘Fight’?

I wrote the book and then handed it over to my editor who read through it, and she said that the overwhelming message in the book to her was in one simple word ‘Fight’ and when I heard it, I knew that was it. I wanted a simple yet impactful name that summed up my life up until now. I then handed it over to my publishing team and gave them a vision that I wanted as the front cover. They took the vision and came up with three possibilities. When I saw this cover, I was so overcome with emotion as it depicts the book so beautifully.

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

This book was written and inspired through the breath of Holy Spirit. That is how I write all my blogs as well. I listen and write an account of what I hear in the secret place. I have never tried to write in another way and that is how I know it will stay fresh because the words come from my intimacy and relationship with the Trinity.

Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?

I want to encourage anyone who has a message inside of them but feel inadequate, to just start. I had no understanding of writing or languages and had no desire to turn my accounts of His voice into a book but as I wrote, the Holy Spirit opened door after door after door. My editor is a close friend, and this was her last book before she started as a full-time teacher. My second editor is my closest friend who happens to be excellent at languages and as I watched her pick up all the errors in different blogs she read, I felt the Holy Spirit breathe on the connection and when I asked her, she said yes. We started a publishing company based on a word spoken to both my husband and I at the same time by the Holy Spirit even though we were in separate rooms. Over and over, the doors just opened. All that was required of me were obedience and a yes even though I had no idea what He was going to do with this.

Buy on Amazon

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Don’t Bee a Prick

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Don’t Bee a Prick 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Brian Parsons ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
Recently I was promoted to a Team Lead in my project. I must say that because of my lack of leadership skills, I struggled a lot initially. Recently I got my hands on the book ‘Don’t Bee a Prick’ written by Brian Parsons.

Brian has mentioned that the leader should have a vision and before assigning tasks to the team members, the leader should invest in learning more about his team. Brian has said the truth that as a leader you may make mistakes also but that’s totally okay.

This is a great book on leadership that I have read. I have learned many tips from this book and they would help me. Loved the illustrations and the poems in this book. It is a short read but it will help you a lot. This book is for new leaders as well as experienced ones. Looking forward to reading more books by Brian.

  • 𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

Book Is Available On Amazon

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Entanglement by M T G

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Entanglement 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: M T G ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
Entanglement: The Surface by M T G is the first installment in the Entanglement book series. There are two main characters in the story: Logan and Dasha. Logan landed on Earth. He joined Navarre Beach High School so he could hide himself amongst the humans.

In high school, girls were attracted to him. Jasmine was especially throwing herself on Logan. But Logan was attracted to Dasha. He felt an electrical connection with her. Dasha has moved to Florida recently so she could be closer to family. She lives with her aunt. When Logan met Dasha, he started craving to understand her more.

What will happen when Logan reveals himself to Dasha? The story keeps me excited all the time to know what will happen next. The plot of the story is written well. I couldn’t keep this book down once I started reading it. This book kept me on the edge of my seat.

The cover photo is nice. It’s a fast paced story and I enjoyed reading it.

  • 𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

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Hungry

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Hungry 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Caroline B. Cook ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
“Hungry: Celebrating Life after overcoming an eating disorder” penned by Caroline Cook is an interesting read.

In this book, Caroline has shared how eating disorders lead to hurt and heartache. In fact, it can take our life also. Caroline was having an eating disorder. One day, she realized that there are many cons of living a life with an eating disorder.

The author has mentioned about the time when her eating disorder was controlling her. She lost pounds after pounds and still felt that she wasn’t skinny enough. Even the happiness of becoming a homecoming queen wasn’t much there.

Read this book to know how Caroline would start living a normal life. This book opened my eyes towards food intake. We all should eat healthy. The writing style of the author is nice. The title of the book is suitable. I am glad to get my hands on this book.

  • 𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

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Nina loves the Forest

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Nina Loves the Forest 📚

𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Heider Broisler ✍️

𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰: “Nina Loves the Forest” is an interesting children’s story book penned by Heider Broisler.

The story features Nina, a young girl who dreamt of saving the Amazon rainforest though she knew that it was dangerous to face the water of the Amazon River. Give a quick read to the story to know how Nina and her mother Haita worked to save the forest with the help of the Internet. Read this book to know if they succeed in protecting the trees and animals. Readers will learn that we need to nurture nature and not hurt nature.

The illustrations tell a story themselves and the writing is imaginative. The cover of the book is eye catchy. I enjoyed every bit of the story. The pace of the story is perfect and the language is easy so that kids can understand it well. It’s a well written book. I recommend this book to everyone. Go for it.

• 𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

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Mystery in the Hill

𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸: Mystery in the Hill 📚
𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿: Aaron Qualio ✍️
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🚀 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰:
“Mystery in the Hill” is a religious mystery novel penned by the author Aaron Qualio.

The story is set in the town of Ashbelle. Ashbelle is the type of town where everyone knows everyone. The story features four high schoolers: Andrew, Chris, Trev and Tanner. While racing to the top of the hill, Chris got stuck to the hill. Chris noticed a hole in the hillside. The boys brought the shovel and dug a big hole. They noticed something that looked like a door.

On investigating the door further, they discovered a skeleton with a hole from a bullet in the forehead. Read this story to find out more about the mystery in the hill.

This book kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn’t put it down until I finished it. The cover of the book is nice and the title is suitable. I enjoyed every bit of this story. High school or college students would enjoy this well-written book. Looking forward to reading more books by Aaron in the future.

  • 𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 4.5/5

★ Book Is Available On Amazon

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