Sandra C. Lopez's Blog, page 126
April 14, 2023
Blurb Blitz: RACIAL JUSTICE AT WORK by Mary-Frances Winters
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Mary-Frances Winters and The Winters Group Team will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour bvanner to see the other stops on the tour.
Creating justice-centered organizations is the next frontier in DEI. This book shows how to go beyond compliance to address harm, share power, and create equity.
Traditional DEI work has not succeeded at dismantling systems that perpetuate harm and exclude BIPOC groups. Proponents of DEI have put too much focus on HR solutions, such as increasing representation, and not enough emphasis on changing the deeper organizational systems that perpetuate inequities—in other words, on justice. DEIJ work diverges from traditional metrics-driven DEI work and requires a new approach to effectively dismantle power structures.
This thought-provoking, solutions-oriented book offers strategic advice on how to adopt a justice mindset, anticipate and address resistance, shift power dynamics, and create a psychologically safe organizational culture. Individual chapters provide pragmatic how-to guides to implementing justice-centered practices in recruitment and hiring, data collection and analysis, learning and development, marketing and advertising, procurement, philanthropy, and more.
DEIJ pioneer Mary-Frances Winters and her coauthors address some of the most significant aspects of adding a justice focus to diversity work, showing how to create a workplace culture where equity is not a checklist of performative actions but a lived reality.
Read an Excerpt
Over the past fifty years, reams of research have been published around the idea of psychological safety, an aspect of organizational culture that cultivates openness, engagement, and positive change. It is the feeling among employees that employers and managers will not punish them for speaking up. As David Altman from the Center for Creative Leadership puts it: “People need to feel comfortable speaking up, asking naïve questions, and disagreeing with the status quo to create ideas that make a real difference . . . . It doesn’t mean that everybody is nice all the time. It means you embrace the conflict and speak up, knowing that your team has your back and you have their backs.” While most of the literature in this area has focused on team dynamics and organizational hierarchy—including the business case for psychological safety—the current zeitgeist requires we refine it even further with an eye toward justice: A just organization ensures that Black and POC employees are psychologically safe.
The majority of organizations in the US are still hierarchical in their structures. Generally speaking, org charts are a nominal variation of “executives are positioned above upper management, which in turn stands above middle management, which then oversees the general staff population.” There may be more levels, different terminology, or perhaps even a nice-looking horizontal layout, but at its core, this structure has become the operating paradigm in staffing. There are plenty of benefits of utilizing such a structure, and it can be highly effective in producing an organization’s desired outcomes, whatever they may be. The adage too often remains true, though: “Bad news doesn’t travel up.”
More to the point: bad news doesn’t travel up if no one feels safe sharing bad news. Likewise, good ideas die a quick death along with the bad news if employees expect their ideas to be overlooked, criticized, or dismissed out of hand. Put another way—the traditional workplace hierarchy often suppresses growth and change by suppressing bad news and good ideas due to employees not feeling psychologically safe. “Often” is the operative word there, for it doesn’t have to be so.
It takes a concerted effort from the team and company leaders to create a psychologically safe working environment, especially for Black and POC employees. Leaders have to be willing to receive open, honest feedback and not feel threatened by ideas from those lower in the hierarchy—especially employees of color—and cultivate a culture where everyone feels safe sharing.
About the Author:
Mary-Frances Winters is the founder and CEO of the Winters Group Inc. She was named a top ten diversity trailblazer by Forbes and a diversity pioneer by Profiles in Diversity Journal, and she is the recipient of the prestigious ATHENA Award as well as the Winds of Change Award conferred by the Forum on Workplace Inclusion. Winters is also the author of We Can’t Talk about That at Work, Inclusive Conversations, and Black Fatigue.The Winters Group Team contributors are Kevin A. Carter, Megan Ellinghausen, Scott Ferry, Gabrielle Gayagoy Gonzalez, Dr. Terrence Harewood, Tami Jackson, Dr. Megan Larson, Leigh Morrison, Katelyn Peterson, Mareisha N. Reese, Thamara Subramanian, and Rochelle Younan-Montgomery.
Website
Amazon
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Blog Tour: OBEDIENCE by Liza Snow
OBEDIENCE
by Liza Snow
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GENRE: Erotic Romantic Suspense
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BLURB:
Cassandra
Growingup, I was mesmerized by a man soaring the skies.
Thegreatest silk aerialist in the world, Chandler Moreau.
Hewas once my lifeline, the dream I clung to after my parents died. I’ve alwaysbelieved he was my destiny. To join him at the Dreamers Academy. To perform forhim.
Tosoar with him.
He’smore than I ever imagined. Far more than a mentor. When I am high in the silks,turning, flying, falling, he’s my lifeline once again. Twisting my heart and mybody into knots like the knots of his beloved Japanese rope bondage, Shibari.
Idon’t want to live without him. With each lesson, each touch, I crave more.Only he can satisfy me. And only he can destroy me…
ButI must keep him safe from the past that relentlessly follows me.
Chandler
Sheis my protégé, the student I’ve been waiting to take under my wing for myentire career. Someone with whom I could share my lifelong journey in my family’scircus, Cirque du Lys.
Inever intended to fall in love with the student I was supposed to protect—frommyself and the demons that lurk in my shadows. But sometimes fate has otherplans.
Cassandra,my beautiful butterfly. I know she’s off limits. Forbidden. Still, I want herin my life. My heart. My bed.
Mygrandfather's taunting words still linger.
Mieuxvaut plier que rompre.
Adaptand survive.
It’swhat we must do. Cassandra and I share a history that entwines us more than thesilks we’ve spent our lives mastering ever could.
Thereare secrets from the past that must never be told. And truths that coulddestroy what we’ve just begun…
Moreto Love:
Inaddition to the paperback, Obedience is also available in a full-cast narratedaudiobook, starring Daniel Zbel and Rapunzaroo, along with a cast of additionalvoiceover actresses. Brought to life in the way the story is meant to be told,and it will be the best audiobook you listen to this year—possibly for a verylong time. You’ll love listening to the two voices of these iconic characters.And don’t forget to read along with them and enjoy a fantastic, immersiveexperience. You’ll need the paperback copy to fan yourself off from some of thenarration!
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Excerpt One:
I hadn’t neededto prompt her. She began, pulling herself upward, drawing those silks aroundher small frame as she went. Climbing high into the air as the two women begantheir duet. The French lyrics pulled me in every time. It was perhaps one ofthe reasons that while I simply tolerated most opera songs I’d heard, I adoredthis song.
Every time Iheard it, every time I got lost in those little nuances of the language, itbrought me back to summertime in Melun, France. Playing on the hillsoverlooking the city, lost in the grasses filled with wildflowers. Climbinginto Meme’s apple trees. Perhaps the time in my life when it had felt sosimple. All there were, were the memories of when I’d been happy.
And if there wasany place I wanted to be, as I watched Cassandra ascending above me, knowing inseconds I would be right beside her, it was in those memories again. Bringingher with me.
The firststanza finished, and my mind immediately centered. My hands had already beenwrapped in the silks without having to think about it. She paused, and I sawher attention drift downward. We fell captive to one another, and it was all Ineeded to see. I knew it was my turn to go to her. She was waiting for me.
In the samefashion she had moments earlier, I began my way up the silks beside hers, whichhad been a deep royal purple color. The entire time I made my way high into theroom, I immersed myself in the French lyrics, the strings complimenting everyrise and fall of the two women’s voices. Some moments, I’d lose myself in whatI was doing, taking careful note of all the little adjustments my body wasmaking. Other times, my attention drifted upward. Until finally, I was justbeneath Cassandra.
When I pausedagain, I took a few deep breaths, steadying myself. Focused entirely on thebeautiful woman above me, who was just as attentive to me. I nodded to her,signaling I was ready, prepared to follow her in whatever she had thought to donext.
At the precisemoment when I had met her, she had already begun moving herself into a sailorpose above me, legs splitting, and much to my satisfaction, every single partof her in perfect position. All the small details I’d shown her the firstlesson we’d had together were as pristine as when I’d helped her myself.
I would havetaken more time to truly enjoy how proud of her I felt if she hadn’t twisteddownward, dropping her torso straight toward me in a graceful fall. Beforeshe’d completed it, I knew what she’d done. A Rainbow Marchenko. A famous moveof Jeanne’s for many years. But watching her as she settled into it, I wouldhave thought it was hers alone.
Cassandra’shands dropped, releasing the silks. Dangling inches away. The only thingholding her in the air was the precise folds of those green fabrics wrappedaround her legs.
Looking intoher eyes as she hung there, waiting for me to act, all I could do was smile.She’d been focused, lost in her own world, but she’d come back to me. We weretogether again in the very place I had wanted to be with her ever since I’dseen her flying through the silks at her audition. I had dreamt about it everytime since, every lesson we had, every time I’d watched her from the shadows ofthe theater while she practiced.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
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A bestselling independent author from Florida, Liza has beenputting romance books into her readers hands for over a half decade, and hasloved every minute of it.
Liza lives with her husband, her two dogs and her cat, tenminutes from the beach. When she isn't writing, you can often find her walkingand enjoying outside, with a coffee and a book in hand.
https://www.lizasnowauthor.com/
http://www.facebook.com/lizasnowauthor
https://instagram.com/lizasnowauthor
http://www.pinterest.com/lizasnowauthor
Audio book excerpt: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1pFWlXysA0Smd9yZX9nYnGi0i1DXruyDN/view?usp=share_link
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GIVEAWAY
Theauthor will be awarding a $30 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner, a signedpaperback copy of the book to 5 randomly drawn winners, and 5 randomly drawnwinner will have their choice of a t-shirt or mug.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
April 13, 2023
Blog Tour: HOWLING WITH THE HUSKIES by Linda Chamberlain
Howling with the Huskies
by Linda Chamberlain
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GENRE: Children's/Wellness
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BLURB:
Whatcan three Alaskan husky sled dogs teach Galena and her younger brother, Kimmo,about working with difficult emotions, coping skills for stress, and feelinggood? This illustrated children's book blends storytelling, the northern sportof dog mushing, and skill-building activities to empower children with simpletools for self-calming and well-being. Learn about Kimmo's secret howl and othertechniques that can be used anywhere, anytime—at school, on the go, and athome.
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EXCERPT
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Review: In this book, we travel to Alaskaand learn about the huskies, which are trained to pull sleds. Join Kimmo andGalena as they explain the ins and outs of taking care of a dog team. Butthat’s not what this story is about. Believe it or not, it’s about knowing howto feel good. What makes a huskie feel good? Howling, of course.
In this story, the lead dog showsthe kids the benefits of howling.
“Howl when you are happy. Howlwhen you are sad. Howl when things are great. Howl when things seem bad.”
The illustrations were so vibrantand colorful. This book shows the different ways that you can feel good. Ofcourse, this is all comes from the perspective of a dog, but the concept wasthe same. I didn’t quite understand the paw print in the snow and the differentfingers. I guess that was counting your emotions. It all led to a simple,little exercise you can try on your hands.
“Fingerholds help us to know howwe are feeling so we don’t get stuck in a feeling.”
This book is a fun reference guideto help with your emotions.
A nice read about feeling good.
Rating:4 stars
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
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LindaChamberlain, PhD, MPH is a scientist, author, former dog musher, and leadingexpert on the effects of stress on the body and brain. From Finland to CostaRica, she has worked around the world to share simple tools to build stressresilience, regulate emotions, and promote well-being. Linda is a trainer withCapacitar International, a global network for healing and empowerment.Certified in a wide range of mind-body practices, she teaches breath work,mindful movement, meditation, and therapeutic yoga to healthcare systems,educators, counselors, therapists, college students, the armed forces,parenting programs, and other organizations. She lives with her husband, Al, ona rural homestead outside of Homer, Alaska.
Website: https://drlindachamberlain.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3149164.Linda_Chamberlain
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GIVEAWAY
Linda Chamerlain will be awarding a $10 Amazon orBarnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during thetour.
April 12, 2023
Blog Tour: THE CASE OF THE FORGOTTEN FRAGONARD by Marilyn Baron
THE CASE OF THE FORGOTTEN FRAGONARD
by Marilyn Baron
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GENRE: Cozy Mystery
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BLURB:
HadleyEvans Ferrari, art detective in Florence, Italy, is on the scent of a forgottenFragonard painting at a villa in Rome when she stumbles across a treasure troveof stolen Nazi artwork—from Hermann Göring’s personal World War II stash. Whenshe and the palazzo’s interior decorator are held hostage by the head of asecret Nazi organization and required, in a race against time, to appraise allthe artwork in the house for private sale, she fears they will never escapewith their lives. Can her sexy carabinieri husband Luca Ferrari and the policedepartment’s Art Squad get there in time to come storming in and “save the day”before the villa’s evil Count “ties up loose ends”?
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Excerpt One:
“How do youknow me?”
“Who in Italydoesn’t know the famous and beautiful Signora Ferrari of Massimo Domingo Art
DetectiveAgency?”
“I wasn’t awareanyone knew my name. My boss is the premier art expert.”
“Signora,you’re too modest. Your reputation precedes you, as does the highlyquestionable and fading reputation of your boss. And your particular expertisewill be put to very good use here, I assure you. It’s a special job thatrequires your particular skills.”
“What exactlyare we doing here?” Hadley demanded, acting more courageous than she felt.
“Okay, let’sdispense with the niceties, if we must. I have inherited a number of paintings,and I’m in need of your talent in authenticating and tracking the provenance ofwhat I believe are masterworks.”
“You meanstolen Nazi art.”
The manstraightened. “Certainly not. I have the records that maintain these paintingswere legally sold to the buyers and that I now own Palazzo Allegretti and allof its contents.”
“But Iunderstood that Herr Muller had purchased the palazzo.”
“Herr Mullerworks for us. He’s what you could call an anonymous third party. We’ve beenwaiting a long time to release these paintings onto the open market. I simplyneed your assistance in verifying their authenticity, perhaps giving us an ideaof their current value, which has undoubtedly risen since they were…”
“Confiscated?”Hadley posed. “Is that the word you were looking for?”
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Review: The narrative was nice n’ easy, even though some of the Italian and French artists and landmarks were a tad confusing. The story takes a while to get going as it’s busy laying out the groundwork with the history and the masterpieces, which gave the story authenticity but was also very drawn-out and technical. Story really takes the reader deep into Art History, which, for the most part, was fascinating, but some of the details might get lost on some.
For me, the mystery didn’t quite progress that finely or quickly. I’d still call this a smart mystery and those that like to put on their thinking cap might enjoy this. For me, this was a fair read.
Rating: 3 stars
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Marilyn Baron writes in a variety of genres from women’s fictionto historical romantic thrillers and romantic suspense to paranormal/fantasyand cozy mysteries. She’s received writing awards in Single Title, SuspenseRomance, Novel with Strong Romantic Elements and Paranormal/Fantasy Romance. Shewas also The Finalist in the 2017 Georgia Author of the Year Awards (GAYA) inthe Romance Category for her novel, Stumble Stones, and The Finalist for the2018 GAYA Awards in the Romance category for her novel, The Alibi. Her latestnovel, which was released March 22, 2023, her 29th work of fiction, is The Caseof the Forgotten Fragonard. A public relations consultant in Atlanta, Marilynis past chair and current member of Roswell Reads and serves on the AtlantaAuthors Series Committee. To find out more about what Marilyn writes, visit herwebsite at: www.marilynbaron.com/
Preferred Website: www.marilynbaron.com
Email: Marilynbaroncom@gmail.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/MarilynBaron
Instagram: Marilyn Baron (@marilyn.baron.5)
Personal Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.baron.5
Author Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/Marilyn-Baron-286807714666748/
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Marilyn-Baron/e/B008PJFQPC
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/marilyn-baron
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4722647.Marilyn_Baron
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/marilynbaron5/_saved/
https://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Fragonard-Massimo-Domingo-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0BS5N3C7M/
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GIVEAWAY
Theauthor will award a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner. Please use the following code in your post.
April 11, 2023
Blog Tour: THE REGISTRATION by Madison Lawson
Book Details:Book Title: The Registration (a Novel) by Madison Lawson
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 320 pages
Genre: Thriller
Publisher: CamCat Books
Release date: September 2022
Content Rating: PG-13 + M. There is violence, including a torture scene, and some language, as well as mention of domestic violence, abuse, murder, and abortions.
Book Description:
You can’t outrun the Registration.
Imagine it’s legal to commit one murder in your lifetime⎯if you Register the victim and accomplish the kill within fourteen days. So when Lynell Mize stands in line to Register the man who abused her as a child, she’s shocked to hear a stranger Register her to be killed. Why would anyone who doesn't know her squander his one legal murder on her? Desperate to survive the next two weeks, she must find out who wants to kill her⎯and why.
Easier said than done as Lynell soon discovers that multiple strangers have used their Registration on her. Along the way, she reunites with her estranged husband who is determined to dig up a past Lynell prefers to keep buried. With only days left to live, Lynell fights to uncover the truth and survive a destiny not of her choosing.
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Review: It’s Registration Day. At 24, Lynell had been wanting to register the same person for nearly 2 decades. The people have access to true justice and mercy with the Registration. It entitled citizens to kill the person they Registered, no questions asked and no consequences. But it must be done within 2 weeks or else it’s murder. Wow, that was pretty cool. That would definitely be useful.
Lynell had no regrets for what she was about to do. Just when she’s about to Register, she hears her name being called—someone Registering her. Someone was signing up to kill her. But who? And why?
“The gift doesn’t feel like a gift when you’re on the other side.”
Story with a unique premise captivates you from the start.
In a blind panic, Lynell rushes home, where her ex-boyfriend was waiting to take her out of town. Did he know about the Registration? How did he know the man that Registered her? And why was she Registered at all?
“You can never outrun your Registration.” Can you?
She had questions she just had to find out and it seemed the only one that could answer them was Zach Price, the one that Registered her and the one that would kill her within 14 days. Now that he had her, would she get those answers? Would she really die at his own hand?
Little by little, we learn more about what Lynn wants to know. There were 10 people that Registered her? Why? What reward were they after?
It’s just one bombshell after another in this thrilling tale. Lynn’s being rundown and tortured for something that they want. Will she give in…or just keep running?
The chapters summarize each day within the 2-week Registration period. This made the chapters too long. We basically had 14 VERY LONG chapters, which didn’t make it too easy to get through. Although scintillating by the concept and plot, the pace was rather long and slow overall. The excitement wanes a little about half-way through when it just seemed like the characters were waiting around for something. They were hiding, yes, which opened up room for flashbacks and reminiscing—something that was heavily draped over the story. There were still some surprises toward the end, which was good. It kept the reader going ‘til the end because you’re just too curious about it.
All in all, this was a good read with a unique concept. I just wished it was quicker with shorter chapters.
Rating: 4 stars
Meet the Author:Author Madison Lawson writes speculative fiction novels full of suspense, social commentary, and complex relationships. She has published a dozen short stories, many of which won awards such as the Koresh Award and the Gordone Award. She received her B.A. in English from Texas A&M University and is currently earning her M.A. in English at North Carolina State University. Born and raised in a small Texas town, Madison began escaping through reading and writing as soon as she could.
connect with the author: website ~ twitter ~ facebook ~ instagram ~ goodreads
April 10, 2023
Blog Tour: THE ROCK AT THE BOTTOM by Cynthia Hilston
Lorna & Tristan #3
20th Century Historical Fiction / Romance
Date Published: 03-21-2023
Stephen feels he is marked from day one to lose the ones he loves. His mother dies giving birth to him, and his alcoholic father makes sure Stephen never forgets it. To block out his father’s hate, fists, and belt, young Stephen loses himself in his imagination. Stories become his closest companions and barricades against a family that never wanted him. Once he can look his father in the eye, Stephen swears he will never be the monster his old man is. He vows he will become a published author, if for no other reason than to prove his father wrong.
While his dreams of being a bestselling novelist and falling in love come true, Stephen has much to prove to himself before he can write his own happy ending. Set against the backdrop of Prohibition-era Cleveland, Stephen fights the same alcoholic demons that plagued his father as he tries to begin a life free from his family. He meets equally headstrong Julie and is smitten, but their marriage is as fractured as his career is solid. He can find ten ways to write about being in love, but he has a hard time translating love on the page to love in real life. Julie slips between his fingers like sand, and Stephen sees his father staring back when he looks in the mirror.
Try as he might to rewrite his life, even going so far as to change his name, he has to wonder if he is the author or the killer of love.
The Rock at the Bottom – Excerpt #1
My mother was the first person I killed. Myfather made sure I never forgot it.
Itried to forget. Oh, did I ever. As soon as I could read, I lost myself inbooks at every opportunity. But as a six-year-old boy, who was reminded everytime my drunk old man took retribution out of my flesh, the hurled words becameetched on my soul.
You’rethe reason she’s dead.
Youtook her from me.
You’rea mistake.
Youweren’t supposed to be born. To exist.
Youaren’t supposed to exist.
Thosewords cut into my being with every laceration on my back. Or every purplebruise on my cheekbone—left or right, take your pick. Whichever side my fatherwas on when he struck.
Buthe was never on my side.
Iwas on my side. I and I alone. Sometimes, even I wasn’t on my side.
Myolder brothers and sisters had their lives, and I wasn’t part of theirs. Twelveyears and a chasm separated me—the unwanted—from them—the loved.
Whenprinted words failed to cover my scars, I escaped to the only place I knew: myimagination.
Review: Stephen was a boy that got abused by his drunk father and was able to find solace in his stories. The diary narrative of the boy was crafty and insightful—so full of somber honesty. The prose was nice—plain and simple—but it wasn’t too invigorating.
The boy’s only goal was to leave his house for good and start a whole new life for himself, which was understandable and commendable. After leaving his house, he buys a typewriter. The story is quite slow to progress. It takes a while for the romance to enter the picture, and, even when it does show, it’s a long road to get there.
The words were literary and emphatic—good for those serious fiction lovers. It’s not a light read, for sure. It’s a decent read, although not entirely my taste, but still pretty good.
Rating: 3 stars
About the Author
Cynthia Hilston is a stay-at-home mom of three young kids, happily married, and lives in the Cleveland, Ohio, area. Writing has always been like another child to her. After twenty years of waltzing in the world of fan fiction, she stepped away to do her debut dance with original works of fiction, although she still dabbles in fan fiction.
In her spare time – what spare time? – she devours books, shamelessly watches Hallmark movies and When Calls the Heart, pets her orange and black kitties, looks at the stars, drinks wine or coffee with good friends, and dreams of what other stories she wishes to tell.
Contact Links
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Blog Tour: THE EFFICIENCY JOURNAL by Misha Saidov
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will award a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
This journal, created by renowned coach and psychotherapist Misha Saidov, will help you become the hero of your own life. It was created to assist you in setting important goals, reaching them, and winning. It will support you along the way, especially when you find yourself lost or confused. The Efficiency Journal will help you stay on track.
You don't need to schedule your day by the minute. If you want to succeed, you only need to complete three key daily tasks, set goals that fit into 12-week sprints, and honestly reflect on your results once a week.
You will learn to manage your energy and analyze your actions, achievements, and experiences.
The result will be a formed character, created by daily volitional actions.
What's inside?
– Weekly and daily planning sheets
– Space for summarizing weekly results and for reflection
– Wise thoughts and tips along the way
Any goal reduced to daily tasks will be achieved, no matter what.
FOR WHOM IS THIS JOURNAL?
For those who want to succeed in business, improve themselves, move forward, maintain their motivation and eliminate distractions.
Many of us have meaningful ideas that could change the world. Without embodiment, they will remain just a dream. A dream about the future.
Read an Excerpt
In 1910, in the center of Paris at Sorbonne, the president of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, gave a speech.
One of the passages of the speech became known as “The Man in the Arena”:
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.
Do you ever find yourself asking: “Who am I? The one in the arena, or a spectator?”
About the Author:
Misha Saidov, a life performance coach and author, is the founder of IMCP (Institute of Metacognitive Programming) and Think Meta, a coaching company that conducts 4000+ client sessions per month.Website
Amazon Buy Link
a Rafflecopter giveaway
April 8, 2023
Review: VIABLE HOSTAGE by Audrey Cole
The start with the yacht settingwasn’t that great…until we get to the part about the dismembered corpse in abody bag.
In the next few chapters, we learnabout the night a college girl goes missing from a night club and her friendseems to be the only one concerned about it. Malorie’s instincts about Lanibeing in trouble were correct as she was being held hostage somewhere,completely tied down to a bed. It becomes a mystery of who took Lani andMalorie was taking the steps to try to figure it out.
The case gets more interestingwhen the first body washes up, one fitting a similar description as Lani. Couldboth girls have been pregnant? What could someone do with the fetal infants?Could one of the med-school professors be a serial rapist and killer? Will theyfind this evil doctor before it’s too late?
Compelling to read! Truly makesyou wonder who was behind all this.
Rating:4 stars
Review: DADDY’S LITTLE GIRL by Mary Higgins Clark
Where’s Andrea? That was thequestion Ellie has been asking ever since she disappeared. Then she foundher…dead. Daddy’s little girl was gone forever.
23 years later, the murder of hersister, Andrew, was still fresh in Ellie’s mind. The guy that was convicted forthe murder may be getting out on parole and Ellie had to do everything shecould to stop it. Going back to her hometown was bringing back memories of thehappy family they once were and the events after the murder. Ellie was writinga book to refute the claims being made about her sister’s murder. She wouldn’tleave until she researched everything that happened.
Story was well-written and justenthralling with the words. However, unlike other MHC books, this one was toldalmost entirely in the POV of Ellie, which was still interesting as we gothrough all her research and interviews, but it can get a little too long attimes. It was nothing but “reporting” mostly. Some of the chapters were also alot longer, making it harder to read. This was one of the first books of hersthat I’ve actually had to skip pages in.
Definitely not one of her best.
Rating: 3 stars
Review: THE RECIPIENT by Audrey Cole
A serial killer continuing hisspree. All of Michael Rhodes’ victims died the same way. But Michael Rhodes wasdead. Wasn’t he? How could his grisly killings keep going? Was this the work ofa copy cat?
Meanwhile, Ella never got herhusband back after his brain transplant, which put her living with a totalstranger now.
In the midst of a puzzlinginvestigation, Wade contends with guilt of losing his partner, his anger onviolent scumbags, and trying to stop a killer.
It was so obvious where this wasgoing. We kind of all figured what was going on here—the guy had the brain of akiller, which was a captivating premise. Unfortunately, the story was taking along time to get there with lengthy protocols, assumed suspects, toxicologyreports, and, of course, the wife’s suspicions on the guy. It’s a pretty goodread, but it’s certainly a long one. There was some good thrill, but it was alittle predictable.
This was an okay read, but Ithought it be better.
Rating:3 stars
