Sage Nestler's Blog, page 13

REVIEW: Scentsy Satin Black Warmer + Black Raspberry Vanilla Wax

Happy Thursday, Everyone!

I hope you are having a great day. I am excited to share with you today my review of the Scentsy Classic Satin Black Warmer and Black Raspberry Vanilla Wax bar. In my previous post I discussed how I am collaborating with Scentsy to bring you exclusive bibliotherapy (book therapy) packages that include the healing power of their fragrances! In preparation for this I am testing their various products to include in my bibliotherapy services, and I am excited to share my review with you.

The Classic Satin Black Warmer is one of our original and lower end warmers, but it is gorgeous and I highly recommend it for you if you are planning on purchasing any of my bibliotherapy packages. It provides the coziest reading environment, and it will be excellent to melt your wax bars in!

I hope you enjoy!

Much love,

Ashley

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To start, I enjoyed the durable packaging that my Classic Satin Black Warmer came in, as well as it’s simplistic design. I was impressed with the small business feel it presented as well as its artistic notes.

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Upon opening the box I was met with this adorable quote from one of Scentsy’s creators, Heidi. It really helped to set the mood and make the unboxing feel personal and handmade. I am always impressed with the small details that are included in Scentsy products because of how personal they make the products feel.

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The warmer itself was much larger than I originally anticipated, and it is heavy! I was very impressed with how well made it was and I adore the little lights that make heart reflections when the warmer is turned on. After leaving the warmer on for less than fifteen minutes my entire room was filled with fragrance, and it created such a relaxing, reading atmosphere. I am completely addicted to having it on at all times!

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The first bar that I tried from Scentsy was their Black Raspberry Vanilla bar. Its fragrance is soft and fruity with a hint of warmth. I love how cozy it makes my reading space, almost like the smell of something baking in the oven.

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The bar itself is split up into different cubes, and you can break off however many cubes you want to warm while saving the rest. This makes the bar last a lot longer as two to three cubes is more than enough to melt at one time.

Conclusion

These items are only a small selection of what we have to offer, but as I said, the Classic Satin Black Warmer is the perfect starter warmer for you if you are interested in my bibliotherapy packages. All of my bibliotherapy packages will come with their own wax bar, so you will be able to melt and enjoy all of them with this warmer as you read. The Black Raspberry Vanilla bar is also a great starter bar because its scent is soft and simple. I hope you enjoyed my review, and be sure to check out my website to explore all we have to offer!

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NEW Scentsy x Bibliotherapy Apothecary Collaboration

Hello, Everyone!

I am excited to announce that I am partnering with Scentsy to bring you exclusive bibliotherapy (book therapy) packages and fragrance products that are paired with various books to create a fully immersive reading experience! Each package will include a different book, a Scentsy fragrance product, and an exclusive guide on how to practice self-guided bibliotherapy.

While these packages aren’t available yet, meanwhile, when you purchase any item on my Scentsy website I will send you a list of recommended books to read based on the scents you choose. All of our wax bars and warmers provide an excellent, comforting environment for reading, and I highly suggest any of our wax bars and warmers for your reading space.

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Stay tuned for updates!

Ashley

Book Review: The Billionaire’s Secret by Ravina Hilliard

Serena Aisling has made it to the top as a high-powered executive all on her own merit. No thanks to her millionaire father who’d abandoned her at birth to be raised single-handedly by her mother. She has come a long way, so she’ll be damned if she allows him to have a hand in her career by dangling the CEO position of the Mäkelä Group in her face.

When Serena’s company coincidentally assigns her to spearhead a revolutionizing project run by the same corporation, she ends up working alongside the innovator himself—tech guru, Matias Mäkelä. The savvy, self-made millionaire is moody, ill-tempered, arrogant, and a giant thorn in her side, yet she can’t deny that he’s irresistibly handsome and stunningly
delicious.

A malicious traitor very close to Matias is divulging company secrets, and they must work together to uncover and shut them down before it’s too late.
When Serena uncovers the culprit, fearing Matias will not believe her, she keeps the discovery to herself and acts on her own, landing herself in hot waters with Matias. Waters so hot and flaming that she ends up tangled in his sheets, intoxicated with a desire that threatens to engulf her in an uncontrollable fireball of ecstatic delights.

As untold discoveries, secrets, and schemes unravel, Serena and Matias find themselves on a wild and unending tide of colliding together before being ripped apart again.

Will their feelings for each other be enough to survive the diabolical intrigue that threatens their very lives? Or will they crash and burn?

Rating



5/5



Quick Take

The Billionaire’s Secret is a high stakes, intense romance that provides the reader with lust, intrigue, and one powerful heroine. You won’t be able to put this one down!

Tell Me More

The Billionaire’s Secret is an intriguing suspense romance that follows power woman Serena Aisling as she is forced to team up with Matias Mäkelä, the tech guru of a company that her corporation has chosen to team up with on a new project. As often happens, Serena isn’t fond of Matias to begin with due to his arrogant attitude; but she soon finds herself attracted to him. As the stakes get higher and Serena works with Matias to shut down a traitor who is divulging company secrets, sparks fly and Serena finds herself in a hot and steamy relationship with a man she once despised.

One thing that I loved about The Billionaire’s Secret is that while it included hot and steamy romance, the intrigue and suspense kept me turning the pages. Ravina Hilliard created a multi-faceted story with complex characters while providing the reader with erotic moments that were drool worthy. I found myself becoming invested in each of the characters, and they soon consumed my thoughts. Hilliard has the ability to construct realistic characters that come alive with each word that she writes, and that is a talent not all authors possess. Reading Hilliard’s work is a delight, and she has become one of my new favorite romance authors.

However, some readers might consider Hilliard’s work to be up and down regarding the relationship between Serena and Matias. While they do have their ups and downs – sometimes they hate each other, sometimes they are all over each other – I found that their ups and downs created sexual tension that added to the erotic moments of the story.

If you are looking for a romance full of suspense and intrigue, look no further than The Billionaire’s Secret. Ravina Hilliard is a master storyteller, and she knows how to incorporate lust with suspense and adventure in the most beautiful way. You are in for a treat.

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Interview with Former New York Times Journalist, Lisa Luciano

ABOUT LISA LUCIANO

Former New York Times sports reporter, Lisa Luciano has a unique perspective into the icy world of competitive figure skating, which she writes about in her debut novel, The Chosen Ones. The book won multiple awards in advance of its release in May 2020 including Best Sports Fiction in the NYC Big Books Competition. Luciano was also a television producer and director who received national recognition for excellence in educational programming. A teacher with 40 years of experience, Luciano taught English, TV Production, Technology, and Digital Literacy and most recently worked as a Library Media Specialist. She currently resides in Connecticut.

For more Information Visit:

Lisa Luciano Books

Author Lisa Luciano’s official website where she shares information about her books, her life, and the truth.


http://www.lisalucianobooks.com

1) What motivated you to write The Chosen Ones?

I was motivated to write The Chosen Ones as a result of my work for the NY Times from 1991–1994 when figure skating was at its peak of popularity. In the course of my investigations I discovered there were many issues in the sport. Judges from various countries were colluding and trading their votes and deciding on the winners before the competitions took place. At the time, professional figure skaters were not allowed to represent their countries in the Olympics when athletes in other sports had done so for years because of a power struggle over money. And that was just the tip of the iceberg.

The articles were prompting change and being read by a worldwide audience. That’s when suddenly I was told my services were no longer needed. I could draw only one conclusion — the truth was making the people and organizations I was criticizing uncomfortable.

My journalistic platform had been silenced, but not my pen. That’s when I decided to write a novel based on the behind the scenes reality of figure skating which would offer a panoramic view of a world that was dealing with not only systemic corruption, but homophobia, sexual abuse, eating disorders, depression, substance abuse, the use of illegal performance enhancing methods and more. There were so many issues I still wanted to address that I felt a novel was the best way to tell the whole story.

2) Why did you choose to make your novel fiction instead of a non-fiction book about the secrets of the figure skating world?

My background was journalism and I had already had a non-fiction book published, but after my experience of being exiled not only by the NY Times, but a major figure skating publication that I was also writing for, I was concerned I might have difficulty securing a publisher due to the fear of possible lawsuits. Much of what was going on in figure skating was well known in inner circles, but had no paper trail and would have been hard to prove which would have been necessary for a non-fiction book. I also would not have been comfortable writing what could be falsely accused of being hearsay or rumors. Writing fiction would take that excuse off the table for those who didn’t want me revealing their secrets.

I felt the truth was too important to have it dismissed, so I tried to find the best of both worlds by writing a hybrid story that can be considered creative non-fiction or realistic fiction. Most of the events in the story are inspired by real skaters and situations and were used to tell essential truths about the sport. Ironically, since the book was written, many of the things portrayed in what was a fictional series of events have actually happened in real life.

3) When did you realize that you first wanted to be a writer?

I remember it vividly. There were two events that made me realize that writing was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I was a junior in high school and had just finished reading a book for English class. When given the choice, I read mostly non-fiction about sports as I was a gymnast at the time. In fact, I had been recruited by two of the top coaches for the women’s U.S. Gymnastics team to train with them for a possible shot at making the Olympic team until a back injury ended that dream. So there I was, reading inspiring stories about great athletes and teams, when something occurred to me that changed the course of my life. I thought, if it feels this good to read a book, what must it feel like to write one?

That prompted me to take a journalism course. Unknown to me, the teacher took a project I had written and submitted it to a national writing contest which I won. The prize was to spend the summer being mentored by journalists and fiction writers. The positive feedback I received from them gave me the confidence to then go on to study journalism in college and to pursue a career as a writer.

4) Did you enjoy writing for the New York Times?

Writing for the NY Times was as Dickens said, the best of times and the worst of times. The freedom I was given to dig my teeth into the corruption of a sport I loved and had hoped to help get back on course was amazing. But with it came a tremendous sense of responsibility. After my first article about professional skaters being banned from Olympic competition, the rule was changed. That’s when I understood how important the role of a journalist was and that I had an unprecedented opportunity to make a difference by simply telling the truth. Ultimately, it was that very thing that led to me being shunned by the newspaper, but it also made me realize the power of writing and validated the work I had done. So despite how things ended, I will always be grateful for the opportunity that any writer would dream of and it motivated me to change course and resulted in The Chosen Ones which is a book I’m very proud of.

5) What is your work schedule like when you are writing?

I like to write first thing in the morning and/or later in the day when it is quiet and I don’t have to think about who or what is on my phone waiting for me. I remember reading advice from another writer saying you should approach your writing the way to do any other job. Set a schedule. Stick to it. Unfortunately, a schedule doesn’t always work for me. As John Lennon said, “Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans”. But generally, I get up and check for messages from my publisher, publicist, website and social media. I then read the news from different online sites. That sometimes gives me ideas for future blogs or books. I then start writing.

I tend to lose myself in the writing so it’s not unusual for me to go non-stop for hours, even skipping meals. I literally lose track of time. But that’s when I know I’m in a good place. Eventually, my body sends me a message that I need a break, so I stop and do necessary tasks around the house, then in the afternoon or evening I pick up where I left off. Every writer’s process is different, but that’s what works for me.

6) What do you hope readers will get out of The Chosen Ones?

I hope readers will realize that while sports are exciting for the fans, there are sometimes dramatic and tragic situations going on behind the scenes. Athletes experience pressure and stress on a level most of us can’t fathom and hopefully this story is a warning to everyone of the consequences for both young and older competitors. We need to help and protect them. Unchecked, corruption runs wild and taints what should be a fair and honest competition and it shouldn’t be accepted by or tolerated by the fans. Finally, while dreams don’t always come true, if we try we can find happiness in our lives by not letting someone else define us and just being who we are.

7) What is your advice for aspiring authors?

Find truth. Learn your craft. Take the advice of others who are on the same path. Use your strengths, but acknowledge and work on your weaknesses. Never settle or get complacent. Your words have power. Use them responsibly. If you are a journalist, tell the truth because your readers deserve it, not because you know you can make someone think or believe what you do. If you’re writing a poem, a short story, a book or a screenplay, find an essential truth and make sure you include it while you’re trying to tell an exciting story or offer a thought-provoking idea. That’s what your audience will respond to.

And, seek your own personal truth. Don’t become a writer because you like the idea of waking up when you want, walking around all day in your pajamas, having no boss to answer to and thinking you will make millions of dollars for sitting at your computer. Know that there will be constant challenges to you and your work. There will be more rejections than affirmations. Absorb the criticism and learn from it. Write because from your heart and soul, you have to. And as they said during the American Revolution, stay the course. I wish you true satisfaction in your career and the best of luck.

Keep Up with Lisa

· Instagram: @lisalucianobooks

· Twitter: @LisaLuciano888

· Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-luciano-39875a74/

· Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53296616-the-chosen-ones

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MEDIA INQUIRIES CONTACT INFO:

Arden Izzo (Publicist)

Phone: 716–713–7645 (texting is best)

Email: arden@farrowcommunications.com

Book Review: Knee Deep by Karol Hoeffner

Rating: 5/5
Format: Paperback (Advanced Reader’s Copy)
Quick Take

Knee Deep is a literary storm of a novel wrapped in Mardi Gras beads and drenched in gumbo.  If you are a lover of New Orleans like I am, then you will fall head over heels for this delightful novel!

Tell Me More

I am someone who has always loved New Orleans and everything about it – but has never been – much to my chagrin.  However, I adore reading novels and watching documentaries about and set in NOLA, so I was super excited to come across Knee Deep and its delicious stew of New Orleans culture.

Knee Deep is written as an autobiography and follows a young girl named Camille who is the daughter of a New Orleans bar owner.  The novel takes place during Mardi Gras when Hurricane Katrina hits and Camille and her family lose their home.  Camille soon finds out that a neighbor with whom she is in love has also gone missing, bringing forth deep feelings of sadness and regret.  Knee Deep is largely a novel about the strength that New Orleans stands for as the community comes together to recuperate after the tragedy caused by Hurricane Katrina, mixed with an interracial romance and paranormal elements that connect to New Orleans voodoo.  If you are to read one novel about, and set in, New Orleans, then Knee Deep is it!  It doesn’t get much better than this.

Camille’s eternal optimism is infectious, and I fell in love with her instantly.  Named after a hurricane, her rebellious nature carries the story and mimicks the sassy nature of Mardi Gras and the culture of New Orleans.  Karol Hoeffner is a master storyteller in her ability to present New Orleans to those who have never experienced it firsthand in such a realistic way.  I also appreciated how she blended paranormal elements with realism to bring to life the voodoo spirituality that is such a big part of New Orleans history.  Knee Deep is highly sensual in that it encompasses all of the reader’s senses and drags them into the story face first.  One can almost hear the jazz music and feel the Mardi Gras beads around their neck as they become absorbed into the story.  Hoeffner’s ability to create a young adult novel, that is also an interracial romance, a historical fiction, and a paranormal thriller is astounding and creates a story that is unlike any other.  Hoeggner’s brilliant story took me on a ride I will never forget, and will happy to revisit again and again!

Knee Deep is a love letter to New Orleans that is written for young adults and new adults but will tug at the heartstrings of readers of all ages.  I have never read a novel that encompasses my senses and transports me into the story so well, and I feel honored to have been able to spend time in Karol Hoeffner’s world.  Her novel beautifully represents just about every element of New Orleans, while celebrating its people and the strength it took to rebuild and restore after the Hurricane Katrina tragedy.  I can’t recommend this novel enough, so I am just going to end my review by saying, go pick up this novel now!  You are in for one heck of a wild ride.

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Book Review: An Uneasy Alliance by Kyra Radcliff

Rating: 5/5
Format: Kindle E-Book

A bitter beginning that led to the sweetest ending…

The last thing small town mayor, Katherine James, wants is a call that her

brother is behind bars. Not a good look. When she goes to see him, however, he swears that he’s innocent and is being framed by the brother of the woman he loves.

Set on doing whatever it takes to get her brother out of this horrific predicament without employing her powers as mayor, Katherine finds herself agreeing to a bizarre deal with the cunning and wickedly handsome Tate Reilly: Be his live-in social secretary for one month in exchange for dropping the charges against her brother.

Sounds easy enough, right?

But when a quiet, unassuming beauty falls under the command of an arrogant, hot-as-sin jerk, things are bound to get interesting. It’s not long before the searing attraction between the two threatens to consume them both.

Weeks later, when the tables turn and Tate finds himself on the other end of the stick this time around, Katherine throws him the same deal that he’d thrown her.

During their last deal, things had gotten far too hot and heavy to contain.

This time, their blazing passion just might burn the house down.

Quick Take

An Uneasy Alliance is a steamy treasure that drips with lust and adventure.  Fans of erotica are sure to be overjoyed by the delights inside!

Tell Me More

Often I find myself in the mood for a quick and fun romance, so when I came across An Uneasy Alliance I knew that I was in for a treat.

An Uneasy Alliance by Kyra Radcliff is a high-stakes thriller that follows Katherine James, a small-town mayor, and Tate Reilly, a man who can help Katherine get her brother out of jail if she serves as his social secretary.  In the beginning, Katherine doesn’t get along with Tate, but she is willing to do whatever she can to help her brother get out of jail.  However, the attraction between Katherine and Tate is palpable, and after Tate ends up in a desperate circumstance, Katherine helps him by giving him the same ultimatum that he gave her.  But this time, the attraction between Katherine and Tate heats up, throwing the reader into a whirlwind of lust and desperation.

An Uneasy Alliance is unique in that it houses a complex storyline as well as erotic moments, and two main characters who completely captivate the reader.  I loved to hate Tate, and I enjoyed Katherine’s wit and humor.  The erotic moments were appropriate to the storyline and weren’t overbearing, allowing the novel’s plotline to shine through.  This is the second book that I have read by Kyra Radcliff, and I can honestly say that I adore her storytelling skills.  There were so many facets to this story, and it completely captivated me.

Radcliff’s ability to develop her characters intensified my enjoyment of the story, and forced me to fall into Radcliff’s fictional world from the get-go.  Her characters take the reader on a delightful adventure filled with satire, grit, and attraction that is undeniable.  I lost my sense of reality while I was reading, which, for me, marks the presence of an incredible author.

If you are looking for a complicated and intriguing romance adventure, then please go and pick up An Uneasy Alliance.  You are sure to love Kyra Radcliff’s writing as much as I do!

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Interview with Waco Survivor David Thibodeau

This week I had the pleasure of sitting down with Waco survivor and humanitarian, David Thibodeau! We discussed all things Waco, Black Lives Matter, social justice, and equality. David’s story and his humanitarian work are very inspiring, and I hope that you enjoy our interview as much as I did!

To listen to the full interview, visit: https://anchor.fm/releasingthephoenix/episodes/Interview-with-Humanitarian-and-Waco-Survivor-David-Thibodeau-ef65hn

To learn more about David and the truth about the Waco siege, visit: www.wacosurvivors.com

Interview with Waco Survivor and Humanitarian David Thibodeau

Ashley Nestler: Hi David! Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me. Why don’t you introduce yourself for those who may not know you.

David Thibodeau: Hi, my name is David Thibodeau. I guess that’s a good place to start. They just recently released a six-part series on Netflix that was originally released a few years ago, actually under the Paramount Network and it’s entitled Waco. It’s a series about the Waco siege in 1993 at Mount Carmel that resulted in a fire and numerous deaths. The series is from a survivor’s perspective (my perspective) and from the perspective of one of the FBI negotiators who was there in 1993. The series revolves around a guy named David Koresh and some of his followers — the people who were with him at the time that the building burned after the 51-day siege. I’m one of the survivors of the siege, and I was in the building for the entire siege 51 days. I’m one of the nine fire survivors that came out on April 19th, 1993. So, I’m a witness to every single thing that happened from inside of the building.

AN: Wow, I just can’t imagine what you had to go through during those 51 days, and that only nine survivors came out. Are you still in contact with the other survivors?

DT: Sure. I’m still in contact with many of them, but not all of them. Some of them have moved out of the country, and people are scattered pretty much throughout the world. Also, I want to add that I there were more than nine people that survived the siege. There were 23 of us that came out during the 51 days, including some older women, and quite a few of the children. It just wasn’t until the fire when there were only nine of us that came out. So. I think altogether 35 or 36 people survived.

AN: Oh okay, that makes sense. With everything that you have been through, what are your feelings about the George Floyd protests, police brutality, and the movements that have erupted in recent years, such as the Me Too movement?

DT: Well, I’ve been following Black Lives Matter, honestly, before Black Lives Matter. To me, the destruction of indigenous peoples throughout the world by the forces that be is despicable. I’ve followed events that have happened in the course of the history of the world all the way to America and us taking over this country and basically destroying the American Indians and destroying their way of life for our own greed. My dad is a history teacher, so I’m no slouch when it comes to history. History has always been a thing for me and understanding it is paramount. I’ve always related more to the underdog and I have a deep relation with the American Indian movement and the American Indians in general. I always have.

I think being a part of Waco is something that was a massacre as well. As far as I was concerned, it was a massacre for religious beliefs more than anything else. There are several different avenues of thought that I have on that one, if we’re going to get deeper into Waco, but you know, my story and the story of the survivors is the one that has not been told because it has not been allowed to be told the FBI. Basically, you know the old saying the Victors always rewrite the history. Or, as I should say, write the history. The protests now with George Floyd, and the George Floyd case as a whole is probably one of the only cases in modern history where that’s not happening. I think that technology has helped to document the truth and allowed people to fight the system, which is amazing.

A lot of things have changed in recent years for the better. Women’s rights are becoming more prevalent and women are having the bravery to speak up, especially if they’re being abused. A lot of women have been scared for years and years and years to say anything because they knew how they were going to be treated. And just to have that kind of bravery. It’s such an inspiration to see how this generation has led. I’m very happy about it, but at the same time, there’s going to be a lot of issues that take place right now. I’m worried that this could end in more violence because people are mad enough and want our society to change, but I am hopeful that positive change will come of it.

AN: What are your thoughts on how protesters have been treated by law enforcement throughout the George Floyd case?

DT: This is a heavy one as well. People are looking the cops directly in the eye, standing on the front lines with no weapons looking at them — a bunch of armed people with weapons, shields, and batons — and the people are screaming in their faces. That doesn’t happen often. That’s something that’s been building for a long, long time. So, we’re going to have to see how the American authorities handle all of this. I have to say that I’m pretty nervous about that.

AN: Do you see this time as a time of deep trouble in our country?

DT: Well, scripturally, every prophet talks about the time of trouble that’ll come at the end of the days, right before the kingdom of God is to be set up or they talk about this time of trouble being worse than any other time of trouble since the beginning of time. However, I don’t often get into scripture with people due to the sensitive nature of it. I talk, you know, like a real person, because I am a real person. The Bible at one time in my life was paramount. I spent a lot of time studying it, but I live in the real world.

But the problem with people asking if we are in a time of trouble is that if there was ever a time of trouble, it probably should have been World War II or, or if you want to think about it from a scriptural standpoint, it was probably during the time when the Romans went into Jerusalem and ransacked it and took it over. I’m pretty sure all the Jews at that period of time thought that their Messiah was going to come and save them.

Every generation thinks that they’re living in the end days, so I don’t like to be one of those people that says this is it, because nobody truly knows. Scripture says that no man knows. So, I just think it’s very interesting. I hope that it doesn’t happen now, but I know there’s definitely some things going to change in this country. There’s just no doubt about it. Something has to change because people are just so fed up, as they should be!

AN: Have these current events been bringing up your memories of the Waco siege?

DT: Yes, absolutely, because at Mount Carmel, we were all people of light. You know, a third of the people in Mount Carmel were black and most people don’t even know that. They wanted to be teachers of the scripture and they met David and they learned more from him in one night than they had in their many years of studying at their seminary schools. They ended up leaving their schools to come study with David. So, you know, I heard that story over and over and over again. But the point is, a third of the people that died at Mount Carmel were black. Where was the ACLU then? Where was anyone to be found to help us?

You know, I was raised with National Public Radio, PBS, and I thought the intellectual sows, as I like to call them, would want to know the truth about the Waco siege when it happened. But nobody wanted to hear the truth. The media just talked about how we were a bunch of religious nuts with guns, which was absolutely crushing. That was the attitude from the intellectual side that blew my mind. The fact that when I came out, I wanted to talk about my experience, and people who I admired wouldn’t hear it.

It’s shameful is what it is. People accepted what the media told them about us and moved on. They didn’t bother to talk about the infrared video at the back of the building at Mount Carmel where there were shooters, literally fully automatic weapon fire, right next to the tank shooting into the back of the building as people were trying to escape. They didn’t talk about any of that.

AN: I know that you have said that many of the documentaries out there on Waco don’t represent the truth as you know it. What documentaries on Waco do you recommend for people who want to learn more?

DT: There are so many documentaries out there that I’ve seen over the years, but there’s really only two decent ones. The first one is Waco: The Rules of Engagement, and the follow up, Waco: A New Revelation. Those two are phenomenal.

(You can purchase both documentaries on David’s website:  www.wacosurvivors.com )

AN: How did you go about publishing your book back in the 1990s? Was it self-published?

DT: No, actually, in Los Angeles I found a literary agent, but my book was turned down by 23 different publishers before it was finally accepted. At the time, only a few people were even interested in the book or my story, and I eventually slowed down with my work of getting the truth about Waco out because I felt like no one cared. But I didn’t expect any of this to happen with the series and how people are talking about Waco again! It baffles me, but I am glad people are finally listening.

AN: Have you struggled with your mental health since the Waco siege?

DT: I taught, I gave lectures and talks all over the country for a while after Waco, but again, it was only the radical right elements that wanted to even hear what I had to say. So even that was frustrating. But the point came where I saw the infrared video for the first time when they were filming The Rules of Engagement.

I gotta tell you, it affected me in such a deep way. They gave me a copy of it to show people, and I was giving talks at this point that was in front of an audience four or 500 people. And I was showing the infrared for the first time. And I was showing where the fully automatic weapon fire was. I just lost it in front of the audience, and I knew that I was not in control of my anger. At that point, I had always been controlled in front of an audience. And, so, when that had happened, I said, okay, I can’t talk about this publicly anymore. Something is happening to me, and I don’t know what it is. And you know, that had to do with the anger. A lot of that was PTSD, but this was before anyone knew what PTSD was. This was back in the nineties, early nineties. I didn’t know what was going on. I just knew I was a very angry individual, and I experienced periods of what I call a darkness but what others might call depression. But my anger has been the biggest challenge.

AN: Where can people go to learn more about Waco, your book, and the documentaries you mentioned?

DT: I have a website called www.wacosurvivors.com that includes various FBI transcripts between David Karesh and the FBI during the siege. I also sell my book and the documentaries I recommend, as well as the Waco series, and I autograph everything. The website is the best destination if you want to learn more about the truth of what happened at Waco.

To learn more about Waco and purchase a signed copy of David’s book, visit:  www.wacosurvivors.com

Book Review: On A Blue Moon: The Incredible Journeys by Willow

Rating: 4/5
Format: Paperback

The lives of a man from Earth, an alien being, and a young girl converge on a moon deep in space. A violent act is the spark that ignites incredible journeys. The moon has three human societies. In each society there is an evil presence that the man, girl, their friends, and their loved ones must confront, or flee from. In the end, life on that moon is vastly transformed.

Willow is the author of ON A BLUE MOON. That tale, and the five to follow, are based on her experiences, and the accounts related to her by the many beings she has known, both human and nonhuman. Those tales are collectively THE DAUGHTERS OF FIRTH TALES.

At the beginning of each tale, after the Prologue and before the first chapter, Willow and her daughter, Frither, are together and interacting. Their banter is the thread that ties the six tales together by providing an introduction to each tale, and a hint about what’s to come. Sam is the main protagonist at the beginning of ON A BLUE MOON. As it and future tales progress, Willow, Frither, and the other daughters of Firth, become the driving force.

Earth, as viewed from space, is primarily blue. So is Bluemoon. Bluemoon represents a much less complex version of Earth, yet possess some of the malignant forces of our “real world”: a malicious leader of an autocratic society, a ruthless despot who has his henchmen kill anyone who dares oppose him, racism, and environmental destruction.

Shadow, an alien Meddler, represents an uncontrollable force that drastically alters Sam’s life’s journey, and that of the inhabitants of Bluemoon. Similar to how forces beyond our control shape our lives on Earth.

Overriding everything else, the tales are about the courage of individuals intervening to protect the vulnerable, while so many others observe but do nothing.

Quick Take

On A Blue Moon: The Incredible Journeys is an entertaining and complex science fiction novel that appeals to lovers of the young adult genre.

Tell Me More

On A Blue Moon: The Incredible Journeys is a young adult science-fiction/fantasy novel written by a character named Willow.  The novel follows the stories of a man from Earth, an alien, and a girl as they fight off evil on a moon in deep space.  Each character transforms throughout the novel, and the reader can’t help but grow along with them.  I felt myself attaching to each character as their stories progressed, I was fully absorbed soon into starting the novel.

Willow, the author of On A Blue Moon: The Incredible Journeys, is actually a pen name.  She is a fictional character, and along with being the author of the book, she is one of the main characters.  The prologue of the book introduces you to Willow and gives some insight into her story and who she is in relation to the novel.  I found the prologue to be helpful because it gave me a sense of what the story was going to be about, and who Willow was.  The author’s unique storytelling abilities were inspiring and I adored how they were able to intertwine Willow as an author with her character in the story.  Even though there were multiple storylines throughout the book, it was easy to follow along and I didn’t find myself confused – which can often happen with science fiction novels.  However, the writing did seem to be directed more at young adults, and I didn’t find as much enjoyment in the story as I might have when I was a teenager.  With that being said, I think that young adults will eat up this novel and the incredible stories it holds!

On A Blue Moon: The Incredible Journeys is one of the most unique novels that I have read this year.  It is a beautiful science fiction/fantasy novel that appeals to young adults, and I wish that I had read it when I was younger.  If you are pining for a new science fiction novel to captivate you, then this one is it!

Book Review: Billionaire Boss, Undercover Affair by Kyra Radcliff

Rating: 5/5
Format: Ebook – Mobi
Synopsis:

Sent by her boss to break up his daughter’s engagement to his irresistible rival, Miles. Susan finds herself in trouble, she wants Miles all to herself…

Susan Johansen is efficient, ambitious and cool-headed in a crisis, which

is exactly why her boss, Charles Dunlap, needs her. As the successful

owner of one of the richest old money industrialist conglomerates in the

world, he is under pressure of a different kind when his daughter Alicia

becomes involved with internet entrepreneur Miles Middleton.

With an ego as big as his bank balance, Miles has a reputation for a string of affairs and Charles doesn’t want his daughter anywhere near him. And so, he enlists Susan, as a Trojan Horse, burying her deep within Miles’ business interests in the hope that she can sabotage his relationship with Alicia.

It isn’t long before the plan seems to be working…

Miles is missing lunches, dinners and other dates with Alicia in favour of making money and sealing deals. But it’s when he takes Susan away on a business trip

and tries to seduce her that she sees him for what he really is.

But now that she is close to her goal, Susan suddenly has a crisis of confidence? Is she really still working for Charles or is she now pursuing her own agenda with Miles?

As he continues to get under her skin with his continuous attempts at seduction, Susan finds that she is more conflicted than ever. And the closer she gets to completing the assignment, the greater the chances are that Miles will discover her secret.

Quick Take

Billionaire Boss, Undercover Affair is a steamy and ambitious read that forces the reader to fall in love with not only the book’s primary love interest, Miles, but the sassy heroine, Susan, as well.

Tell Me More

When I pick up a romance book, I often look for more in the hero or heroine of the story than just the love interest.  This was exactly how I became drawn to Billionaire Boss, Undercover Affair – I was simply drawn to the main character, Susan.  I am always looking for romance novels with strong female characters, and I was not disappointed.  Kyra Radcliff writes with the sassy flair of a power woman, and her seductive scenes are drool worthy.

Billionaire Boss, Undercover Affair is one of those delightful romance novels that comes into your life unexpectedly and takes you on the ride of a lifetime.  I devoured each page of this novel, and not just become of the delightful romance and sexual elements, but because of how well written the story was.  Susan, our heroine, is hired by her boss to break up his rival – Miles – and his daughter Alicia’s engagement by implanting her within his business dealings to distract him.  Susan is cutthroat and up to the task, but as she successfully begins to distract Miles with business dealings, she becomes distracted by his attempts at seduction.  Susan soon becomes confused as to what her intentions are with Miles: is she really dealing with him strictly through business, or is she beginning to fall for his seduction and in turn, fall for him herself?

I swoon over forbidden romances, and I particularly enjoyed how strong of a woman Susan was in that she fought Miles’ seduction attempts and tried to remain professionally tied to the mission given to her by her boss.  At no point did Miles seem to have the upper hand over Susan, and I appreciated how Radcliff made Susan a strong female character.  She was confident in herself and her attraction to Miles was of her own concern; and despite his coercion, she remained in control.  The attraction between Susan and Miles was sexy and the erotic moments added some delightful steam to the storyline.  I appreciated how complex Billionaire Boss, Undercover Affair was, and I would gladly read it again when I need a shot of hot literary romance in my life.

Billionaire Boss, Undercover Affair is essential reading for anyone drawn to business-based romance and erotica.  The storyline packs a punch filled with a witty heroine and a mouthwatering bachelor that the reader can’t help but swoon over.  I look forward to reading more from Kira Radcliff, and swooning once again!

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Book Review: Billionaire Boss, Undercover Affair by

Rating: 5/5
Format: Ebook – Mobi
Synopsis:

Sent by her boss to break up his daughter’s engagement to his irresistible rival, Miles. Susan finds herself in trouble, she wants Miles all to herself…

Susan Johansen is efficient, ambitious and cool-headed in a crisis, which

is exactly why her boss, Charles Dunlap, needs her. As the successful

owner of one of the richest old money industrialist conglomerates in the

world, he is under pressure of a different kind when his daughter Alicia

becomes involved with internet entrepreneur Miles Middleton.

With an ego as big as his bank balance, Miles has a reputation for a string of affairs and Charles doesn’t want his daughter anywhere near him. And so, he enlists Susan, as a Trojan Horse, burying her deep within Miles’ business interests in the hope that she can sabotage his relationship with Alicia.

It isn’t long before the plan seems to be working…

Miles is missing lunches, dinners and other dates with Alicia in favour of making money and sealing deals. But it’s when he takes Susan away on a business trip

and tries to seduce her that she sees him for what he really is.

But now that she is close to her goal, Susan suddenly has a crisis of confidence? Is she really still working for Charles or is she now pursuing her own agenda with Miles?

As he continues to get under her skin with his continuous attempts at seduction, Susan finds that she is more conflicted than ever. And the closer she gets to completing the assignment, the greater the chances are that Miles will discover her secret.

Quick Take

Billionaire Boss, Undercover Affair is a steamy and ambitious read that forces the reader to fall in love with not only the book’s primary love interest, Miles, but the sassy heroine, Susan, as well.

Tell Me More

When I pick up a romance book, I often look for more in the hero or heroine of the story than just the love interest.  This was exactly how I became drawn to Billionaire Boss, Undercover Affair – I was simply drawn to the main character, Susan.  I am always looking for romance novels with strong female characters, and I was not disappointed.  Kyra Radcliff writes with the sassy flair of a power woman, and her seductive scenes are drool worthy.

Billionaire Boss, Undercover Affair is one of those delightful romance novels that comes into your life unexpectedly and takes you on the ride of a lifetime.  I devoured each page of this novel, and not just become of the delightful romance and sexual elements, but because of how well written the story was.  Susan, our heroine, is hired by her boss to break up his rival – Miles – and his daughter Alicia’s engagement by implanting her within his business dealings to distract him.  Susan is cutthroat and up to the task, but as she successfully begins to distract Miles with business dealings, she becomes distracted by his attempts at seduction.  Susan soon becomes confused as to what her intentions are with Miles: is she really dealing with him strictly through business, or is she beginning to fall for his seduction and in turn, fall for him herself?

I swoon over forbidden romances, and I particularly enjoyed how strong of a woman Susan was in that she fought Miles’ seduction attempts and tried to remain professionally tied to the mission given to her by her boss.  At no point did Miles seem to have the upper hand over Susan, and I appreciated how Radcliff made Susan a strong female character.  She was confident in herself and her attraction to Miles was of her own concern; and despite his coercion, she remained in control.  The attraction between Susan and Miles was sexy and the erotic moments added some delightful steam to the storyline.  I appreciated how complex Billionaire Boss, Undercover Affair was, and I would gladly read it again when I need a shot of hot literary romance in my life.

Billionaire Boss, Undercover Affair is essential reading for anyone drawn to business-based romance and erotica.  The storyline packs a punch filled with a witty heroine and a mouthwatering bachelor that the reader can’t help but swoon over.  I look forward to reading more from Kira Radcliff, and swooning once again!

ENJOYED THIS POST? 
PLEASE CONSIDER LEAVING ME A SMALL TIP!

Your kind donations allow me to make a living wage.  Thank you for helping this independent artist!

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