In All Things by Dr. John Neufeld – Spotlight and Giveaway

 

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

The issue of control is a central question of life. At work, in family, community clubs and schools, with the economy or international politics, the question is, “Is anyone in charge here?” Dr. John Neufeld demonstrates the Bible teaching of God’s providence. We are assured that God’s Hand is upon everything and everyone, without exception. Dr. John explores God’s sustaining grip through the natural world and human endeavor, in pivotal matters or the seemingly trivial, the things we welcome and those we shun. He teaches the impact of God’s sovereign rule upon our hearts, minds, work, worship, homes, and nation. We can live in the confidence that God is unfolding His purpose for time and eternity.

What people are saying about Dr. John Neufeld’s teaching:

“This is such an important message for us today. Thank you, Dr. John, for your encouragement to view what is presently concerning us in the world from the perspective of God and His providence. That should take a huge weight off our shoulders!”

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Jesus controls the atoms that make up your body, the ground under your feet, the air you breathe, the world upon which you stand and the universe in which you live. All of it is held together and directed by the Son of God. Furthermore, if Jesus were not constantly, moment by moment, sustaining all these things, the forces that hold the atoms in place would fly apart and all things would cease to be. Everything that exists—past, present and future—does so by His will and permission. Everything that goes on does so under His direction. That’s what we mean when we talk about meticulous sovereignty.

About the Author:Dr. John Neufeld, Bible teacher of Back to the Bible Canada, is well known both nationally and internationally for his excellence in expositional Bible teaching. Dr. Neufeld is passionate about bringing the truth of God’s Word to life across Canada and beyond.

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Happy Harry: A Magical Golden by Barbara Lampert – Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will award a $30 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

In her dog memoir Happy Harry: A Magical Golden, psychotherapist Barbara Lampert, a lifelong dog lover, tells the story of her beloved Golden Retriever, Harry. Like her first dog memoir, Harry’s story comes from her mostly uncensored daily journal and takes place in Malibu, California.

Harry was a genuinely free spirit – wild, and very wolf-like. Did all this contribute to his being exceptionally happy? Perhaps.

Harry was not only the happiest being Barbara’s ever known, happy to the very core of him, but also the bravest. More than once in his life, Harry had to face true adversity, and each time, Barbara would look at him in wonder, not fully understanding how a being could be so brave and at the same time continue to be so happy.

Harry literally pranced through life, with a joyous attitude that made being around him like magic. Barbara fell in love with Harry. And as you immerse yourself in Harry’s story, it’s likely you will too! Happy Harry is unforgettable!

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I call Harry my calendar dog. Exquisite face. That’s what drew me to him when he was nine weeks old. Sounds superficial, but I thought his face was extraordinary. And this sounds superficial too, but I’d hoped his face would stay as gorgeous when he grew up. Well, it has. But you know, no matter what he turned out to look like, I knew I would love him tremendously. What’s inside Harry is amazing!

Harry is the happiest dog I’ve ever known. Genuinely happy, from the core of him. Mostly with a ball game. Harry can’t wait for the moment when he can go out to play.

The first few years with Harry were insane. He was a maniac, wouldn’t listen. Particularly when he was out of the house on a walk or at the big field at the nearby school. We tried every kind of leash and harness. We enlisted a dog trainer. Nothing worked. But little by little, he’s getting better. Still pays scant attention when we’re out of the house, but at least I don’t have the feeling he would run away. Though he’s never off leash when we’re out. Never!

Those first years were so chaotic with him that I was resigning myself to the possibility he might be a sociopath, because he seemed to not care about rules, listening, or consequences. I needed to accept him as he was. But now, at six, Harry has become incredibly devoted and loyal. Our wild wolf has settled into his pack.

I’m at work right now and can’t wait to get home and see Harry. Give him lots of kisses, get his over-the top joyful greeting with a soft toy in his mouth. Seeing Harry brimming with enthusiasm makes me so happy! I love him so much!

Harry’s adapting… But more than that, he’s still so joyful. His abundance of happy energy is so wonderful to be around. He’s still putting stuffed toy rabbits and balls in his mouth, particularly when he’s really happy. Still comes to me with even more enthusiasm and his head held even higher than usual when I say, “Hey Harry.” I love saying that to him, and Harry seems to love hearing it. I only use the “Hey” with Harry. It’s special, just for him. Something I started saying to him a few years ago. To me, it’s a way of emphasizing how cool Harry is. Yes, Harry is really cool, in the true sense of the word. Unafraid, carefree. Still.

Dogs are such special beings. I swear a big reason they were put on this earth is to teach us how to be.

About the Author:

My passion is dogs! I’ve had dogs most of my life and hope to have at least one by my side always. Dog energy is the best!

I’m the author of two dog memoirs: Happy Harry: A Magical Golden and before that Charlie: A Love Story. Each about one of my Golden Retrievers. (I told you dogs are my passion!)

I’m a psychotherapist, licensed for over thirty years, specializing in relationships.

I was a flight attendant for nine years. And taught sociology at several universities. I have two master’s degrees and a doctorate.

Gardening is another love – not as much as dogs, but right up there! I see my garden as a work of art and garden as much as possible in my free time. I love being in nature.

I live in Malibu, California with my husband David and, you guessed it, our two wonderful Golden Retrievers, Oliver and Henry.

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Mamacadabra by Carrie Monroe O’Keefe – Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will award a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn commenter. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Starting her third year of marriage, Carrie Monroe O’Keefe had already been on the roller coaster of extreme highs and lows of a newly blended family. Thinking she could do a better job of navigating marriage, stepmotherhood, working full time, and all of the things, she embarked on a year of “what if.”

Settling into her role as wife and mom, she tried to find ways to do things better, see things differently, and reframe her thinking to create a better home for her family and to feel more at home herself. With humor, unwavering honesty, vulnerability, and sarcasm, Carrie finds her way through the year and to her true self.

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From Chapter: A Real Mom After All

No one can fully prepare you for the journey of being a stepmom. In the early days, I doubted myself daily, suffered from depression, considered divorce, and constantly questioned the meaning and viability of our relationship. My relationship with my little girls that is.

I had to look at the kind of mom I wanted to be and the kind of mom I actually was. Because we only have our little girls half the time, I was consumed with worry about what their life was like when they weren’t with us. However, this only led to me being too uptight, too rigid, and too crabby. When they came home, the worry subsided but then I turned into a crazy mom, constantly trying to have everything work perfectly. Which, obviously, isn’t a thing.

It took a while, but eventually everything just kind of fell into place. I stopped worrying what people thought about how I parent. I stopped caring whether others viewed me as one of the little girls’ moms. Most importantly, I stopped trying to compare myself to someone else. Finally, I decided I was one of their parents and I do, in fact, matter. I’m playing an important part in how these little girls will grow up, how they’ll turn out and who they’ll become. I am one of their moms.

About the Author:

Carrie Monroe O’Keefe started blogging about her life by sharing stories of marriage, stepmotherhood, and how to navigate it all on mamacadabra.com in 2012. People said they loved reading the posts, so she kept writing. In addition to blogging, she released her middle-grade fiction book, The Whole Truth, in 2019.

Carrie lives outside of Minneapolis with her husband, two daughters, and dog Finlay.

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Tales of the Yankee Clipper by Jonathan Weeks – Interview and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Jonathan Weeks will award a randomly drawn winner a $25 Amazon/BN gift card. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

What would you tell a new author?

I’ve been asked this several times before and I always say the same thing: As an author, you have to have thick skin. It’s tough finding a publisher for your work and, even if you do, it doesn’t guarantee that you will sell many copies. It’s best to write for the sheer enjoyment of it. Don’t worry about becoming the next Stephen King or James Patterson. Write because you can. Write for yourself. And if your work ends up being published, DON’T read the reviews!

What scares you the most as an author?

As a non-fiction writer, there are actually two things that scare me. One is the idea that someone will publish a book on the same topic while my own book is in the production phase. I understand that books on identical topics can peacefully co-exist, but it’s discouraging when another author beats you to the punch. Another thing that scares me is live interviews. I have never been comfortable with public speaking in any shape or form. I used to do a radio show with a friend when I was in college. I was okay if I was reading off of a script, but was never completely relaxed when we would improvise.

What is the hardest part about writing?

That’s a tough question because there are so many difficult things about writing. For me, the hardest part has always been accepting the finished product. I am a harsh critic of my own work. And I tend to over-edit. There are days when I absolutely hate the work that I have produced and want to start over from the beginning. But I resist because I know that’s just me being me.

What is your ideal writing space?

I’ve found over time that I can write just about anywhere as long as I have a comfortable place to sit and there are few distractions. One thing I can’t do while writing is listen to music. Music is one of my passionate interests and, if it’s on in the background, it commands my attention. There’s no way I’m going to produce a coherent sentence in competition with song lyrics. I have tried listening to guitar instrumentals and classical music while writing but that distracts me as well. I prefer a quiet place.

There has probably never been a professional baseball player more of a puzzle than Joe DiMaggio. DiMaggio had a talent for keeping his emotions suppressed and his innermost thoughts to himself. Few could say that they really knew him. And even the ones who did found him to be unpredictable. He was a walking contradiction. He was quiet, but not necessarily shy. He could be both gracious and abrupt, approachable or aloof depending on the situation. Although he came across as humble, he had a tremendous sense of entitlement. He was complex, secretive, inscrutable. There were many layers to the man who came to be affectionately known as the “Yankee Clipper.” DiMaggio always felt that his actions on the field should do the talking for him. And for the most part, they did. To many, DiMaggio personified elegance, style, and grace. An impeccable dresser, he was married to two glamorous actresses. On the field, he glided almost effortlessly, never having to dive for a ball and rarely (if ever) making a mistake on the basepaths. He became the living embodiment of the American dream and a symbol of the country’s so-called “greatest generation.” But as time marched on, DiMaggio grew increasingly distrustful of the people around him. It was understandable—inevitable even. The third book in Jonathan Week’s Yankees trilogy contains an abundance of anecdotes, statistics, and other little known facts about the Yankee Clipper.

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CASE OF THE PURLOINED BAT

DiMaggio suffered a major scare during his 56-game hitting streak. On June 29, 1941, the Yankees traveled to Washington for a double-header against the Nationals (often referred to as the Senators). Joe had hit in 40 straight games and was poised to break the modern record set by George Sisler in 1922. His double in the opener tied Sisler’s mark. In the first inning of the evening game, Tommy Henrich was on his way to the plate when he heard DiMaggio shouting across the diamond. Joe couldn’t locate his favorite bat and wondered if Henrich had done something with it.

Joe was very attached to that particular piece of lumber, naming it “Betsy Ann.” He had been using it throughout the streak and worried that he might fall into a slump without it. A frantic search turned up nothing. The bat was gone. Forced to hit without “Betsy Ann,” DiMaggio flied out. Two innings later, he switched bats and lined out to short. In the seventh inning, Henrich gave Joe his own bat to use. Averting disaster, The Yankee Clipper lined a clean single to left field, claiming Sisler’s record for himself. Still, the loss of his favorite bat vexed him.

“Of course the guy had to pick out the best one,” Joe told reporters after the game. “I had three of my bats on the ground in front of the dugout but he got the one I wouldn’t take money for…the bat was just right for me. I liked the feel of it. I hate to lose it.”

About a week later, “Betsy Ann” was delivered by courier to the Yankee clubhouse in a plain brown package. Behind the scenes, one of Joe’s assistants—a wise-guy named Jimmy “Peanuts” Ceres—had spent five days looking for the bat. As it turned out, the thief had ties to the Newark underworld (which was Jimmy’s domain) and also happened to be a braggart. When the thief’s identity was revealed, Jimmy paid the guy a visit with one of his associates. Specific details of how they persuaded the man to return Joe’s prized bat have never been disclosed.

About the Author: Jonathan Weeks has written several sports biographies and two novels, one of which was a posthumous collaboration with his father. He grew up in the Capital District region of New York State and currently works in the mental health field.

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Secrets of a Gay Man Growing Up in the 1950s by Jonathan Feinn – Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Jonathan Feinn will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

The Blessing of Self -Acceptance

I decided to write my memoir when I reached my mid-eighties. Given the gift of longevity, I felt a strong need to review my life openly and to recall both the joyful moments as well as the days and nights of feeling anguish and hopelessness. Highlighting events and experiences in my life has given me the opportunity to better understand the emotional and physical cost over the years of denying the person I am and the pain of self-rejection.

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My travels broadened my perspective to better understand the cultural differences among peoples in the world but just as important was my increasing awareness all peoples strive to fulfill similar hopes and dreams.

Among the important learnings for me was to become aware I could travel independently and was significantly more adaptable than I had thought. I was aware of my openness and desire to learn from others and developed a major respect for the different ways people strive to meet their challenges in life. I’m grateful to so many for their hospitality and openness in allowing me to learn and to share in differing customs and traditions, some which were quite different from my own experiences.

My new perspectives led to feelings of deep respect and appreciation for all that I learned. I now know differences in language can be managed and handled and people everywhere share the same significant life tasks including the need to feel accepted and loved as they are; to find satisfaction in their work, to find love within their family and community and a hope their children will have opportunities to fulfill their potential.

I’m grateful to the Thai family I lived with for a year who were so generous and caring and respectful to me. The parents were professionals and had two young children. They kindly shared their home with Sung Wien who cared for the home and the children and prepared the evening meal for us each day consisting of many different dishes. I’m deeply appreciative of the Sri Lankan family I’ve known for more than 30 years who now live in Paris. I’ve known their three young adult children since their early childhood and am grateful for their on-going love. It brings special joy to me.

About the Author: Jonathan holds a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois and was trained to serve both as a teacher and administrator providing guidance to staff and to children and adolescents with identified emotional disturbance and behavior disorders. He has served as a consultant to differing programs in both public and private school settings and was the director of a high school off-campus learning center serving students who required part-time placement outside the main building.

He has held faculty positions at National College in Evanston, Illinois and Shippensburg University in Pennsylvania where he taught students studying for both Master’s degrees and state certification. Prior to his retirement, he taught gifted elementary students in a ‘pull-out’ program. He is currently retired and continues his love of travel. To date he has visited 22 countries where he developed meaningful and lasting friendships with people in differing settings throughout the world.

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Lessons I’ve Learned from the Men in My Life by Celisha J. – Guest Blog and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. A randomly drawn winner will receive a $25 Amazon/BN gift card. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Lessons I’ve Learned from the Men in My Life
There have been several men who have taught me several lessons of life, especially in the way they treated me. I would like to share some of them here. The first and foremost lesson that I learnt was not to trust anyone especially by looks and appearances. They can be misleading. Rather, get to know the person and then decide whether that person is trustworthy or not.

The second lesson that I learnt was that if men make advances towards you, they sweet-talk and try to seduce you, they are only expecting or “demanding” sexual favours. They can do nothing else. They are not true to their word. The third lesson that I learnt was that the most demanding (of sexual favours) men are hidden in the family. They do not open immediately. They do not show or express their intentions openly. They come up with sudden surprises or rude shocks.

Never trust a man who has left another woman for you. Never trust a man who leaves you for another woman. These men are like scavengers – they only salvage what they want and then move on for their next prey. Be careful and wary of these. Never trust a man who only looks at women through their privates.

Never get so emotionally attached to someone that it becomes difficult to detach. Emotions are good, but they need to be controlled. Do not let your emotions control you. Decisions taken during emotional moments can be very disturbing and disastrous. These are some of the lessons that I have learnt from the various “villains” in my life. To learn more lessons and how I faced them, read my book, “I Survived” on Kindle or order your copy from Amazon today.

In “I Survived” the author’s journey through a life marked by hardship, pain and resilience. From the devastating loss of a mother at a young age to abusive relationships and a harrowing escape, this gripping memoir unveils the story of survival, redemption, and the enduring strength of the human spirit. With unwavering determination, the author overcomes the shadows of her past to forge a path toward self-discovery, healing, and hope.

I Survived is an inspiring testament to the power of resilience and the unwavering belief that no matter the obstacles, one can triumph over adversity and ultimately thrive.

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Introduction

My name is Celisha J. I have been through a lot, learned, and am better because of it. I am a firm believer that every lesson is a blessing. God has saved me so many times. I know he did this because he has something bigger planned for me.

My prayer for this book is that it helps women and children who have gone through the same or similar situations to know that they don’t have to allow the traumas of their past to keep them from being successful. I believe that God has a plan for our life, but we did something to alter that plan along the way. He did not intend for us to struggle or have a hard life. He allows us to choose the path we want to go on. The good thing is he is that he is Always there to pick us up when we fall. We were born for greatness.

Hold yourself accountable for your mistakes and forgive yourself and those who hurt you. Forgiveness is for you. I want people to know you can be the best you that you allow. No one says it will be easy, but the main thing to remember is that you are responsible for you. I believe that the only person you can truly believe in life, who won’t let you down, is God and yourself. In order for you to crawl out of the slump of being abused, hurt, let down, controlled, and battered is, your faith in God and the belief that he has better for you. He does not want us to live in our past. He intended for us to learn from it and allow our past to help other people gain strength, but if we tell our stories and we have not grown from what happened to us, then who can we really help?

I have done some things in my past that I am not proud of, and this book tells you my story and how I remember it. No, it is not everything, but the book will tell you the things that stood out the most to me. I have learned a lot and grown from my mistakes, and I have decided not to allow the embarrassment, pain, and struggles from my past to hold me back, so I am releasing it in this book.

This is my Ugly Truth!

About the Author: Born in Michigan now living in Atlanta Celisha J. is an Actress and Author all in one, landing a role in a movie and a lead role on a TV Series.

She currently has a book entitled “I Survived”. It is a chilling story about her life from losing her mom at an early age and all the things that she has endured in her life, that should have broken her but she uses her pain as motivation to continue on her journey to following her dreams of being an actress, author and motivational speaker. She is currently pursuing more roles in acting.

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Available on Kindle Unlimited

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Poetry From My Heart by Paul Guerin – Spotlight and Giveaway

 

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“Poetry: writing that formulates a concentrated imaginative awareness of experience in language chosen and arranged to create a specific emotional response through meaning, sound, and rhythm.”

“Poetry: a literary work in which special intensity is given to the expression of feelings and ideas by the use of distinctive style and rhythm.”

Poetry means different things to different people. For me, it is all about feelings. If it captures the emotions of the reader, a poem will resonate and fill the soul. It can mean everything to one person and not much at all to another. The mood of the reader, and no one else, determines the outcome.

For example, love poems are wonderful when you are in love, and their passion is amazing. If you are facing adversity, however, love poems likely will just annoy you.

In this second book, Poetry from my Heart: The Journey Continues, I have again divided the poems into categories which will fit your mood no matter what you are experiencing at the time you choose to explore them. There should be something for everyone, whether you are in love, out of love, hurt, lonely, angry, abandoned, or facing other challenges in your life.

Poetry has a healing power that nurtures the soul and quietens the mind and so I hope that whatever your situation is in life, you have found something here that helped you safely on your own journey.

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Puppy love

I met her in my fifteenth year
And threw caution out the door
I had no doubts, I had no fear
I hoped there would be love and more

Her hair was blond, her eyes were blue
Her smile was sunny bright
I hoped that she would love me too
I felt unsure but thought she might

I spent my summer days with her
Playing on the ocean shore
And there I felt my feelings stir
My heart and soul expecting more

I was enchanted by romance
There was nothing I couldn’t do
I was lost in youthful first love dance
I thought my feelings must be true

Those summer days came to an end
And we went our separate ways
But my longing for her never ceased
Her memory burned throughout my days

And then one day along my way
With another boy she came
There was nothing much that I could say
So I wished her well and hid my shame

It was my first romantic show
Puppy-love filled up my heart
I had to love and let her go
It was my role, I played my part

Back then I thought she broke my heart
But those feelings weren’t real
It was just a youthful small-bit part
That taught me love and how to feel

About the Author:

Paul Guerin is an Irishman. He was born in September 1946 in Castletownroche, a small townland village in County Cork, Eire.

It was there in Castletownroche that his romantic imagination was sparked as he came to love and appreciate the magic of his surroundings. Those early experiences were the genesis of his poetry that emerged in later life.

As a young adult, Paul lived in London, England, where he became a chartered accountant.

At age 25, restless for adventure, Paul moved to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, where he still resides today.

Paul is happily married and is a proud father and grandfather.

Paul writes poetry as the inspiration comes to him. As long as his mind, body and soul are willing companions and his spark of inspiration remains alive, he will continue to write.

This book is Paul’s second publication in his Willing Heart series. His first book was published in the Spring of 2022 and is called Poetry from My Heart: A Journey through Feelings. The book reached #1 on Amazon’s Kindle chart in British Poetry and #2 in Poetry Anthologies November 2023.

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The Joy of Spirit by Tania Kiaizadeh – Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Tania Kiaizadeh will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

Re-examine all you have been told. Dismiss what insults your soul.”
– Walt Whitman

Care to reclaim your authentic, pure self?
This book will show you how to find your inner balance in life, by connecting to mindful moments to reclaim your true nature.

This book:
– is transformative in nature,
-will teach you to depend on yourself, as you hold a wealth of magic,
-will teach you how to shift perspective,
-is riddled with warm anecdotes to inspire you,
-will teach you how to live mindfully outside of yoga and meditation,
-will remind you that intention setting is key,
-will help you connect to your own spirit guides and the Angelic realm regardless of religious beliefs,
-will show you how to connect to your multidimensional self,
-will remind you that belief is at the core of spiritual realm,
-will have you connect to the frequency of love where actual magic begins.

In essence, shift your perspective to tap into this spiritual realm while on earth.

Quotes

Becoming your own number one choice in life is walking the spiritual path successfully.

It is time to trim your existence from all the self-imposed drama. Your perception plays an important role in releasing yourself from all this commotion.

You are divinity in motion.

Walking this earth with a curious mind, willing to learn, to be challenged and to grow is the purpose of every soul…

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The higher self, some believe it sits a few inches above your mind, while others, refer to it as the third eye. It has been my experience that it does not sit in one place but hovers around you. Your higher self is your all-knowing self. It holds the secrets of your existence in this life and the many lives before you and the many after you. Your higher self is the one constant that wraps around you. There is a reason we are being invited to meditate. With mental illness on the rise, meditation anchors one down. Mindful practices connect you with your heart’s centre, the magical gateway to your consciousness. Meditate, sit in silence, to connect to this wonder, this brilliance that has all the answers we seek, sitting quietly within. Start consulting with yourself. Start connecting with your inner wisdom. Quiet your mind long enough to hear this voice, this intelligent exchange, this insightful chat that will finally awaken the truth you seek.

While I continued using my journal to further discover this new endeavour, a few days later, I discovered my boardroom of helpers, who follow me around throughout this lifetime and assist when necessary. Imagine a boardroom of consultants looking after you, working 24/7 throughout each entire life. That is their assignment, to follow you as you navigate life’s trials and tribulations. My boardroom of helpers or councillors consisted of four. This varies for some. I continue to visualize them sitting around this oval table and looking at me, face to face. Their eyes are on me, as are the eyes of your very personal team of guides. Yes, they see you naked too, and everything in between! It took me a while to get over this one.

About the Author:Tania Kiaizadeh (Kia) was born in Teheran, Iran but in 1977, at the age of nine, she moved to Montreal with her family in order to avoid the political rumblings which gave way to the Iranian Coup d’état. With new beginnings in Montreal, adaptations to be made, she carved a life in North America. She received her Bachelor and Master of Education in Educational and Counselling Psychology, at McGill University. Since 1991, she has been working with her students in classrooms and in private practice, teaching them French as a second language, literature, history, as well executive functioning skills, while reminding them that they are limitless beings with gifts and capabilities that extend far beyond their imagination. It all starts with setting an intention and implicitly believing in yourself. Education, knowledge, self-improvement and self-empowerment paired with curiosity and her favourite aphorism, “leave no stone unturned,” define the fabric of her life. With Spirit nestled in stereo, she now has access to a crisp means of learning, which involves a great deal of hands-on, experiential learning.

She began writing her debut, prescriptive non-fiction, a spiritual self-help, after delving into the study of transformation, spirituality, intuition and manifestation. When she is not busy editing her second novel, a narrative memoir, she can be found walking in nature, connecting to her students, embracing her limitations in yoga, deeply breathing, having insightful exchanges with her family and friends, and just being. Since the summer of 2021, she has been sending free, monthly, distant energy healing to those in need, especially during this worldwide pandemic, where people are suffering in many different ways. Even with energy medicine, she proves to be most effective helping children. She continues to live in Montreal, Canada, and she can be found sharing her insight on Instagram.

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What Would I Tell a New Author? by Sumayyah Rafiq Haider – Guest Blog and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The authors will award a $10 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

What would I tell a new author?

There are a few pieces of advice that I’d give new authors, especially once who aim to self-publish their book.

One, whatever deadline they’ve set as their launch date? Aim to get everything done AT LEAST a whole week before that launch date. Don’t leave things up to the last 48 hours like. “I’ll upload the book on the last day.” It’s a lot better to finalize your draft as early as possible so that you have chances to address issues that come out after you’ve written the book. For example, if there’s any issue with the cover size or the print, you’ll have ample time to correct it. I strongly recommend knocking your writing out as quickly as you can so that you can focus on the things that come after that. The editing, advance readers and beta readers, cover finalization, publishing, etc.

Second, finalize your title and cover as early as possible. If you’re making the cover yourself, that’s awesome. But if you’re going to be working with someone who will make the cover? Best thing you can do is to define your vision and hand that over ASAP. Because it takes time to make a good cover and you’ll most likely go through a couple of different versions before you lock in something you’re happy with. Plus, if you’re going to be publishing on Amazon, there’s chances that there might be some sizing issues. So, you want to leave time in your schedule for those corrections.

Third, do outline things. I don’t mean that you sit down and create a whole roadmap or a bulleted list of “here’s all the things I need to include in my story.” I mean “outline” in the broadest sense of the word, which is to say, define what you want the book to be about. You need to set some boundaries and check points for the story. That way, even if the writing starts going out of bounds, you’ve got a way to evaluate your progress and determine what parts have to be cut.

Accelerate your marketing career by learning concrete strategies to reignite your creative spark and build a compelling case for your promotion to director. From creating a standout project portfolio to evaluating your skills to salary negotiation, networking, and interviewing best practices, this book equips ambitious marketing professionals with the tools necessary for long-term success.

Enjoy an Excerpt

As a marketing leader, you also play a vital role in elevating the standard of living. Thanks to government regulations, marketers cannot make false or misleading claims. This means that you help consumers make informed decisions on the basis of marketing. They can be made aware of major changes in ownership or products, what new features are being developed, and which brands to trust. This comes together to create brand value and loyalty towards trusted companies.

At a company level, organizations cannot survive without marketing. You cannot establish a business and expect people to find you. There is simply too much competition and information bombarding society. For businesses to survive and thrive, they have to develop effective marketing strategies. And for this, they need experienced professionals like you with highly creative mindsets.

But it is difficult to contribute in this way to an organization or society if you feel burned out, uncreative, or feel an inability to work at your full potential.

If you feel the same way then this book is for you.

I’m going to show you how to be at the forefront of driving demand, understanding consumer needs, and providing critical contributions to your career growth. And to get there, this book is going to help you address:

• Being underpaid
• Being dictated to
• Burn out
• Intellectual disengagement
• Uncertainty about what steps to take

About the Authors:Fatemah Mirza is a Certified Resume Master and a highly sought-after speaker and coach who helps ambitious job seekers find higher-paying, more fulfilling jobs. She’s been helping job seekers since 2010 when she founded CareerTuners, which is a small team of skilled professionals from various industries who specialize in providing professional resumes, cover letters, LinkedIn profiles, and many more career-related services to help ambitious people land their dream jobs and achieve career goals.She has created free resources that have seen more than 160,000 downloads, helped hundreds of clients increase their pay, and built a network of more than 3000 recruiters.

Sumayyah Rafiq Haider is an experienced author and career mentor with a passion for helping individuals excel professionally. With an MBA in Human Resource Management and SHRM-CP certification, Sumayyah has assisted numerous clients in their job search, providing guidance on resume writing, LinkedIn optimization, cover letters, interview skills, and career direction.

Website | Instagram | Fatemah Mirza Amazon Author Page | Sumayyah Rafiq Haider Amazon Author Page

This book is available to read for free on Kindle Unlimited.

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The Unbred by Oscar Valdez – Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Oscar Valdez will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Entrepreneurship is considered one of the most ancient professions in human history. So, why then, is entrepreneurship so difficult to break into for minorities? What are the social and economical roadblocks and what can you do to tear them down and make a mark for yourself as a true corporate misfit?

As a managing partner of seven separate multi-million-dollar businesses operating in twenty-three States, I’ve discovered there’s no single formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur – but there are certain rules, especially for minorities, that must be abided by to avoid operational blunders. Any book can tell you it all comes down to planning and having the right mindset, but these gross oversimplifications are precisely why many fail to grasp the true keys to success.

Throughout these nine chapters you’ll learn all aspects of the minority entrepreneur’s journey, from starting a venture to ensuring its success. You’ll break down the balance between structure and flexibility necessary to grow and flourish as a minority entrepreneur. You’ll decode the complexities of the rules and uncover what obstacles stand before you – and how to rise above them, steadfast and unbred.

Enjoy an Excerpt

Entrepreneurship is considered one of the most ancient professions in human history. The first thing man did to survive was find a way to fulfill his daily necessities. Those necessities varied from one individual to another. There was always something someone had that someone else desired or wanted—hence, trading was invented, and eventually, entrepreneurship became one of the most decorated professions with the potential of providing the sort of lifestyle people wanted.

Over the years, entrepreneurial methodologies have evolved, and as we step into the twenty-first century, entrepreneurship has become much more technologically oriented, allowing for more sophistication. This profession is something that’s been debated for years in terms of how to become a successful entrepreneur and what are the do’s and don’ts.

Being a successful entrepreneur is widely considered a privilege and something hard to achieve. But most business analysts fail to realize that, for a certain portion of the population, it isn’t easy, despite following every rule in the book. In modern times, where socialization has become the key aspect of entrepreneurship, there are people for whom this profession and the laws governing it haven’t been very kind. In most countries, people belonging to minority groups aren’t presented with equal opportunities compared to those in the majority.

For a minority entrepreneur, like someone who comes from Mexico or Guatemala, or any other Spanish country, the banking systems are very different in terms of providing ease of doing business and aiding them with sufficient capital to start their venture. They’re not as complying as you would expect them to be, and thus, minorities don’t get loans easily from American banks.

Why? Primarily because immigrants don’t have United States credit histories that prove to the banks that they can pay back the loans they’re requesting. There’s also the additional barrier of the cultural differences between countries, with many not offering financing at all, so the system of such loans can be easily overwhelming for new minority business owners in America.

This often leads to businesses of minority entrepreneurs starting with hard-earned and long-saved personal funds instead. And after a while without sufficient capital to sustain their company, under-capitalization becomes the reason for businesses closing. So, when a Latino business owner opens their business, typically it’s because they’ve saved the money themselves throughout their life, doing whatever they did. They use that to fund their venture, but their businesses often crumble due to initial failures because they don’t have a backup investment to keep their company afloat.

About the Author:Born in Guatemala and raised in Los Angeles, Oscar dreamed of becoming a successful business owner. To become a successful entrepreneur seemed unattainable and a far-out dream. Oscar worked his way up the corporate ladder of successful companies gaining several awards along the way. He started several businesses only to witness those businesses fail.

At the age of 43, Oscar suffered multiple health scares, causing him to retire. With newfound time on his hands, he joined childhood friends to start a business venture. His past business failures were a lesson in finding a successful entrepreneurial path. This new venture resulted in a multi-million-dollar conglomerate, which continues to grow every year.

Oscar still lives in Los Angeles with his family and in his spare time he works towards helping the less fortunate through philanthropy and education.

Buy the book at Amazon.

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