< Back Andy Lipman The CF Warrior Project, Volume 2: Celebrating Our Cystic Fibrosis Community A deeply moving collection of stories about cystic fibrosis (CF), from author Andy Lipman Author Andy Lipman writes the second volume of The CF Warrior Project: Celebrating Our Cystic Fibrosis Community. The first chapter presents the profiles of many trailblazers who saved lives through a lifetime of dedication to CF, including Doris Tulcin who created the CF Foundation. Chapter two shares the stories of those living with CF, such as six year old Liam Wilson, already an advocate for CF awareness and fundraiser. In the third chapter, we hear from several people who were diagnosed later in life, including Terry Wright an African American man who was not diagnosed until aged fifty-four, after years of pain and suffering, due to biases and stereotypes in diagnosis. Chapter four tells the stories of moms who have raised children with CF, including Margarete Cassalina and Laura Bonnell, both mothers of two CF warriors. Chapter five explores the impact of CF on the entire family, and presents stories from the parents, children, siblings and spouses of those living with CF. In Chapter six, we hear from those who have survived double-lung transplants, and in chapter seven, we hear from those who run to stay healthy and active, inspire others, and raise money for CF. Chapters eight and nine present the stories of famous people who are advocates for CF, and TV celebrities living with CF. Chapter ten discusses the benefits of exercise for CF, through various sports such as softball, tandem-surfing, bodybuilding, yoga, swimming, climbing, adventure sports, and martial arts. The eleventh chapter explores the unique ways people have made a difference, through fundraising, advocacy, research, science and politics. The final chapter is a beautiful and loving tribute to the author’s mother, and CF advocate, Eva Lipman. The CF Warrior Project, Volume 2: Celebrating Our Cystic Fibrosis Community , is a collection of thoughtful and inspiring stories by author Andy Lipman. This book is the second installment in the CF Warrior Project, and explores the impact of CF on those living with disease, their loved ones and their physicians, and many others who have dedicated their lives to raising awareness of CF. Told through a series of personal stories, this is a deeply moving and insightful collection, from a wide and diverse range of people impacted by CF. Each story is unique. Each story is powerful. Each story is inspirational. Each story will give hope to anyone living with, or impacted, by CF. This is a beautifully curated and written collection, and the author has done an excellent job at bringing the stories to life. Thank you to Andy Lipman for collating these stories, and to all the individual contributors who shared their personal stories. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A collection of thoughtful and inspiring personal stories about cystic fibrosis, and the impact on those living with the disease, their loved ones and their physicians. Purchase here

< Back Rebecca Olmstead Dreams and Illusions: A Gabrielle Dorian Mystery A young woman is unwittingly thrust into a complex investigation when her sister is accused of a brutal murder. Gabrielle Dorian co-owns a boutique called Belle Femme in Washington with her best friend, Kate Goldstein. Gabrielle is a psychic and experiences recurring, vivid dreams. She believes her dreams are trying to tell her something and has a bad feeling it is something connected to her husband, James. Gabrielle is worried and Kate encourages her to have an extended lunch with James. She visits him while he is working on a construction site, and everything is fine, except for the annoying presence of his business partner, Trevor. Shortly after lunch, Gabrielle receives a visit from Trevor and the police, informing her that James has tragically died in an accident at the site. On the day of his funeral, Gabrielle receives a frantic call from her estranged younger sister, Tina. Tina has been arrested and asks Gabrielle to travel to Seattle to bail her out. Kate advises Gabrielle to stay at home, rest and grieve for her husband, but Gabrielle feels a responsibility to her sister. Gabrielle feels she let her husband down by ignoring her dreams, and she does not want to let her last living relative down. She travels to Seattle to learn Tina has been charged with writing bad checks and first-degree murder. The victim is Tina’s neighbor, an elderly woman named Winnifred Everette, who was robbed and shot in her apartment. The police have a good case, as Tina’s gun is linked to the crime scene, and they discover that Tina is the sole beneficiary of Winnifred’s eighteen-million fortune. Tina is confident that her sister will be able to prove her innocence due to her psychic abilities. Can Gabrielle solve the case, and save her sister from death row? Dreams and Illusions: A Gabrielle Dorian Mystery by Rebecca Olmstead is an absorbing crime detective novel, and the first instalment in a planned series. The book follows Gabrielle Dorian’s journey as she discovers her psychic abilities and is unwittingly thrust into a complex investigation when her sister is accused of a brutal murder. The book is more than a crime detective novel, as it deals with family relationships, faith, love and loss. Gabrielle Dorian is a strong, charming and relatable protagonist. Her journey is both personal and investigative, as she battles her own grief, fears and doubts while delving into the murky circumstances surrounding the crime. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A super addition to the crime detective genre, with a captivating protagonist and a fresh psychic twist. Purchase here

< Back Tanya A. Taibl The Words She Left Behind-How Alzheimer's Changed Our Story The Words She Left Behind is a deeply personal memoir by Tanya A. Taibl, chronicling her family's journey as caretakers for her estranged aunt, Toni, who is diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. The memoir is structured in a series of thematic chapters, each beginning with a poignant quote or journal entry from Toni. This approach gives readers intimate access to Toni's inner world, her struggles with paranoia, loneliness, and her gradual cognitive decline. The narrative alternates between Tanya's present-day experiences as a caretaker and her discoveries about her aunt's past through journals, letters, and family stories. Taibl's writing is candid and unflinching. She does not shy away from describing her own resentment and hatred toward her aunt, which makes her eventual journey toward forgiveness even more powerful. The prose is accessible, often conversational, and punctuated by moments of raw emotion and dark humor. The memoir vividly illustrates how Alzheimer's affects not just the patient but the entire family. Taibl describes the "slow funeral" of watching a loved one fade away, the emotional toll on caregivers, and the isolation that often accompanies the role. She provides practical insights into the challenges of navigating the healthcare system, memory care placement, and the daily unpredictability of dementia. A significant portion of the memoir is devoted to uncovering Toni's past through her journals and personal effects. These discoveries reveal a woman plagued by undiagnosed depression, failed relationships, and a lifelong struggle for acceptance and love. The author’s process of piecing together her aunt’s life story is both detective work and an act of compassion, leading to a deeper understanding of Toni’s behavior and mental health. One of the memoir’s most compelling arcs is Taibl’s transformation from resentment to empathy. Through caregiving, she learns to see her aunt not just as a source of family pain but as a vulnerable human being shaped by trauma and illness. The memoir’s honesty about the emotional complexities of caregiving is refreshing and relatable. Taibl includes practical advice, "Do's and Don'ts" for interacting with dementia patients, and resources for families, making the book useful as well as moving. This book is especially recommended for caregivers, family members of dementia patients, and anyone interested in memoirs that tackle difficult family dynamics with honesty and grace. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A heartfelt, honest, and ultimately hopeful memoir about the ravages of Alzheimer’s and the redemptive power of understanding and forgiveness. Purchase here

< Back Peter Remington Entrepreneur Secrets: Real Stories of Purpose, Profit, and Power Entrepreneur Secrets is a compelling anthology by Peter Remington, that brings together the voices of twenty-four accomplished business leaders. Far from being a conventional business manual, this book offers readers a rare glimpse into the personal motivations, setbacks, and triumphs that define the entrepreneurial experience. The book is organized into individual chapters, each authored by a different entrepreneur. These chapters span a wide range of industries, backgrounds, and personal journeys, from real estate and hospitality to beauty, wellness, and philanthropy. The diversity of contributors ensures that readers encounter a broad spectrum of experiences, challenges, and triumphs. A central theme running throughout the book is the pursuit of purpose. Many authors, such as Dr. Jacquie Baly and Saba Syed, reflect on how their personal histories and values have informed their business decisions and community impact. The stories are candid about the realities of entrepreneurship: Matt Brice’s account of launching a restaurant during the pandemic and Theresa Roemer’s journey through personal loss highlight the resilience and adaptability required to succeed. Another recurring theme is the importance of giving back. Entrepreneurs like Bill Baldwin and Beth Harp demonstrate how business success can be leveraged to drive meaningful change in their communities. The book also highlights the role of mentorship, with contributors like Edward Sanchez and Dawn Nelson emphasizing the transformative power of guidance and support. The book is a valuable resource for aspiring entrepreneurs who crave real-world insights rather than sanitized success stories. Each chapter concludes with actionable advice, from cultivating gratitude and self-awareness, to building supportive networks and embracing continuous learning. The book is a must-read for anyone seeking not just to build a business, but to build a meaningful and lasting legacy. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A vibrant, authentic, and diverse collection of real-life entrepreneurial stories, to motivate and inspire anyone interested in building a lasting business legacy. Purchase here

< Back Lisa Towles Switch Private investigator, Marissa ‘ Mari’ Ellwyn, is recovering at home following a near fatal hit and run car accident. Mari believes it was no accident, but an attempted hit on her life to stop her from investigating a string of bank robberies. As her business partner, Derek Abernathy, attempts to find the prime suspect, James Traeger, Mari is woken in the middle of the night by an intruder. The intruder is a Chief Forensic Pathologist named Dr Linus Hagen, who discloses suspicious activity at the local morgue. A John Doe was brought into the morgue and then mysteriously disappeared after the autopsy, along with the County Medical Examiner, Dr. Camille Bota. Mari and Derek take on the case and examine the autopsy reports and photographs of the John Doe. They discover peculiar marks on the body and suspect foul play. They soon identify the John Doe as a local man named Val Sharma, the Marketing Director of a technology company called AEI. As Mari and Derek look further into the company, they find AEI’s parent company (Praxis) is building a quantum computer called ‘Switch’. This new tech could destabilize the crypto market and threaten the U.S. economy. As Mari delves deeper into the case, another AEI executive goes missing. Mari discovers a disturbing connection between Praxis, a notorious crime boss, and her own estranged father. Switch is a gripping, fast-paced, techno-crime thriller by author Lisa Towles, and the third instalment in the E&A Investigations Series. The novel follows private investigator Marissa Ellwyn as she navigates a complex web of corporate corruption and espionage, murder, and personal betrayal. The story intertwines Mari's investigation with her personal struggles, including her relationship with her estranged father and her traumatic past. Told through the first-person perspective, Towles’ masterfully weaves a complex techno-crime thriller with a powerful, personal narrative. Overall, Switch is a clever, complex, and captivating thriller, with an intriguing and multi-layered storyline. A stellar third instalment of this gripping series. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary : A suspenseful and absorbing techno-crime thriller, filled with mysteries and twists. Purchase here

< Back Scott Tomlinson Letters to my Dog Book blurb... Letters To My Dog is a collection of poems. They are heartfelt declarations of the connections of owners to their dogs. They tell of the beauty of having a dog in your life, the unconditional love that a dog brings. The companionship of an animal that brings such joy to people. It also tells of the crushing feeling of losing a dog when they pass, no longer a part of your life. The emptiness it brings, the absence of such a beautiful part of your life that no longer exists. They encompass all that having a dog in your life is about, the joy, the love and the sadness. Thankfully dogs exist, for the world is a more beautiful place with dogs in it and part of our lives. Purchase here

< Back Dr. Randal L. Quackenbush Choir Confidential: Insider Tips & Techniques for the Church Choir Director Book blurb... Are you leading a church choir - or preparing to? This is your essential, practical guide to thriving in this vital role. Written by Dr. Randal L. Quackenbush, a renowned choral arranger and seasoned church choir director, this insightful book blends real-world experience with actionable advice. You'll explore the spiritual and musical dimensions of leadership, discover how to build a vibrant choir culture, sharpen your rehearsal strategies, and master the art of choral administration. With ten global case studies from choirs in the U.S., England, Denmark, Ghana, India, and Italy, you'll gain a fresh perspective on what makes choirs flourish across cultures. Each story is packed with creative solutions and inspiration whether you're working with a dwindling group or a thriving ensemble. From aesthetic guidance to practical tools, Choir Confidential equips directors of all backgrounds ”full-time, part-time, or volunteer” with the confidence and clarity to lead with purpose and passion. Purchase here

< Back Matt Posey The Burn Book blurb... Scott Anderson and Tim Lusk live nearly parallel lives. They drive the same type of car, take their coffee the same way, know some of the same people, and believe that God, the Bible, and religion in general have no applicability in their modern world. When each man is offered an opportunity to break the law in order to significantly improve his life, both must decide whether to uphold their childhood values or do whatever it takes to get ahead. Each makes his decision and almost immediately, one man’s life drastically improves, while the other’s devolves into chaos. When the two men eventually arrive at the same disastrous end, both struggle with regret, resentment, anger, and depression while attempting to relate to and make sense out of the parable of the prodigal son. Will Scott and Tim remain bitter toward God, faith, and the general unfairness of the world, or will they recognize that their decisions and consequences have brought them to the exact spot where God wants them to be? In this inspirational tale, one decision sends the lives of two remarkably similar men in opposite directions where both must struggle with the fallout and a choice between bitterness and faith. Purchase here

< Back Stoni Astley Sanctuary's Lights A powerful and heart-breaking novel about parental neglect and domestic violence, from author Stoni Astley. Eleven-year-old Sydney and her younger siblings, Amanda, and Dylan, move to a new house, a new town, and a new school. Their mother Barbara, alcohol dependent and addicted to prescription drugs, has moved them again, this time to Ontario to escape the prying eyes of the social services and nosey neighbours. The children have spent years in and out of social services care, due to their mother’s substance abuse and violence. As the children try to settle into their new school, the neglect, the abuse, the violence, and the range continues at home. No-one hears their cries. No-one sees their bruises. No-one cares. But when their mother’s violence escalates, Sydney confides in one teacher who shows her kindness and compassion. Just when Sydney gets the support she desperately needs, and starts to believe she will escape with her siblings, her mother loses control and the lives of all three siblings are changed forever. Sanctuary’s Lights is a powerful and heart-breaking novel of three siblings who live in constant fear of their mother. While a work of fiction, the book is inspired by the authors own traumatic childhood experiences. Honestly and sensitively told from the children’s perspective, the novel is a moving tribute to all victims and survivors of childhood neglect and domestic abuse. The book highlights the brutality of a system that repeatedly fails vulnerable children, by failing to act quickly, by separating traumatised siblings, by housing them in unsuitable homes, by repeatedly allowing them to go back to neglectful and abusive parents, and by simply not caring enough. Sadly, the story of Sydney, Amanda, and Dylan, and of the author, Stoni Astley, is not an uncommon one. Star Rating: 5 Stars Summary ‘Honestly and sensitively told from the children’s perspective, the novel is a moving tribute to all victims and survivors of childhood neglect and domestic abuse. A BRONZE WINNER and highly recommended.’ Purchase here

< Back Jon Howe Shanghaied A young man is stolen from his family and enslaved on a merchant ship. In 1810, Eamon McGrath a printer from Marblehead, Massachusetts, wakes up on board a ship in the middle of the North Atlantic ocean. With no memory of how he came to be on board the ship, he soon learns he has been kidnapped (‘shanghaied’) with four other men. The men have been stolen and are forced to work on the merchant ship, Atalanta, after a British frigate captured most of the ships original crew. The ship has been sold to a company in Hong Kong and is headed to East Asia. The men know that any attempt of mutiny would be futile, and quickly adapt to life at sea. The ship sails down the east coast of North and South America, before rounding Cape Horn at the southern tip of mainland South America, and then sails up the west coast. They cross the tropics in the North Pacific and approach Hong Kong via the Solomon Islands and the South China sea. The men learn the daily chores and rituals, but conditions on the ship are brutal and the men live in constant fear for their lives. At every port, Eamon writes a letter to his wife and his two children, hoping it will one day reach home. After the ship stops in Hong Kong, it continues to journey west towards Africa. But when they reach Port Louis in Madagascar, Eamon finally has a chance to escape when he meets the crew of a ship named Voilà . Shanghaied by Jon Howe is an enthralling and insightful historical fiction novel about a man who is stolen from his family and enslaved on a merchant ship. As Eamon McGrath and the crew circumnavigate the globe on board the Atalanta, their resilience is put to the test as they battle to survive in the horrific conditions. Set in the early nineteenth century, during a period of rapid social change and increasing global trade, the book captures the experience of many sailors during this time and the brutality of life at sea. Throughout the book, the reader is transported to the oceans of the world and the many fascinating countries, tropical islands, and ports, that the crew encounter along their journey. Thoroughly researched, with references to key historical events, the book will appeal to those who enjoy historical fiction and adventures at sea. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A compelling and thought provoking read about a man enslaved on a merchant ship, and his fight for survival. Purchase here

< Back Charles Cone ...a burning desire to fly Book blurb... This is the unforgettable memoir of Colonel Charles Cone, USAF (Ret.), whose century-spanning journey from a humble farmhouse in upstate New York to the cockpits of military and civilian aircraft defines a life of courage, conviction, and flight. Born in 1926, Cone’s early obsession with aviation led him to become a naval aviator and later a decorated U.S. Air Force pilot. From flying combat missions in Korea and Vietnam to pioneering sophisticated operations systems, instructing civilian pilots, and flying medical missions, his story is rich with purpose and perseverance. More than a chronicle of aviation milestones, ...a burning desire to fly captures the grit of rural America, the evolution of military aviation, and the indomitable spirit of a man who never let adversity clip his wings. Purchase here

< Back Viola B. Mecke, Ph.D., ABPP Aging Wisely: Life from Fifty to Seventy-Five Years Wise words for aging wisely, by author Viola B. Mecke Aging Wisely: Life from Fifty to Seventy-Five Years is a book targeted at older adults, about the authors’ own experience of growing older and as a practicing clinical psychologist. The book is divided into two parts, with thirteen chapters. The first part of the book discusses life and aging, and the passage of time from the ages of fifty to sixty-five and the beginning period of the loss of youthfulness, right through to the ages of eighty-five plus, and the ‘final curtain call’. The second part of the book discusses how to age wisely through physical activity and exercise, a positive mindset, gratitude and resilience, stress management, good self-esteem and positive relationships with others. The author explores issues of love and loss, change and uncertainty. Eighty-five-year-old author, Mecke, draws on her own personal feelings and experiences of ageing, and her professional experience as a clinical psychologist to help people age wisely and deal with the many stressors that aging brings. She discusses many of the myths associated with ageing and demonstrates the strengths of older senior citizens. The book will help readers to understand their own strengths to live a more fulfilled life in later years. Aging Wisely: Life from Fifty to Seventy-Five Years is a valuable resource for those who are in the later years of life, or those approaching older age. It will also be beneficial for others who might be supporting or caring for a parent, friend or family member in older age. This is a deeply personal book by author Mecke, who lays bare her personal experience of ageing. Older adults are often overlooked in society, and it was great to hear first-hand about Mecke’s life and personal journey. As a reader in the intended target age range, I found this book incredibly insightful and impactful. With plenty of practical advice and guidance, the book will help others to maintain a high quality of life in older age. I would highly recommend this book to anyone impacted by aging (all of us at some point!). Beautifully written, and easy to read, this book was a pleasure to read. Star rating: 5 Stars Summary: A valuable resource for those who are in the later years of life, or those approaching older age, and their caregivers. Purchase here