Guided Ignatian Contemplation

 Guided Ignatian Contemplation: Meditations on the Gospels to Come Closer to the Heart of Jesus, Lawrence Keller, Independently Published, 2021

This is a group of meditations based on events during the earthly ministry of Jesus.

Many of the major events while He was here are included in this book. Jesus is baptized by John the Baptist. Jesus heals a leper. He heals Bartimaeus, a blind man, on the road to Jericho. Jesus calms the storm, and multiplies the loaves and fishes. He is transfigured, and is anointed before His death. Included are readings from the Old and New Testament, to help the reader better contemplate each event.

Personally, the best part of this book is that each event becomes a short story, instead of just a Bible reading. This makes it much easier for the reader to understand. For anyone who wants a closer relationship with God, or just wants a better understanding of some important Bible events, here is the place to start. It is very much worth reading.

The Charisma Factor

 The Charisma Factor: Unlock the Secrets of Magnetic Charm and Personal Influence in Your Life, Leesa Rowland, Hatherleigh Press, 2021

Are some people born with charisma, and the rest of us are, permanently, out of luck? Is it necessary to be rich and famous before a person can be considered charismatic? According to this book, the answer to these questions is No.

What makes a person charismatic? What makes a person be one of those who lights up a room? Among the needed elements are: self-confidence, paying attention to what the other person is saying, being a good listener, communicating effectively, and looking the other person in the eye. But, don't stare at them, or you will look like a psychopath.

Is it possible to be charismatic at the office? Be able to troubleshoot all sorts of problems. Keep long-term goals in mind. Be confident enough to take risks when necessary. Work harmoniously with others. Be energetic; people will notice. Be able to think outside the box. Last, but not least, lead from the front.

Is physical attractiveness required to be charismatic? Consider Abraham Lincoln and Mahatma Gandhi; both men had plenty of charisma, but neither could be considered handsome. Charisma is a muscle. It will take time for changes to be seen; it becomes easier with practice. The book gives details about strengthening your charisma muscle; it starts with getting out of your comfort zone.

This is a gem of a book. Even if a person can't do all the tips in this book, getting closer to the state of Charisma is a very good thing. This is easy to read, and is very much worth reading.

The Ultimate Baby and Newborn Book for Dads

 The Ultimate Baby and Newborn Book for Dads, Bradford Alberts, Independently Published, 2020

Your partner has just presented you with a Positive pregnancy test. After the joy and hugs, the question quickly becomes "What do I do now?" This book attempts to answer that question.

The book explains what to expect during pregnancy. Her hormones will probably go haywire. This may manifest itself physically, or emotionally. Your job is to support her as much as possible, even with her strange food cravings in the middle of the night. The book also talks about what to expect during the first three months of your baby's life. Before the baby is born, baby-proof the house, as much as possible, and shop for baby clothes, along with things for the nursery.

Discuss, ahead of time, the role you will play in the delivery room. Bonding with your baby, the right way, is also very important. The author also talks about common illnesses, and what to do if it becomes more serious (be prepared for considerable spitting up).

This book belongs in the phone, or tablet, or somewhere easily accessible, of every new father and not-yet-father in America. The author does a first-rate job in making the childbirth process as easy for men as possible. This easily gets 5 stars.

The US Citizenship Test Study Guide

 The US Citizenship Test Study Guide, James Patino, Scientia Media Group, 2021

For someone not born in America, becoming an American citizen can be a very powerful thing. For instance, you will get priority in bringing your family to America. But, it is not easy. This book attempts to take the reader through the whole process. 

If you served in the military, you need to fill out a specific form (links are provided). If either of your parents were born in America, use a different form. The ten questions on the Citizenship exam are chosen randomly from a pool of 100 questions (all are in the book). They cover basic civics and US history; the book contains a basic, but very good, summary of US history. The English comprehension part of the test involves being given three sentences. The applicant will have to write one, and read another out loud. There is also a list of online resources to get additional information on becoming a US citizen.

This is an excellent book. It makes the whole citizenship process as painless as possible. For anyone who wants to become a US citizen, whether or not you are already living here, start with this book. It deserves more than 5 stars.

Be Something Wonderful

 Be Something Wonderful: When Suddenly You Want to Be More, Tom Kearin, Independently Published. 2017

This book talks about your "a-ha" moment, that jolt of energy that says that your dreams are about to become achievable. It also talks about quantum physics and its connection to the creative energy of the universe. The reader will learn about the Dare To Be It code, to help you be the best version of yourself. It includes suggestions like: Believe You Can Have It All; Dare to Face the Fear; Embrace the Everyday Magic of Life; Intuition is Your Superpower.

This is a very optimistic book. It also may be too mystical, and too "energy of the universe" for some people. It is still worth reading. A person never knows just where that life-changing spark of divine magic will come from. This book may be that spark.

Inspire Your Kid to Be the Next Elon Musk

 Inspire Your Kid to Be the Next Elon Musk, Sverre Steensen, Upstart Garage Media, 2021

Part of a series, this book presents lots of activities to help your kids navigate the entrepreneurial world.

What is a better business idea - becoming a blogger or YouTuber? What makes a good logo? Watch movies like "Jerry Maguire" or "Moneyball." What is upselling or cross-selling? Put together your elevator pitch. Create a new logo for McDonald's or Coca-Cola. How do you solve problems of your friends, parents or grandparents? What is your movie popcorn - a product that costs very little to make, but can be sold for a big profit?

This is an excellent book for young entrepreneurs. These activities will get them thinking creatively, even if they never start their own business. Very much worth reading.

Drug of Choice

 Drug of Choice, Mark Van Stratum, Lifestyle Entrepreneurs Press, 2016

This is the true story of a man who went from drugs and prison, to making millions of dollars online (legitimately).

Mark grew up in a small town in the Netherlands. He was continually bullied in school, because he lost his right arm at age five, when he was hit by a tram. The teachers at school were no help. Mark developed a savage temper, was expelled from school after school, and got into drug and alcohol abuse. Getting robbed by another drug dealer was his "a-ha" moment. If he didn't change his life, now, it would end very soon.

Mark abruptly moved to Poland, and got involved with a company that teaches men how to pick up women, eventually becoming an instructor. He also got into the world of affiliate marketing, creating several businesses that make millions in profit each year.

The author shows how anyone can change their attitude for the better. If he can do it, anyone can do it. This book is very honest, and is all about choosing the people you want to be with. This is well worth reading.

Dr. Sebi's Guide to Conquer Herpes

 Dr. Sebi's Guide to Conquer Herpes, Howard Fuller, Independently Published, 2021

Herpes is generally thought of as a disease to be endured. There is little, or nothing, that can be done about it. Few people think of herpes as a disease that can be reduced in severity, or even cured, with the proper diet. That's what this book is all about.

The book talks about what happens inside a cell when the herpes virus attacks. It explores just what the herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2) really is, and is not. The book talks about the symptoms of herpes. If you are experiencing an outbreak, you already know the symptoms. Herpes is also very contagious. A person can be asymptomatic; they can spread the disease without knowing that they have it.

OK, so how does one cure themselves of herpes? It starts with a total revamping of your diet. Eliminate dairy, junk food and processed food (the typical American diet). Greatly increase your consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables (organic, if possible). The veggies should be raw, or lightly steamed. Cooked or frozen veggies are not good enough. Drink lots of water. Greatly increase your consumption of fresh herbs, like basil, thyme or garlic. They can be cut up, and rubbed all over your herpes outbreak. They can also be tossed into a teapot, and consumed as a tea. 

As with all other such health books, a visit to your doctor, ahead of time, is a very good idea. This needs to be done for the long haul; changes will not come in a week or two. This book feels very plausible, and is very much worth trying out.

Saving the Light of Justice

 Saving the Light of Justice, Barry Nadel, Independently Published, 2021

In part 2 of a series, three members of an Israeli archaeological expedition are stuck in solitary confinement in a Spanish prison. International economic and media pressure force the king to pardon them. They almost don't make it out of prison alive.

A senior member of the Spanish Government wants to lure Yoshua, leader of the expedition, back to Spain, to label him as a terrorist, and to kill him. A pair of elderly Hoshiyans (kind of like a secret society) save Yoshua from an ambush. There is an action-packed shootout, where Yoshua captures the senior government official. Yoshua gets the chapel back, and its priceless artifacts. The excavating continues, while the Vatican would like the thing to quickly go away.

This book is a little less Wow! than part 1, but it is still an excellent story. It's more of an emotional book, as the Israelis deal with what they found in a sealed room inside the Spanish chapel (it involves the Spanish Inquisition). There is enough action here for anyone, and this book cannot easily be put down. It easily gets 5 stars.

15 Great Ventures to Start (1)

 15 Great Ventures to Start (1), Sverre Steensen, Upstart Garage Media, 2021

Part of a series, this book looks at opportunities for young entrepreneurs.

First, find a problem that needs to be solved. It can be a yearly problem, like something to do with Christmas, or a more frequent problem. How will your product or service solve that problem? Gather family or friends together to brainstorm ideas. At this stage, no idea is too weird or too stupid. Come up with a cool name for your company. Later, when it becomes successful, you might have to officially register it. Define your market: your neighborhood, your town or online. How much will you charge for your product or service? Do you want to get paid after each sale, or once a month? If you get paid once a month, liquidity problems could crop up before the end of the month.

There is a lot to consider before starting your business. This book includes specific business ideas, like starting a used toy store, a homework service, a birthday service, an import business, a babysitting business or a tech help business. For each idea, the author includes the difficulty, the success probability, the fun factor and the millionaire potential. Needless to say, running any business idea past your parents, ahead of time, is a very good idea.

This is an excellent book. It presents business ideas for any teen, and it does not ignore the hard work needed to make it a success. This book could easily inspire the next Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos. Highly recommended.

Recovery from Complex PTSD

 Recovery from Complex PTSD, Don Barlow, Independently Published, 2021

All over the world, millions of people experience feelings of hopeless ness and chronic anxiety. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is not just limited to war veterans and survivors of child abuse.

Whether "it" was a one-time event, or a frequent event, it is possible, according to this book, to re-write your life's script. A place to start is by understanding the causes of your trauma.

Having occasional stress in your life is normal, and can be good for you. Constant stress is caused by your brain re-running the video of "it," over and over again. That will lead to constant production of hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which is bad for you. Your "fight or flight" response will be stuck in the On position, which will lead to inflammation and fibromyalgia, along with many other health problems. This is very bad for you, physically.

For anyone suffering from PTSD, if this book can help just a little bit, it is worth it. Much of this book may be common knowledge, but it is still good to have it in one place. This is well worth reading.

Paging Dr. Turov

 Paging Dr. Turov, Gibby Campbell, Black Velvet Seductions Publishing Co., 2019

Dr. Victor Turov is a world-renowned heart surgeon. He is also handsome and wealthy. He is looking for the right kind of woman; you can never find a good submissive when you need one.

Abby Shea is a young and beautiful widow who volunteers at the hospital where Turov works. The sparks between them are immediate, but Abby does not just fall into his arms. He has to actively pursue her, then convince her that his lifestyle is not so bad. There are many obstacles along the way. Through it all, Abby has to ask herself how much freedom she is willing to give up for love.

This book has obvious parallels with 50 Shades of Gray. It has good characters, and a good balance between romance and sex. Yes, it is worth reading.

12 Powerful Principles of Prosperous Law Practices

 12 Powerful Principles of Prosperous Law Practices, Richard Jacobs, Speakeasy Marketing Inc., 2020

Excellent job, Mr. Jacobs! For anyone who recently started their own law practice, these principles are practical, and easy to understand and follow. Maybe something as simple as sending e-newsletters will separate you from all the other lawyers that are out there. This is very much worth reading for any attorney (beginner or veteran).

Seeking the Light of Justice

 Seeking the Light of Justice: The Hoshiyan Chronicles I, Barry Nadel, Agrosearch, 2020

First of a series, this novel is about Yoshua Rosenberg, archaeology professor in present-day Israel, and former member of the Israeli military. In his travels, in an ancient book, he finds a title page for the Hoshiyan Chronicles. It specifically mentions something called the Light of Justice. Rosenberg is beyond shocked. This is not family folklore; it is more like a sacred duty to be constantly on the lookout for any such evidence.

The focus shifts to a 500-year-old nothing of a church in southern Spain. The Israelis set up a full-fledged archaeological expedition. Interesting things are found, including high-quality, colored marble tiles in strange shapes and patterns. It was hidden under several layers of paint, sand and other lesser-quality tiles. In a sealed room, inside the church, they make a horrifying discovery (it involves the Spanish Inquisition). The Vatican pressures the Spanish government to immediately shut down the site. The Israelis get evidence of "it" out to the public, creating a worldwide political and media firestorm. Most of the group gets back to Israel safely. But, three members are arrested, including Rosenberg, and tossed into prison, in solitary confinement. The Spanish Government won't be too upset if they should suffer an "untimely demise" while in prison.

This is a gem of a book. It's got a bit of science fiction, long-ago history, centuries-old religious coverups and some very good writing. I don't say this very often, but, I am very much looking forward to Part 2. 

Pegan Diet Cookbook

 Pegan Diet Cookbook, Nicole Gibbs, Independently Published, 2021

What the heck is the pegan diet?

It combines the paleo diet, which tries to replicate the diet from the Paleolithic Era, over 2 million years ago, with veganism. The paleo diet emphasizes fruits, fish, vegetables, meat and nuts. It forbids dairy, wheat, sugar, oils, salt, alcohol and coffee. Veganism allows only plant-based foods to be eaten, and forbids animal-based foods. The pegan diet requires adherents to consume 25 percent of their calories from animal sources, while the other 75 percent comes from plants.

A diet that forbids sugar, starch, refined carbohydrates, genetically modified organisms, dairy, gluten and beans (most of the time) will do wonderful things to your overall health. It can help you lose weight, prevent heart disease, lower blood pressure and cholesterol, and prevent diabetes. This book also has many recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The author admits that this is not an easy diet to follow. Even if all that a person can do, for now, is replace fast food with healthy smoothies, that can only help. For anyone with chronic health problems, it's not like there is anything to lose. Try the recipes in this book; it is worth your time.