The Sunday Post is a blog news meme hosted here @ Caffeinated Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog and showcase books and things we have received. Share news about what is coming up on your blog for the week ahead. Join in weekly, bi-weekly or for a monthly wrap up. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.
I spent Friday evening catching up on writing reviews. All of March is done & scheduled and I am already in to April’s calendar. My oldest turned 32 this week, but we had colds so we didn’t get together. We will plan something for this week. I binged Jericho and enjoyed it. Not sure what I will watch next. Our temperatures have been down right frigid with some snow and ice. We will warm up today and are expecting thunderstorms and heavy rains tonight and tomorrow. Stay Caffeinated.
Last Week on the Blog
Murder At Haven’s Rock By Kelley Armstrong (book review)
Blog Tour: Clever Girl By Laralyn Doran (spotlight, giveaway)
Where Darkness Blooms By Andrea Hannah (book review)
Harmony Of Lies By Brian Feehan (book review)
The Untold Story By Genevieve Cogman (book review)
This Week on the Blog
Gray Tidings By Hailey Edwards (audio review)
Knife Edge By Kerry Buchanan (audio review)
City Under One Roof By Iris Yamashita (book review)
The Founders By Stacy M. Jones (audio review)
Lost In The Moment And Found By Seanan McGuire (audio review)
New Arrivals at the Caffeinated Cafe
Learn more:
Message in the Bones by Dawn Merriman
Identity by Nora Roberts
A special thanks to Tantor Audio & St. Martin Press
Around The Blogosphere
Lady in Read shares, “Honoring Amazing People For Black History Month: Picture Book Biographies“
Daydreaming Book Lover, “Favorite Book Covers With Spring Vibes“
Caffeinated PR
I have several open book tours. Stop by and join the fun. ARCS will be available for all.
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“Mrs. Wiggles and the Numbers” is a read-aloud rhyming picture book about counting, math, and inclusivity for children. What inspired you to write this book?
I’ve always enjoyed math and spent over 30 years as a technical writer in STEM industries. Recently, I learned that over 50% of children have math anxiety, which often starts in the early years. I wanted all children to love numbers and math.
What are the biggest challenges children face in learning to count?
The concept of amounts is visual, but counting is pure memorization. That is why children need a lot of repetition. “Mrs. Wiggles and the Numbers” makes learning entertaining. The children will love the characters and rhyme, which makes memorization easier.
How do you see your book fitting into a parent’s or teacher’s lesson plan?
“Mrs. Wiggles and the Numbers” helps visualize the numbers, and the rhyme, colors, and cute characters make the concepts enjoyable. The topic of inclusion and accepting others who don’t always “fit in” is important.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
The next picture book in the series is about the addition sign. The addition sign “adds” a lot to the classroom. It will be ready by the end of 2023 or early 2024.
Mrs. Wiggles and the Numbers is a read aloud rhyming picture book about counting, math, and inclusivity for children.
In a schoolhouse far away, magic blew the fields of hay. Mrs. Wiggles stood alone. Long ago, her class had grown. Then one day, she heard a sound—numbers leaping to the ground.
A read-aloud picture book for children about inclusion and starting a fun relationship with numbers to avoid “math stress.” At an early age, children have big imaginations and embrace new ideas. Mrs. Wiggles is the best way to introduce children to the world of numbers. Magic comes to Mrs. Wiggle’s one-room schoolhouse when the bulletin board of numbers comes alive. Children are delighted by the rhyming story, humor, and bright illustrations. Children will learn the following:Counting. The rhyming text helps with memorization and recognizing numbers. Numbers are exciting. Each number has its own friendly personality. A happy class is a diverse, kind, and inclusive group. The numbers are worth more when working together. Every number has value, and students in a classroom are important. The other numbers help Zero realize his value. Numbers solve problems. This book will keep everyone amused with many subtleties for older children and adults. A book that you will enjoy reading to children as they learn to love numbers.
In Rethink Your Financial Health: Sharing the Manual – Four Lenses to Financial Healing & Wholeness, A. J. Uitvlugt uses absorbing stories to initiate conversations about money and finances. Everyone spends money, but not all know how to handle their finances effectively. Often, you will see people misusing or struggling to balance their earnings and spending. So how does one know how to form a healthy relationship with their finances? Do schools teach enough about finances? Do parents have conversations with their children about money? A.J. Uitvlugt is here to share with readers tips on dealing with money, whether a bit of money or huge finances and how to create a healthy financial journey for yourself and others.
Rethink Your Financial Health is an excellent read because of the stories and relatable experiences the author writes about. Each story told each expertise shared in the book, and every lesson the author gives is critical in every step. I found the distinct arrangement of this book helpful. A new chapter does not feel fresh but rather an extension of previous lessons. Every chapter starts with a quote from notable icons in history. And not just random quotes commonly used but quotes that help readers reflect on their financial habits and general approach to life. One of my favorite quotes in the book, ‘Fear is a manipulative emotion that can trick us into living a boring life’ by Donald Miller.
Readers can enjoy this book because everything is organized into easy-to-find and comprehended sections. The paragraphs are short and easy to complete, and the author highlighted the main points in bullet points for better visibility. I also enjoyed reading this book because the author had a section for exercises and the reader’s reflection apart from the main discussion. The training gives one a chance to put into practice what is taught in the book. At the same time, the reflections are a vital part of the process so that readers will have a more insightful conversation with themself and a deeper understanding of their financial situation.
One of my favorite parts of the book was when the author addresses money myths. The author writes about myths like the work pays more myth, the must-buy myth peddled when buying versus renting debates are brought up, and the invincible myth examined during discussions on insurance. The author cordially educates readers on these myths, which is an excellent idea as many people tend to fall for some.
A. J. Uitvlugt’s writing is relatable and engaging, and she uses real-life situations to convey her message. Rethink Your Financial Health: Sharing the Manual – Four Lenses to Financial Healing & Wholeness is an excellent book for financial literacy lessons and a great reference material for readers needing reminders about their relationship with money.
Enigma Tracer follows the R-Group as they try to stop a master thief from creating chaos and destruction in the Caribbean islands’ manufacturing infrastructure before time runs out. What inspired you to start a new series in the same world as your previous series?
The Enigma Series covered three generations of the R-Group, referencing their beginnings in World War II. We recently detailed the harrowing events in the novella prequel Out of Poland. Technology threats today target the very old and the younger population worldwide. We wanted the leaders of the R-Group and sister organization, CATS, to be the newest generation.
Gracie and her twin, Juan Junior or JJ, were the first of the fourth generation of the R-Group family businesses. Their education, in many ways, was traditional homeschooling with extensive usage of modern digital problem-solving acumen. They still strive to remain on the moral high ground and help humanity, but their expertise with the technical tools available is second to none.
We felt it was time to change so the next generation could become the adults in charge. Your children can only train for so long before they need to get tested for real-life problems. We believe the Enigma Heirs champions will find new ways to combat the criminals from the Darknet and those evil people lurking in the shadows with innovative solutions to cyber problems.
The book deals with themes of greed, power, and corruption. What message do you hope readers take away from the story?
Thank you for pulling these elements. When one profiles someone who steals, controls, or even kills other humans, one or all of these themes is at the heart when you peel back the layers. Some people have evil mindsets. Brilliant geniuses without balance believe that it’s their way or no way. They will pick one of the elements, such as power, to accumulate vast sums of money and get others to do the work for them.
The unfortunate truth about our digital universe is the cyber bad guys are always in the lead. It takes courage to defy evil from the Darknet. We want our storytelling taken to heart for the subtle lessons. If the cyber world is to remain in balance, the cyber good guys must combat the cyber trash to restore order from chaos.
That said, we want readers to remain vigilant against the deal that sounds too good to be true or the promise they want to hear rather than being suspicious. Falling for these hoaxes or marketing manipulation by someone with a smooth line has a poor ending. Please don’t jump on the bandwagon with everything until you check it out thoroughly. Our digital world requires individuals to protect themselves. We can help one another and keep our family and friends from making unrecoverable mistakes.
The technology aspect of the book is quite detailed and complex. How did you strike a balance between making it accessible to readers while still being accurate and engaging?
Breakfield and Burkey work in technology. We’ve watched our technical evolution progress over time in both capabilities and complexities. We like taking tangible aspects of technology and putting them into everyday scenarios people can understand. In Enigma Tracer, we use a variety of drones ranging from miniature ones in the earrings Gracie wears to the ones Bailey places in the garden and the others Jeff helps Keith use to distract the guards in the ship’s hold. Drones have a variety of capabilities for pictures, audio transmission, movement, and more. Everyone likes toys, especially adults.
You have a massive part of our secret. We like to tell a great story in a realistic setting, with relatable characters, caring relationships, fun, and a bit of humor. We believe this is an engaging recipe. We change all the elements when we write each book. But we are careful and diligent about not using a single formula repeatedly. And just so the readers know, we do NOT use A.I. chatbots to assemble our stories. Breakfield and Burkey are the writers and researchers of our books.
What can readers expect in book two in the Enigma Heirs Thriller series?
Book two, Enigma Forced, brings back a greedy enemy without regard for people. He and others like him operate in many locations worldwide, forcing people to do things they would never do by choice. Seduction and trafficking are the criminal tools of these cyber-thugs. The web of deception for these operations is much like a Hydra. Cut off one head three more grow in its place. The applied technologies needed to locate the poisonous, heartless villain will take all the resources at the disposal of the R-Group and CATS. The opening chapters is at the end of Enigma Tracer, let us know your thoughts.
The clock is ticking … can Gracie uncover the truth? Phillip Pliant is the wealthy opportunist plastics dealer, and CEO of Pliant Industries. He’s also a master thief—creating a pervasive threat to the manufacturing infrastructure in the Caribbean islands markets. With the cartel as his stealth client, the naïve city leaders have been seduced, enabling the production of more than 3-dimentional building materials.
And set the stage for massive chaos and destruction.
Pliant has locked up contracts, assets, and control of any future expansion. His contacts and clients salivate over their probable financial reward—the expected profits are monstrous.
Is the R-Group, now led by Gracie and the family heirs, strong enough to win against this predator? Can JJ’s CATS (Cyber Assassin Technology Services) act on the root-cause analysis in time?Will the R-Group and CATS sabotage Pliant’s plan before it’s too late? Can Jeff and Keith use their covert skills to put the bad guys away for good? Will Gracie be able to squash Pliant and the cartels? Can the chain of islands survive the underhanded tactics and threats?
Gracie never considered their lives would hang in the balance between winning and losing. Will the devious plot be uncovered in time? The clock is ticking. Five … four … three …
It’s For The Best follows three generations of one family and slowly uncovers the dark secrets that they try to keep hidden. What was the initial idea behind this story, and how did that transform as you were writing the novel?
It’s for the Best began as a simple revenge book, but evolved to include the history behind Blessan. The story of Gean and Bo was not in the original manuscript. A good friend and one of my Beta Readers said it needed more so their story was added.
How did you come up with the idea for the antagonist in this story and how did it change as you wrote?
Billie has been and was always going to be the main antagonist even above Gean’s father. This novella was written because of Billie, all the other characters evolved around her.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Family, friendship, and love will be the first you see in the story, followed by greed, envy, deception, and plagiarism. The final is my very favorite Justice and Karma.
What is the next book that you are working on and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I have a new Thriller/Suspense which will be out December 2023, published by Black Rose Writing called A CHANGE IN DESTINY, DARK CHOICES.
Author Links: GoodReads | Twitter | Website
The Texas town of Glenmore has an unpleasant history and a dark secret which has been safely hidden for years. That is until an unscrupulous attorney, Billie Walsh, makes an opportunistic discovery to line her own pockets. If she prevails, it will spell disaster for everyone in the city.
Leroy Grinder, owner of the Circle G. Ranch, and his good friend, Jackson Hellman, work with the one person who can stop Billie. Blessan Hackney, his ranch foreman. The trio must step forward to correct an injustice and save Glenmore before it’s too late.
Who Are You, Really helps readers find their true purpose and turn their lives into meaningful ones. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Regardless of one’s coaching experiences or needs, this book is ideal for developing the best mindset for—and approach to—more meaningful life experiences. Call it a foundation. A primer. It is set up intentionally to support the reader’s journey to achieve peace and contentment, purpose and enlightenment, balance and focus through various exercises. Though it’s only the beginning, it introduces actionable steps that can be implemented immediately. If anyone then wishes to take it to the next level, they’ve done the work that clears the path to a quicker transformation. That’s why it was important to write the book. How we approach life, and its many challenges, is just as important as how we live it.
What is a common obstacle you see people facing that keeps them from finding fulfillment in their life?
We are the biggest roadblocks to our own success. Our own happiness. If we don’t believe in ourselves, who will? But how can you believe in yourself if you don’t know who you are? How can you articulate a path forward if you’re reluctant to do a deep dive? You have to be willing to face that person in the mirror. Yes, there will be things we don’t like. But until we take that step, peel back those layers, there’s no way to identify the areas that need addressing. There’s no way to assess the impact they may be having on other aspects of our lives.
Everyone has the power to bring about change in their lives. But that effort, that desire to improve, must come from within the individual. They have to want it and be willing to go there. The answers lie within. Too many are unwilling, however. They are unwilling to dig deep and be persistent in their efforts because some days it is difficult to find gratitude. Some days we are battered by our experiences and our emotions. We become overwhelmed by it all and this is why it is important to keep at it. Things will get in the way. Life will get in the way. Suddenly it’s not days or months of inaction, but years. This is why some people grow angry, bitter, and resentful.
Eckhart Tolle, a self-help author, said it best: “Awareness is the greatest agent for change.” Life, as we all know, is not easy. It’s not all twinkies and rainbows. But you can choose how you wish to approach it. By knowing your triggers and being aware of what distracts you throughout the day, being aware of the negative influences in your life or the toxic effect of your surroundings, you can learn how to be more balanced and focused. Focused, that is, on you—your growth, your purpose, your success, your happiness.
What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?
It was important to share with readers HOW to discover their most authentic selves in a way that brings about transformation whether they work with a coach or not.
For example, what may be holding a leader back from being effective is that they either feel inadequate or threatened by those working around them. Often these feelings are more a reflection of how those in a new position of leadership view themselves. It might be due to a lack of confidence in fulfilling the role or feeling comfortable enough leading others. Maybe there’s a fear of being outshined by peers, especially those who have been there longer or are exceptional at what they do. An exploration of the self can help reveal where this lack of confidence or fear is originating. As a leader, surrounding yourself with talent and empowering them is a tribute to a strong and confident leadership and management style. You got the position. Identify and celebrate what you bring to the role; acknowledge and utilize those areas of strength others contribute to your team.
Let’s take someone looking for a health coach. Maybe they’ve been yo-yo dieting for many years and they’ve decided now is the time to commit to a coach. That’s great but body image goes far deeper than just calorie cutting and learning toning exercises in the gym. Peeling back the layers can help identify what might be holding the individual back.
We live in a world where we can acquire things rather quickly. A coach is going to help with achieving what is needed that much faster but if not enough is done to examine the foundation, the self, it will be that much more difficult to achieve goals, have clarity, and be all in for the long term.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your book?
I hope readers come away appreciating the power they already possess to genuinely bring about real change in their lives. Everyone struggles in their own way. We’re human after all. That’s why mindset is so important. To achieve the proper mindset, we need to practice real gratitude to put things in perspective. To get there, however, we need to examine who we are. And it’s not so we can underscore self-perceived flaws. It is to recognize those qualities and abilities that make us special and unique from one another. One “change,” then, might be in the revelation that our self-perception is heavily influenced by external forces and that people generally don’t perceive us in the ways that we fear. Imagine learning much earlier in life that the “flaws” we were once so quick to want to correct aren’t flaws at all. That the secret to profound living, loving, and leading is understanding that it’s okay to be you. People will gravitate to you because of your authenticity. And once we’re intentional about being our most authentic selves, there’s clarity and life truly does take on new meaning.
Lost? Disconnected? Doubting your path? Do you sense there’s more to life? To find fulfillment in the chaos that is life, you must first peel back the layers to discover who you really are. At your core. Enough with struggling to be all things to all people. Enough with being stuck in unfulfilling relationships or dead-end jobs! It’s time to be… YOU. Truly profound transformation comes from being your most authentic self. So order your copy, find out who you truly are, and embrace your authentic self!
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