Review Tales
Trusted Reviews and Author Features Since 2016
Wake Up To The Joy Of You by Agapi Stassinopoulos (Book Review #20)
Fly into the world that is full of hope and joy. Here lays 52 chapters filled with words of wisdom in hope to connect people to each other and themselves. This book is like the helpful fairy tale animals that assist you in your journey of life.
I found myself smiling when I started to read this book. There are numerous relatable topics in this book that I believe many of us have endured during our lifetime. We can definitely use this book as a guideline and light up the doors that we may have missed and lead ourselves back to the joy we used to feel.
Each chapter is organized and divided into self-healing sections such as meditation, health, living in denial, relationships, money, self-esteem, anxiety, and jealousy. The most important one that I particularly liked was getting over your childhood. The source of many of our problems in adulthood is linked back to when we were children and ‘Wake Up To the Joy Of You’ takes this very seriously, addresses it and shows us a way to overcome it.
At the end of the book, you are to feel more at peace with yourself; you let go of your pain and aches, and you learn to trust yourself and to believe. Agapi believes that we are “Human Beings” and not “Human Doings.” This is referred to the way we live in today’s society where it is just ‘GO, GO, and GO’. In this case, she recommends us to slow down, listen and to feel. “By stopping and just concentrating on ourselves we revamp and energize and perform better,” she adds. In addition, Agapi gives us examples of how this method has been successful in the past. Albert Einstein pondered the riddle of the universe with a cat on his lap and Isaac Newton figured out the law of universal gravitation when sitting under a tree.
By referring to her own personal experience the Author allows us to understand where all this comes from. It makes her more reachable and relatable. I also particularly like the way she asks us to write things down in order to face them.
There is a general understanding that not all problems and issues are solvable and not many people succeed the first time round. Many problems are too complicated or have had a much harsher impact on our soul, and I believe it would do best to say that Agapi might not have all the answers, however; her determination in not giving up is a good attitude to have.
Even if you didn’t wish to believe or agree with anything the author says, you still feel happy just reading the book and feel the encouraging energy the book is giving you. I recommend you buying this book even if you didn’t want to read it, just in case it’s positive reinforcement, accidentally brushes off on you.
Written by Jeyran Main
This book was given to me by Crown Publishing through NetGalley.
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Ocean Echoes: A Novel by Sheila Hurst (Book Review #42)
Ocean Echoes is an educational read on our beautiful oceans through the eyes of a marine biologist, Ellen Upton, who is seeking to discover new findings through her ever ending funds at the Cape Cod research facility.
Ellen is a hard-working, driven, ambitious woman that takes her research on a cruise across the Panama Canal in hopes to accomplish an innovative discovery so that she may keep her job and funding. However, I felt that it was more than that. Ellen was mostly seeking recognition and felt like without a discovery she had no purpose. On this journey, she has many beautiful adventures under the sea and also manages to experience some love on the ship she sails on. On Toll Island, her discovery is not what she expected, and like all scientists, her new breakthrough comes with costs.
I found the book to be exceptionally well written and beautifully described. Sheila Hurst portrays a fascinating world underwater and adds an educational, informative touch on this whole endeavor through her story with her writing. This I believe makes a tale more valuable and desirable for its reader. I liked how Ellen was not perfect and strict. She would make mistakes and be vulnerable at times, which made her more relatable.
There are many twists and delightful turns in the plot. The character building was excellent and definitely drew the reader to feel for them. I believe there is just enough juice in making the second book out of this one. It has enough backstory and ammunition for a sequel, and I hope that the Author does consider this as I look forward to reading more of her books.
Ocean Echoes is not just a voyage through the deep ocean and the discovery of our environment, but it is also the journey of self-discovery.
I recommend this tale to all fiction readers and people that like to learn something as they enjoy a book.
Written Jeyran Main
I was given this book by the Author & UnderratedReads for a review.
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Legends of Deceit by Rebekkah Ford (Book Review #310)
Larkin, a handsome soldier, convinces her to come with him to a realm as he believes that she is princess Alaris. The world is filled with mystical creatures and is beautifully described. Haven discovers that she is, in fact, a princess and that her biological mother and grandmother both hid certain memories in her mind and sent her to earth in order to protect her. As things begin to unravel, she also learns a lot about who she can trust and what her destiny is.
The storyline may not have been a novel one. However, it was extremely pleasing to read. The added romantic connection between Larkin and Haven was sweet and made things even more interesting.
The plot and the pace were very well thought through. The realm and world setting felt researched and were intriguing. The best thing about the book, in my opinion, is how everything came together. I look forward to reading more from this author.
Written by Jeyran Main
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Prospect Hill by Bibiana Krall (Book Review #54)
Ayanna Douet Blackwell is a spirit that has not yet passed the light. She has remained on earth infatuated by a man named Nino Balzano. She follows him everywhere and wishes him the best, however; the attachment is torment for them both. He is aware of this paranormal activity and seeks help from Father Taddeo to resolve this issue. Taddeo appears to know how to work around these matters and by repeating some holy words, he attempts to visually bring Ayanna into sight and ask her to leave Nino.
Ayanna has a history as well as the love she has for Nino. The way she has passed away and her troubles are entirely felt in this short story. The style of writing is unique and has a poetic and romantic notion to it. There are times where you feel lost in transition and then come back to the reality of how awkward of a situation this has to be for both of body and soul.
There are not many books written about after death or fictional paranormal love, and in this case, the author also is worthy of being credited for her originality.
I recommend this book to people that like to read out of the box.
Written by Jeyran Main
This review was kindly requested by the Author, Bibiana Krall.
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On Death & Dying by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross (Book Review #15)
Summary
“One of the most important psychological studies of the late twentieth century, On Death and Dying grew out of Dr. Elisabeth Kübler-Ross’s famous interdisciplinary seminar on death, life, and transition. In this remarkable book, Dr. Kübler-Ross first explored the now-famous five stages of death: denial and isolation, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Through sample interviews and conversations, she gives readers a better understanding of how imminent death affects the patient, the professionals who serve that patient, and the patient’s family, bringing hope to all who are involved.” – by Elisabeth Kübler-Ross
Review
Dr. Ross takes us on an adventure with many research and interviews, opening our eyes to the world where, let’s be frank, most of us do not wish to think about, let alone deal with. What can you do or say to comfort someone that you know is dying? How do you deal with this situation? And how can you survive after the loss?
The initial impression you may get when you look at this book is to feel that, it is going to be one depressing encounter. Talking about death and dying, losing your loved one, stages of death and the psychological impact it has on both, you and your precious one, are not easy topics to discuss.
However, fear not, surprisingly this book makes you calmer and more relaxed about ever having to deal with a situation like this, or if you are already in one, then you will feel more in control.
‘Control’ in my opinion, is one the most important factors that affect human nature behavior. Once you know that the power of control has been taken away from you, your reaction can no longer be calculated or foreseen. I will give you an example. When a Mother loses her young or has a terminally ill child. She has no control anymore over protecting her loved one. The universal motherly love is to protect her young. Having no control takes away any condition she felt she had. Hence, the mother feels anger, starts bargaining, gets depressed, finally accepts yet secretly has hope and then finally, she has to let it go.
These are five stages that Elisabeth Kübler-Ross discusses in detail with examples of real life situations in her book.
I recommend this book to anyone that wishes to know more about the psychology of death and dying, and if you have a terminally ill loved one or have recently lost someone special.
Written by Jeyran Main
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The Sixth Gate by K. T. Munson (Book Review #309)
At the same time, Elisabeth is also hunted for the powers; she is unaware of and also has her demon side to deal with as well. I found the story to be very well written. The world setting was by far the best aspect of the book. The protagonist was beautifully drafted and was very relatable. We, as humans all have our inner demons that may at times, affect how we choose to behave and the dynamic between the good and evil was thrilling to read.
The chapters were well put together, and the literature was full of descriptive writing, suitable for the genre it’s in. I recommend this book to fantasy readers.
Written by Jeyran Main
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“What New Authors Should Look Out for Before Publishing”- Michael Okon
“What New Authors Should Look Out for Before Publishing”
By Author and Screenwriter Michael Okon
Authors who are new to the self-publishing world should be really in tune with what they want to write. It’s important to know what your genre is, who your audience is, and who you are specifically targeting. If you enter into writing blindly, you will be lost and never finish your story.
I, for one, have been writing since I was 15 years old. I started with screenplays, honed my skills, and moved to novels. No matter how deep my subject was, I knew exactly how every single story was going to end. Every character’s arc was mapped out with important questions on how I was going to get them from point A to point B, and how they were going to change along the way. It’s not enough to just sit down and write, but you must have a roadmap. I beat out my character’s stories and then intertwine them throughout the novel.
Always give yourself ample time when writing, don’t think you are going to lose an idea because you haven’t started Chapter 1 in your novel. Gather notes, know your characters, feel what it would be like to live in their shoes.
Writing a novel is like creating your own universe. Know every aspect of that universe, inside and out.
Know how your characters will react to certain things in that universe. Once you figure out where you want to go, and how your characters are going to be, then begin writing. Before you know it, you’ll be ten chapters in.
Michael Okon is a bestselling author and screenwriter. His newly revised book, Monsterland, is scheduled for release on October 15. Michael invites readers to connect with him on his website.
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