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The Way Out (Book 1: Be Careful What You Wish for Series) by Gordon Jensen with Cara Highsmith and Gordon Thomas (Book Review)

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When the Alpha Centauri crew returns to earth after a failed mission to explore a distant planet, they quickly learn the world is not how they left it.

Under new global leadership, the planet has managed to go decades without conflict, except for one major problem. Thanks to a pandemic caused by a mutation in a new strain of GMO corn, the world’s population plummeted to 2.6 billion, wiping out a disproportionate amount of men and leaving the globe run almost entirely by women. The mutation altered the human DNA, making it impossible to produce male babies and increasing Y-chromosome related diseases.

Because of their lack of exposure, the Alpha Centauri crew, especially the men on board, now find themselves in high demand. The Powers that Be think they are the solution, but with that solution comes the inevitable hunger for power and control. As greed, self-interest, and corruption rear their ugly heads, a planet that had found its way to peace is thrust into turmoil once again.

So, the question becomes: Are they really the answer to a seemingly unsolvable problem? The world may soon come to understand that sometimes getting what you wish for isn’t the gift you think it will be.

The Way Out is at once a brilliant and relatable work of post-apocalyptic fiction. Think The Handmaid’s Tale mixed with Netflix’s The Wilds, and a touch of Interstellar, the movie. It’s a uniquely told story that will have you waiting as impatiently as the crew to understand the New World Order of the near future.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from iRead Book Tours. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
 
The Way Out (Book 1: Be Careful What You Wish for Series) by Gordon Jensen with Cara Highsmith and Gordon Thomas was labeled science fiction, but I could see the possibilities of real-life implications. 


One day, we will be traveling to distant planets because Earth won’t be able to sustain life any longer. I’m not sure if a space crew will encounter a black hole on the journey, but that’s a plausible scenario.


Now, entering a wormhole and traveling in space/time is where things get a little science-fictiony. I’m not an astrophysicist or any other type of scientist, so I could not tell you the probability that’ll happen. Again, that’s where the sci-fi aspect of the story comes into play. 


If that could happen and a crew “lands” in the future, they would be overwhelmed, much like the crew of Alpha Centauri. 


What I found fascinating about this story was its setup. It was interview logs between a reporter and the crew and members of present-day Earth. The second thing I found interesting was how Earth had changed in the forty years the crew was presumed dead. No, apes didn’t replace humans. However, the population has taken a big hit. A virus has endangered the lives of humankind. Men are being an endangered species. WOW! Women also control everything. YES! 


With untainted DNA arriving on planet Earth, every powerhouse wants to possess the males. They are considered a hot commodity. 


We’ve seen a virus take hold of the world and know firsthand the destruction it can unleash. So, this scenario (in my mind) could be plausible (one day). 


Note: The book does discuss Roe v Wade. I bring this up only because, as I am writing this, it was overturned by the SCOTUS. 
 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤
 
 
 
 
Meet the Authors:
Author Gordon Jensen

Gordon Jensen holds an MBA from University of Rochester, New York, Simon School of Business and a bachelor’s degree from Macalester College in St. Paul, Minnesota. After working in finance In New York for several years, Jensen went back to Minnesota to run the family business. He retired after selling the the business and is now fulfilling a number of life-long dreams, including writing a novel series.
 
 

Author Cara Highsmith

Cara Highsmith has always been drawn to the world of books and has found herself working in this industry in one capacity or another for the majority of her adult life. She holds a Master of Arts in English from Belmont University and did work toward a PhD at Middle Tennessee State University. Cara was on the editorial team at Hachette Book Group USA, working with several New York Times bestselling authors, for nearly four years. After leaving Hachette in 2008, she began freelancing, developing proposals and manuscripts for agents, editing and ghostwriting for authors, and assisting clients in preparing projects for self-publishing. Cara is a master of being a jack of all trades, but currently spends her free time working on several personal writing projects and enjoying life on a beautiful northern California mountain.
 
 
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Heart-Dreamer: Stepping into Life, Love, Creativity and Dreams-No Matter What (SECOND EDITION) by Cheryl Melody Baskin (Book Review)

 
HEART DREAMER: Stepping into Life, Love, Creativity and Dreams-No Matter What (SECOND EDITION)
 
 
Nurture your body, mind and spirit and gain insight about your unlimited potential.

User-friendly and inspirational, it is designed for anyone who has always been a dreamer, forgot their dreams along the way, or never knew how to dream. It is also dedicated to readers who want to heal and grow from inside-out and live life with more lightness, balance and joy.

By sharing my struggles and vulnerabilities, you will see that you’re not alone with your own doubts, fears and insecurities … and the abundance of self-healing and self-discovery activities sprinkled throughout each chapter will serve to guide and transform your personal journey.

Heart-Dreamer also contains the voices of wisdom from people all over the world who share their life lessons with you in one inspiring community of love.

Buy the Book:
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I received a complimentary copy of this book from iRead Book Tours. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
 
 
Heart-Dreamer: Stepping into Life, Love, Creativity and Dreams-No Matter What (SECOND EDITION) by Cheryl Melody Baskin is an enlightening self-help book that I think many people will find helpful in their everyday lives. It contains mental exercises that you can do alone or with a group. She states that when you complete specific activities, don’t seek perfection. “Just allow your creative spirit to flow out of you without self-judgment, overthinking, and overanalyzing.”  
 
Cheryl Melody Baskin includes ways to cope with anxiety, which she admits to having when it comes to public speaking.


She encourages starting each day with an open mind and open heart. 


Be patient. Be compassionate. Be optimistic. I agree with her completely! Each day is a new chapter in your life. Enter it with your eyes and heart wide open. 


As with Peace Dreamer: A Journey of Hope in Bad Times and Good, Cheryl included testimonials from the “Shift of Heart” community. Mary-Jane and Karen’s story touched my heart the most. Thank you for sharing a piece of yourself, your life, with me (us, the readers). 


Once again, Cheryl shared lyrics with her readers. Lovely! 


There were also several quotes, but one stood out more than the others. “Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited, whereas imagination embraces the entire world.” I agree that without using our imagination, there would be no art, no music, no theatre, and much more. These mediums can heal, soothe and bring joy to themselves and those around them. 


Journaling and positive-driven relationships can help someone live a more peaceful life. But Cheryl does state a truth…No matter how nice you express your feelings – someone might not be receptive. It is like what my mom always told me and what I tell my kids all the time, “You can’t please everyone. Stay away from those who make you feel bad about yourself. Surround yourself with good people.” 


Cheryl spoke about using sounds to heal ourselves. I also believe in the power of sound. I use music to clear my mind and to lift my spirits. 


I agree that nature walks, mediation, being grateful, and getting lost in another world help achieve inner peace. Books are my mental sanctuary! 


To Cheryl, I’m sorry that you dealt with childhood bullying. I did, too, and so have my children. No one deserves to be bullied. Ever. Thank you for sharing your story, tips, exercises, and everything else I didn’t mention. <3
 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤
 
Buy the Book:
Amazon
add to goodreads
 
 
 
Meet the Author:

 
Cheryl Melody Baskin is an award-winning author. Her motivational self-help books include “Peace Dreamer: A Journey of Hope in Bad Times and Good,” “Heart-Dreamer: Stepping into Life, Love, Creativity and Dreams – No Matter What” (an International Silver Medal Winner from Readers Favorite), and “Shift of Heart: Paths to Healing and Love.” She is also a recording artist, performing artist, spirituality and peace educator, sound healer, intuitive life coach, and facilitator and founder of the FB community, Shift of Heart. She recently received a Life Achievement Award from The Visioneers International Network.
 
 
connect with the author: website ~ facebook goodreads
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Peace Dreamer: A Journey of Hope in Bad Times and Good by Cheryl Melody Baskin (Book Review)

Discovering yourself is part of life’s journey and honors the saying, “peace begins with me.” Peace Dreamer offers inspiring wisdom, life coaching, healing techniques, self-discovery tools and soul searching meaning. It helps you answer, “Who am I? What are my dreams for myself? What are my dreams for the world?”

Feed your inner spirit with hope, happiness, love, dreams, idealism and optimism even as you struggle with everyday challenges.

Peace Dreamer encourages you to never give up on yourself or the world, no matter how messy life becomes. True activism begins in our core. Our soul of souls. It begins from inside-out.

Let it begin now for you.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book from iRead Book Tours. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
 
Peace Dreamer: A Journey of Hope in Bad Times and Good contained many beautiful quotes by famous historical or pop culture figures. It also housed several inspirational quotes by Cheryl Melody Baskin. I want to share one with you. 
 
“Every positive action that shines love and stands for love is all that is needed to create a compassionate and inclusive world. The time is now to elevate humanity to a new awakening.”


Cheryl is correct; this world needs more acts of love and kindness. We need to stand together. Be united. Embrace inclusiveness.


Cheryl talks about many subjects in the book: Covid-19, George Floyd, and the last presidential election, to name a few. Each of these events caused a rift in society. Hate was the emotion filling up many souls. We judged each other. She admitted to judging others when it came to the masks. Her journal entries were honest and reflected a person’s true feelings regarding turbulent times. Cheryl encourages peace and healing of the world through love. We need more peace in the streets, in our government, and behind closed doors (schools, businesses, grocery stores, etc.) 


Cheryl Melody Baskin spoke about chakras in-depth. I admit I knew of the word, but I couldn’t tell you which charka went to what body parts, color, purpose, etc. Therefore, the sections dedicated to this topic intrigued me incredibly. I learned much from her. Thank you, Cheryl, for educating me. 


Cheryl also surprised me with the song lyrics. She is a talented songwriter. BTW: I did find a couple of her songs on Youtube. I couldn’t sing in front of a crowd, so I applaud anyone who can. 


Cheryl listed several questions for you to answer if you decide to start a journal. If you’re not a journal-keeping person, maybe consider mentally answering them instead. I did. 


There is so much inside the book, too much for me to cover in one review: examples of positive affirmations, self-care reminders, and stories from the “Shift of Heart” Facebook community. I could’ve read their contributions for hours. <3


I highly recommend those reading this review to read Peace Dreamer: A Journey of Hope in Bad Times and Good. 


Let’s all work together to live a more peaceful life—internally and externally. 
 

 
Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤
 
 
 
Meet the Author:

Cheryl Melody Baskin is an award-winning author. Her motivational self-help books include “Peace Dreamer: A Journey of Hope in Bad Times and Good,” “Heart-Dreamer: Stepping into Life, Love, Creativity and Dreams – No Matter What” (an International Silver Medal Winner from Readers Favorite), and “Shift of Heart: Paths to Healing and Love.” She is also a recording artist, performing artist, spirituality and peace educator, sound healer, intuitive life coach, and facilitator and founder of the FB community, Shift of Heart. She recently received a Life Achievement Award from The Visioneers International Network.

 
connect with the author: website ~ facebook goodreads
 
 
 
 
 
 

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Why Is This My Name?: Not Just a Children’s Story by Aloysia Burgess (Book Review)

A young girl goes through her first day at a new school and struggles with her unique name as she introduces herself to new teachers and friends. With the encouragement from her family, she will soon discover how special her name really is.

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Reedsy Discovery. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.

 

Every child who ventures back to public school has their own feeling about stepping into a new school or classroom. Jitters. Excitement. Apprehension. Indifference. Most kids prep for the big day with a new haircut or selecting the perfect outfit. What they can’t prep for is how kids will interact or treat them. The little girl in the story went from excitement to nervousness because of her name. Why? Because people have trouble pronouncing it. This dilemma happens every day, all across the globe. 

When the little girl went to school, her fears came to life. The teacher had difficulty pronouncing it. Some kids snickered at it. BUT, she met kids who were kind. Students invited her to sit with them at the lunch table. 

When the child’s dad picked her up from school, she asked him why they chose that name and not something “normal.” To avoid spoilers, I will not disclose what her name is, why it was chosen, or its meaning. I will share a snippet of her father’s response, though. “Everyone has things that they may want to change about themselves, but what’s most important is loving yourself.” Words to live by! 

The second day of school went spectacularly well, and hooray for her! 

After Why Is This My Name? Not Just a Children’s Story, there’s a box where the child writes down the meaning of their name. I looked up mine and was shocked to find out it meant “crooked nose.” Since I did break my nose when I was a teenager, the meaning fits (now). 

Amazon didn’t list a reading age when I was writing my review. I think any preschool and elementary school child, new to a class or school, can relate to and find enjoyment in this story. Maybe teachers can read this story to their students on the first day of class and discuss the importance of being kind to others and embracing our differences. 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: ❤❤❤

Amazon Purchase Link

 

 

 

Aloysia Burgess, née Colquhoun, is a wife and mother to two boys. She always had a love of literature and, as a child, would write her own stories. Her goal is to encourage acceptance and self-love through her writing.

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Mickey on the Move Farming by Michelle Wagner (Book Review)

MICKEY ON THE MOVE FARMING by Michelle Wagner

Mickey is on the move again!
He and his mom take pride in farming and gardening together, doing everything from raising chickens to growing delicious fruits and vegetables in their backyard orchard.

Mickey, who was born with deafness in both ears, has overcome obstacles to fully enjoy the great outdoors.

His Aqua Cochlear implants allow him to hear and appreciate the beautiful sounds in nature without the worry of weather dampening his day!

Join Mickey for another adventure!

 
 
 
 
I received a complimentary copy of this book from iRead Book Tours. I voluntarily chose to read and post an honest review.
 
I haven’t seen picture books that are solely dedicated to children who are deaf or wearing Cochlear implants. Many children NOW have a character that resembles them or their lifestyle. I know they’d be thrilled to finally see themselves and their condition in a book for their age bracket. 

As an adult, I was familiar with Cochlear implants and their function. However, I never considered weather as a factor that might destroy them. I never knew researchers and developers had created an aquatic version so children could play out in the rain, swim, run through a sprinkler, or do any other water-related activity. What a brilliant and magnificent device! 


Finally, Mickey can do all the things hearing children can do without fear, and his mother is beside him, encouraging him along the way. They played in puddles, water the vineyard together, went sailing, and much more. Mickey’s life is full of possibilities, no more restrictions, as it should be. 


If your child has Cochlear implants or is considering them, I encourage you to share Mickey on the Move Farming with them. Even if your child doesn’t require implants to hear the world around them, I encourage you to share the book with them because they might have a classmate who wears them. 


I think children as young as two will love the fun illustrations by Jenny Phelps. There are some images and activities they’ll be able to recognize: chickens, water, ear, and boat, to name a few. First and second graders should be able to read most, if not all, of the text. 

 

Heart Rating System:
1 (lowest) and 5 (highest) 
Score: 
❤❤
 

 

 
 
 
 
Meet the Author:
 
Author Michelle Wagner

 
Michelle Wagner is a full-time realtor, mom, and award-winning author who dedicates her time and energy to charities and events supporting children with hearing loss. Michelle takes pride in assisting families as they work through the different approaches to raising a special-needs child in a typical environment.

After discovering that her son Mickey was profoundly deaf in both ears, Michelle made it her mission to provide Mickey with the tools to ensure that he would live his best life. Today, Mickey, who wears bilateral cochlear implants, plays tennis and is currently in eighth grade at the St. Helena Montessori Farm School, where he is thriving and is social with his friends. Michelle makes sure that Mickey has the courage to be his optimal self. Michelle is donating 100 percent of proceeds from the sale of Mickey on the Move Farming to the Joyful Life Cochlear Implant Fund.

 
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