Books
Departure From Indifference : Octavio A. Melo
We don’t get to choose the reality we want—no matter how badly we want it. We can, at best, use our powers of observation and perception to try to understand the one we have. And if we are to be true to this process, then we must neither add nor detract from that which can be perceived when we provide an account of our observations.
But the questions that we must address in this pursuit are not insignificant. Within the mechanical aspects of a material universe, questions of meaning and purpose seem illusory, even out of place, but their weight and significance cry out not to be ignored… we yearn to understand, to have a sense of the purpose of our being.
Inevitably, it must all come together at some point, even if that point lies outside our current level of understanding. This work, which owes so much to the efforts of countless others, is but a simple attempt to point in that direction.
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Remembrance : Venkatesh Agarwal
A collection of poems based on the daily life experiences of a commoner. It is the perfect read for a quiet introspective evening, or when you simply want to lose yourself into the memories of those incidents of love, heartbreak, anger and hope that you have been through at some point of time in your past or are going through in your present.
These poems will reflect your emotions in such a way that you would instantly feel: This is me, this is exactly how I feel.
Whether it is the melancholy of ‘Pursuit,’ or the wishful thinking of ‘Desserts,’ you will be riding a roller coaster ride of emotions. Furthermore, poems like ‘Celebration and Annihilation’ and ‘10 Years of Slavery’ will force you to question your sense of morality and empathy.
No matter where you are, whether it is your office, your home, a beach or atop a mountain – reading this book is sure to leave your mind and heart in a tangle of varied emotions such as happiness, nostalgia and self-revelations.
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Resurrected Darkly (The Darkly Series) : Tarrant Smith
It didn’t matter that Uncle Hueil was now the unseelie king, or that the rest of her family had benefited from her uncle’s rise to power. Ena seemed destined to remain separate, an outcast among the fey at court. She had a temper and was sharp-tongued thanks to her mother’s dragon blood. She’d never be a sweet and submissive mate for the nobles who sought to tie their houses to the powerful House of Caw. So when the matchmaking goddess Blodeuwedd appeared, Ena was suspicious. But because denying the gods was tricky, and the errand appeared simple, Ena agreed. After all, she had a dragon’s cold heart. Not even Blodeuwedd’s silly binding vows could warm it.
Crank had once been a warrior of legend, but that was before the goddess Arianrhod cursed him for merely entering her realm. Eventually, he’d abandoned his noble name, his honor, and every oath he’d ever held dear in his quest to find and restore his king to the unseelie throne. But in the end, Arianrhod’s curse had taken everything from him. Then in Annwn, Crank had murdered his king, his life-long friend. Now madness was Crank’s constant companion. He longed for death, but the gods weren’t done torturing him… for they’d sent him a she-fey with lavender eyes and the temper of a dragon to tempt him to live again.
The Love of Gods, Surrendered Darkly, Kept Darkly and The Fate of Wolves by Tarrant Smith are also on Whizbuzz Books.
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Kivuli: Shattered Portals : Linda J Bichler
When Kara had set off into the Rockies with her dog, her only intention was to train for her next marathon season. But, at the bottom of a sun-baked ridge, Kara finds and rescues a curious, and at first glance inept, man from certain death. This was Krikor, a mage with the mission of ridding worlds of the deadly transdimensional Kivuli and forever closing the portals that gave them access to new feeding grounds on earth.
In Kara, Krikor saw not just a useful asset, but a companion. What would she choose to do if given the choice of joining him in his epic mission? She would make a perfect apprentice and companion; if he could successfully navigate her explosions of rage and general mistrust.
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The Love of Gods (Legends of Pale Series) : Tarrant Smith
Lugos had given his word when the world was still young, before he’d endured the wrenching pain of her soul being torn from his.
Lifetime after lifetime she’d returned when he’d needed her most, when the apathy of his kind had eaten away at his resolve and his heartfelt vow seemed pointless. One would think he’d be able to protect a single mortal, after all, he was a god. But two long centuries had passed since he’d held her, since he’d been whole.
Now, she was back and Lugos had a decision to make; claim the only woman he’d ever loved, or deny his soul’s deepest craving and grant Keely a chance at a peaceful life without the dangers that populated his world. For five years, Lugos had chosen the latter with the hope that the fates might overlook them this time. That was still his plan when the goddess Rhiannon called seeking his help. Lugos should have known better.
Resurrected Darkly, Surrendered Darkly, Kept Darkly and The Fate of Wolves by Tarrant Smith are also on Whizbuzz Books.
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Danbury : Rob Mundt
Raised in a foster home since he was a few months old, Danbury led a simple life until his tenth birthday. He never knew his parents but one letter left on his bedside table would change this young man’s future forever.
The simple life he once knew will soon no longer be. A gift will arrive which will take him on the greatest of adventures. Danbury will learn of his heritage and find out he is more than just a boy but a descendant of greatness. With all his courage and wisdom, this young child will partake on a number of labors that will test his integrity and perseverance.
Overcoming his fears, Danbury’s persistence will provide him with the ability to rise above adversities on his way to becoming a truly gifted child.
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The Call of the Leader : MIchael R. Notaro
Celebrated Bay Area Attorney and past president of Toastmasters International, Michael Notaro, has written an extraordinary book on how anyone can become a better leader. The Call of the Leader reveals the essential elements of becoming a transformational, high impact leader.
You will learn the keys to accessing and embracing authentic leadership – not by following formulaic tricks and techniques – but by staying close to your source of personal power and strength. The real you is the real power of leadership, and Michael shows you how to lead with passion, purpose and power. Discover the hopeful calling, hard calling, hidden calling and higher calling. Read this book and discover the difference The Call of the Leader can make in your life.
About the Author
Michael Notaro is a lawyer, keynote speaker and nonprofit leader. Born in Chicago, Illinois, Michael attended the Phillips Exeter Academy and was graduation speaker at University of California, Berkeley, in 1985. He has worked as a congressional intern in Washington, D.C. and founded Phoenix Commercial Real Estate in 1995. In 2005, he established the Notaro Law Group representing commercial real estate investors and developers. He served as Toastmasters International President 2011-2012 and launched the organizational tagline “Where Leaders are Made.”
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Boulevard Dreams : E Ryan Janz
In this cleverly and darkly funny noir set in the smoky world of 1958 San Francisco, a down and out private detective, Joe Nails, experiences a series of surrealistic yet disturbing dreams, in which his once best friend from high school days, Mark Tamlyn, pleads for his help, before turning a gun to his head and firing.
To ease the lingering doubts regarding his friend’s well-being, Joe sets out to locate him, only to learn Mark disappeared a month before the dreams began. As his investigation deepens, Nails initially uncovers a conflicting portrait of Tamlyn by an amazing mixture of unforgettable characters who knew him best: from those intimating his disappearance is customary, to those suggesting he is on the lam from mobsters, and to those who insist he is dead.
But Joe yearns to discover the truth, and thus becomes embroiled in an encircling world of murder, deception, passion, and mystery, and as he races down a narrowing road with no off-ramps toward the shocking reality of his friend’s fate and the final desperation of his own, Joe Nails stares into the dreadful face of the unimaginable.
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The Soulful Adventure of Spencer, the Soft-hearted Seal : Margaret Lepera
Explores Mindfulness, Positive Thinking, and Wildlife Protection in New Children’s Story
A tiny baby seal pup, lost in a gust of icy wind. How will he find his way home?
The Soulful Adventure of Spencer, the Soft-hearted Seal chapter book, designed for children 6-9, is a sweet, heartfelt story of an 8-day old baby seal pup who tumbles down the side of a big hill in a gust of icy wind, and becomes lost after being separated from his brother. A mini hero’s journey, the pup struggles to find his way home, even though he feels small and unsure of himself as a baby just learning to move his flippers.
Over the course of one day, Spencer must learn to make sense of all the strange new experiences he encounters, and go where his heart guides him – reminding himself of his Mother’s loving, encouraging words to him as he does so. Spencer meets both friend and foe in his attempts to reunite with his family – including a hunter who is after his beautiful white fur coat, and a plucky young girl who stands up to this bully, to protect Spencer.
After all that happens, Spencer learns many lessons and gains a stronger sense of self. But he and his allies must act quickly – because the same wind that blew him down the big hill is starting to wipe away the last of the seal tracks in the snow where he and his brother last played together – which is the only way he can find his way home.
“This is a heart-warming children’s story of love, friendship, and courage. It has a life-affirming point of view,” says Margaret Lepera, author. “When lost, Spencer must trust his inner voice to lead him where he needs to go, determine who to trust, and who not to, based on his intuition. This culminates in his learning the most important life lesson of all: That love surrounds him, always.”
Lepera is an award-winning writer who has crafted stories for a variety of audiences throughout her career. She hopes this book will inspire children to see the world from their own unique points of view, and also provide the perspective of offering kindness to all sentient beings.
The Soulful Adventure of Spencer, the Soft-hearted Seal is now available in both print and ebook versions.
Spring Fever : Madeline McEwen
Spurned by the love of his life, Herbert, a blubbery, middle-aged Brit, meets his very own American idol, but can he grasp the dream?
After many years, Herbert Hugely still hankers after his unobtainable first crush, John Thompson, who is determined to lead a straight life.
When friends hear of John’s engagement to Felicity, and party to celebrate their union, they band together to expose John’s hypocrisy publicly.
Herbert, who is honorable, honest, and loyal, is horrified by their plan, but is he powerless to protect John?
How can Herbert prevent John’s comeuppance?
What does Herbert have to live for and hope for without John in his life?
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