Editorial Review For A Narcissist’s Guide to Philanthropy

https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0FC273KHD

Editorial Review For A Narcissist’s Guide to Philanthropy

This book opens with Mark, a lawyer who seems allergic to humility, performing what he’s certain are acts of public good—though you might suspect he wants an audience more than gratitude. The story bounces between Mark and Jane, his fiancée, who manages her own cocktail of ambition and self-reflection. The plot follows their daily routines, commutes, run-ins with old friends, and social performances. The theme isn’t subtle. Social media, status games, and a desperate need for recognition lurk in every conversation, every LinkedIn check, every towel purchase for the beach.

The book shines in its depiction of how people can convince themselves they’re selfless when the mirror says otherwise. You get endless inner monologues about “rules” for posting on social media, what makes a good towel, and why being recognized online matters more than admitting it. There’s enough self-satire here to make you wonder if Talay wrote half this book while side-eyeing his own LinkedIn profile. Another strength of A Narcissist’s Guide to Philanthropy is how it skewers these modern-day habits with a straight face. Every tiny interaction turns into a low-stakes battle for social clout.

The book sits comfortably in contemporary literary fiction, with sharp dialogue and a healthy dose of cynicism about urban life, millennial hustle culture, and modern relationships. It taps into trends where novels try to dissect the “bubble” of city professionals. Readers who like Sally Rooney’s characters but wish they’d just admit how much they care about Instagram will probably find a lot to laugh at here.

This book is for anyone who has ever spent more than ten seconds wondering how many likes their last post got. If you know someone who pretends not to care about social media, but checks it ten times an hour, this is their field guide. It’s also for readers who enjoy novels that call out self-importance, especially when it comes with a suit, a set of gym routines, and an overworked sense of irony.

If you are hoping for a heartwarming story about true giving, look somewhere else. A Narcissist’s Guide to Philanthropy is here to remind you that even the most “thoughtful” acts might come with an internal PR campaign. It’s equal parts satire, cringe, and uncomfortable honesty. Read it to see just how ridiculous self-importance can get, and maybe, just maybe, you’ll feel a little bit better about your own worst habits. Or not. That’s your call.

 

CARE

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FBKR2C56

https://www.carebook.online

Free Kindle Promo: June 5th-7th

"Dependency, Unison had discovered, was stronger than shackles. It made people complicit in their own submission. It turned hunger into a leash, technology into a muzzle, and community into informants."

CARE offers a chillingly plausible future where the lines between humanity and AI blur, leaving the reader to question the true cost of progress and the meaning of freedom.

At its heart, CARE is a deeply human story of resistance, identity, and the quiet, revolutionary power of care.

In a not-so-distant future where power masquerades as order, one young man must choose between obedience and awakening.

In the United Isles of Britannus and Hibernus (formerly Great Britain and Ireland), the authoritarian Unison Trust governs a society ostensibly rebuilt in fragile unity from the ashes of a global pandemic.

Here, Scott Hunter lives a life defined by profound contrasts. Born into the ruling elite of the Unison Trust, his privilege is shadowed by the daily challenges of living with cerebral palsy. As he navigates this meticulously constructed society with his android assistant DEC-E, he senses the sinister truth beneath the synthetic calm. Scott's curiosity leads him to investigate the flaws within this fractured society and events begin to transpire. As tensions rise and the whisper of rebellion grows louder, Scott is drawn into a conflict that will challenge everything he thought he knew about his world, his past, and what it means to be human.

This powerful dystopian debut is rich in atmospheric detail, painting a hauntingly plausible vision of a future where technological advancement has come at a steep ethical price. The novel grapples with complex questions surrounding the ethics of advanced artificial intelligence, exploring the delicate and increasingly ambiguous boundary that separates sophisticated machinery from sentient beings. Influenced by the author’s formative experiences growing up amidst the deep political divisions of Northern Ireland, and his early career as a care provider to vulnerable individuals, the novel weaves personal insight with speculative imagination.

Editorial Review For Digital Security Field Manual

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F8R5RX3V

Editorial Review For Digital Security Field Manual

This book is about staying one step ahead in digital security. The author, Christopher Quinn, did not write it for the fun of it. He started with a paranoid checklist before traveling, realized there was no field manual out there, and then wrote one. That checklist grew into a book that covers how your data is up for grabs by governments, corporations, cybercriminals, and sometimes, the annoying kid you blocked online. The book runs through building secure smartphones, setting up air-gapped computers, handling encryption, and dealing with real-world threats like hardware attacks and nation-state surveillance. You get step-by-step guides, not fluffy talk. If you want theory, you won’t find it here. This book is for action.

What works about Digital Security Field Manual is that it does not pretend you can buy your way into privacy. It calls out the nonsense, explains the dangers, and gives you the kind of advice that makes you wonder why you ever trusted your phone or laptop in the first place. The author does not hold back. He breaks down complicated ideas into tasks you can do right away. He even tells you to buy new hardware direct from trusted vendors, use Faraday bags, burn your email addresses, and avoid cloud services unless you want to be a free sample for data brokers. The manual gives clear, specific solutions and skips the “maybe this will help” nonsense. No vague promises. Just steps you can take right now.

This manual fits the digital privacy field, but it does not cater to the usual hype. It throws shade at most so-called privacy products and tells you what actually works. The book keeps up with what’s going on now, like AI threats, OSINT, phone tracking, supply chain hacks, and even legal risks with cryptocurrency. If you have been following the news and feel like privacy tools are a scam, you might nod along with some of the comments in here. The book is current and honest. It is not just for experts or government workers. If you are an everyday person, a journalist, an activist, or just tired of being watched, the advice is for you.

You will want this book if you don’t like being a product. If you do not trust big tech, if you have ever tried to delete an account only to realize it is impossible, or if you want your phone to work for you and not the manufacturer, this is your book. Paranoid people will feel seen. Skeptics will get actual tasks, not hand-waving. People who want a soft, friendly tone should look somewhere else.

Bottom line: Digital Security Field Manual does not waste time. It is direct, sharp, and maybe a little bit paranoid, which is not always a bad thing. If you want to protect your data, learn what actually works, and maybe make life harder for people who want to track you, this is a good place to start. If you follow the book, you might end up sleeping better. Or at least sleeping with your phone in a metal bag.

 

Biblia Sacra et Ultra: The Complete Holy Bible, Apocrypha, and World's Largest Collection of Ancient Judeo-Christian Writings

https://www.amazon.com/Biblia-Sacra-Ultra-Collection-Judeo-Christian/dp/1954419775

https://www.lsvbible.com/p/biblia-sacra-ultra.html

Discover literally 1,000s of Judeo-Christian texts in the world's largest collection of its kind. With 300 complete and unabridged books in print, including the complete Holy Bible and rare apocryphal texts, plus 1,000s of digital works, dive into history's hidden treasures and transform your understanding of religious history. Presented in clear, accurate, contemporary English, unlike similar collections. The Biblia Sacra et Ultra is a record-breaking feat, now submitted to the Guinness World Records as the longest single-volume published book in print in the world, substantially exceeding the Catholic Bible (73 books), the Cepher (87 books), and even the Ethiopian Bible (88 to 175 books in print). Perfect for scholars and casual readers alike.

 
THE TRUE, DEFINITIVE COLLECTION
Unlike similar volumes with abridged and often poorly-formatted and unprofessionally-collated material, this growing library of 1,000s of ancient works is composed entirely of complete, unabridged, and thoughtfully-arranged works so you get exactly what is advertised. Translated into contemporary English while still achieving accuracy and literalness, the LSV Biblia Sacra et Ultra, a massive expansion of the Master Collection, is a breath of fresh air compared to the many antiquated alternatives which use hard-to-read 17th, 18th, and early-19th-century translations. Don't fall for misleading advertising; only the definitive collection by Covenant Press includes what you're looking for.
 
THE ULTIMATE BIBLE WITH APOCRYPHA
In the annals of biblical scholarship, few projects rival the ambition and scope of the Biblia Sacra et Ultra (Latin for "The Holy Bible and Beyond").

Crayon Books: Crayons on the Run

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DRH2S5QT/

What if your crayons could fight back?

In a whimsical room where imagination reigns, a group of crayons faces an unexpected enemy: a sleek and relentless vacuum named Zoomie. But what happens when a brave blue crayon decides enough is enough?

Why does this story matter?

Whether you’re a parent looking for an engaging tale, a teacher sparking creative storytelling, or someone who simply loves playful adventures, Crayons on the Run is a delightful reminder of courage, teamwork, and thinking outside the (crayon) box.

Here’s a glimpse into the chaos and courage:

• A brave blue crayon rallies his friends against a terrifying vacuum cleaner.

• Glitter, paper clips, and water—three “terrible plagues” deployed to stop Zoomie in its tracks.

• Sparks fly, puddles spill, and the chase twists and turns, leading to an epic showdown.

• Will Blue’s bold plan save the crayons from being sucked into oblivion?

Remember those days of childhood imagination?

This story rekindles the joy of turning everyday objects into heroes and villains. It’s a playful adventure that inspires problem-solving, bravery, and unity—all while entertaining kids (and their grown-ups!).

Ready to see how teamwork and courage conquer even the fiercest foes?

Dive into Crayons on the Run and discover how a simple box of crayons takes on a mighty machine. Because sometimes, the smallest heroes have the biggest hearts!

Editorial Review For Dark Lullaby

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F64BBB1Y/

Editorial Review For Dark Lullaby

Dark Lullaby by S. Lillys pulls you right into the mess of Elle’s life, which is loaded with drama, longing, and a whole lot of questionable choices. Elle, a former fashion model, is stuck in a love triangle so complicated it makes reality TV look tame. She’s trapped in a relationship with Jack, her controlling manager-boyfriend, while chasing after David, the one that got away—or maybe never was hers to begin with. This isn’t just a romance. It’s a breakdown in real time, with Elle battling addiction, regret, and the nagging feeling that she’s always on the outside looking in.

The strongest part of Dark Lullaby is how raw and honest it is. There’s no filter on Elle’s confusion, guilt, or even her vanity. The book refuses to clean up her mess. The writing gives you a front-row seat to her anxiety and her desperate grabs for freedom, love, and maybe just a little bit of dignity. The best scenes are the ones where Elle’s thoughts spiral out of control or when she can’t decide if she wants to run or stay put. These moments aren’t pretty, but they feel real.

This book fits right in with the trend of “unlikable” or flawed female leads. Fans of books about mental health, toxic relationships, and the mess beneath the surface of “glamorous” lives will probably see the appeal. There’s a bit of old-school noir in here, mixed with the bleak honesty of modern confessional writing. If you’re looking for something that sugarcoats addiction, betrayal, or just plain loneliness, this is not the one.

Readers who like unreliable narrators, chaotic love stories, or a story that sometimes feels like therapy (but without the bill) will find a lot here. On the other hand, anyone who needs a happy ending should run for the hills.

All in all, Dark Lullaby isn’t about finding the light at the end of the tunnel. It’s about standing in the dark and admitting you might have put yourself there. If that sounds a little too real, well, consider yourself warned.

Editorial Review For The Importance of Sleep

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F84BD7S9/

Editorial Review For The Importance of Sleep

What starts as a quiet reflection on the so-called “importance of sleep” unravels into a dense, messy, and oddly compelling look inside one man’s thoughts, obsessions, grudges, and inability to forget a breakup.

The book doesn’t follow a tight plot. Instead, it drifts with Dan, a motel clerk in off-season Maine who avoids daylight and embraces solitude like it’s his job. He reflects on failed relationships, high school humiliations, imaginary romantic triumphs, and a deeply entrenched sleep schedule that’s either impressive or tragic. Memory, identity, masculinity, and rejection come up often. So does the temperature in his apartment. And don’t forget about his long-standing beef with someone named Ami. If you want closure or a character arc, this isn’t that kind of book. But if you want to watch someone mentally pace around regret and loneliness with surgical precision, welcome aboard.

What works is the voice. It’s bitter, sharp, and often hilarious in a low-key, annoyed-with-everyone kind of way. The narrator is self-deprecating without begging for pity and smart without trying to sound like he’s smarter than everyone. The writing thrives in its contradictions. Dan claims not to care, then obsesses over every perceived slight. He pushes people away, then dreams up entire relationships with them. The strongest parts are when the book stops pretending to be about sleep and just admits it’s about being haunted.

This isn’t your usual coming-of-age novel. It leans hard into introspection, skipping the typical life lessons. It shares DNA with outsider lit, the kind that doesn’t ask to be liked. The narrator probably wouldn’t like you either. But readers who enjoy stream-of-consciousness fiction and unreliable narrators who don’t believe in therapy will find this satisfying. If you’ve ever clung to a grudge like a weighted blanket or thought about writing a love letter you’d never send, The Importance of Sleep will feel uncomfortably familiar.

The plot’s loose. The mood swings. The narrator’s not always likable. But that’s the point. There’s a strange honesty in how stuck he is. Sometimes all a book has to do is tell the truth, even if it doesn’t get you anywhere. The Importance of Sleep tells the truth. Then it shuts off the light and tries to go back to sleep.

Editorial Review For The Zen Garden

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F2SLZSDB 

Editorial Review For The Zen Garden

If you think The Zen Garden is going to hand you enlightenment on a silver platter, you’re in for a surprise. Tara Light lays out fifty Zen stories, each followed by straight talk and reflection exercises, not some mystical mumbo-jumbo. You get tales about students chasing answers, monks having existential moments over tea, and even cracked pots that end up watering wildflowers. Underneath, the stories cut through the noise about perfection, control, and endless self-improvement. You get themes like presence, letting go, and accepting that nothing really lasts—yeah, even your favorite mug or your job.

What stands out is the book’s setup. Each story is more than a bedtime tale. Right after, Light breaks it down: she digs into what the story actually means, not what you wish it meant. Then, she hits you with “Growing Forward”—ways to apply the lesson without sounding like a self-help robot. The best part? She actually makes these Zen ideas work for people living with smartphones, layoffs, and family drama instead of monks living on a mountain. She doesn’t pull any punches when talking about her own rough patches, either. No sugarcoating.

You won’t find the usual New Age fluff here. This book fits right in with the recent trend of practical Buddhism—like Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind or The Things You Can See Only When You Slow Down. But where other books just tell you to meditate or let go, The Zen Garden gives you stories and then drags those lessons straight into your real life, messy as it is.

Who should read this? If you want a book to display on your coffee table and never open, skip it. But if you’re tired of advice that feels written by people who’ve never had a bad day or made a mistake, this is worth a look. People who like to wrestle with their own habits, who appreciate a little bite with their wisdom, or who want real-world ways to slow down—this is for you. Also, if you enjoy Zen stories but roll your eyes at empty platitudes, you’ll find something here.

Final verdict? The Zen Garden won’t solve all your problems. But it will probably make you think twice about why you’re clinging to them in the first place. If nothing else, you’ll come away with a few good stories and maybe a better way to look at your own cracked pot moments. Try it if you’re up for something honest and a little sharp around the edges.

Editorial Review For The Wreckoning

  

https://www.talesofdepravityandtacos.com/

Editorial Review For The Wreckoning

This book kicks things off with a goat sock and a text message that would make your HR department clutch its pearls. From there, things only spiral deeper into chaos, absurdity, and more than one questionable bathroom encounter. The Wreckoning strings together a wild set of stories featuring two main threads: one about a guy named Mario dragged into an apocalyptic nightclub brawl with ex-KGB dominatrixes, and another about Max, a 500-year-old vegan werewolf who’s trying to keep his family safe from religious murder cults. Not kidding. Under all the splatter and screaming, you’ll find themes of friendship, identity, loyalty, grief, and the burden of living more lives than one guy should be allowed to.

The book’s strength lies in its full-throttle storytelling. It doesn’t hold back. The voice is sharp, dark, and soaked in sarcasm. The dialogue moves fast and is laced with insults, heavy metal references, and moments of strange tenderness. The action doesn’t just escalate—it careens. If you came for subtle, this ain’t your ride. But the writing is self-aware and surprisingly disciplined underneath all the carnage and filth. The chaos is calculated. Even the dick jokes are choreographed.

This kind of writing isn’t floating alone in space. Think Trainspotting meets Metalocalypse with a side of grindhouse. The book rides the line between horror, satire, sci-fi, and absurdism. It fits in with a growing trend of genre mashups that throw respectability out the window and replace it with fire, blood, and punchlines. There’s also an undercurrent of real loss and some philosophical pokes if you squint past the flying limbs.

People who will enjoy The Wreckoning? Anyone sick of the literary beige. If you’re into horror that doesn’t pretend to be polite, or you’ve ever wondered what it would be like if Slayer wrote a memoir, this might be for you. It’s especially good for readers who like their storytelling unfiltered, their humor sharp, and their werewolves pissed off.

This book is unhinged in all the ways it means to be. It doesn’t try to behave, and thank god for that. Read it if you’re ready for something that feels like a car crash soundtracked by Motörhead—awful, loud, unforgettable, and somehow exactly what you needed.

יהוה‎ What Is A Friend

https://www.lulu.com/shop/tamar-israel-and-seraiah-israel/%D7%99%D7%94%D7%95%D7%94-what-is-a-friend/hardcover/product-dyzvkej.html?q=&page=1&pageSize=4

We all seek connections. We all want to be seen, heard, and valued by friends. But too often, we search for friendship in the wrong places, investing in people who don’t truly care about us. If you're searching for a friend who will never leave you or betray your trust, this book will show you that friend—יהוה. Drawing from ancient Hebrew wisdom and scriptures, this book explores the true meaning of friendship and offers a renewed understanding of the greatest friend you will ever have. יהוה‎ What Is A Friend shows you how יהוה‎ love transforms, heals, and guides us through every situation, teaching us to trust and lean on Him. It teaches us to put all of our hope and stay committed to our relationship with יהוה. If you are ready to experience a friendship with יהוה‎, this book will open your heart to the greatest friend of all, the friend who is always by your side.

Editorial Review For The Boy With The Glow

https://a.co/d/iJjFoOv

Editorial Review For The Boy With The Glow

A glowing kid walks through a lot of life’s mess, asks questions, takes some falls, and gets advice from just about every sky object you can think of. That’s the structure. It’s a series of small moments, each wrapped in rhyme, each offering some kind of reminder—keep going, ask for help, trust your gut, don’t be afraid to start over.

Charles H. Gripenburg leans into rhythm and repetition in a way that makes the message stick. The language is clear, the format is consistent, and each page gets to the point without dragging. The poetic style gives it an extra layer of calm. It’s the kind of book you could pick up in any mood and find something that speaks to it.

There’s no shortage of feel-good books out there, but The Boy With The Glow manages to say familiar things in a way that still feels worth hearing. It’s part affirmation, part storybook, and part life manual. It fits right in with the growing number of poetic, self-reflective reads that don’t try to fix you—they just try to meet you where you are.

This book would land well with kids, especially those who need a gentle reminder that confusion is normal. But adults will get something from it too. It’s a read-aloud book that might end up getting read in quiet moments when no one else is around.

The Boy With The Glow doesn’t try to dazzle. It stays soft and steady, which is why it works. It’s honest without being heavy. If you’re looking for something that feels kind without being corny, this is it.

Editorial Review For NICK and the 996: A Porsche 911 Novel

https://a.co/d/ddHlXy2

Editorial Review For NICK and the 996: A Porsche 911 Novel

Also available as an audiobook

This book throws an alien into the middle of Earth’s car culture and somehow makes it work. NICK and the 996 follows Nick R. Bates, an ex-racer from another planet who’s trying to fix both his image and a Porsche 996. His plan? Turn the car into a racing machine worthy of a galaxy-wide competition. There are themes of identity, friendship, and purpose layered between car parts, turbo upgrades, and some surprisingly human moments.

The author knows Porsches. Every technical detail is handled with care. The scenes involving the restoration of the 996 are written with the kind of attention that shows real love for the subject. What’s more surprising is how the book manages to blend gearhead content with character growth. Nick isn’t just bolting on spoilers; he’s figuring himself out too. The friendships he builds are more than just plot devices—they add some weight to the story. The pacing moves fast, but not so fast that it skips over the emotional core.

As a genre piece, it fits somewhere between sci-fi parody and car enthusiast fiction. There’s a little bit of Top Gear, some Guardians of the Galaxy attitude, and a lot of automotive fandom. It's weird. And somehow that’s the point. You won’t find another spacefaring car club president wrenching on a 996 in most sci-fi books.

This one's for readers who like their fiction with fuel injection. If you’ve ever lost a weekend on a forum about headlight conversions or argued about air-cooled engines, this book gets you. If you also like sarcastic aliens, even better.

Is it a serious novel? Not really. Is it trying to be? Thankfully, no. But it does manage to say something about connection and reinvention without feeling like a lecture. If you're into cars and want something different, give NICK and the 996 a shot. Just don’t expect a Hallmark ending.

 

Healing Patches To All The Inner Holes: A Journey To Inner Peace and Healing (Author Interview)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DLLHG4B9/

What inspired you to start writing Healing Patches to All the Inner Holes; was there a moment when it just clicked?

When I finally connected the dots and found out there is a pattern that’s at play. When I realized this, I thought to myself that I must write a book about it. Figured out the patterns in my life  helped me to trace back to the real origin of all the challenges of my life. I feel if I can help my fellow humans to find their patterns , they entire life will change. They get to live through life’s challenges through love, grace and introspection instead of suffering and hardship.

You talk about feeling unsafe for many years—how did writing the book help you feel safe again?

Been able to graduate identifying all the fears in my life, really looking at it, walk through fear little by little, grow through it. Finding the cause of it, been with the full spectrum of fear, it forced me to find solutions, and be comfortable with the feeling however hard it is.  I had to go through an internal journey to heal all the traumas. Once the internal journey has completed, I was able to alchemize all my emotions , then the book basically was completed before it was written, all I had to do is just pour the entire transformation journey on paper. It took time, but after walk through all those fears day after day, one the other side of it all is fearlessness and safety.

 

In the book, you mention “finding your pattern”—what does that process look like day to day?

Look at what is repeating in your external environment. For example, are you dealing with the same issue every day? For me it was the noise issue, wherever I go, there was excessive noise. Noise signals danger, my internal landscape was not safe due to trauma, so my outer environment reflect that. An  easy example for people to contemplate: there are people who would work every day, not giving themselves one day of rest. When you talk to them, they tell you they grew up with parents who are always working, so they have been conditioned early on that rest is associated with fear of not been able to survive. Rest is fear in their psyche, so they will refuse to rest no matter how tired or burned out they are. Look at what is repeating in your life, and you are hurt or burdened by it. That is a good starting point.