The Missing Links: Launching a High Performing Company Culture by Phillip Meade
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Columbia Space shuttle is arguably the most devastating event in NASA history and how they managed to prevent a repeat from happening is what this book is about. The authors are the ones who were consulted and reimagined the operational culture at NASA and they also give ways that others can use their knowledge to reimagine their own companies operational culture and behaviors. The importance of the person behind the task is a great concept to explore and I am glad I read this book to help me understand how it all works in greater detail.

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The Proxima Plague by Robert Thornton
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Dr Hope Allerd is a genius, one that frequently consults with other doctors around the world. This time, her patient is terminally ill and the disease takes on a paranormal cast. Hope is determined to find the source and find a cure, all the while she is fending off supernatural creatures that are intent on stopping her.
This was an interesting take on the genre and I really liked how the author put it together. The Heroine, while smart was not irritatingly so and her character development throughout the story felt real. I liked that the pacing was consistent, I was not bored reading this story, it certainly kept my attention which is great.


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His to Bedevil: by Stasia Mars
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A con artist attempts a daring heist: steal form a dangerous Mob Boss in Havana. Little does she know that she’ll be caught, and he won’t simply let her go. He must set an example and he knows the perfect way. Will there be an HEA or will Irma be left to pick up the pieces of herself alone in the end?
A thrilling ride which will leave you guessing at the twists as they come around. I really liked Irma’s defiance and determination, and her eventual surrender was well written. Alejo was intimidating and that bad boy we all love to hate. Great story!


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Battered Doctor Syndrome by Eugene Wrayburn MD
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a really intriguing book about the hidden state of Ireland beyond the dreamy tourist draw it portrays itself to be. Statistics, examples and harrowing accounts of homicidal violence that is pervasive in Ireland will give you the sense that in Ireland, things are not as well as they seem, and this should certainly provoke serious though about reform and routing out corruption within the system.
I found this to be an eye-opening book and one needed in our society today. I’ve always wanted to see idyllic Ireland and now I would be able to see everything beyond the rosy picture.


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A Beckoning Hellfire: A Novel of the Civil War by J.D.R. Hawkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a vivid description of the brutal and harrowing realities of war. A young man heads out into the Civil War, full of romanticized ideas about his ability to seek revenge for his father’s death. He comes face to face with death on the battlefield as well as off of it and his world will be forever changed.
A tumultuous time in our history, the book does a really good job of showcasing the harsh life people led during the war. A really good book to read.


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Awakening: Ladies, Leadership, and the Lies We've Been Told by Areva Martin
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

How effective can breaking the Glass ceiling be, if the entire building is built upon a framework of oppression of those that do not fit a narrow set of criteria? Making her case for an entire restructuring of the business models, Awakening is the author’s chance to show us exactly how society and the existing corporate system is keeping women in pigeon-holed roles and preventing them from succeeding at equal levels of men.
The statistics in this book were really eye-opening. I found that the writing here was very accessible and I was able to connect to the personal stories of some of the women and really see how I went through similar situations.


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My Alien Manumitter by Isla Noir
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Interesting story

Libby is rescued from a Zoo by an Alien God. They find out they are fated but it isn't just so easy. Libby suffers mentally from her time in captivity and Reid, the God is cursed. With so many obstacles to overcome, will they ever have their happily ever after?
While the premise was really interesting, and put a unique twist on the "fated mates" trope, the writing was at times awkward with the word choices the Author made and at other it wad rambling on. As such, the pace of the book is very slow and can be hard to read. There is a scene of assault against the main Heroine, that may trigger some people as well.

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Soul Seed by Randy A. Rutledge
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Remembering your childhood dreams, those gifts and talents that made you, well you, is one premise in this book. There is a gentle guidance here, from the author that will help you realize that sometimes it is okay to not simply follow along with what everyone else in society is doing. Personal growth is more the goal here, than using this for a professional growth. I think that the emphasis on curiosity, and discovering your own unique talents again is a great focus and the chapters on this are really profound. Obviously the author knows how to talk and write about this and her guidance here is really helpful.

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Dairy Hollow Echo by Charles L. Templeton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a collection of short stories from the online magazine eMerge, they each showcase a different interpretation of love, self-reflection, self-growth and so much more. I really think the group of authors were able to bring a collection of works that, while individually unique, still promoted a collective joy of the beauty in the human spirit. This was a very sweet book to read for me and I enjoyed the diversity in here very much.

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1960s purple sex gas by Erick Drake
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the second book and after reading the first I knew I had to read on. Daisy Daryl is back, along with her Ex and her misfit crew. While she only wants a peaceful life after the events from the past book, Daisy’s orders are to transport some toxic gas on a humanitarian mission. Hilarious hijinks ensure and Daisy attempts to stave off mutations, fix problems and obey her orders as best she can. I think that if you liked the first book, you will certainly be entertained by this one.

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Ripley of Valor: Illustrated Version by Thoren Syndergaard
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An interesting novel set in the fictional world of Valor, where women are relegated to traditional roles and certainly not allowed to be soldiers or go to war. Ripley does not agree and trains her whole life, fighting for her chance to become a soldier and defend her country. When she finally gets to prove herself, Ripley is pitted against others in the infamous trials to prove her mettle. I liked Ripley, she was tenacious even as a teenager and she went after her dreams even with a few mistakes and hiccups along the way.

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The Big Solution: Deactivating The Ticking Time Bomb Of Today’s Economy by Jarl Jensen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book takes us on a journey to understand the past 50 years of the American economy and how it has gradually changed over the years. Globalization, mounting debt, and more are only a few of the topics touched on by the author. The author blends his personal thoughts on solutions to some problems within the individual topics and uses a wide-ranging array of examples to showcase his points. While I found this to be interesting, I didn’t always agree with the solution the author brought forth. It is certainly a thought-provoking book though.

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Blend Out: From Ordinary To Irresistible: How Advisors Can Market Like The Greatest Brands In The World by Robert Sofia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book is very pertinent in today’s market as more and more people are working in the “gig” economies. Especially with everything after Covid’s emergence, it is even more critical for you to set yourself apart from your competition and portray your busines in a positive light.
I liked the book; I think the author has made really good points and the anecdotes he included from other companies who with minor tweaks were able to really up their market presence really help illustrate the advice he is making in that chapter. Great book to read for any leader or entrepreneur!


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The Essential Guide to Assertiveness: How to Speak Up for Yourself, Stop People-Pleasing, and Win Respect in Your Life and Relationships by James Turnbull
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Learning how to be assertive as a self-proclaimed introvert can be daunting. This book gives us(me) guidelines and practices that can make the process easier. The author also explores different concepts, for example what is assertiveness, how to stop negative behavior such as people pleasing and more.
I liked this book; it gives you a boost in confidence and the author makes it easy to believe that you can become assertiveness with enough practice. I like that there isn’t a magic formula, as that would never work, but enough advice, tips, and encouragement to keep you learning how to do better.


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A Sun Going Down by A. C. Aerie
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

On a far away Island, Jonas Rowan meets a assassin in the castle and the chance meeting will change his life in ways he had never suspected. Travelling to the eastern portion of Cavan, Jonas is tasked with thwarting an uprising in the making and bring the man known as Korthan to justice and to kill his bride.
This story had intrigue, court politics, magical remedies and poisons as well as plenty of action to carry over the course of the book. Jonas is a little idealistic and easily led by some, but he shapes up to be competent by the end. This is certainly a good book to enjoy.


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The demogra-fate hypothesis by Thanh Nguyen-Ba
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This short book takes a look at the Demogra-Fate, a Hypothesis that examines the hypothesis of demographic aging. Through compelling arguments, illustrations and research links, the author makes a case for the idea that everything in this universe gets older, and eventually must die. I remember hearing something about this years ago and so it was a nice refresher to read this book. This was not stuffy and dry material, the author did a good job in making the language accessible and interesting.

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As Sure As Death & Taxes by Rush K. Sterling
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A thriller set around the world, a multitude of characters interact when a Portfolio manager is extorted and blackmailed into a risky mission into Tehran that will destabilize the country. Full of action and intrigue, the pacing is fast as you race along, moving back and forth between past and present events. I found the writing to be a bit choppy and disjointed which made it a hard book to read for me. I think if the writing were better, I would have enjoyed the book more.

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Outpost by F.T. McKinstry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A rich world full of characters, gods, alliances, and rifts that will immerse you into a story full of fantastical whimsy and dark plots. Pitting one side against each other, praying to the gods of the realm, and our three unlikely heroes that band together to defend the Gate against those who seek to destroy it. A high fantasy book, the first in a new series that is promising. This book is hefty, so don’t expect light reading, the pacing is moderately paced, events do not move quickly. I did enjoy the story and would certainly read again.

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The Omicron Six by Endy Wright
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fair warning, there is a lot of abuse of one character right out the gate. This proves to be important towards the characters development later on, how he combined with his friend Cooper battle their insecurities and struggle to harness these powers that develop. A contemporary take on superheroes and how DNA manipulation can affect the human body in mysterious ways. I liked the book in that there is a clear growth for both the boys individually and together. While I don’t like darker stories of abuse and neglect, I see how the author wove this into the plot to really bring it along.

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Hidden Demon by Fish Phillips
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dee Johnson is a US Secret Agent embedded in Japan. Set in the near future, her operation goes terribly wrong, and she is blamed for the failure. Together with another disgraced agent from another country, Ko and Dee team up to investigate strange new attacks on the leaders and members of politics. This is a political/espionage thriller with paranormal underlines. I found the author did a fantastic job in his descriptive storytelling, so to really pull us into the story more. I enjoyed Ko as a character the most.

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