My name is Smitha Agy. Reading is what I pursue as my hobby. I read about 100 books a year. I receive Advance reader copies from publishers, publicists, authors, and/or NetGalley. My favorite genres include Mystery and thrillers, True crime, Biographies and Memoirs, Romance novels, Historical fiction, and Christian faith. The opinions shared here are my own. Find my reviews at: https://www.facebook.com/people/Novel-Nerd-Blog/61550417764548/
Thursday, December 29, 2022
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Monday, December 26, 2022
Thursday, December 22, 2022
Book Review #Angela Hunt #The Apostle's Sister (Jerusalem Road) #Publisher : Bethany House Publishers #Christian Historical Romance
- Publisher : Bethany House Publishers (June 7, 2022)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 384 pages
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
Saturday, December 17, 2022
Friday, December 16, 2022
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
#Book Review #Aging Gracefully for Women Over 50: Dr. Steve's Guide to Help Reverse Aging, Disease, Weight Gain and Energy Lost # Publisher Dr Steve Kringold
MY THOUGHTS AND BOOK REVIEW
The author Dr Steve Kringold is passionate about reversing the aging process and diseases that are associated with it. He wants to help women feel better about themselves. In this book, a holistic approach is looked at what you're eating, what you're doing to stay active, how you're sleeping and what one is thinking and feeling, and everything that contributes to your overall health.
So the author advises his client not to compare herself to others which opens the door to insecurity and self-doubt where you will feel worse about yourself. To age gracefully, mindset is an important part that is often neglected. My favorite part of the book was about Intermittent fasting and the ways to lose weight which I personally struggle to consistently keep at times. The unbelievable benefits of Intermittent fasting include:- Insulin regulation, increasing human growth hormone levels, cellular repair, gene expression, lose weight. If you are a person who is trying to understand Intermittent fasting with your doctor's help this book is a good guide to Intermittent fasting which can cause weight loss and of between three and eight percent in anything between 3- 24 weeks. This is a remarkable number. Intermittent fasting helps prevent cancer, good for your brain, prolongs your life as you follow the protocols of Intermittent fasting. The 16/8 protocol, 5:2 diet, alternate day fasting, eat-stop-eat where you fast for 24 hours twice a week, the warrior diet of part of Intermittent fasting. This book stresses on how to enjoy a balanced diet - the benefits of getting active - as exercise has many anti - aging benefits - the benefits of sleep - which causes sleep issues - Restoring your energy - Quit smoking - Avoid too much sugar - Stay hydrated - Form connections - How to prevent illness and so on...
I found this book extremely helpful full of insights and information to manage your lifestyle wisely - to control weight gain by exercising, following a wholesome diet, reducing stress, quitting smoking and care of yourself, and practicing gratitude.
I just reviewed the book, Aging Gracefully for Women Over 50: Dr. Steve's Guide to Help Reverse Aging, Disease, Weight Gain, and Energy Lost by Dr. Steve Kringold. Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy for my honest review.
Discover how to thrive in your golden years feeling rejuvenated, healthy, and happy. Learn the tricks of the trade that doctors don’t want you to know!
Are you worried about aging – the wrinkles, the hair, losing a sense of purpose?
Do you already feel yourself giving up on tasks easily and struggling to find the energy to cope with your daily life?
Are you dreading what comes next, finding it difficult to come to terms with the fact that you aren’t as young as you used to be?
You aren’t the only one, but you’ll be glad to know that this doesn’t have to be the case.
It’s not uncommon for women to resign themselves to the aging process and give up on any idea of feeling beautiful. Many women lose their sense of self, and with physical and psychological changes at play, it’s normal to be scared of what comes next.
But, you don’t have to be.
Aging is really just about a mindset – there are so many things you can do to reverse the aging process and add years to your life.
As long as you are determined to live your life to the fullest, why should your age stop you?
Did you know that the oldest woman to complete a half marathon was 94 years old?
That’s 30 years after your typical retirement age, and 20 years after society tells you to start slowing down. It just goes to show: age really is just a number.
Dr. Steve takes you through the physical and psychological tricks that can change your life from a meaningless and gloomy affair to a colorful, healthy, and joyful one – embrace these anti-aging techniques and methods that will have you feeling younger than ever before.
In Aging Gracefully for Women Over 50, you’ll discover:
- The #1 secret as to where most women go wrong – know what NOT to do to ensure you don’t feel like you’re aging at all!
- How you can incorporate more exercise into your life without putting in lots of extra effort
- 20 dos and don'ts to help you overcome sleep difficulties (because believe it or not, beauty sleep isn’t a myth!)
- Why dieting won’t help you lose weight – find out the best method to help cut down those extra pounds… and keep them off!
- Essential advice on naturally restoring your energy so you feel younger every day
- 30+ ways you can prevent disease before it happens – live the long and healthy life you’ve always dreamed of
- Skin care anti-aging tips and tricks to stay looking youthful
- Why turning 50 is the best thing that can happen to you
And much more.
You'll get access to "Dr. Steve's Health Coach Secrets" book which includes: Diet hacks and a 21 day move well program for balance and fitness just by clicking a link inside the book!
Don’t let society tell you that you’re getting old – other people have no idea how you are feeling and what you are truly capable of! You are entering into your golden years – a time when you can relax, enjoy life, and work towards your goals.
You can be young and beautiful, both on the inside and out. Don’t hesitate to get started – the sooner you do, the sooner you will see results!
- Publisher : Independently published (July 20, 2022)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 198 pages
Monday, November 28, 2022
Saturday, November 26, 2022
Thursday, November 24, 2022
Wednesday, November 23, 2022
#Book Review #WW2 Resistance #2 #Paris at First Light By Amanda Lees #Bookouture Publishers #Historical Literary Fiction
MY THOUGHTS AND BOOK REVIEW
- Publisher : Bookouture (November 23, 2022)
- Publication date : November 23, 2022
- Language : English
- Print length : 376 pages
Saturday, November 19, 2022
#Blog Tour #Book Review #The Orphans of Berlin # Jina Bacarr #Historical World War 2 Fiction #Publisher : Boldwood Books
A heartbreaking World War 2 novel that tells the story of two women’s fight for love, family and hope, as the world crumbles around them. Based on the true story of the Kindertransport rescue from Nazi-occupied Europe.
Berlin, 1936. The Landau family are at the heart of their community, running a music shop in Berlin and just trying to survive. But their lives are unravelling as Hitler’s power increases and the treatment of Jewish families deteriorates. Eldest daughter, Rachel, fears for her sisters’ future and will do anything she can to keep them safe. Will she find hope in the darkness?
Paris, 1936. As whispers of war travel over from Europe, American debutante Kay escapes her mother’s grasp and travels as a reluctant spy from Paris to Berlin. But a chance meeting with the Landau family will change her life forever. Kay is determined to give Rachel and her sisters a fighting chance in a society where the youngest are paying the ultimate price, even if it means making dangerous enemies along the way…
As the world marches toward war, these brave women will find strength in joining forces to save the ones they love. But they will need the support of one another more than they will ever realize in order to survive…
A gripping and heart-wrenching historical novel about hope, tragedy and two women’s limitless courage. Perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Nightingale and My Name is Eva
- Publisher : Boldwood Books (November 10, 2022)
- Publication date : November 10, 2022
- Language : English
- Print length : 391 pages
A gripping and heart-wrenching historical novel about hope, tragedy and two women's limitless courage. Perfect for fans of The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Nightingale and My Name is Eva.
Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3A64rjQ
Author Bio –
Jina Bacarr is a US-based historical romance author of over 10 previous books. She has been a screenwriter, journalist and news reporter, but now writes full-time and lives in LA. Jina’s novels have been sold in 9 territories. Her first novel with Boldwood is called Her Lost Love.
Social Media Links –
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/JinaBacarr.author
Twitter https://twitter.com/JinaBacarr
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jinabacarr/
Newsletter Sign Up: https://bit.ly/JinaBacarrNews
Jina Bacarr
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
#Book Review #Overcome Your Villains: Mastering Your Beliefs, Actions, and Knowledge to Conquer Any Adversity #Heather Monahan #Publisher : HarperCollins Leadership
MY THOUGHTS AND BOOK REVIEW
This book is all about how the author Heather Monahan has learned to rebuild her confidence after she was fired from her corporate job to help us find the kind of success in our lives that we are dreaming of. She is the author of her first self published book, Confidence Creator. She shows how to identify the villains in your life by creating confidence in three easy steps. Beliefs - the self talk and other internal messages we have accepted as truth. Actions - the actions we are currently taking - and plan to take in the future - to find success and happiness. Knowledge - the information and skills we need be more effective people in every aspect of our work and personal lives.
There are many key takeaways in this book at the end of each chapter; but some of my favorite ones are mentioned below:
These are some of the amazing takeaways:
• We cannot expect things to always go our way. The more we embrace the unexpected, the faster we can pivot.
• Only limits you have are the limits you believe.
• Successful people don't always know the how; they trust themselves to figure it out along the way.
• When you're facing difficult times, focus on something you're looking forward to in the future. Once you reach that, focus on something new to look forward to.
• In any business transaction, both sides have to benefit. When one side benefits but not the other, it's not sustainable.
• If the road to victory looks too rough, it might be time for a different approach.
• Pick a song to couple with your vision.
• Just because you haven't found a solution yet, doesn't mean it doesn't exist- it just means you need to keep looking.
• Until we realize our value, no one else will either.
Fear is a liar: The author states that fear is a liar nothing but false ideas one have made up in one's own mind. Some say it's an acronym for False Evidence Appearing Real. It is worse than any reality. When we feel fear, we should not not run away and hide. Instead we should run towards it and embrace it.
Fear is a green light that means go and go faster!
Fear is not real, we just need to accept the power to dissolve it.
Just Think Bigger: Have people who are ahead of you. Surround yourself with successful people they will inspire you to push past your current limitations and allow you to see something much bigger in your current limitations and allow you to see something much bigger in yourself that you hadn't previously thought of. Accessing knowledge from those who are light-years ahead of us is priceless.
Don't Hide From Your Haters: Haters are a sign you are succeeding. Haters are a sign that you are shining your light. Haters are a sign that you are not vanilla. Celebrate when haters come. Take action by leveraging haters comments to elicit help and support yourself.
This book is simple and easy read. Thank you to Netgalley and Publisher : HarperCollins Leadership for an advance copy for my honest review. I just reviewed Overcome Your Villains by Heather Monahan #OvercomeYourVillains #NetGalley.
BOOK DESCRIPTION
Whether you’re facing the glass ceiling, a toxic work environment, or anything in between, limit-breaking female founder Heather Monahan’s 3-Step BAK process will help you evaluate and eliminate any outside or self-defeating blockers between where you are now and where you deserve to be.
If you’ve ever felt alone, down, defeated, or discouraged—this book’s for you.
If you’ve ever been unsure of your next move or felt your confidence slip just when you needed it the most—this book is definitely for you.
Author and entrepreneur Heather Monahan will help you learn the easy but remarkable steps you can take to overcome the negative people and other challenges we all encounter at work and at home, find real and lasting happiness, and achieve the success you deserve in your career and in your personal life.
Growing up in poverty, Heather leapfrogged the tremendous obstacles in her life to reach the pinnacle of success in business—only to lose it all when she was fired by the villain who was her new boss. She has seen the worst of the worst when it comes to the destruction a toxic workplace can have on someone’s perception of themselves and their outlook for the future. In these pages, she lights the beacon on your path towards stepping into and then stomping out your fear to reach your full potential—regardless of the level of trauma you’ve experienced or are currently experiencing in your workplace.
Overcome Your Villains will help you learn:
- Heather’s 3-Step BAK process to evaluate your situation and identify a clear path forward.
- How to deal with (or overcome) a toxic environment, whether that be at work, at home, or in your own head.
- All the options you have to reach your full potential, and how to immediately start pursuing them.
- Publisher : HarperCollins Leadership (November 16, 2021)
- Language : English
- Hardcover : 240 pages
Tuesday, November 1, 2022
Book Review #The Brilliance of Stars (A Jack and Ivy Novel) #Publisher : Thomas Nelson # 20th Century Historical Fiction #Clean Romance
MY THOUGHTS AND BOOK REVIEW
- Thanks to Netgalley and Publisher Thomas Nelson for the advance copy for my honest review.
"Action! Romance! Spies! Secrets! The Brilliance of Stars has it all. This electrifying read from J'nell Ciesielski comes to life with historical details and sparkling descriptions that will leave the reader begging for book two!" —Amy E. Reichert
Amid the chaos of the Great War, two elite assassins learn precisely how dangerous it is to have something—or someone—worth losing.
Washington, DC, 1914. Ivy Olwen knows how to survive on the streets without two coins to rub together. Then destiny thrusts her into the nest of a covert agency of assassins sworn to drive back the world’s darkness, and she acquires a new set of lethal skills. Her education—from explosives to etiquette, sharpshooting to sabotage—is as far reaching as the organization’s missions. But it’s the hours she spends among the towering bookshelves in the library and stargazing on the roof with Agent Jack Vale that make her heart fly.
Jack knew plenty of hardship before the agency refined his rough edges, transforming him into the man who never misses. But he didn’t know the feeling of home until Ivy entered his world. Now Jack’s heart drums with a singular purpose: he will fight for her, fight alongside her. No matter the cost.
When the pair is sent on a seemingly simple mission to take down Russia’s newest and most dangerous arms dealer—a soulless man using the Great War as an opportunity to further his own depraved agenda—they discover that no amount of training could have prepared them for a manhunt that takes them across the frozen tundra, to the Crimean Peninsula, and along the Trans-Siberian Railway . . . only to discover that there is evil in the world they will never understand.
The first book of an epic duology from bestselling author J’nell Ciesielski, The Brilliance of Stars incorporates her signature blend of thrilling adventure, glamorous espionage, and sweeping romance.
- Historical romance set during World War I
- Book length: approximately 116,000 words
- The first Jack and Ivy novel; book two, To Free the Stars—coming August 2023
- Includes map of Europe 1917 and discussion questions for book clubs
- Publisher : Thomas Nelson (November 1, 2022)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 400 pages
Monday, October 31, 2022
Books I Read
Book Review #The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou #Head of Zeus -- an Aries Book Publisher #Crime Novel #Eleni Kyriacou
MY THOUGHTS AND BOOK REVIEW "The Unspeakable Acts of Zina Pavlou" is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that delves into the ...
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MY THOUGHTS AND REVIEW In this historical novel, Jacob Mueller was a first-generation American born in New Berlin to parents full of German ...
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MY THOUGHTS AND BOOK REVIEW This novel which is set in West Los Angeles begins with Gloria Millhouse, a ...
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My Thoughts and Book Review Professor Richard Barnes retires from the Biology department of Bristol University as a stalwart member of staf...