Straight Browsing from the Library: Spirience

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The authors will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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Spirience: Experiencing Peace and Prosperity through Spirituality and Science is a unique and comprehensive look at the importance of spirituality and science to guide our day-to-day living at a personal level, and to achieve peace and prosperity at a global. The term 'spirience' is a blend of two words: spirituality and science. It captures the essence of spirituality in its prefix "spiri-," and the domain of science in its suffix "-ence".

The importance of such a work lies in the challenges faced by the world today, conflicts between nations and ideologies at the global level and the explosion of mental health issues at a personal level. The book will first set the scene to understand the challenges faced by humanity today and the tools that we have to overcome them. An in-depth look at the treasure trove of texts from India's Vedic past, highlighting the spiritual as well as scientific aspects, will be complemented by a study of the evolution of mankind over the past millennia, changes in the way of life and the current levels of extreme discontinuity brought on by an onrush of technological innovations.

Recommendations for going forward will be presented for the readers to ponder and hopefully incorporate in their personal, professional and social lives. The book will be of great value to anyone interested in or active in personal well-being and global peace and prosperity.

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Spirience: A Fusion of Experiences

Early Human Development Through the Ages

The sole meaning of life is to serve humanity.
Leo Tolstoy

One of the defining characteristics of human beings, as opposed to other creations, is their fascination with history. From the earliest known human beings, they have made conscious efforts to record evidence of their existence, lifestyle, and beliefs for future generations. Or as time progressed, dug deep into the past for such records and made attempts to ensure that the records were discovered, understood, and shared.

Of course, through ravages of time as well as human conflicts and natural disasters, various elements of the continuum of human civilization were either destroyed, buried, forgotten, and even consciously erased, revised, or have had their ownership reassigned. We will be detailing some examples elsewhere in the book, but it is worthwhile to highlight one example of the reassignment of ownership.

Most historians have by now come to accept that what had been conventionally classified as the Arabic numeral system was really of Indian origin. It was acquired later by traders and invaders from the Arab world, who made it their own, before letting the Europeans have access to the knowledge. It must be admitted that the recent resurgence in the rediscovery of history’s civilizational roots and branches owes much to modern scholarship. Although that admission must be tempered with the recognition that not all rediscovery and scholarship were altruistic and non-partisan. The purpose of this first section of the book, however, is not to revisit historical controversies but rather to present an open-minded survey of many scientific developments throughout the ages and the challenges that have accompanied them. Although highlighting all the diverse views on the history of science would be exceedingly difficult to accomplish in this work, for convenience, we will attempt to integrate various key narratives to present more inclusive perspectives on such development.

Although many historians delimit the origins of Vedic thought and its texts, and practices, Vedic revelation defies such attempts. Foundationally, the Vedas are understood as apaurusheya (uncreated) and accepted as eternal. With every iteration of creation, they are re-revealed and proliferated once again. Despite their antiquity, they are as relevant now as they have ever been. The unfortunate historical events of the past millennium, reflected in the sustained invasions of India by external forces and the eventual conquest and destruction of much of its physical and intellectual wealth, have still not been able to dent the relevance of the everlasting.

MEET THE AUTHORS

Mahamahopadhyay Bhadreshdas Swami

An esteemed Swami of BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha and Head of the BAPS Research Institute in New Delhi, Bhadreshdas Swami’s scholarly work Svāminārāyaṇabhāṣya is a profound Sanskrit commentary on the Prasthānatrayī. With a Ph.D. in Sanskrit and multiple honorary degrees, his contributions to the field are widely recognized.

V. I. Lakshmanan, O.C., Ph.D.

Co-founder of Process Research ORTECH and a leader in sustainable technology, Lakshmanan holds numerous patents and has published over 150 scientific works. His accolades include being named an Officer of the Order of Canada and receiving the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award from the Government of India.

S. Kalyanasundaram

With 25 years of experience in advanced technologies for telecommunication networks and serving as the former Executive Director of the Canada India Foundation, Kalyanasundaram enriches the book’s exploration of the synergy between ancient knowledge and modern science.

Spirience is available through major retailers. Discover how this book’s unique integration of spirituality and science can guide you toward a more peaceful and prosperous life.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Spirience-Experiencing-Prosperity-through-Spirituality-ebook/dp/B0DG17QF5S/ref=sr_1_1

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Straight Browsing from the Library: Choice by Dora Farkas

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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Val is a young Mexican-American quantum physicist and single mother struggling with an anxiety disorder and financial challenges. Her world is turned upside down when her ex-husband files for full custody of their three-year-old daughter to take her across the country where he was offered a job. The story unfolds as she decides either to stay put in Boston and meet job related deadlines or go on a holiday and visit her parents in Mexico.

Encouraged by her father, Val flies to Mexico with Maya, her service dog, and Daisy, her daughter, and she discovers a world of magic that will change her outlook on life forever. She also reconnects with her childhood friend, Mercedes, who gives her a glimmer of hope. Things, however, are not what they seem to be. As all areas of her life begin to fall apart, Val must explore the power of her intuition and make different choices to change the course of her and her daughter’s futures.

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A wave of nausea travels through my body as I mentally review the schedule for the last workday before my trip. With a day full of tasks to wrap up before my trip, an appointment with my psychiatrist, and taking care of Daisy, I don’t know how I will have time to edit the scientific paper that will be key for my promotion to a tenured professor next year. Without the promotion, I will be asked to leave the university and find a new position somewhere else.

Maya picks up on the shift in my energy and rubs up against my legs, interrupting my thoughts. I bend down to pet her and feel the velvety softness of her pink “Service Dog” vest. Mom brought me Maya eight years ago from Oaxaca for my twenty-sixth birthday, but shortly after I had my first panic attack, and my psychiatrist recommended that I train Maya to be a service dog. I didn’t think that toy Chihuahuas could be service dogs, but Maya’s interventions helped me to finish my PhD, get through my divorce, and publish papers on the applications of quantum computing for outer space exploration.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Although Dora was born in Budapest, Hungary, she lived in Mexico for five years during her early childhood. Her connection to the Mexican language, history, and cooking inspired the cultural setting for her debut novel, “Choice.”

After getting her doctorate from MIT, she published her first book, “The Smart Way to Your Ph.D.” which paved the way for a six-figure consulting business while she was a stay-at-home mom with two daughters. She has given workshops about writing at MIT, Tufts, Boston University, the University of Connecticut, Ohio State University, the Scripps Research Institute, the University of Calgary, and the University of British Columbia.

Author website: https://dorafarkas.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dora.farkas

Buy link: https://dorafarkas.com/Choice

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Straight Browsing from the Library: Playing High by Beth Pellino-Dudzic

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will award paperback copies of both books in the series: Playing Hard and Playing High (US only) to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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Gina Will Do Anything to Protect Her Husband and Her Band

Perfection is one of the hottest bands on the rock n’ roll scene and they are being wooed into the seductive pitfalls that come with fame. How will they continue to rise when temptation is all around them?

Lead singer, Gina, is seen as The Sexy Siren of Rock for her onstage heat and glamour, but her true love is offstage—as wife to guitarist Trevor, and mother to their miracle baby, Roxanne.

Keeping a family together while touring with the band is hard enough, but Gina is faced with an even more sinister challenge. Trevor’s old friend, Brian Mayfield is hell bent on separating the couple—using drugs, alcohol, and women as his weapons. But why is he so driven to destroy them? How far will tough-as-nails Gina go to protect the ones she loves? READ AN EXCERPT

Trevor noticed Gina was a bit weepy and had to find out what exactly was bothering her. Trevor asked, “Babe, we are getting married again tomorrow, so please, tell me what’s wrong, because I know as soon as Lisa told you she was pregnant, your face just got teary so—”

Gina stammered, “I’ve been keeping a secret from you for about three weeks. I’m late, and sure that I’m pregnant. I didn’t want to say anything, writing music and all this shit. I was afraid to tell you. I wasn’t sure how you would feel because we didn’t plan it. I’m about six weeks along. I figured out that the baby’s due date would be around early June. I still need to see a doctor. I’m not sure how tight my body-hugging wedding dress will fit and I’m scared about your reaction.” She paused to wipe the tears falling freely from her eyes. “Trevor, please say something.”

Trevor had tears in his eyes too. “We’re going to have a baby. That’s what you’re saying?”

“Yes, absolutely. No mistake. You didn’t realize I haven’t had my period?”

“I don’t count the days or watch for that stuff. But why not tell me sooner? Was it this wedding thing?”

“I didn’t want it getting out until after. I was afraid one of us would slip. I’m so sorry. This should be the happiest moment in our life, and I ruined it.”

MEET THE AUTHOR

Beth Pellino-Dudzic was born in the Bronx and grew up in Westchester County, New York. She earned a BA in Business Administration and worked at IBM. She has three adult daughters and a new Granddaughter. She currently lives in Alabama with her husband and their miniature dachshund, Truffle. Although The Perfection Saga is fictional, many of the stories hark back to Beth’s time in the Rock ‘n’ Roll world. Beth’s favorite pastime is football, everything football. She also is an excellent cook and baker.

Website: https://perfectionsaga.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558439816678
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bpellinodudzic
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bethandperfection1

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Playing-High-Perfection-Saga-Pellino-Dudzic/dp/B0DDQ6J8K9/ref=sr_1_1 FREE to read on KU

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Straight Browsing from the Library: Spiral by Randy Dean Noble

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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They’re in the number one watched game in the world… or so they were told. But they have no memory of who or where they are. Something beyond their wildest imaginations awaits to mercilessly strike them down. And looming in the darkness is something worse... much worse.

Green—named after the color of car he's driving—awakens on the side of a dark highway surrounded by dense forest. And he's in an old muscle car with no way to tell time, no cell phone, and the radio doesn’t work. When he encounters others like himself, they have to join forces to unravel the mystery surrounding them. Yet, trust doesn't come easily—someone amongst them is a saboteur.

With their lives at stake, they are compelled to engage in a race where being last means certain death. They must disentangle the truth that threatens to consume them, before they spiral out of control.

Spiral is a gripping tale of survival, coalition, and the terrifying secrets that lie hidden in the shadows.

Prepare for a rip-roaring, adrenaline-fueled ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very last page.

If you enjoy books by authors like Dean Koontz and Blake Crouch that involve supernatural thrills laced with fast-paced action, then check out Randy Dean Noble's exciting horror thriller, Spiral, today.

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A high-pitched scream pierced the air. And it wasn’t the creature. It was a human scream. A woman’s scream.

I ran. It was very close.

“Justin,” Blue said. “WAIT!”

I ran full tilt, Blue’s words not an option. Without a thought about the creature, I dashed out onto the highway, outside the protective barrier. The scream had come from the left.

It was pitch black, but I still had the flashlight from the bunker. I turned the light on, pointed it up the highway, and bolted forward.

I heard a car start up. Probably Blue.

I didn’t know I could run so fast, and I wasn’t panting too heavily yet. The checkpoint was a white glow above the tree line when I turned my head and glanced back while continuing to run forward.

And then there it was, Black’s car. She had stopped right in the lane, and all I could think of was someone or something had blocked her path. Otherwise, why didn’t she pull over to the shoulder? As I came up to her car, I panned the flashlight. There were no skid marks—she didn’t slam on the brakes.

The driver’s side door was wide open.

Darkness encompassed the area like a shroud, like a living thing closing in. Without my light, I’d be tripping over myself.

A car rumbled nearby, getting louder. Headlights soon blazed around me, which was a relief, the darkness no longer pushing at my back. I didn’t wait, flashing my light inside Black’s vehicle. Nothing seemed out of place, no sign of a struggle, no blood.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Randy Dean Noble is a supernatural thriller kind of guy. He grew up in Canada on a slew of movies and books (action/adventure, horror, sci-fi, and fantasy), all of which have inspired his writing interests. Working a plethora of minimum wage jobs took Randy into computer science and a career in I.T. (because he didn't want to eat PB&J for the rest of his life). But his passion has always been writing, and his dream is to be a full-time fiction author. He writes stories he wants to read, which end up as fast-paced thrilling escape stories meant for one thing: to entertain the reader from beginning to end. His most recent work, Spiral, is a horror thriller wild ride you won't soon forget.

Website: http://www.randydeannoble.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RandyDeanNoble
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@randydeannoble
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/randydeannoble/

Buy Link: https://mybook.to/BMTJgXQ

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Straight Chatting from the Library: A.Y. Chan

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. One randomly chosen winner via rafflecopter will win a $25 Amazon/BN.com gift card. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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What are you reading now?

I'm currently reading Lia Park and the Missing Jewel by Jenna Yoon. I have a special place in my heart for middle grade stories featuring Asian female protagonists who embark on exciting adventures. Growing up, I couldn't find many books like this, so I crave them now. These stories not only fill that gap from my childhood but also teach me new things about different cultures and experiences. It's a joy to see diverse characters taking the lead in such captivating tales.

Share your dream cast for your book.

If The Legendary Mo Seto were to be made into a movie, it would be a dream come true to see these actors bring the characters to life:

• Mo's Mom: Gemma Chan would be perfect as Mo’s stern but loving mother, who has a rich backstory of her own.
• Mo's Dad: Daniel Wu could portray Mo’s dad, a man full of mystery and a secret family history.
• Cody Kwok: Simu Liu would be fantastic as Cody Kwok, the over-the-top, hilarious martial arts movie star.
• Mo Seto: I’d love to find a new actor to play Mo through an open casting call, just like what Mo goes through in the book!

Who is your favorite author and why?

I have two favorite authors who have profoundly influenced my love of reading and writing. First is L.M. Montgomery, the brilliant mind behind Anne of Green Gables and other stories. Her ability to create vivid, heartwarming characters and bring the landscapes of Prince Edward Island to life has always captivated me.

The second author is Gordon Korman, whose books I also discovered during my middle school years. What I particularly love about Korman’s writing is his talent for balancing humor with heart and creating outrageous yet loveable characters. These two authors, both coincidentally Canadian, have shown me the power of words and the joy of losing oneself in a wonderfully imagined tale.

Describe your writing space.

Early in my writing journey, I loved writing in coffee shops filled with an ambient hum of people. It felt creative and energizing. Lately, however, I’m finding that I enjoy a more calm, quiet environment. I rarely listen to music, and if I do, it absolutely cannot have lyrics. Despite appreciating a calm environment my writing space itself is far from tidy (I call it ‘organized chaos’) but it doesn’t bother me as I’m able to focus just on my laptop and my cup of coffee.

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Mo Seto, martial arts movie star! Has a nice ring to it doesn’t it? Too bad there's a height restriction to audition. But 12-year-old Modesty (Mo) Seto has never let her height get in the way before, not when she became a black belt, or when she fought the meanest boy in her class, and she’s not going to let it stop her this time! Now if only she can figure out a way to grow five inches and fool everyone at the auditions…and find time to search for her missing father (who just might be harboring a dangerous secret of his own). Join Mo on an adventure (and audition) of a lifetime and find out if powerful things really do come in small packages!

Publishers Weekly calls THE LEGENDARY MO SETO “Adrenaline pumping”, Kirkus Reviews says it “Packs a punch”, and Booklist calls it “Remarkably relatable.” Leap in and join the fun!

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“You’re so gonna lose,” he says, low enough that only I can hear. “’Cause . . .”

He bends his knees so he’s several inches shorter—though even in this position, he towers over me.

I feel a tiny rip in my chest, like when a balloon is pinched but doesn’t pop, that slow leak of air—hisss.

Dax knows how to hit where it hurts. Junior-level sparring is based on age and belt level, not on size. Even after vitamins, and broccoli, and jumping jacks for a year, I’m still only four-foot-six-and-a-half. Mom says the women in her family are late bloomers, but she’s barely four-foot-nine, so I’m not holding my breath.

Why do I have to be so small? The familiar thought bursts through like a weed after a rainstorm. I used to destroy Dax all the time, but ever since his growth spurt at the end of last summer, he’s beat me in the fall, winter, and spring tournaments.

That’s three. Three tourneys.

Silver is great too. Variety is the spice of life, Dad would say, as if losing gold isn’t a big deal. But in the days and weeks after, he’d be more subdued and make me train twice as long every day. Kick harder, Mouse. You must beat him next time, Mouse. Because being the best really does matter to him. A lot.

It matters to me, too. Today’s tourney, the Dost Valley Cali-wide Mid-Year Tae Kwon Do Championship, takes place right at the start of summer, and it is the biggest one of the year. I’ll show Dax.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A. Y. Chan grew up in Canada’s Greater Toronto Area reading all the middle grade and young adult books she could get her hands on. To this day, those remain her favorite genres. After achieving her black belt in Taekwondo, she explored other martial arts, such as Wing Chun, Hapkido, and Muay Thai. These days, she continues her martial arts training some mornings, writes in the afternoons, takes long walks to muddle out plot points, and falls asleep reading.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Legendary-Mo-Seto-1/dp/1665937327
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-legendary-mo-seto-a-y-chan/1144226905
Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-legendary-mo-seto-ay-chan/20699961

Twitter/X: https://x.com/AYChanWrites
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aychanwrites/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aychanwrites/
Website: http://www.aychanwrites.com
Simon & Schuster Author Page: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Legendary-Mo-Seto/A-Y-Chan/The-Legendary-Mo-Seto/9781665937320

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Straight Browsing from the Library: Men of the 65th by Talia Aikens-Nuñez

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Talia Aikens-Nuñez will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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Honor and Fidelity. That is the motto of the 65th Infantry Regiment, also known as the Borinqueneers, the only Puerto Rican unit in the United States Army.

Since the regiment’s creation in 1899, the men of the 65th have proudly served the US through multiple wars, despite facing racial discrimination. Their courage, loyalty, and patriotism earned them hundreds of accolades, including the Congressional Gold Medal in 2014.

But the honor and fidelity of the men of the 65th came into question in 1952, in the midst of the Korean War, when ninety-one Borinqueneers were arrested and tried for desertion and disobeying orders. How could this happen in one of the most distinguished and decorated units of the Army?

In this telling of one of the forgotten stories of the Korean War, author Talia Aikens-Nuñez guides us through the history of the Borinqueneers and the challenges they faced leading up to what was the largest court martial in the entire war. Rediscover the bravery of the men of the 65th through Aikens-Nuñez’s thorough writing and the soldiers’ firsthand accounts of the Korean War.

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The Borinqueneers successfully defended the 1st Marine Division’s retreat, but they soon realized this was only part of a much larger withdrawal of UNC [United Nations Command] troops. As the retreat continued into mid-December, news came that the enemy buildup had accelerated. Chinese and North Korean forces were gathering and converging on Hungnam. The UNC’s worst fears were coming true: they were losing ground in the war.

They had to accelerate their plans in response to protect their troops and evacuate the Korean refugees that had fled to Hungnam. They ordered troops to board ships, division by division, and sail south to Pusan… Meanwhile, the 65th and the 3rd Infantry Divisions would hold the main line of resistance, providing enough cover for everyone to make it safely out of Hungnam…With each withdrawal, the enemy continued to push the Borinqueneers and the 3rd Infantry Division.

…They were exhausted from several days of fighting…The soldiers of the 65th were some of the last to leave Hungnam. They were hurried and squeezed tightly onto the final boats. Finally, they could rest and relax. Once they left, the military would destroy the port so the enemy could not use the equipment and facilities against them.

…After they loaded onto the final ship and set sail, the dynamite detonated. The soldiers looked back and watched the port explode…everything – erupted in smoke and flame.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Talia Aikens-Nuñez writes chapter books, picture books, and nonfiction for children. Her daughter inspired her to write her OMG Series of books about an accidental little witch. She and her husband live on a river in Connecticut with their daughter and son.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Men-65th-Borinqueneers-Korean-War-ebook/dp/B0BNT3ZRZQ/

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Straight Browsing from the Library: Stellar Heir by Scott Killian

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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Jael Ked’Korhva hadn’t anticipated becoming the galaxy’s most wanted.

He hadn’t planned on picking up a strange alien artifact, either, but once it was clasped around his wrist, Jael was granted extraordinary abilities. His senses were heightened, his reflexes faster, and he could now regenerate from damage that would spell the end for others, which was a boon, considering he was just a derelict scavenger.

That was until forces from every corner of the stars wanted Jael’s artifact for themselves, and they’ll stop at nothing to take it back. What initially appears as a boon swiftly transforms into a weighty charge. Yet, it's a charge Jael accepts without hesitation, understanding the catastrophic potential should the relic fall into the wrong hands.

Prodded onward by visions of an ancient ally and a mysterious enemy, Jael becomes a pivotal piece in a vast interstellar play of power and dominion.

An action-packed space opera, perfect for science fiction fans of Sun Eater by Christopher Ruocchio or The Mercy of Gods by James S. A. Corey.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Scott Killian grew up in California where he consumed every bit of sci-fi and horror media he could find. Delving deep into the works of Thomas Harris, Stephen King and H. P. Lovecraft to name a few, those dark portals in his mind were opened and his obsession with the macabre began. Story telling, in any form, is his greatest passion.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Scott.E.killian
Twitter: https://x.com/authorsekillian
Email: saltnsulfurpublishing@gmail.com
Newsletter signup: https://mailchi.mp/9f595cbdc394/author-scott-killians-newsletter
Book Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DF1RLYLB

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