Readersâ Favorite is one of the largest book review and award contest sites on the Internet. They have earned the respect of renowned publishers like Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Harper Collins. They have received the âBest Websites for Authorsâ and âHonoring Excellenceâ awards from the Association of Independent Authors.
Larry Martin is not a good person. He is lazy. He treats women badly. He thinks the world owes him everything that he wants but hasnât earned. Unfortunately, Larry was also raised by an abusive father with right-wing beliefs which he adopted as his own. What more can one expect from a person raised without love?
Then Larry loses his job as a journalist and eventually loses his home as well. Homeless, forced to live day by day, begging and often stealing, Larry decides to shed his old self and change. He decides to become a better person. In The Other Shoes of Larry Martin, Book One: Revelation of Lies, Pavane Ravel brings us a story of transformation, internal growth, and connections with people on personal levels, showing us that change is possible when we start with ourselves.
Pavane Ravel has a writing style that is easy to fall into. It is comfortable and has a good flow. There is definite good character building. I intensely disliked the main character at the beginning of the book. As this book is based on profound character growth, the author did a remarkable job of slowly easing the reader along on the journey. I found the attention to detail with the construction of the various homesteads quite interesting.
The Other Shoes of Larry Martin is ideal for readers who enjoy extraordinary character changes, fighting for survival, and climbing to the top to make a change for the better. This book can also be recommended to those readers who want to know themselves on a deeper level. I loved how the story itself became the story of the book. Highly recommend it!”
Author Pavane Ravel
About The Author
Pavane Ravel is the author and writer of her introductory novel series of “The Other Shoes of Larry Martin.” Book one, “Revelation of Lies,” was released Oct. 2021 and is available for purchase on her official website, Amazon, B&N, online, and many online bookstores.
Ravel has always wanted to be a full-time writer and finally has reached the point in life where that dream is a reality. Pavane traveled extensively over the years and has seen nearly the entire United States, much of Canada and Europe, along with some of Central America. Pavane also studied both political science and journalism in universities both stateside and Europe.
Pavane is now happily married with children; she enjoys discussing economics after working as a commodities broker. Pavane resides in NYC and spends time concentrating on both family and her writing.
This book was an important story to tell for Pavane, as Larry Martin is such a complex and fascinating character. Pavane enjoys humor and loves to engage and connect with readers on social media.
It is not every day you can be excited about having a few extraordinary friends who are Zen Masters of our current time. I am blessed to say I do! One update about Clifford is he was newly awarded the title of “Clifford Stevens (Zen Master Kiichi Gong),” as he studied Qi Gong, Zen, and meditation under Master Genro Xuan Lou Laoshi for many years before being certified as a Zen teacher in 2016, and now, as Zen Master in late 2021. We worked together when their book was first released in late 2018, and as many of my visitors know, I always say a book is a new release to any reader who has not yet read it.
This is purely true for their best-selling book titled Find The Seeker!: The pathless path to fulfillment and happiness… Many of my visitors also know that I live my life maintaining recovery. I can truly say their book helped me learn to make some necessary corrections within my path that I still use and follow today, and the practices helped me build my self-worth and in being comfortable with who I am in my own skin.
If you go read some of the book reviews on Amazon and Goodreads about “Seeker,” they mesh together a little like this: “Finding the Seeker, the Pathless Path to Fulfillment and Happiness” is a moving and refreshing book that makes the reader look forward to reading it each day and page by page.
The simplicity of reading this book with its simple and understandable language, the meanings will come to form like lightning and rain, followed by sprinkles of magic dust. It is a true pathless path to well-being, a happier life, and teaches how to cultivate the seeds within us to get there.” That is what you gain from reading ‘Find the Seeker and so much more.”
They have not only received and awarded a five-star book review given by Reader’s Favorite but it is also receiving high praise by many “Enlightened Ones and Zen Teachers”…
Here is more about this amazing read and some of the accolades it is garnishing too!
Reader’s Favorite Book Review – 5-stars!
Reviewed by Sefina Hawke for Readers’ Favorite
Find the Seeker! (The Pathless Path to Fulfillment and Happiness) written by Xuan Lou Genro and Clifford Stevens, is an inspirational non-fiction book on finding true happiness and fulfillment. The book would appeal most to a mixed audience of adults and young adults of any beliefs who wish to find their true nature and understand their spiritual needs. This book guides the reader in learning about the spiritual dimensions that all people share to provide guidance on existential questions, the true nature of oneself, and how to live a fulfilling life.
Find the Seeker! (The Pathless Path to Fulfillment and Happiness) by Xuan Lou Genro and Clifford Stevens is a well-written book that is truly unique. I enjoyed how the book was inspirational and informative in that it taught me not just about myself but also about Eastern religion and Zen. I found myself truly enjoying this book because it felt as if the authors were trying to teach me and help me improve myself as a person, both in mind and spirit.
The fact that the book was in an understandable plain English that avoided jargon greatly appealed to me because I did not have to be an expert or constantly look in a dictionary to understand what was written. Instead, I understood the concepts from the very beginning of the book. Overall, I am glad that I took the time to read this book, as it has changed the way I view myself, and it has taught me what I need to work on to achieve a more fulfilling life!
About The Authors and Zen Masters
Co-Author & Zen Master Cliff Stevens
Clifford Stevens (Zen Master Kiichi Gong) studied Qi Gong, Zen, and meditation under Genro for many years before being certified as a Zen teacher in 2016 and as Zen Master in late 2021.
Born in the United States, Stevensâs career included teaching, journalism, PR manager, and a translator. He studied Qi Gong, Zen, and meditation with Genro Xuan Lou and Laoshi.
The author shares his meditation-imparted experiences, and the Dharma transmission from Genro qualified me to be named a teacher of Zen. He enjoyed writing this understandable, easy reading guide along with Master Genro for those wanting to learn more and practice true Buddhism and the benefits that come with the teachings in Find The Seeker!
Gert Beirer, who was born in Austria in 1945, studied Zen, meditation, Kung-Fu, Qi Gong, and acupuncture in Asia. He was given the name Genro (âOrigin of Joyâ) Xuan Lou, Laoshi (Laoshi = âSpiritual Masterâ) by Zen Master Tetsuo Kiichi Nagaya Roshi. Genro Xuan Lou, Laoshi was named Zen (Chan) Master by the Abbot and Grand Master Kun Kong at the Lingyin Temple (Shakyamuni Buddhism) in Hangzhou, with whom he studied 11 years, by Abbot and Zen Master Shi Chan Ming in Wuhan, Province Hubei, China, and was also named Shifu or âSpiritual Teacherâ in 2009 by Shi Xue Feng, Abbot of the Ding Shan Temple in Germany.
Genro Laoshi has lectured at universities, appeared on TV, held seminars on a variety of spiritual and self-help topics, taught Qi Gong courses, and published articles and books on meditation. Both authors reside in Austria.
Find the Seeker! with the subtitle “The pathless path to fulfillment and happiness”, based on the tried and tested wisdom of a living Master and enlightened ones throughout the ages, accompanies us on a life-changing inner pilgrimage.
Find the Seeker! is a powerful, straight-talking wake-up call to people of all faiths and confessions, holding up a mirror to our worldly existence, suffering, and the intricate workings of the ego. Immensely uplifting and rewarding, the book serves as a traveling companion and guide, enticing readers with a vision of what we really are -which can only be directly experienced – by helping us unfold our true nature and reboot our spiritual search so that we can abide in the one Self. In this way, seekers become finders, and we can enjoy the bliss and lightness of Being that are inherently ours.
Find the Seeker! has garnered extensive praise from spiritual teachers:
“A unique, extraordinary and extremely valuable work.” – Ihaleakala Lew Pen “Disarming and worth experiencing.” -John Tarrant “Refreshing as a clear stream.” -Robert Meikyo Rosenbaum “The book…touches your heart.” -Hue Feng
âFind the Seeker is fresh as spring grass and refreshing as a clear stream. From the very start, the teachings in this book refuse to be confined to a spiritual checklist or manual of meditative techniques. Instead, the authors again, and again challenge readers to return to the vibrant truth of original nature.
Going beyond optimistic self-help and nihilistic despair, Genro Xuan Lou and Clifford Stevens remind us of how wonderful it is to let go of grasping and taste the vividness of direct experience.â â Robert Meikyo Rosenbaum, neuropsychologist and psychotherapist, Zen and Qi Gong teacher, author of Walking the Way: 81 Zen Encounters with the Tao Te Ching, and Zen and the Heart of Psychotherapy.
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Q&A With Zen Master/Author Clifford Stevens
How did this project begin? Zen Master Genro Xuan Lou, Laoshi self-published a book in German many years ago and wanted to share his âinsightsâ with a larger audience. He asked me, his pupil whom he later named to serve as a Zen and meditation teacher, to collaborate with him to do a revised, expanded, and updated edition for the English-speaking world.
Tell us some more about your book. A living Master and I, his pupil, have teamed up to offer readers a ânewâ book based on the age-old pathless path. Find the Seeker! accompanies people on a life-changing inner pilgrimage. It is a traveling companion and guide and a powerful, straight-talking wake-up call holding up a mirror to our worldly existence. It entices readers with a vision of what we really are â which can only be directly experienced â by helping us unfold our true nature. In turn, we can abide in the one Self. In this way, seekers become finders. This enables us to enjoy the bliss and lightness of Being that are inherently ours.
Who will this book appeal to? Find the Seeker! focuses on the spiritual dimension all of us share. For this reason, the guide is for all readers who wish to lead more fulfilling lives, get answers to key existential questions, and unfold their true nature. More specifically, it targets people interested in the categories of mind-body-spirit, self-help, personal growth, and happiness as well as Eastern religion and Zen. It is for people of all faiths and confessions, whether beginners or longstanding seekers.
Why is this book relevant today? The book is relevant because it addresses the same obstacles faced by people since time immemorial. Just because we are in the year 2018 does not mean that the âspiritualâ challenges are different.
Moreover, we are living in a day and age in which people are becoming increasingly skeptical and estranged from what they really are. From a spiritual perspective, many of us are living dysfunctional lives. We often transform the path into being as we really are i.e. our true, Absolute Self into an overly complicated, burdensome task.
Many books and teachings reinforce the fallacy that there are countless âstepsâ and âgoalsâ to attain before accomplishing this, and so much we have to âlearnâ before we can âreachâ our goal. Instead, we already ARE what we seek. Abidingâ in the Self comprises our real mojo. It is ultimately more breathtaking, rewarding, and joyful than any other pastime, activity, work, or form of recreation on Earth. This is a contrast to our fast-paced, fun-loving, self-staging, technology-oriented society. It is just as relevant today as in the past to âknow yourself.â
Author/Zen Master Geno Xuan Lou, Laoshi
What makes this book unique? First, it is not a new discovery, concoction, or miracle cure. It is based on first-hand experience as well as the tried and tested wisdom of a modern-day Master and enlightened ones throughout the ages.
The strength of the book is its focus on the spiritual dimension underlying Existence which all people share. It also picks people up where they are in a compassionate and understandable manner. Second, the book is not a wishy-washy quick fix or feel-good esoteric porridge pandering to those who want a spiritual baby rattle. Instead, it is a book of tough love, asking people to forego their thinking, logic, emotions, ego processes, and past experiences.
The book is in stark contrast to the majority of books and teachings of Buddhism, most only indulge in superficial descriptions or sayings and provide seemingly âpreciseâ instructions, lists of goals, or steps to take. Third, the book does not slowly work its way to a conclusion but continually repeats key messages to hammer away at our conventional beliefs.
We act as facilitators, hoping the book will fall on fertile ground. Speaking with authority and a sense of urgency, we strive to transform the complicated path of so many seekers into the realization that we already are what we are looking for. Finally, Find the Seeker! aims to help people free themselves from their dependency on intermediaries, gurus, and religious institutions, or from the self-delusion of being less than they really are.
What was the hardest part of writing this book? At the very beginning of his famous classic Tao Te Ching, Lao Tzu stated that the Tao that can be expressed in words is not the eternally unchanging Tao. It is a challenge to attempt to put in words that which is nameless and cannot be described. Moreover, it is crucial to ensure that one remains faithful to what one IS and not adapt the book to please the audience.
What was your favorite chapter (or part) to write and why? There is no âfavoriteâ chapter or part of the book because all the chapters come together to make a holistic whole. Nevertheless, it was gratifying after several chapters were done to see the book taking shape. This is a book, which is designed to unfold its impact and slowly work on readers.
In contrast to a novel read in a few sittings, a good spiritual book is like a symphony that one can repeatedly listen to. The challenge is for our readers to immerse themselves in it in the here-now, and allow each page to turn into a revelation or an awakening. By doing such, they will enable the book to point to the Isness and Suchness â even if they do not âcomprehendâ everything right away.
What were your goals and intentions in this book, and how well do you feel you achieved them? To humbly attempt to express what cannot be expressed in words, to tell things straight but to make it all understandable and compassionately pick people up where they are. Perhaps the book will serve as an inspiration to help readers reboot their spiritual search and renew their lives. However, the book should not be overestimated.
This book (and any other) is only capable of giving readers a hint of what awaits them. We tell readers not to simply take our word for it. The work of finding the truth will have to be âdoneâ by them. And this work wonât be âintellectualâ in nature, but can only be directly experienced â by turning within. A number of spiritual teachers highly praised the book before its publication. Now we will see how readers react to it.
There is much more to this in-depth Q&A and interview with the author and I highly suggest an inspiring visit to their official website to read the rest here>>> https://www.findtheseeker.com/meet-clifford/ as you will learn so much more about both authors. Please visit and connect with Master Clifford Stevens on Social Media… âFind The Seeker!: The pathless path to fulfillment and happinessâ is now available at leading online bookstores! Get your copy now and help the authors by writing a review of the book while you reset and refresh your LIFE!
Welcome Avid Readers and Literary Friends! Cat is happy you stopped by…
How about we get right to some excellent news of our newest author to our big family of fantastic writers we have the honor of working with. Author, Dave Lager was just awarded a 5-Star Readers Favorite book review for his crime fiction series based and written around a female cop named Ro Delahanty, Book Three in the Ro Delahanty Series.
THIS CAT could not be more proud and so happy for Dave that I wanted to share the Press Release and Review!
For Immediate Release:
Author Dave Lager and his new book receive a warm literary welcome.
Readersâ Favorite is one of the most significant book review and award contest sites on the Internet. They have earned the respect of renowned publishers like Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Harper Collins and have received the âBest Websites for Authorsâ and âHonoring Excellence” awards from the Association of Independent Authors. They are also fully accredited by the BBB (A+ rating), which is a rarity among Book Review and Book Award Contest companies.
âReviewed By Trudi LoPreto for Readers’ Favorite
Losses by Dave Lager is a story of crime, family, friends, co-workers, and so much more. The story centers on Deputy Sheriff Ro Delahanty and her everyday life as a policewoman, a member of SWAT, and a daughter, sister, and friend. She has worked hard to move up the ranks and will not be satisfied until she has top honors in as many different available situations. Ro has gone through SWAT training and come out at the top of her class. When she is called to an apparent drug scene with hostages, she is forced to deal with her Irish temper, her strong sense of right and wrong, and the behind-the-scenes workings of the law.
I got caught up in Losses from page one and found that the action went on and on. Several different stories are happening simultaneously, making Losses even more exciting as each new turn takes the reader somewhere surprising. Ro is not your standard âpolicewoman/female detectiveâ character, which was different and refreshing and allowed for a much stronger storyline than the usual female cop mystery.
While I did not read books one and two in the series, I was never lost or left out of the story, and it stood perfectly on its own merit. Dave Lager must be congratulated on creating a strong but still very everyday real woman who just happens to be a deputy sheriff.
I highly suggest all who enjoy this genre read this book! I look forward to the future for more Ro Delahanty adventures.”
You can learn more about Dave Lager and âLossesâ at https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/losses, where you can read reviews and the authorâs biography, as well as connect with the author directly or through their website and social media pages. Daveâs series of e-books are now on sale for only $2.99 each on Amazon Kindle.
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CAT SHARES SOME E-BOOK, PRE-ORDER, and UPCOMING SALES
Now, this Readers Favorite 5-Star Awarded Book Review Read is nothing short of fantastic. Beautifully written by Author Barbara Daniels Dena and her writing Yorkie, Miss Magical Zoe! Below is ZOE at the computer changing the price of Barbâs e-book now ON SALE. It is a delightful collection of short stories that are fun, inspiring, and funny.
Here is a little of what the Readers Favorite reviewer shared about âFOR The SOULâ… âFor the Soul: A Collection of Short Stories was written by Barbara Daniels-Dena. Quilts, children, and dogs â what more can life offer? Well, stories, of course. And, where there are quilts, children, and dogs, thereâs bound to be lots of stories. Life is full of stories: funny stories, heart-wrenching and heart-warming stories, fiction, and creative nonfiction. Like the author, I recall spending hours rifling through my grandmotherâs button box.
There were all kinds of buttons: large, small, brightly colored, shiny, or dull. These buttons were a source of inspiration for stories, learning to count, learning the colors, and just savoring the precious moments spent with my grandmother. Life and those accessories we collect during our lifetime are full of stories. But so are our imaginations, our dreams, and the random thoughts that swirl around in our heads â so many stories to share.â
Barbaraâs e-book is now on sale for only .99 cents a copy and is available at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/057896835 Amazon Kindle and would make a great holiday gift for moms!
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CAT HAS E-BOOKS AND PRE-ORDER SALES FOR THE KIDS IN YOUR LIFE!
Both of these fantastic childrenâs reads will be on sale and available right before the long Thanksgiving weekend and just in time for Bedtime Story reading with your TOTS!
The first one written by award-winning author and writer Shawna James is now on Pre-order Sale on Amazon Kindle for only $1.99 per download. This one is an adorable book for the kids with a fun Christmas Story and colorful, vibrant characters and illustrations titled Allieâs Slimy Christmas Adventure: Short Bedtime Christmas Story | Picture Book, perfect for ages 5 to 8, and it is her first children’s book with many more to come.
What would you do if your house was covered in goo, and you found a glowing door that led to the North Pole? CAN Allie and Ryan be able to help Santa and the elves and still make it back home in time for dinner? Or will the goo destroy the North Pole and ruin Christmas for everyone?
Have fun reading with the kids!
ANOTHER EBOOK SALE For Just The 5 to 8 year-olds who love Bedtime Story Books!
This little gem is exceptionally written by Christian Author Briana Johnson titled Wait for the Turtle… Available in e-book & paperback on Amazon.
It will be on SALE beginning NOV. 24th thru Nov. 29th, 2021! A light Christian-themed read with fun, colorful characters, a teachable read with Q & A at the end of each chapter for the tiny tots. It is a great way to introduce your children to bible scripture.
“Princess Charity Ann Spaniel of Paw Print Paradise is excited! Her father has picked out a special prince just for her. Now all she has to do is wait for him to arrive at the castle…
But, as Charity soon discovers, waiting is hard! Will she settle for the first handsome prince who comes along? Or will she trust her fatherâs wisdom and wait?â
Join Charity on her adventures as she gets into humorous scrapes and learns the importance of character along the way. Discussion questions and a King James Bible verse at the end of each chapter help readers of all ages reflect on the character traits explored in each chapter.
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This Avid Reading Cat and Expert Book Marketing Guru …will undoubtedly have more e-books, books, and authors starting their Holiday Sales in the coming weeks ahead… So make sure you come back and check them all out.
We know BOOKS are great GIFTS for all the avid readers on your holiday list!
Cat is always excited to share my authors news and updates about the books I read and when our authors are garnishing some amazing accolades for their craft as writers, and Ms. Diane Olsen, a dear friend and fellow award-winning author has grab herself another amazing book review by the literary site and book influencers of Readers Favorite! Diane’s new book series of Rising Wind has readers of action/mystery and cross-genres reeling with this book series. And the Amazon Rave Reviews share it.
Diane released book one of the series titled “The Thunder Beings” in Jan., 2019 and it was a hit with readers! They could not wait for books two and three! Well, She has finally released book two of the Rising Wind series titled “Ice and Bone” on May 4th, 2021, as right behind it came book three titled “The Weeping God and The Book of Hope” on May 25th, 2021!
Will give all the readers of Book One to now read both books 2 & 3 to catch up… Lol.
So without anymore delay, here is what Readers Favorite shared about book three, the finale, and about the book series as a whole.
I hope you enjoy learning all about this series and will give it a read and review too! ~Cat Lyon
For immediate release:
Diane Olsen’s new book receives a warm literary welcome.
Readers’ Favorite announces the review of the Fiction – Action book “Rising Wind: The Weeping God and the Book of Hope” by Diane Olsen, currently available at http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1737204010
Readers’ Favorite is one of the largest book review and award contest sites on the Internet. They have earned the respect of renowned publishers like Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Harper Collins, and have received the “Best Websites for Authors” and “Honoring Excellence” awards from the Association of Independent Authors. They are also fully accredited by the BBB (A+ rating), which is a rarity among Book Review and Book Award Contest companies.
Reviewed By Scott Cahan for Readers’ Favorite
“The Weeping God and the Book of Hope is part three in the Rising Wind series by Diane Olsen. This book is actually a prequel to the first two books, so it’s not necessary to have read those first. The two lead characters, Sage Dalton and L.W., are the parents of the main character in the other Rising Wind books.
Although the characters are different and it is set in an earlier time period, the tone of the book is very similar. This time they discover an ancient text in a Mexican desert tomb that leads Sage, L.W., and a group of fellow explorers to Tibet where they find themselves in the middle of a war. Even with danger at every turn, they still manage to discover secret caves that lead them toward an elusive yet powerful Book of Hope.
The Weeping God and the Book of Hope, just like the other books in Diane Olsenâs series, combine three strong story elements to make for a fun, exciting, and educational read. First, and foremost, her books have a superb cast of characters that readers can easily relate to. They care about each other, work together to achieve a common goal, laugh together, and cry together.
Second, her stories revolve around rare ancient discoveries found all around the world. Much like the great Indiana Jones films, each new discovery comes with an element of danger. Sometimes the danger comes from a person or an organization that wants to keep the discovery for themselves, or the danger comes from the object itself, or sometimes itâs a little of both. The third common theme is an embracing of all world religions.
Religion is somehow intertwined with each rare find that the characters make. I appreciate the way Ms. Olsen always characterizes the religious elements in her stories in a positive light, as the hope of mankind rather than the way most works of fiction portray religion in a negative sense as mankindâs biggest problem. This book is a fun read filled with colorful characters and lots of action.
I highly recommend it for fans of character-driven adventure who like to learn about science, ancient civilizations, and world religions along the way.”
Diane Olsen is the prolific writer & award-winning author of her debut book titled; “Ancient Ways: The Roots of Religion,” a Bronze Medal Winner awarded by Christian Illumination Book Awards and released in 2016. Diane’s debut release of “Ancient Ways” is a thought-provoking informative look at the development and evolution of religion throughout time and a well-considered concept – the idea of a connective thread of monotheistic faith throughout history from the birth of human creation.
Diane now shares her book series titled; RISING WIND with book one released titled “The Thunder Beings” in 2018. Now she has released book two titled ICE and BONE of the Rising Wind Series. Adapted from an original screenplay Diane wrote several years ago, she has now written it within a three-part book series for her readers and fans to enjoy. It is an excellent multi-cultural light Christian-themed action-adventure mystery thrill ride like no other book series.
Diane was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and resides in the beautiful Pacific Northwest in Washington. She is an undergrad at Colorado State University Ft. Collins: Pre-vet med, Anthropology, then attended and received her BA and MA at the University of Montana, Missoula: Anthropology, Archaeology, and Paleontology.
She was a Graduate Teaching Assistant for two years. Diane enjoys writing, reading good books, spending time with her family and grandkids, animals, and loves cooking. A few of her favorite books are ‘The Book of Certitude (Kitab-i-Iqan), The Upanishads, and The Great Initiates.’
“PresentedBy Cat Lyon’s Reading Den and “Lyon Literary Services & Consulting” Are You An Author Needing A Great Marketing Start and Plan for Your New Book?
Finding North: A Journey from Addict to Advocate by Marilyn L. Davis Non-Fiction – Memoir 256 Pages
Reviewed on 04/10/2021 ~ Reviewed by Mamta Madhavan for Readers’ Favorite
Finding North: A Journey from Addict to Advocate by Marilyn L Davis takes readers on a journey of the author’s life. Marilyn speaks about addiction and how easy it was to experiment with her mom’s pills at a young age to escape from reality where she was unhappy because of a strained home and miserable school life. Her success story will inspire many readers who lead dangerous lifestyles because of their addictions and encourage them to emerge from addiction. She also speaks about the setbacks and struggles of addiction and the lifelong lessons they taught her. The author’s story and her vision give hope to addicts. It is a good guide for readers who are addicts to escape from their addiction and get started on their healing and recovery.
The memoir is raw and honest, and the author minces no words when it comes to sharing her story. Addicts will be able to connect with the author’s words, the commonality of their feelings, thoughts, and poor choices they made in their addiction, and finally the redemption that happens through the recovery phase. The author also shows how different yet distinctly typical an addict’s path is.
The story of how North House came into existence is also quite interesting. Her success story will make addicts come to terms with their loss and find ways to heal and get on with their lives. Finding North: A Journey from Addict to Advocate is a good page-turner and Marilyn L Davis’s story will give courage, hope, and determination to addicts to get free from their addiction and pain, and finally find their way to healing, and leading good lives.
What will you learn from this beautiful memoir? What overcoming drug addiction looks like and much more!
Exceptionally written from page one to the last, the author shares just how easy it was for her to begin experimenting with drugs at a young age as she shares her life with readers. Her writing style and layout of her memoirs are impeccable, as it made me keep reading to learn what happens next!
Marilyn writes in a “teachable” and “relatable” way as she shares her early years of managing rock bands and such. We all know “The Candy” was always available back in the days when she managed rock bands. Her life memoirs are about overcoming, loss, perseverance, hope, and inspiration. Then, a chance meeting with a Native American man who spiritually points out her future, she took it to heart in her early recovery.
After saving her life within her recovery’s hard work, she gives us the inside look of how generational addiction can happen, as both her daughters began addicts. Then came the real work of opening North House; she and managed North House, an award-winning residential facility for women. A women’s safe house of healing as I see it.
She began to help both her daughters become clean and drug-free. Marilyn has been on her journey and has celebrated 32-years of recovery while keeping her recovery journey moving forward. The author shows us the hard work it takes in early recovery to learn the roots and the underlying addiction issues, process them, and begin the power of healing within recovery.
I highly suggest everyone read this book if you want to be inspired by an amazing woman’s authentic memoir turned ‘Recovery Warrior’ through caring, empathy, and turned a call to action to bring solutions from addiction, even still today.
Advocate, Catherine Lyon of Lyon Media Services & Literary Consulting
The book blurb called it âa chance encounter with Gray Hawk,â yet Gray Hawk believed it was an element of his destiny.
There are twists and turns from the parents stylized by the authorâs perception extending from childhood escape, into addiction, through collapse of the family and into a personal redemption through shared service to others.
There are several additional stories here. Mother. Father. Family. Community.
This book maintains focus on the authorâs relationship to manipulation, addiction, self-assessment, games of delusion and sustaining the illusion, âthings are ok.â Still, there are the loose ends of those lives, the question of how the author slid down this road, not another, and the question why and how Gray Hawk came to play the role he did.
The writing style is straightforward and relentless, with the simple force you see at an AA meeting: âHi, Iâm so-and-so and Iâm an alcoholic.â Itâs fascinating to see simultaneous incongruent thought tracks: the external reality, against the internal mental contortions to have everything seem normal. âYou think youâre Machiavelli but youâre really Bozo the clownâ sheâs told at one point. This author does not imbue events with grandiose significance or deep meaning. Readers may wish to do that.
Each of the 105 short chapters has a point without breaking the flow â itâs autobiographical after all. Extracted into focus by time and perspective, the chapters sometimes include bittersweet zingers.
At the end of the telling, the question remains âWas it a chance encounter?â
Marilyn is a Certified Addiction Recovery Empowerment Specialist who opened and ran an award-winning residential facility from 1990-2011, called North House.
She recently celebrated 32 years of abstinence-based recovery.
She is the author of Therapeutic Integrated Educational Recovery System and editor-in-chief at fromaddict2advocate.com and twodropsofink.com.
In 2008, Brenau University created the Marilyn Davis Community Service Learning Award, which honors individuals working in recovery and mental health. In 2010, Marilyn received the Liberty Bell award, given to non-judges and attorneys for contributions to the criminal justice system and communities.
Before reaching these milestones, she was a desperate woman on drugs, managing rock bands at night, pretending to be okay, but ultimately giving up on herself, losing her husband, children, family, and friends due to her addiction.
A chance encounter with a 74-year old Native American named Gray Hawk showed her that healing herself would include meetings, Steps, and providing a house of healing for other women.
You can connect with the author on social media and visit both here award-winning blogs…
Author’s new book receives a warm literary welcome.
Readers’ Favorite announces the review of the Fiction – Mystery – Murder book “Dark Secrets of the Bayou” by Kim Carter, currently available athttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1947140124.
Readers’ Favorite is one of the largest book review and award contest sites on the Internet. They have earned the respect of renowned publishers like Random House, Simon & Schuster, and Harper Collins, and have received the “Best Websites for Authors” and “Honoring Excellence” awards from the Association of Independent Authors. They are also fully accredited by the BBB (A+ rating), which is a rarity among Book Review and Book Award Contest companies.
“Reviewed By K.C. Finn for Readers’ Favorite
Dark Secrets of the Bayou is a work of fiction in the murder mystery genre. It is aimed at all ages and was penned by author Kim Carter. The novel follows the homecoming of attorney Tink Mabry as she visits Kane, Louisiana with a co-worker to deal with the dilapidated homestead sheâs just inherited from the family she barely knows. No sooner has she arrived, however, than she ends up as the prime suspect of multiple murder investigations. As Tink explores her new surroundings she begins to realize that the family secrets that plague her inheritance may hold the key to exonerating her, though some things are best left in the past.
Author Kim Carter has crafted a sinister and spine-tingling work of dark mystery fiction which is an ideal read for a cold winterâs night. This story really combined so many elements and genres that I adore, from the historical references to the 19th century and the creepy, dark expanses of the Louisiana bayous, through to chilling, horror, and family drama elements.
The complex plot interweaves all of these factors seamlessly, delivering a smoothly-told narrative with sharp, exciting deviations in the mystery plot. It certainly kept me guessing until the end, and the close narration of Tink and her emotional journey really got me rooting for her (and fearing for her) as the story developed. Overall, I would highly recommend Dark Secrets of the Bayou for those who enjoy a dark mystery with lots of horror elements and a spellbinding atmosphere. This was a worthy introduction to an author worth reading again and again.”
You can learn more about Kim Carter and “Dark Secrets of the Bayou” at https://readersfavorite.com/book-review/dark-secrets-of-the-bayou where you can read reviews and the authorâs biography, as well as connect with the author directly or through their website and social media pages.
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Dark Secrets of the Bayou By Kim Carter Publisher: Raven South Publishing Published: November 2020 ISBN: 978-1947140127 ASIN: B08NDVZ755 Pages: 462 Genre: Mystery, Suspense
Catherine âTinkâ Mabrey, an up and coming attorney, is shocked by her recent inheritance from her estranged family on the bayou. After her mother died during childbirth, Tinkâs father had quickly relocated them to the big city of Atlanta, Georgia. With no memory of her mother, she is determined to learn more about her lineage and decides to visit the bayou town of Kane, Louisiana. Candace, Tinkâs co-worker and best friend, agrees to make the trip with her.
Before she has time to explore her familyâs history, or decide what to do with the declining property, local murders plague Tinkâs homecoming. She quickly finds herself caught in the middle of a multiple murder investigation â and quite possibly, the prime suspect. When Candace retreats back to Atlanta, Tink, with the support of an unlikely cast of characters, sets out to discover clues that have haunted and tormented her family for generations.
Could a concealed crime from the 1800âs, or the familyâs estate itself, harbor keys to unlocking the past? The more they learn, the more they question whether some secrets are best left buried…
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