This morning, I am joining the cover reveal for nonfiction essay collection Women Therapists on Healing. Check out the cover, learn about the book and author/editor Susan Pease Banitt! 

11 Personal Essays about Overcoming Trauma

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 About the Book

Women Therapists on Healing is a powerful anthology of personal essays from women therapists who know trauma from the inside out. This three-part collection braids lived experience with clinical wisdom, offering a compassionate lens on healing that crosses cultural, generational, and systemic boundaries.

●    women recovering from trauma

●    healers and advocates seeking growth and guidance

●    health professionals committed to trauma-informed and anti-racist practices

●    friends and family who love and support survivors

Today, I have a nonfiction, Christian spiritual growth book in our book spotlight! Learn about Full Phoenix Rising: Real Time Grace at the Speed of Jesus by Duncan Robinson! 

Real Time Grace at the Speed of Jesus

Date Published: August 5, 2025

Publisher: Lucid Books Publishing

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 What do a Russian in gold hot-pants, a cow-pat fight, and real-time grace have in common? They all show up in this wildly funny, deeply heartfelt exploration of what it means to live out faith in the mess of real life.

Full Phoenix Rising is not your typical Christian inspiration book. It’s part memoir, part stand-up comedy, and part soul-reflection, told by a black-sheep pastor with a knack for getting into trouble—and finding Jesus there. Duncan invites readers into his most awkward moments, spiritual insights, and hilarious disasters to remind us that God’s grace isn’t reserved for the polished and perfect—it’s for the ones still wiping off the cow poo and reaching for hope.

If you’ve ever felt like you don’t quite fit in at church, questioned your worth, or just needed permission to laugh at how weird this whole faith thing can be, this book is for you. Come for the cow-pats, stay for the grace.

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Before stepping into full-time ministry, Duncan spent years waking up Sydney with wisdom, wit, and questionable life choices as the host of one of the city’s most popular Breakfast Radio Shows.

With over 20 years of pastoral experience in Australia and the USA, he is fluent in both “G’day Mate” and “Bless your heart.” He’s married with two kids and an American Chocolate Labrador, who is convinced every sermon should include belly rubs.

Equipped to handle both heresy and headlocks, Duncan takes pastoral care very seriously—though whether a theological debate ends in grace or a grappling match depends entirely on the situation.

He proudly refers to himself as a Professor, purely to annoy actual academics. What can we say? He’s a man of many talents.

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There’s something magical about rediscovering a familiar story from a new angle — especially when it shines a light on someone who’s always lingered at the edge of history’s frame. Carrie Ingalls – The Forgotten Sister invites readers to step beyond the pages of Little House on the Prairie and see the frontier through the eyes of a quieter pioneer: one whose courage was often overshadowed, but never absent. Clarissa Willis brings empathy and insight to a young woman who found her own voice in the windswept heart of the American West — not as a character in someone else’s story, but as the author of her own.

Take a few minutes to learn about the book and author--and order the book today!

Non-fiction Chapter Book Juvenile Fiction

Date Published: 10-30-2025

Publisher: Solander Press

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While her sister Laura chronicles their life on the frontier, Carrie Ingalls forges her own path. This is the story of the “forgotten” sister, a frail child who grows into a resilient woman of the American West. From the hardships of pioneer life, Carrie emerges as an independent journalist, newspaper editor, and landowner, quietly shaping the futures of fellow homesteaders and proving that strength comes in many forms.

Chapter Six A Single Bag of Wheat

On October 15, 1880, a fierce blizzard struck the Dakota Territory. It soon became clear that the Ingalls family could not survive the coming winter in a one-room shanty.

First, Charles took his haystacks to town in the wagon. Then he returned to the shanty, and he and Caroline packed the wagon with their few pieces of furniture, bedding, and clothes. They returned to town and moved back into the rooms above the small store Charles had built. The good news was that Laura and Carrie could go to school.

A lot had changed over the summer while they lived in the shanty. The school had been completed and opened on November 1, 1880. Laura and Carrie were two of the first fifteen students to attend De Smet School. When another blizzard hit during a school day, Laura and Carrie struggled to find their way back to where they lived.

Settlers depended on the train for their supplies. Not only did they get food delivered daily by train, but they also received mail and, most importantly, coal for fuel. Charles and the other men from town often shoveled snow from the tracks so the train could reach the station.

As the blizzards continued into January 1881, the railroad made a decision that significantly affected Carrie and her family. They would not deliver more supplies until spring and would cease operations for the winter.

The school was shut down because there wasn’t enough coal to keep the children warm, and soon food became scarce in the town. Food prices rose sharply, with flour costing $50 a pound, and the last few pounds of sugar selling for $1 a pound. Without coal, the Ingalls burned hay twisted into bundles. As their kerosene ran low, they burned the oil lamps less and less at night. But a good deed by Charles may have saved the family.

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 Award-winning author Clarissa Willis writes children's books. She has authored four picture books and one chapter book. Bloomers on Pike’s Peak, the story of Julia Archibald Holmes, received a Will Rogers Medallion Award and was a finalist for the Women Writing the West 2025 WILLA Literary Award in Children's Picture Books. Her book Fast as the Wind: The Story of Johnny Fry Pony Express Rider won a Will Rogers Medallion in 2023. The Three Little Pigs and the Not So Big Bad Wolf, released in early 2025. It tells a familiar story with a new twist. She believes childhood is a journey and strives to make it joyful through her books and public speaking.

Clarissa loves traveling and has a special connection to the American West. She finds inspiration in the red rocks of Sedona, Arizona, and the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. In fact, her next book, Not from Around Here, is set in Sedona and chronicles an unusual friendship between a young cowboy and his friend from far away.

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Elbert Jones Jr.’s Real Men vs. Plastic Men dives deep into what it truly means to be strong, grounded, and authentic in an age of appearances. With honesty, grit, and heart, Jones calls on men to rise above performative masculinity and rediscover the values that build real character—discipline, emotional intelligence, and integrity.

Whether you’re on a personal growth journey or just tired of the noise, this book challenges and inspires in all the right ways.

📘 Plus—don’t miss the giveaway! Enter below for a chance to win a copy of Real Men vs. Plastic Men and start your own journey toward living with purpose and truth.

African American / Nonfiction

Date Published: 08-30-2025

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 About the Author

 Mr. Jones is entrepreneur with well over 33 years in the U.S. government and knows how to operate a successful business. He has had experience as well in the entertainment field. During the late 1970s' and much of the early 80s' Mr. Jones affectionately known to his many friends and loved ones as 'June' or 'Jonesie' collaborated on various singles by several local DC area recording artists and has mentored underground rap star "D Young". A phenomenal businessman who loves people and live talk radio Elbert Jones Jr. is a great access to KJ Publications,Inc..

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 Enter the Giveaway

Before video games and smartphones, adventure was homemade — and sometimes a little hazardous. Pintsized Pioneers at Play: Homemade Frontier Fun and Danger by Preston Lewis and Harriet Kocher Lewis invites readers to step back into the dusty boots of frontier childhood, where imagination ruled and every day promised discovery — or danger! Learn about the book and the authors & be sure to enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post.

Homemade Frontier Fun and Danger written by Preston Lewis and Harriet Kocher Lewis

Date Published: 11-04-2025

Publisher: Bariso Press

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While their parents settled the land, these pintsized pioneers explored it, creating their own adventures with homemade toys, daring games, wild animal encounters, and risky escapades. This engaging sequel to the award-winning Pintsized Pioneers: Taming the Frontier, One Chore at a Time shines a spotlight on the joys and perils of play in a land still being tamed. 

From exploring the prairie and wrangling critters to celebrating frontier holidays and watching traveling circuses, this book reveals how children carved out fun and entertainment in a rough-and-tumble world. Learn how railroads and mail-order catalogs brought new toys, how schools and churches doubled as social hubs, and how a simple game could end in laughter—or injury. 

Written for young adults but fascinating for readers of all ages, Pintsized Pioneers at Play is packed with history, heart, and a hint of danger. Written at a tenth-grade reading level perfect for curious minds, Pintsized Pioneers at Play includes a glossary of related terms. 

Perfect for fans of Western history, educators, homeschoolers, and lovers of untold American stories!

https://mybook.to/PinsizedPioneersatPlay

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About the Authors

 Preston Lewis is the award-winning author of more than sixty western, historical, juvenile, and nonfiction works. In 2021 he was inducted into the Texas Institute of Letters for his literary achievements. The Will Rogers Medallion Awards named him the 2025 recipient of the organization’s Lifetime Achievement Award for his contributions to the literature of the American West.

Western Writers of America (WWA) has honored Lewis with three Spur Awards, one for best article, a second for best western novel and a third one for YA nonfiction in 2025. He has received eleven Will Rogers Medallion Awards (seven gold, two silver and two bronze) for written western humor, short stories, YA nonfiction, short nonfiction, and traditional Western novel. 

Harriet Kocher Lewis is a retired physical therapist and PT educator. As an assistant clinical professor of physical therapy at Angelo State University, she taught documentation and scientific writing among other topics as the department’s coordinator of clinical education. 

After retirement she became the publisher of Bariso Press and in that capacity an award-winning author and editor. Books she has edited have earned a Spur Award, Will Rogers Gold and Bronze Medallions for YA nonfiction and western humor, a Literary Global Book Award for cookbooks, and an Independent Author Award for western nonfiction. Other books she has edited have been finalists for Spur Awards in juvenile nonfiction and for Independent Author Awards for both memoirs and humor. 

Kocher Lewis is co-author with her husband of the Spur Award-winning Pintsized Pioneers: Taming the Frontier, One Chore at a Time and three books on artificial Intelligence, all published by Bariso Press. They live in San Angelo, Texas.

Connect with the Authors

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Twitter: @prestonlewisaut

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Instagram: @barisopress

Enter the Book Tour Giveaway  

Turning 65 shouldn’t feel like taking a pop quiz with trick questions—but that’s exactly what Medicare can feel like for many retirees. Today’s book spotlight features Mastering Medicare: 65 Things Everyone Should Know Before Age 65 by Dr. Lance Coss, a nationally recognized healthcare leader with more than 30 years of experience in navigating Medicare with confidence. This clear, practical guide breaks down complex Medicare rules into simple, easy-to-follow lessons that help you avoid potential mistakes and feel more confident in your medicare understanding.  

Nonfiction

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Every day, about 11,000 Americans turn 65 and enter Medicare—most of them confused, unprepared, and unaware of costly traps that can drain their retirement savings. From missed deadlines and surprise bills to myths about what Medicare covers, the system is filled with pitfalls that even doctors struggle to understand. 

Dr. Lance Coss wrote this book to make Medicare clear, practical, and mistake-proof. With 65 bite-sized lessons, real stories, and plain-English explanations, he reveals the myths, mistakes, misunderstandings, and miscalculations that cost people money—and shows you how to avoid them. 

Instead of dense government jargon, you’ll find humor, clarity, and insider insights that put you back in control of your healthcare choices. 

Whether you’re approaching 65, already enrolled, or helping a loved one navigate Medicare, this book will give you the confidence, knowledge, and tools to make smarter decisions and keep more money in your pocket. 

● ✔ Avoid costly mistakes – Learn the 65 most common traps that derail retirees, from missed enrollment deadlines to assuming the wrong benefits.

● ✔ Know what Medicare really covers – Get clear explanations about hospital, doctor, prescription, dental, vision, and long-term care benefits.

● ✔ Plan with confidence – Compare plan options, costs, and coverage to choose the right Medicare plan for your lifestyle and health needs.

● ✔ Save money on healthcare – Discover strategies to minimize out-of-pocket costs, penalties, and billing surprises.

● ✔ Empower caregivers & families – A must-have guide for adult children helping parents navigate Medicare decisions.

● ✔ Learn from an insider – Written by Dr. Lance Coss, a nationally recognized healthcare executive with 30+ years of Medicare expertise.

● ✔ Easy, practical, and engaging – Bite-sized lessons with real stories and humor make complex rules simple and memorable.

Mastering Medicare is more than a book—it’s your roadmap to clarity, confidence, and control over one of the most important decisions of your retirement years. 

Dr. Lance Coss is a nationally recognized healthcare executive, Medicare expert, and award-winning author with more than 30 years of experience navigating the U.S. healthcare system. With a Doctorate in Healthcare Administration, a Master’s in Human Genetics, and a Master’s in Educational Psychology, he brings a unique blend of science, policy, and human behavior to his work. 

As Executive Director of a national Medicare program, Dr. Coss leads nearly 600 professionals who manage appeals, beneficiary complaints, and quality-of-care reviews for hundreds of thousands of Americans every year. His leadership ensures patient rights are protected, timely care is delivered, and improper payments are reduced—safeguarding both beneficiaries and the Medicare Trust Fund. 

Recognized as one of the Top 10 Most Admired Leaders of 2025 and a two-time recipient of CMS’s National Special Service Award, Dr. Coss is a trusted voice in healthcare reform, patient advocacy, and program accountability. 

Through his Mastering Medicare platform—including his YouTube series and bestselling book Mastering Medicare: 65 Things Everyone Should Know Before Age 65—he helps people cut through the confusion and avoid costly mistakes. Whether guiding readers through enrollment pitfalls or helping caregivers support loved ones, Dr. Coss empowers people with the knowledge they need to make smarter, more confident healthcare decisions. 

When not immersed in healthcare policy, Lance writes biotech thrillers inspired by his genetics background, or enjoys ranch life outside Tulsa with his partner, nine dogs, three mini pigs, and a lively flock of chickens.

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This morning, I have a nonfiction book in our book blitz spotlight! Learn about Real Men vs Plastic Men and author Elbert Jones Jr. Be sure to enter for a chance to win a prize in the book tour giveaway at the end of this post.

African American / Nonfiction

Date Published: 08-30-2025

Many of our posts contain affiliate links.

 Mr. Jones is entrepreneur with well over 33 years in the U.S. government and knows how to operate a successful business. He has had experience as well in the entertainment field. During the late 1970s' and much of the early 80s' Mr. Jones affectionately known to his many friends and loved ones as 'June' or 'Jonesie' collaborated on various singles by several local DC area recording artists and has mentored underground rap star "D Young". A phenomenal businessman who loves people and live talk radio Elbert Jones Jr. is a great access to KJ Publications,Inc..

Website

Amazon

Enter the Giveaway