Awesome Gang

Where Awesome Book Readers Meet Awesome Writers

New Books

Thirsty Ground

About Thirsty Ground

After a mishap in 1975 near Wimbledon, North Dakota, Simon Anderson’s mother hides her infant away from prying eyes. The same misfortune inspires six-year-old Simon to be a preacher when he grows up. He meets Nora Toogoody and a bond is formed.
Nora moves away, and a woman who’s both beautiful and clever walks into Simon’s life, threatening all he holds dear. His grades plummet, forcing Simon to return to the family farm.
Organic agriculture leads to a restaurant in Simon’s name and a family incident opening day. A beloved town police officer handles the scene discreetly, but when Nora returns, Simon realizes the cop has a vendetta.
And it’s personal.

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Jake and the Secrets of Zenkat: His Superpower Lies Within. It’s Meow or Never! by Korbi Dean

About Jake and the Secrets of Zenkat: His Superpower Lies Within. It’s Meow or Never! by Korbi Dean

Jake could not make himself purr!
Oh, how he tried!
He tried and tried to feel happy and glad!
No matter his efforts, he failed and got mad!

A suspenseful, imaginative quest of a kitten named Jake designed to teach kids how to handle tough situations and work through big feelings.

A beautifully illustrated, engaging story to help parents discuss and guide children through thoughts and feelings like fear, worry, sadness, rejection, anxiety, and anger. Discover how Jake deals with common issues that all kids face around bullying, new places, getting lost, belonging, making new friends, and other challenging situations.

A fun way to help kids learn proven mindfulness and meditation techniques as Jake finds the courage it takes to trust and believe in himself and practices the coping skills of self-awareness, acceptance, staying calm, focusing on his breath, and listening to his heart. Encourages children to overcome challenges, build emotional resilience, develop inner focus, improve self-control and make good choices.

Illustrated & Rhyming. K-YA. 38pgs.

Storyline:
Jake, a small-fry suburban kitten that much prefers to stay in his room, ends up lost and roaming the streets of NYC while trying to avoid the neighborhood bullies. Jake’s quest of finding his way back home leads him through many perils and pitfalls of the city streets and ultimately to a new discovery that helps him find the happiness that’s lost inside himself.

Jake finds a cat hotel up in a tree, meets Zenkat, eats a snack, and enjoys some tea! Zenkat helps with the quest of how not purring is causing Jake such distress and teaches him a meditation technique! What happens next you won’t believe! Zenkat has something special to guide him home on his route as he places a backpack, pushes a button, and mechanical wings pop out. Jake gets to fly home!

Jake practices mindfulness back in his own bed by paying attention to his breath, heartbeat, and the thoughts in his head. Will Jake find happiness instead? Will the impossible occur? Will Jake miraculously start to purr? Jake turns away from the bullies that don’t want to play and finds joy in the most unexpected way!

Spoiler alert: Jake finally begins to purr & even makes a new friend!

Perfect for reading aloud or for readers young and old with bold, vibrant illustration, rhyming wordplay, and more! A great bedtime adventure book too!

“An easy rhyming read! Appeals to all ages. Bold, colorful illustrations. Each page is a masterpiece. Lots of talking points for any age group from K to YA. Basic and advanced vocabulary and structure for challenging development and growth.”
– Amy (Teacher EdD)

“I love it! A wonderful rhyming story with fun alliteration for readers young and old that promotes meaningful conversation about issues all children experience. Great for parents, teachers and counselors. The illustration alone offers engaging discoveries.”
– Heather (Teacher K-5)

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The Trouble with Belonging by Magdalena Stanhoff

About The Trouble with Belonging by Magdalena Stanhoff

When those two kids first met, they transformed each other’s lives. Now they’ll have to find out if the bond between them can survive a catastrophe…and growing up.

New city, again. New language, new school, new people. Another place where he doesn’t belong. Chen Kehuan is a boy adrift: he has no mother, no friends, and no true homeland, and he doesn’t care much for anyone. Until one day that carefree street child appears on his path and turns his life upside down.
Little Niki roams around the city, making things out of nothing and talking to strangers on a whim. She’s stayed out of harm’s way so far, but how long will the good luck hold? And then that older boy who doesn’t even speak her language enters her life and takes it upon himself to completely remake it.
Only, sometimes the best intentions can lead to a disaster. What will Kehuan do when Niki’s world is suddenly torn apart and she disappears without a trace?

Promo price $0.99 from Dec 15-19

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6-Minute Core Strength: Simple Core Exercises to Improve Posture, Build Balance, and Relieve Back Pain

About 6-Minute Core Strength: Simple Core Exercises to Improve Posture, Build Balance, and Relieve Back Pain

Having a strong core can improve posture, relieve aches and pains, prevent falls, and help you feel more capable and confident in your body. 6-Minute Core Strength takes you step-by-step through the simple science of building core strength quickly, safely, and effectively, with little or no equipment.

In this guide, you will learn:

The muscles that make up your core and why they require a different training approach than traditional strength training.

The importance of “core awareness” and “core bracing” during core exercises and most everyday movements, with simple steps to mastering both.

Over 25 of the most effective exercises you can do at home using little or no equipment, including variations to match any fitness level.

Workouts to address specific goals, such as improving posture, building better balance, relieving pain, and more.

6-Minute Core Strength is packed with more than 90 illustrations and 60 videos to help you reach your health and fitness goals. No matter your age, weight, or fitness level, this guide will empower you to move, feel, and live better than you ever have before!

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Zennfinnity Was Here by Jeff Pearson

About Zennfinnity Was Here by Jeff Pearson

Dirty Dimebag—what is that foul smell?

A meal is delivered, and a grave is dug. And thus, it begins. From here, as fickle fate will show, there is never any limit to what can happen in this cosmic menagerie of beauty and its beastly companions, this world as we think we know it. Zennfinnity was here, indeed—maybe—who knows?

Grab your favourite mood-enhancing beverage, place a traffic cone on your noggin, and mount your lumbering elephant for a wild ride through trials and tribulations you’ll recognize and others you possibly didn’t know existed. Life and death, love and hate, freedom and the walls of the prison that haunt us all: yin and yang out the rang-a-tang. From the flickering flames of a remote wilderness bonfire, bursting with the embers of ubiquitous sexual tension, to the rhino-rich plains hiding in the shadows of the snow-capped peaks of the Himalayas—and the long, long road in between—come eleven stories of mischief, mayhem, suffering, and survival. Oh, the humanity of it all.

And in the end? Ya, of course—we all get fooled again.

Zennfinnity Was Here. (And probably over there, too).

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The Judgment of the White Nation, and a word to the Black People of America

About The Judgment of the White Nation, and a word to the Black People of America

Let’s have an honest conversation.

Let’s talk about race in America. Let’s talk about privilege and opportunities, without politicizing the conversation. Let’s talk openly about slavery and racism. Let’s not be afraid to be confronted with the true history of this nation, learn which are its fundamental problems, in order to chart a better voyage into the future.

This is a book directed mainly to Whites and Blacks, but all the minorities are welcome to read it. They all can help construct a better America, where all have opportunities and a space to thrive. Do not fear to ask the hard questions about race and the roots of slavery. The causes of the apparent White superiority. Let’s ask them together, you will find the answers all the more encouraging.

This is a pivotal moment in the history of America and the world. Be brave and seize the truth. Embrace the truth no matter the cost, in that way your future will be bright. Actually you can make history. You can make a difference.

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Messages from the Heart by A Journey of Riches

About Messages from the Heart by A Journey of Riches

Do you listen to your heart when it speaks from deep within you?
Do you follow its wishes or listen to the voice inside your head?
What could you achieve when you listen to your instincts?

Many of us, from many different walks of life, tend to think that listening to what is inside our heads is the answer to each and every problem we encounter. We may believe that our brains are the only part of us that provides the solutions we seek but this is misleading and it is something that can often lead us away from what it is we really desire most of all. What has become apparent to many successful people is that the heart often knows more than the head and can more often guide us in the right direction.

Inside the latest of his collaborative books, A Journey of Riches: Messages From the Heart, John Spender has again found a unique collection of powerful voices who share their own stories, focusing on things like:

Having the courage to follow your heart’s desires
The importance of speaking from the heart
Learning how to love
Not living with regrets
Never giving up on what you want
Knowing that the heart will always find the happiness you seek
Being grateful every day
Discovering inner peace
And more…

This collaborative book shares many great moments of wisdom as experienced by its individual authors who have discovered for themselves that the heart often knows more about us and what we really want from life than anything else.

Listening to it is the key to success in almost all we do and the ability to hear its message will be enhanced when you read how others have heeded its calling and acted upon it.

Our book is available for free until and including the 16th December 20121

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JOYS AND WOES OF MARRIAGE IN INDIA

About JOYS AND WOES OF MARRIAGE IN INDIA

Marriage forges a new path for the next generation as well as riches, social standing, gratification, and refuge. It is also a wonderful melding of ideas, emotions, as well as hurdles and their corresponding resolutions. Put simply, Indian marriages are not just a two-person affair. It is the coming together of family and community with love at the forefront. However, as with all things in life, marriage is not black and white. When love and understanding ebb, heartbreak and sorrow flow. But does this spell the end of a union?

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Veil of Secrecy

About Veil of Secrecy

Long-past atrocities against the rule of nature wait to be avenged…

An uneventful move to Montana left Rachel Brackett caught off guard for all the Rockies would offer: adventures, new friends, beautiful scenery … and nightmares. A mysterious family legacy leads Rachel into the forests of the Bitterroot Mountains, only to find that some things are best left alone.

Rachel wanted a calm life to allow deep wounds time to repair, instead, she stumbled on a riddle contained in her big house, science used for all the wrong reasons, and creatures only special effects experts could make up.

As she dives deeper into her heritage, Rachel must decide: is she a shrinking violet when faced with hardship or is she able to stand on her own two feet and fight?

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The Kiss that Saved Christmas by Elysia Strife

About The Kiss that Saved Christmas by Elysia Strife

Claire’s husband passed away two years ago this Christmas, leaving her alone and in charge of a beautiful and overwhelming cabin venue in the Montana mountains. Desperate for help, Claire hires her only applicant, a man named Zach.

Zach is prior military, down on his luck, and shamed by the town for the actions of his youth. Even after a decade of service, he can’t escape the gossip.

Claire’s low on cash, the truck won’t start, and fewer people are calling in event requests. With one final wedding scheduled for the year, Claire must make a good impression and needs the property in top shape.

Every past assistant at Briar Ridge has been problematic and disappointing. Claire has no option but to entrust Zach with the future of Briar Ridge—her future. She just wished he didn’t have to remind her so much of her late husband.

Yet Zach is different, bringing with his burdens an unexpectedly sweet side.

Zach is full of surprises.

She doesn’t want to fall for him.
He can’t help but fall for her.

Some cursing and violence.

“A touching love story that will make you smile.” –Goodreads Reviewer, ★★★★★”

Absolutely loved this heartwarming Christmas romance.” –Goodreads Reviewer, ★★★★★

“Well written, beautifully crafted book…should be labeled an epic love story. I cannot praise it enough.” –Goodreads Reviewer, ★★★★★

“A beautiful, gentle story with believable characters that have heart, feelings & Christian values. A nice length read with a feel good ending.” –Goodreads Reviewer, ★★★★★

“An excellent clean Christmas story…two people lost and alone slowly find a new purpose and life with each other.” –Goodreads Reviewer, ★★★★★

“A sweet, Christian romance that will warm your soul.” –Goodreads Reviewer, ★★★★★

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What’s That, Wombat? by Barbara Cotter Smith

About What’s That, Wombat? by Barbara Cotter Smith

This fun and silly read-aloud picture book is the perfect way to entertain young children (0-5 years old) while they learn about native Australian animals. Beautiful illustrations and rhyming text make it the ideal book for a daytime laugh or bedtime cuddle.

Do kangaroos kick kites? Do cockatoos collect cupcakes? Go to the land down under on a walkabout with a cute wombat as he encounters other Australian animals in the wild.

Best as a paperback book, **FREE on Kindle Dec 8 12am PST – Dec 10 11:59pm PST**

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The Olmec Civilization: An Enthralling Overview of the History of the Olmecs, Starting from Agriculture in Mesoamerica to the Fall of La Venta by Enthralling History

About The Olmec Civilization: An Enthralling Overview of the History of the Olmecs, Starting from Agriculture in Mesoamerica to the Fall of La Venta by Enthralling History

Which came first – the Olmecs or the Mayan? The Olmecs or the Incans? Walk with us among Colossal Heads and some of the first pyramids in Mesoamerica – yes! Pyramids across the world from Giza and Egypt! Come join us on the journey to discover just where this amazing culture began and ended – and why we are still studying the Olmecs today.

Historians and scholars still battle over the origins of – and reasons for– some of Mesoamerica’s formative civilizations downturn. How could such unique, innovative, and thriving societies fall without certain evidence of the causes? And what might the Mayans or Incans have to do with the Olmecs’ rise and fall?

This book takes readers on a journey that few have taken, deep into archaeological sites, artifacts, and the many theories surrounding the Olmecs and their history, so shrouded in mystery. As you read, you’ll learn:
• Why their placement in Mesoamerica’s history is so important
• Why a rock overhang was so crucial to their survival
• How the Olmecs domesticated – – yes, corn!
• Why and how they moved from hunter-gatherer to farming
• The importance of a rock to their society (Well, not just any rock!)
• Adzes – What they were and how they helped trade
• Metallurgy – a new era, a new trade, a new path
• Who were the Cloud People, and where did they live?
• The many phases of Monte Alban
• How can old stone heads tell us anything?
• Origins – China, Africa – or Mormons?
• Let’s play ball – but why is that hoop so high?
• Jade, Mirrors, and Religion – how are these related?
• Why is a child/jaguar mix so important?

You’ll learn some fun facts – but will also be challenged with archaeologically-puzzling discoveries and learn about some fascinating finds. The “Forgotten Civilization” lays claim to some fantastic people who forged the way for modern-day Mexico to become the rich and historically diverse culture it is today!

If you want to dive into the many astonishing elements of this vast and controversial Mesoamerican civilization, get this book now!

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Inhuman Trafficking

About Inhuman Trafficking

In INHUMAN TRAFFICKING, Plaintiff lawyer, Nick “Deke” Deketomis, has gone toe to toe with some of the largest corporations in the world. His firm specializes in the tough, even quixotic, cases that few lawyers would dare to take on. Like human trafficking. But when his fifteen-year-old goddaughter, Lily Reyes, goes missing, Deke suspects that his latest target, Welcome Mat Hospitality, a company wrapped up in the lucractice enterprise of human trafficking, has something to do with it. Deke will have to prevail not only in the legal arena but outside of it to ensure his goddaughters survival.

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Ocean Breeze Cottage (#3): A Heron’s Point Novella

About Ocean Breeze Cottage (#3): A Heron’s Point Novella

A tragic accident leaves the Simmons Family reeling. Their summer trip to the beach tries to heal all wounds, but unfortunately, they can’t outrun grief. Can Maggie bring her family back together, while figuring out her own problems? Will Elijah ever be welcomed back into the family?

Salty air, friends, and family come together to overcome the biggest hardship of their lives in this third installment of Carrie Baker’s Heron’s Point series.

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The Recruit (Supernaturals Book 2)

About The Recruit (Supernaturals Book 2)

The battle on the Brooklyn Bridge should have marked the end of the war.

It was only the beginning.

Donovan has awakened, and though powerless—for now—a plan is set in motion to retrieve what he has lost, all the while making him even stronger.

Ethan and his new Supernaturals friends must hold Donovan at bay and protect the powers at all costs.

If only they knew where they were hidden.

With the aid of a dynamic new recruit, the group is forced to follow a set of cryptic clues in hopes to discover their location before they fall into enemy hands.

After a spy is discovered amongst their ranks, Ethan must find a way to overcome devastating loss and place his faith in those around him, but in a time where friends have become foes and foes have become friends, who can be trusted?

Will Ethan be able to battle the enemies at hand, and conquer the demons within, in order to uncover the mole’s ulterior motives and put a stop to Donovan’s diabolical plans before it is too late?

Or have all the pieces already fallen into place…

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The List by Manith K. Sanchez

About The List by Manith K. Sanchez

What would you do if your beautiful world came to a horrifying end? Would you go on or simply give up?

This true story begins in the communistic country, Cambodia, where a hopeful young woman, at the age of 19 is thrust into an arranged marriage that turns from endless possibility to endless horror. Couple that with the horrible living conditions of a communistic country and Manith is forced to fight for her life and her freedom.

It is a story of dire circumstances, disturbing happenings, and a God who does extraordinary things to deliver Manith out of the hell she was in.

Read this incredibly powerful story and discover how a gracious God guided and protected this woman, tugging at her heart with every step, until she eventually gave her life to Jesus Christ.

“Throughout the world, ordinary people are still going through unbelievable sufferings. I am convinced, however, from my own experiences, that God is everywhere. He’s always present, working all things together for good for those who love Him, and in my case, even before I loved Him. Why? Because He knows the plans He has for us, plans to prosper and not to harm, but to give us a hope and a future!”

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Harrison

About Harrison

The football bad boy with the blue eyes and broken memory. Harrison Miller is making waves on the Brain Injury Ward, but as his therapist, I have close, intimate access. I said I wouldn’t date a guy like this again. But every time those upturned icebergs look my way, I’m lost, going down hard and fast, unable to draw breath again.

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The Necroambulist

About The Necroambulist

Disillusioned with life in the Big Apple, John takes up jogging to vent his frustrations. He finds Central Park to be a sanctuary of sorts. Its sprawling green commons are famed for recreation, and quite scenic too, a daily attraction for thousands of tourists. Though John likes the park for another reason: because at night after work, it’s completely empty.

Nightly jogs through the park are soon cherished routine, John’s therapeutic escape from the city and its residents. He’s not fazed by the darkness along its dimly lit footpaths, nor those desolate stretches into elm-shadowed woods. Any late hour works fine for him too, office grind be damned.

John should be more cautious. This is still the city, after all, a rotten Big Apple—writhing with worms. And he really should have noticed it on his way in: there’s something off about the park tonight.

But he’s popping in his earbuds. He’s pulling up a playlist.

Hope it’s a good one, John. You’ll be running for your life to it.

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The Socratic Way Of Questioning: How To Use Socrates’ Method To Discover The Truth And Argue Wisely (Critical Thinking & Logic Mastery)

The Socratic Way Of Questioning: How To Use Socrates' Method To Discover The Truth And Argue Wisely (Critical Thinking & Logic Mastery)About The Socratic Way Of Questioning: How To Use Socrates’ Method To Discover The Truth And Argue Wisely (Critical Thinking & Logic Mastery)

This ONE skill is the basis of your ability to think critically. Do you know what it is? It’s the ability to ask the RIGHT questions.
What is life if not filled with questions?

There was a time you took for granted the trustworthiness of the answers you got from the government, the media, religion, subject experts, and friends and family.

But, with the massive erosion of public trust in every major institution, like most people, you’ve been forced to rely on your own problem-solving and critical thinking faculties.

What if you were never taught to do this?

It’s likely that you’re overwhelmed by the information you are bombarded with on a daily basis. It doesn’t help that much of this information is suspect.

Fake news has reached such epidemic proportions that, according to Statistica, only 26 percent of Americans think they could recognize a fake news story. Worse, as much as 90 percent of Americans pass on fake news unintentionally.

That means people aren’t even examining or questioning the “facts” of the information they pass on.

This doesn’t have to be you. The Socratic questioning method will help you develop the critical thinking skills to resolve the tough life questions you may have.

Socrates was considered to be one of the wisest men of his time, and he’s reputed to have said the unexamined life isn’t a life worth living.

What he meant is if you never looked at the assumptions underlying the information or rules that governed your life, what was the point of living?

Socrates himself once questioned whether he was the wisest man in all Greece, even though it was a commonly held opinion. He didn’t just accept it.

We understand and agree with Socrates’ perspective. We all want to get to the truth of all matters, be better at examining and assessing facts, and build stronger arguments.

This is exactly what Socrates was teaching through his method, at the heart of which lies the art and science of coming up with the right questions. And this is what the book is all about.

The Socratic Method Of Questioning: How To Use Socrates’ Method To Discover The Truth And Argue Wisely book will teach you:

The 10 deadly sins of logic – how many are you guilty of? – Pg. 137
The 9 skills you need to be a critical thinker and the tools to develop them – Pg. 18
What the Socratic Method is and how to use it – even if you&nbrsquo;re not a lawyer or a scientist – Pg. 51
These 8 traits that make your mind your mind more like Socrates’ – Pg. 64
Why people fail to ask questions they should and how you can avoid falling into this trap – Pg. 106
How to get people to answer your questions, even if they’re resistant – Pg. 113
The 7 techniques for creating questions that get you to the truth – Pg. 114
Why you don’t really “know” anything until you put it through these tests – Pg. 91
….and much, much more

The 21st century will see information become more valuable than even oil or gold. Don’t you want to be able to accurately assess the information you encounter in your daily life?

It’s easy to go with the flow and get pulled in every direction by current trends and thinking.

What has set innovators and the successful apart has been their ability to see beyond what everyone else does. Like Socrates, they always begin with this most important weapon in their arsenal: the right question.

If you want to be as wise as Socrates, then click “Add To Cart” now!

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