The Definitive Guide for Success in College and Beyond
Finally, a book that actually prepares you for college! Nearly every
first-year college student discovers that college courses are more
academically challenging than high school. Professors expect you not just to
absorb material but to analyze and synthesize it, to consider multiple
perspectives, to evaluate conflicting evidence, and then to apply what you've
learned in new contexts.
Drawing on a lifetime of experience teaching and advising students, former
dean of Academic Advising and associate vice provost at Stanford University
Louis E. Newman explains how to do all this, and more. Whatever your background
or academic interest, this book will prepare you for college-level learning.
Thinking Critically in College is the definitive guide, not only for those in
college, but for everyone who needs a refresher on thinking clearly.
"Thinking Critically in College details and exemplifies the differences
between high school and college. Students who read this book before coming to
college will have an advantage over those who don't." -LEE CUBA, professor
emeritus of sociology, Wellesley College, and author of Practice for Life:
Making Decisions in College
"Even students who have taken college-prep and AP courses are unprepared for
the type of learning that will take place in college. Thinking Critically in
College is poised to help all students at all types of institutions develop
the dispositions and skills necessary for success in college." -LYNN
PASQUERELLA, president of Association of American Colleges and Universities
(AAC&U)
Do you lack confidence when writing dialogue for your fictional characters?
Do you want to learn how to make each person have a distinctive voice?
Real conversations wander. Fictional dialogue can’t afford to.
A Wordsmith’s Guide to Writing Authentic Dialogue is a practical, encouraging craft book for fiction writers who want dialogue that does more than fill the page. You’ll learn how to make every exchange purposeful, character-specific, and charged with subtext—without gimmicks, melodrama, or the dreaded “As you know…” exposition.
You will learn how to:
· build distinct voices through rhythm, worldview, and verbal habits (not quirky spelling);
· show status and power through questions, interruptions, silence, and topic control;
· handle tags, beats, and action cleanly so dialogue moves instead of clogs;
· write conflict that escalates and changes shape (without repeating itself);
· approach trauma, consent, and emotionally heavy scenes without voyeurism or melodrama.
You'll also find:
· short, generic examples you can learn from immediately;
· focused exercises you can complete in 10–20 minutes;
· diagnose-and-rewrite case studies (where relevant);
· checklists: quick bullet points to use while drafting and revising.
If your characters explain too much, sound the same, circle the point, or talk in a void—this guide will give you clear tools to diagnose the problem and rewrite with confidence.
Have the confidence to write dialogue that reflects the best of your characters, and the best of your writing. Pick up your copy today.
My Review:
A Wordsmith's Guide to Writing Authentic Dialogue is a fantastic guidebook for any seasoned or aspiring writer, in any genre. I found the information invaluable and perfectly crafted. This guide is very in-depth, explanatory, and filled with not only techniques and strategies but the "whys" behind each recommendation. As I moved through the book, I nodded my head in acknowledgement and agreement often.
Good dialogue is crucial in every story. I've read many stories over the years that I included "choppy dialogue," "inconsistent dialogue," "uncomfortable dialogue" (an not in a plot moving way) in my reviews. The techniques in this book would be huge helpers to those types of stories. Like I said, the choppy, inconsistent, and/or uncomfortable dialogue wasn't used to bring tension, or move the story along. The dialogue was just not written well in those books.
I know how hard it is to write a story, regardless of length or genre. I have about a dozen novels I've started and then abandoned for various reasons. Making sure my characters talk to each other smoothly is a hard task and I've not been entirely successful. This guide is going to take things to the next level!
Now to just find the time to get back to my writing!
I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
Elizabeth was born and bred in the picturesque harbour town of Whitehaven in the northwest of England, where the long, wet winters moulded her into a voracious reader of fiction to escape the dismal weather.
In 2016, Elizabeth set up her freelance editing and proofreading business, EMH Editorial Services. In 2018, she quit the corporate world and concentrated her energy full-time towards her love of the written word.
Elizabeth has published timeslip novellas (the Lost Souls series) and a stand-alone novel, A Light Shines in Darkness, based on Blessed Angelina of Marsciano. She is also the author of The Wordsmith’s Guides, a series of nonfiction books on the craft of writing.
Elizabeth now lives with her husband in the warm and sunny south of France, where the wine is cheaper than the water, and the cats spend their days hunting lizards and dreaming of the birds that roost on the roof.
What You Don’t Know Will Kill You and It’s Not the Pandemic:
Julia’s Story
Nonfiction / Biographies / Health
Date Published: December 23, 2024
About the Book:
You don’t have to die… like Julia almost did.
This gripping memoir tells the true story of a sudden, devastating
illness—thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)—a rare blood
disorder with a 90% mortality rate if left untreated.
Through a deeply personal and conversational narrative, Jaiden Jackson Smith
brings readers into Julia’s world:
● A body turning against itself
● A mind navigating fear, confusion, and altered reality
● A spirit clinging to faith and purpose
What You’ll Discover:
● The hidden dangers of undiagnosed
illness
● The link between stress, trauma, and autoimmune disorders
● The reality of hematological conditions and platelet disorders
● The emotional and spiritual battle of survival
About the Author:
Jaiden Jackson Smith is an award-winning author, advocate, and
storyteller whose work centers on truth, healing, and human resilience.
Her debut memoir earned the 2025 International Impact Book Award, marking her
as a powerful new voice in inspirational nonfiction.
Jaiden holds a Master’s degree in Law and Public Policy in Nevada and is
committed to continuing her education to advocate for:
● Individuals with intellectual disabilities
● People with disabilities
● Senior adults
Her life is guided by three core values:
Integrity. Loyalty. Determination.
Beyond her professional achievements, Jaiden finds joy in:
● Spending time with her husband
● Enjoying music—especially Earth, Wind & Fire
● Writing and creative expression
● Bringing light into the lives of others through kindness
Her mission is simple yet profound:
To remind people they are seen, valued, and never alone.
What if your pain wasn’t holding you back… but pushing you
forward?
From abuse and neglect to crime, addiction, prison, and crushing
debt—Patrick Simiglai’s story is not just about survival.
It’s about transformation.
In Fueled By Pain, ultra-endurance athlete and mental performance coach
Patrick Simiglai shares how he rebuilt his life from the ground up using
discipline, resilience, and 23 powerful mental techniques designed to help you
do the same.
This is not a motivational quick fix.
This is a blueprint for real, lasting change.
Inspired by elite forces like the Danish Frogman Corps, Patrick pushed himself
through extreme physical challenges—ultramarathons, rope climbs, and
marathon swims—discovering that the real battle isn’t in the
body… it’s in the mind.
Inside this powerful book, you’ll discover how to:
• Master your inner dialogue and stop self-sabotage
• Build discipline that lasts beyond motivation
• Develop unshakable mental resilience under pressure
• Break free from addiction, fear, and limiting beliefs
• Turn pain, discomfort, and resistance into your greatest advantage
• Create long-term success through integrity and self-trust
Patrick’s journey—from chaos to clarity—proves that no
matter where you start, you can rebuild your life. Today, he is a successful
entrepreneur, endurance athlete, and mentor helping others unlock their
potential and take control of their lives.
His message is simple—but powerful:
You don’t need a new life. You need a new relationship with yourself.
Pain, resistance, and discomfort are not signs that you’re on the wrong
path. Often, they are proof that you’re walking in the direction of
growth. You don’t have to feel ready. You just have to show up honestly
and keep your word to yourself—especially on the days when no one is
watching.
About the Author
Patrik Simiglai is a Danish ultra-endurance athlete, mental performance
coach, and speaker dedicated to helping individuals transform their lives
through discipline, resilience, and powerful inner dialogue. As the author of
Fueled By Pain, Patrick shares a raw and deeply personal journey of overcoming
adversity and building mental strength from the inside out.
Competing in some of the world’s most grueling ultra-endurance
races—including 200- and 300-mile events across deserts, mountains, and
extreme terrain—Patrick has developed a unique approach to mental
toughness rooted in real-world experience. His work bridges the gap between
extreme physical performance and everyday personal growth, offering practical
tools for leaders, athletes, and teams to perform under pressure with
integrity and consistency.
Patrick’s path to success was anything but conventional. Growing up in a
childhood marked by abuse and later struggling with drug and alcohol
addiction, he understands firsthand the challenges of feeling trapped by your
own thoughts. His transformation—from chaos and self-destruction to
purpose-driven achievement—forms the foundation of his coaching,
speaking, and writing.
Through his work, Patrick emphasizes that true growth begins with mastering
your inner dialogue. His philosophy is simple yet powerful: you don’t
need a new life—you need a new relationship with yourself. By embracing
discomfort, taking responsibility, and committing to disciplined action, he
teaches others how to unlock their full potential and create lasting change.
Originally written in Danish and later rewritten in English as a personal
challenge, Fueled By Pain reflects Patrick’s belief that growth comes
from stepping outside your comfort zone and committing to the process, even
when it’s difficult. Drawing from years of journaling, coaching, and
extreme endurance experiences, the book delivers 23 mental techniques designed
to help readers build resilience, overcome self-doubt, and achieve long-term
success.
Today, Patrick Simiglai works with individuals and organizations worldwide,
inspiring others to confront their limits, strengthen their mindset, and turn
pain into purpose.
Human Trafficking Exposed rips the mask off human trafficking and throws
it at your feet without sugarcoating the truth. The book drags you straight
into the underground world where children disappear, women are broken, and men
are reduced to disposable labour—all while society pretends not to see.
Drawing from more than 25 years on the frontlines, award‑winning human
trafficking buster Maxwell Matewere delivers an unfiltered,
boots‑on‑the‑ground investigation into one of the world’s
fastest‑growing criminal enterprises worse than slavery.
This is not second‑hand reporting. It is not theory. It is truth wrestled
directly from survivors, traffickers, migration routes, brothels, recruitment
networks, fake job agencies, and the silent corridors where victims are bought
and sold like livestock.
Inside this book, you will encounter:
• Real cases of children trafficked across borders under the guise of
“education.”
• Young girls promised opportunity but delivered into prostitution and
violent sexual captivity.
• Men trapped in forced labour, stripped of pay, papers, and hope.
• Criminal networks operating like corporations—efficient,
ruthless, and invisible.
• Powerful insights into how traffickers weaponize poverty, trust,
promises, and psychological manipulation.
• The myths Americans believe about trafficking—and the
uncomfortable truths no one talks about.
• How victims become “assets,” broken down and exploited
until nothing remains.
This book exposes the global machinery of exploitation—recruiters,
transporters, corrupt officials, fake pastors, greedy relatives, organised
syndicates, migration scammers, and sexual predators—all working
together to turn human suffering into profit.
About the Author:
Maxwell Matewere is an internationally recognized legal and crime
prevention expert with 27 years of vast experiences in the areas of human
trafficking and child protection. He is the founder of Eye of the Child, a
child rights organisation in Malawi, and Malawi Network Against Trafficking
(MNAT). In 2020, the US Department of State recognised him as a Global Hero
for championing national responses against human trafficking and successful
rescue and rehabilitation of victims. His expertise specializes in law reform,
advocacy, training, research and designing responses against transnational
organized crimes including supporting victims of human trafficking in Malawi
and their families. Maxwell has committed his professional life to challenge
those who benefit from the exploitation of victims around the world and is
dedicated to ensuring survivors live in freedom.
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Miles Hillmann 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.
About the Book:
The Super Seeders is based on first-hand accounts from the scientists, breeders, and curators who have built the seven pillars of today's plant genetics revolution. It begins with the guardians of global gene banks, conserving the rare and diverse crop genes that form agriculture's safety net. From these collections, plant geneticists are now unlocking hidden traits with fast-moving genome technologies, transforming the possibilities of crop improvement.
International research centres and the groundbreaking Plant Treaty have opened the floodgates for the free exchange of genetic material, enabling a new wave of discovery. Crop breeders are translating these breakthroughs into reality, delivering drought-tolerant, disease-resistant, and higher-yielding varieties for farmers.
The book raises a pressing question: will this revolution reach the 70 percent of Africans who still depend on subsistence farming? The answer will shape not only the future of food in Africa, but the future of food security worldwide.
A story of ingenuity and urgency, The Super Seeders captures the hopes and challenges of the women and men driving a genetic transformation of agriculture—and the farmers whose lives depend on its success.
In the cool, rolling hills of southern Ethiopia’s Wolaita Highlands, the sun crested the teff and barley fields and coloured the red soil with long shadows. Selam, widow and mother of four, wrapped her scarf around her tightly and came out into the morning light from her thatched tukul house, her hands clasped around a woven basket.
She headed for the community seed bank, a mud-brick hut just outside the school, amidst the eucalyptus trees. Inside the hut, the scent of dried grain and neem leaves filled the air. Wooden shelves ran around the room, where clay jars and gourd containers were labelled neatly in Amharic: Aba Dula wheat, Dabo barley, Red sorghum of Wando. Each had a history, some passed down from grandparents, others brought by farmers like her.
“Selam, good morning!” said Abebe, the seed bank coordinator and the village elder. His weathered face creased into a smile behind his grey beard. “We’ve just finished processing the new batch of the sorghum seed. Strong stalks. Early maturation. Your father preferred this variety.”
Selam smiled. She remembered sowing that very same red sorghum as a child alongside her parents. It had been gone for years only to reappear thanks to the gene bank.
About the Author:
Miles Hillmann is a lifelong entrepreneur with a career that bridges scientific curiosity and hands-on innovation, from his early work at the Kabanyolo Agricultural Research Station in Uganda during Idi Amin's fall to experiencing food shortage and famine in the Ethiopian Central Highlands. His work encompassed everything from agricultural development to building flash flood irrigation food-for-work systems.
His first company developed processes for food industry materials. Concurrently he pioneered real-time organic material analysis. He then created one of the UK's major pollution control companies supplying specialist materials to companies in Europe, Nigeria and the Middle East. This led him to establish companies in e-commerce, accredited pollution control training and flood control.
This book is the story of the scientists, curators, and plant breeders leading this movement, told in their voices, through his lens.
The Truth Behind One of This Nation’s Biggest False Arrest &
Imprisonment Scandals
Political Nonfiction
Date Published: September 11, 2025
About the Book:
USA v Raj is a MUST READ, INSPIRING TRUE STORY now available in
paperback with a motion picture by BOLLYWOOD HOLLYWOOD PRODUCTION coming
summer 2026. This tell-all memoir dares to share the truth behind one of the
biggest federal false arrest and imprisonment scandals of the decade. This is
a story about federal government corruption and a broken judiciary that turns
innocent people into convicted criminals with their unchecked power and
weaponized obsession with winning at any cost. This is also an innocent man's
story of gratitude, steadfast faith, and endurance to persevere until the end
of a war waged against him. Imagine being an immigrant from India who worked
hard and lived by integrity for 50 years to achieve his American dream. Then,
imagine waking up one morning to an indictment that leads to a
three-and-a-half-year period of unlawful detention and torture. The pages
within retrace my journey to become a renowned surgeon, interventional pain
specialist, and activist for just causes and my fight to survive my false
arrest and 1301-day imprisonment, which led to a unanimous acquittal by a jury
at trial. May you be encouraged as this story leads you through the many
twists and turns of a grueling experience marked by trials, tribulations, and,
ultimately, triumphs.
HOW COULD THIS INJUSTICE HAPPEN IN AMERICA?
1. It is alarming that anyone can be indicted by a grand jury and arrested
solely based on the government's allegations that exclude the accused and
their counsel from being present or even aware of the accusations.
2. The FBI and U.S. Attorney built their alleged fraud case without ever doing
a single required Medicare audit in their five-year investigation.
3. Once arrested, the five other defendants with the same exact charges were
immediately released on bond the same day. While I was denied bail and
imprisoned for three-and-a-half years awaiting trial—a violation of the
6th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the right to a speedy trial.
4. Also, the two defendants who accepted a PLEA DEAL in exchange for leniency
never spent a single night in prison despite their admission of guilt. I chose
to go to trial and was unanimously acquitted by a 12-member jury on all 54
counts, yet still I spent 1301 days in prison.
YES, THIS HAPPENED IN AMERICA. NEXT COULD BE ANYBODY, YOU INCLUDED.
The very bedrock of U.S. justice has been turned upside down, where the
belief that you are INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY has become you are GUILTY
UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT. I have just one question for the guardians of justice:
How will my own government return back the time and milestones they stole from
me, my wife, and my daughter? Such injustices happen in banana republics not
in America, the most powerful and oldest democracy in the world. WE MUST DO
BETTER.
About the Authors:
Dr. Raj Bothra is a surgeon, interventional pain expert, activist, author, and
survivor of one of America's biggest false arrest and imprisonment scandals. A
native of a rural town in India, he earned medical degrees in India, England,
and the U.S. During his time as a surgeon in Detroit, he built a single-owner
private practice that became the nation's largest interventional pain
management system (The Pain Center, USA, and Interventional Pain Center). He's
worked with important public figures, including Indian prime ministers, U.S.
presidents, Mother Teresa, and Pope John Paul II. Indian President Narayanan
awarded him the high civilian honor of PADMA SHRI and he’s received
numerous awards in India and the U.S. for his public service.
Jenifer DeBellis, MFA, is a PhD candidate, transformational speaker, and
award-winning author of Warrior Sister, Cut Yourself Free (Library Tales
Publishing), New Wilderness (Cornerstone Press), and Blood Sisters (Main
Street Rag). She edits Pink Panther Magazine and directs Restore Your Inner
Warrior® and Detroit Writers’ Guild (501c3). She's featured in
Psychology Today and her writing appears in CALYX, Medical Literary Messenger,
The Good Men Project, Solstice, and elsewhere.
Human Trafficking Exposed rips the mask off human trafficking and throws
it at your feet without sugarcoating the truth. The book drags you straight
into the underground world where children disappear, women are broken, and men
are reduced to disposable labour—all while society pretends not to see.
Drawing from more than 25 years on the frontlines, award‑winning human
trafficking buster Maxwell Matewere delivers an unfiltered,
boots‑on‑the‑ground investigation into one of the world’s
fastest‑growing criminal enterprises worse than slavery.
This is not second‑hand reporting. It is not theory. It is truth wrestled
directly from survivors, traffickers, migration routes, brothels, recruitment
networks, fake job agencies, and the silent corridors where victims are bought
and sold like livestock.
Inside this book, you will encounter:
• Real cases of children trafficked across borders under the guise of
“education.”
• Young girls promised opportunity but delivered into prostitution and
violent sexual captivity.
• Men trapped in forced labour, stripped of pay, papers, and hope.
• Criminal networks operating like corporations—efficient,
ruthless, and invisible.
• Powerful insights into how traffickers weaponize poverty, trust,
promises, and psychological manipulation.
• The myths Americans believe about trafficking—and the
uncomfortable truths no one talks about.
• How victims become “assets,” broken down and exploited
until nothing remains.
This book exposes the global machinery of exploitation—recruiters,
transporters, corrupt officials, fake pastors, greedy relatives, organised
syndicates, migration scammers, and sexual predators—all working
together to turn human suffering into profit.
About the Author:
Maxwell Matewere is an internationally recognized legal and crime
prevention expert with 27 years of vast experiences in the areas of human
trafficking and child protection. He is the founder of Eye of the Child, a
child rights organisation in Malawi, and Malawi Network Against Trafficking
(MNAT). In 2020, the US Department of State recognised him as a Global Hero
for championing national responses against human trafficking and successful
rescue and rehabilitation of victims. His expertise specializes in law reform,
advocacy, training, research and designing responses against transnational
organized crimes including supporting victims of human trafficking in Malawi
and their families. Maxwell has committed his professional life to challenge
those who benefit from the exploitation of victims around the world and is
dedicated to ensuring survivors live in freedom.
What if your pain wasn’t holding you back… but pushing you
forward?
From abuse and neglect to crime, addiction, prison, and crushing
debt—Patrick Simiglai’s story is not just about survival.
It’s about transformation.
In Fueled By Pain, ultra-endurance athlete and mental performance coach
Patrick Simiglai shares how he rebuilt his life from the ground up using
discipline, resilience, and 23 powerful mental techniques designed to help you
do the same.
This is not a motivational quick fix.
This is a blueprint for real, lasting change.
Inspired by elite forces like the Danish Frogman Corps, Patrick pushed himself
through extreme physical challenges—ultramarathons, rope climbs, and
marathon swims—discovering that the real battle isn’t in the
body… it’s in the mind.
Inside this powerful book, you’ll discover how to:
• Master your inner dialogue and stop self-sabotage
• Build discipline that lasts beyond motivation
• Develop unshakable mental resilience under pressure
• Break free from addiction, fear, and limiting beliefs
• Turn pain, discomfort, and resistance into your greatest advantage
• Create long-term success through integrity and self-trust
Patrick’s journey—from chaos to clarity—proves that no
matter where you start, you can rebuild your life. Today, he is a successful
entrepreneur, endurance athlete, and mentor helping others unlock their
potential and take control of their lives.
His message is simple—but powerful:
You don’t need a new life. You need a new relationship with yourself.
Pain, resistance, and discomfort are not signs that you’re on the wrong
path. Often, they are proof that you’re walking in the direction of
growth. You don’t have to feel ready. You just have to show up honestly
and keep your word to yourself—especially on the days when no one is
watching.
Watch:
About the Author:
Patrick Simiglai is a Danish ultra-endurance athlete, mental performance
coach, and speaker dedicated to helping individuals transform their lives
through discipline, resilience, and powerful inner dialogue. As the author of
Fueled By Pain, Patrick shares a raw and deeply personal journey of overcoming
adversity and building mental strength from the inside out.
Competing in some of the world’s most grueling ultra-endurance
races—including 200- and 300-mile events across deserts, mountains, and
extreme terrain—Patrick has developed a unique approach to mental
toughness rooted in real-world experience. His work bridges the gap between
extreme physical performance and everyday personal growth, offering practical
tools for leaders, athletes, and teams to perform under pressure with
integrity and consistency.
Patrick’s path to success was anything but conventional. Growing up in a
childhood marked by abuse and later struggling with drug and alcohol
addiction, he understands firsthand the challenges of feeling trapped by your
own thoughts. His transformation—from chaos and self-destruction to
purpose-driven achievement—forms the foundation of his coaching,
speaking, and writing.
Through his work, Patrick emphasizes that true growth begins with mastering
your inner dialogue. His philosophy is simple yet powerful: you don’t
need a new life—you need a new relationship with yourself. By embracing
discomfort, taking responsibility, and committing to disciplined action, he
teaches others how to unlock their full potential and create lasting change.
Originally written in Danish and later rewritten in English as a personal
challenge, Fueled By Pain reflects Patrick’s belief that growth comes
from stepping outside your comfort zone and committing to the process, even
when it’s difficult. Drawing from years of journaling, coaching, and
extreme endurance experiences, the book delivers 23 mental techniques designed
to help readers build resilience, overcome self-doubt, and achieve long-term
success.
Today, Patrick Simiglai works with individuals and organizations worldwide,
inspiring others to confront their limits, strengthen their mindset, and turn
pain into purpose.
Why Traditional Estate Planning Has Failed Us and What To Do About It
Nonfiction, Self-Help
Date Published: December 9, 2025
Publisher: Elite Online Publishing
What do the ultra-wealthy know about protecting their fortunes that most
people never learn?
In Trust Issues, veteran estate planning attorney Rick Durfee pulls back the
curtain on the legal tools and legacy strategies the affluent quietly use to
safeguard their assets, slash taxes, and keep wealth in the family for
generations, with control, clarity, and confidence.
This isn’t theory. It’s a field-tested playbook built from decades
of helping high-net-worth individuals, business owners, and family offices
create dynasty plans that actually work in the real world.
Whether you're a successful entrepreneur, investor, or professional advisor,
you’ll discover how to:
Use trusts to avoid probate and dictate how wealth is used, even long after
you’re gone.
Set up business entities (like LLCs and FLPs) that shield assets from lawsuits
and creditors.
Build a dynasty trust designed to preserve family wealth for 100+ years.
Legally minimize estate and gift taxes.
Sidestep the most common (and costly) estate planning mistakes.
Empower your children and grandchildren with wealth, without fueling
entitlement or dependency.
Durfee’s approach is ethical, practical, and grounded in a simple
belief: wealth should serve your family’s deepest values, not just their
lifestyle.
If you’re serious about protecting what you’ve built, Trust Issues
is your roadmap to a lasting legacy, on your terms.
About the Author:
Rick Durfee is the founder and senior attorney at Durfee Law Group PLLC, based
in Mesa, Arizona. Practicing law since 1988, Rick is nationally recognized for
his expertise in estate planning, asset protection, and multi-generational
wealth preservation. His firm serves clients across the United States, helping
families “Live Well, Leave a Legacy™” through comprehensive
and enduring legal strategies.
A frequent speaker at national events and author of Trust Issues: Why
Traditional Estate Planning is Failing and What to Do About It, Rick combines
deep legal knowledge with a family-centered philosophy rooted in his
background as a former professor of world religions. He and his wife are the
proud parents of eight children and seventeen grandchildren.
Renewing the Mind, Restoring the Soul: A Small Group Study for Christian
Spiritual Formation
Nonfiction / Religion / Spirituality / Christian
Date Published: February 27, 2026
About the Book:
Living Soul-Full invites you to a 26-week sacred journey of deepened
intimacy with the Holy Spirit, rooted in Romans 12:1-2 and the call to "be
transformed by the renewing of your mind." Within a trusted small group, you
will explore time-honored spiritual disciplines, discern the obstacles
hindering your spiritual growth, and discover the rhythms that nourish your
soul. Along the way, we will learn to identify and rewire harmful patterns of
thought while opening our hearts and bodies to Christ's restorative love. We
do his, in community, for the purpose of living as a healed and healing
presence in a fractured world.
About the Author:
L.B. is a hospital chaplain and ministry leader whose passion is to help guide
others towards spiritual regeneration and wholeness.
It has been her honor, through writing the Living Soul-Full curriculum, to
help build and nurture a holy space for renewal-where mind, body, and soul are
restored through God’s grace- and to partner in community with others
who desire to live emboldened, Spirit-led lives marked by vulnerability and
compassion.
Over more than a decade, LB has edited this guide as it
evolved into a trusted 26-week small group curriculum in spiritual formation,
integrating biblical teaching, spiritual disciplines, practical reflection and
even neuroscience.
She is deeply indebted to all those quoted within Living Soul-Full, whose
timeless writings and teachings have, across the centuries, nurtured both our
desires and efforts to cultivate a healthy soul within Christianity.
She also carries immense gratitude for every participant, facilitator, and all
those whose vision for the “Soul Care” ministry at Mountain
Christian Church surpassed her own, investing wholehearted from the very
beginning. This curriculum is possible because of the support, feedback, and
genuine partnership across her church community.
