When the Life You’ve Built Still Isn’t Enough and How to Restore
What Actually Matters
Christian Living / Religion / Nonfiction
Date Published: August 4, 2026
Publisher: Lucid Books Publishing
You’ve worked hard, built a good life, and achieved what you set out to
accomplish. So why does something still feel off?
On the surface, everything looks right. But underneath, something is beginning
to crack—and no amount of success, performance, or achievement seems to
fix it.
Josh Wintermute knows that feeling well. After walking through physical,
mental, financial, and spiritual struggles, he came to a life-changing
realization: the problem wasn’t just the circumstances—it was the
foundation.
In this honest and practical book, Josh walks you through the three
foundational areas every life is built on—your heart, your home, and
your culture. He helps you uncover what’s broken beneath the surface, do
the hard work of restoration, and rebuild on what truly matters.
You are not as stuck as you think.
You are not as alone as you feel.
And
you are going to make it.
About the Author:
Author Josh Wintermute is a life builder and founder of Quiet Winters,
helping leaders build their lives on a solid foundation. With over 20 years of
pastoral ministry, Josh has walked with hundreds of people through
life’s ups and downs and has a deep desire to see people heal and grow
through the challenges we face in life. Josh has been married for over 25
years, has three sons, and lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.
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)
An Unlikely Journey from Lifeguard Tower to Launchpad
Narrative Nonfiction/Inspirational
Date Published: August 4th, 2026
Publisher: Acorn Publishing
No Straight Lines to the Stars is the inspiring true story of a young
lifeguard who dared to believe his life could reach far beyond the horizon.
On the beaches of Southern California, Ken Kisco learned that preparation
saves lives. From rip-current rescues to split-second emergencies, he
discovered that courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to act in
spite of it. Those early lessons in resilience and composure pushed Ken to
believe he could accomplish anything . . . including his lifelong dream of
reaching the stars.
Through relentless perseverance and unwavering faith, Ken rose into the heart
of America’s most advanced space and defense programs, contributing to
human spaceflight initiatives and supporting groundbreaking technologies. His
unusual start as a lifeguard helped advance his career, distinguishing him
from his Air Force and Navy peers. Yet, his toughest challenges were
personal—he faced deep disappointment when a space mission was canceled
and learned lessons about trust and integrity from a romance-turned-ruse.
Ken’s journey reveals that success is rarely linear. Setbacks became
launchpads, adversity became refinement, and purpose became a compass. Part
memoir, part inspiration, and part behind-the-scenes look at America’s
quest for the stars, this is the unforgettable story of a man who proves that
bold dreams, combined with grit and heart, can launch an ordinary life into an
extraordinary one.
About the Author:
At ten years old, Ken Kisco dreamed of becoming a rocket scientist, a
goal that shaped his life. He earned multiple degrees, including master's
degrees from the University of Southern California in systems management and
from San Jose State University in industrial psychology.
As an aerospace systems engineer for NASA, Rockwell International, and Boeing,
he developed new technologies and earned recognition as an American Institute
of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Fellow.
Ken now shares his passion by mentoring USC engineering students, inspiring
them to dream boldly. When not traveling, he and his wife enjoy San Diego's
beaches, where they live.
An Unlikely Journey from Lifeguard Tower to Launchpad
Narrative Nonfiction/Inspirational
Date Published: August 4th, 2026
Publisher: Acorn Publishing
No Straight Lines to the Stars is the inspiring true story of a young
lifeguard who dared to believe his life could reach far beyond the horizon.
About the Book:
On the beaches of Southern California, Ken Kisco learned that preparation
saves lives. From rip-current rescues to split-second emergencies, he
discovered that courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to act in
spite of it. Those early lessons in resilience and composure pushed Ken to
believe he could accomplish anything . . . including his lifelong dream of
reaching the stars.
Through relentless perseverance and unwavering faith, Ken rose into the heart
of America’s most advanced space and defense programs, contributing to
human spaceflight initiatives and supporting groundbreaking technologies. His
unusual start as a lifeguard helped advance his career, distinguishing him
from his Air Force and Navy peers. Yet, his toughest challenges were
personal—he faced deep disappointment when a space mission was canceled
and learned lessons about trust and integrity from a romance-turned-ruse.
Ken’s journey reveals that success is rarely linear. Setbacks became
launchpads, adversity became refinement, and purpose became a compass. Part
memoir, part inspiration, and part behind-the-scenes look at America’s
quest for the stars, this is the unforgettable story of a man who proves that
bold dreams, combined with grit and heart, can launch an ordinary life into an
extraordinary one.
About the Author:
At ten years old, Ken Kisco dreamed of becoming a rocket scientist, a
goal that shaped his life. He earned multiple degrees, including master's
degrees from the University of Southern California in systems management and
from San Jose State University in industrial psychology.
As an aerospace systems engineer for NASA, Rockwell International, and Boeing,
he developed new technologies and earned recognition as an American Institute
of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Fellow.
Ken now shares his passion by mentoring USC engineering students, inspiring
them to dream boldly. When not traveling, he and his wife enjoy San Diego's
beaches, where they live.
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.
