Blog Archives
Routine Dental Visits
Peter’s Trip to the Dentist follows a six-year-old boy who visits the dentist for the first time and learns all about dental hygiene in a fun and engaging environment. What was the inspiration for your story?
The inspiration for Peter’s Trip to the Dentist was having had the opportunity to work in a pediatric dental setting, which provides a kid-friendly environment suited to meet the dental needs of children. The children were always so happy to come in for the routine check-up and cleaning with the two real-life dental characters featured in my book. The dentist and staff are trained to work with children, fostering a foundation for dental health with early detection, oral care lessons, and nutritional counseling. I wanted to share a positive experience with young readers, alleviate any anxiety, and help prepare children for their dental visits.
What educational aspects were important for you to include in this children’s book?
The important educational aspects of this book include a step-by-step guide dictating to children what they should expect for their routine dental visits. It was also important to encourage healthy eating and drinking habits, as well as caring for one’s teeth with brushing and flossing.
What were some goals you set for yourself as a writer in this book?
My goal was to make this children’s dental book a fun read and to reach many young readers in an exciting way by introducing the world of dentistry to them.
I hope the series continues in other books. If so, where will the story take readers?
Readers can continue to read more fun books about pediatric dentistry, such as Charlotte Gets Braces, and Mimi Gets a Tooth Filling, both of which share a unique story and step-by-step guide for both procedures, with colorful illustrations and characters that bring the story to life through each of their journeys.
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An elaborate office, embellished in a Zoo-like theme, gives a warm, welcoming feeling to all of its pediatric patients. The office’s dental hygienist, Ms. Stacy, guides Peter step-by-step throughout the entire procedure of his dental cleaning as she introduces all the fancy tools and equipment that she uses during the treatment. Yummy flavors are always an incentive for getting your teeth polished, as the choices are endless. Removing sugar bugs off of the teeth produces a sparking smile, while radiographs help to ensure there is no tooth decay, which may be underlying. Peter learns about taking X-ray pictures and gets a lesson on home care instructions to maintain a healthy dentition. Goody bags and treasure prizes are such a treat, making Peter’s trip to the dentist complete.
A pleasant time with the hygienist and dentist makes Peter look forward to his next dental visit!
Kids With Anxiety are Not Alone
In Cameron and the Shadow-wraiths, a young boy finds himself in a battle to save his friend from the clutches of otherworldly entities as he fights an inner battle with anxiety and self-doubt. Why was this an important book for you to write?
This was important because my son struggled with anxiety for many years. In fact, his anxiety became so severe, I had to quit my job as an engineer and homeschool him. When I asked him what the daily panic attacks feel like, the level of hopelessness and dread he shared with me was shocking. I knew I needed to tell this story so other kids would know they are not alone. While writing this book, I worked with a team of child psychologists. They read the book, then gave me all of their anxiety coping strategies, terminologies, and breathing exercises they use with their patients. I wove all this information into the story. So, when a child with anxiety reads this book, they’ll not only hear the teachings of their therapist in the story, but will also see the main character, Cameron, put the anxiety coping strategies into use, sometimes successfully, and sometimes not.
Was there anything from your own life that you put into the characters in your novel?
In writing this book, I gave the main character my son’s anxiety symptoms, and as I wrote the book, I realized that I’d felt some of these symptoms when I was a kids . . . that was unexpected. This helped me as I could more easily put myself in the head of Cameron as he was struggling with his fears.
I find the world you created around Cameron fascinating. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from, and how did it change as you were writing?
I’m a HUGE fan of the movie Goonies, but I also love it when fantasy intersects with the real world. So my goal was to merge these two world together, kinda like a mashup of Goonies, Gremlins, and Stranger Things. I chose New Orleans because I was going to include some information about Ley Lines, and there is an intersection, or a vortex, near New Orleans, but as I wrote, I realized that I didn’t need to include the Ley Lines information; kids don’t care why the monsters are there in the swamps of Louisiana; they just want to go on an exciting ride. I’m hoping that’s what I gave them.
Can fans look forward to a third installment? If so, where will it take Cameron next?
There is a third book in the series, called The Gargoyle’s Revenge. I’m working on other things right now, so I don’t know when I’ll put quill to parchment for this book . . . hopefully soon.
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Shadow-wraiths from Agartha have crossed over to Earth and are executing an evil scheme, starting with abducting Cameron’s friend, Jessie. Because of last year’s battle with Malphas and his monster horde, everyone thinks Cameron is a heroic figure who can easily save Jessie from the clutches of the terrifying wraiths, everyone, that is, except for Cameron. His anxiety, or his Beast as he calls it, is still very much a part of him, filling him with fear and uncertainty. But Cameron knows, he has no choice. He must save his friend, even if it costs him his life.
With his friends at his side, Cameron will journey across the swamps of New Orleans, confront an army of alligators, battle against shadow-wraiths, and watch a dear friend perish before he finally reaches his goal, the Swamp of Forgotten Souls. At the Swamp, Cameron will be forced to confront his fears and failures in order to use the Earth-magic he desperately needs to save all his friends.
But does he realize Malphas is watching from the Void and waiting for Cameron’s failure?
Just like in Facing the Beast Within, Cameron must confront his anxiety, his Beast, while fighting an army of Shadow-wraiths in a hopeless battle to save his friends.
Buckle up and get ready for a thrilling ride.
Cameron and the Shadow-wraiths: A Battle of Anxiety Vs. Trust
In Cameron and the Shadow-wraiths: A Battle of Anxiety Vs. Trust, author Mark Cheverton presents the second installment in the Order of the Stones series, inviting readers back into the world of Cameron Poole, a seventh-grader at Camp Pontchartrain. Last summer’s experiences at camp left Cameron as an unexpected hero, but now he finds himself wrestling with an all-too-familiar adversary: anxiety. Despite the high regard of his peers, Cameron’s internal struggle clouds his self-perception, focusing his attention more on perceived failures than on his capabilities.
Even as a newcomer to the series, I found the book accessible and engaging, with sufficient background information provided to understand the characters and their journey. Cheverton skillfully portrays anxiety through Cameron, a character who resonates with those who experience similar challenges. The depiction of anxiety is nuanced, capturing its diverse manifestations and incorporating realistic coping strategies into the narrative without coming across as didactic.
The supporting characters enrich the story significantly. Figures like wise Mrs. Chakote, tech-savvy Bobby, and dependable Leonard add depth and diversity to the cast, paralleling the variety of magic in the story. Action sequences stand out with their vivid, almost cinematic quality, while the plot progresses at a steady pace, making for a captivating adventure that goes beyond mere fantasy. The integration of Chakra crystals, a fascinating element of the magic system, presents an opportunity for further exploration into practices like cleansing or recharging, enhancing the depth of the author’s richly imagined world.
Cameron and the Shadow-wraiths is a compelling tale that intertwines the themes of overcoming anxiety and epic fantasy. Cheverton’s storytelling is effective in conveying the emotional journey of the protagonist, demonstrating that anxiety, while challenging, can be confronted and overcome. This book, appropriate for readers aged 10 and up, merges fantasy elements with real-world issues, creating an engaging narrative that encourages awareness and understanding of anxiety.
Pages: 254 | ASIN : B0CBG5PHFT
Journey Towards Healing
NeuroMastery takes readers on a detailed journey into the root causes of anxiety disorders and how to effectively cope with them. Why was this an important book for you to write?
This is an important book to write for two reasons:
First, it helps shed some insight into what psychotherapy for anxiety looks and feels like. Secondly, for people who cannot afford to get help for anxiety, it gives them a foundation to start working from as they pursue a self-help journey towards healing.
Do you have a background in science? Can you tell us a little about the research process required for NeuroMastery?
My background is in psychology. I have a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology. I have also been practicing as a therapist since 2001. As far as research is concerned, in 2009, I opened my private practice, which led me to study other disciplines to improve the delivery of my clinical services. Besides my continued studies in psychology, I have also spent a lot of time studying the field of neuroscience and its overlap with human psychology.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from your book?
I wish for readers to take away effective coping strategies on how to respond effectively to any symptoms related to anxieties, fears, and panic attacks. Further, I wish for readers to understand the type of professional help they can receive if their symptoms are too severe for self-help.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
NeuroMastery is a series, and Retraining Your Brain to Conquer Anxiety, Fear, and Panic Attacks is the first. The next book in the series of NeuroMastery will be based on addictions. Prior to the release of the second in the series, I will be publishing a fiction book I have written based on a psychological thriller.
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This book also introduces effective cognitive behavioral strategies, mindfulness techniques, and lifestyle modifications to manage anxiety. Learn how to face your fears through exposure and desensitization and discover how resilience and positive change can be nurtured by understanding and harnessing neuroplasticity.
NeuroMastery: Retraining Your Brain to Conquer Anxiety, Fear, and Panic Attacks is more than just a book—it is a roadmap to a calmer, more controlled, and resilient life.
Beyond Agoraphobia
Beyond Agoraphobia by Georgia Riedel is a guidebook based on the experiences of the author for those who suffer from fear, anxiety and panic attacks. Georgia Reidel started experiencing symptoms of anxiety at the age of fourteen and this affected her ability to cope in school and to maintain jobs in the future. She spent many years in therapy before she could manage to carry out these regular daily functions without fear. She shares her experience working with different clients and getting them to the point of recovery where they are able to go anywhere and do anything free of their symptoms. She covers the various triggers of anxiety, fear and panic, persons more likely to be affected by panic attacks and the ingredients for recovery. She also outlines how positive thinking can help and the different steps to becoming a positive thinker and developing useful stress management techniques.
At 61 pages Georgia Riedel has written a quick self-help book that will assist readers in getting a concise and whole picture of what actions they can take. It gives pointers on triggers and approaches to avoid if one experiences any unique challenges. The reader can choose to use it as a practical guide to decide on a way forward. The author herself is an example of someone who has used the given strategies to recover so the written material becomes more of a testimony and adds some reassurance that the methods suggested actually work. This is a self-help short read that I highly recommend if you suffer from any of the stated disorders.
Pages: 61 | ASIN: B08FKBZW8K
Life Interrupted: It’s Not All About Me
Dealing with a disability or other debilitating disease is hard to begin with. When you don’t get the help that you need to deal with the changes your life is taking, it can cause irreversible harm to your relationships. Self-care is important; and is a burden that should not be placed on the people you love. It is alright to ask for help, but ultimately you are responsible for your own actions, how you deal with your situation, and making sure the people you love know you care about them. Chris Tatevosian gives readers an honest look into his life with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), and how he let his attitude destroy his marriage. He shares his insights into what went wrong with his “it’s all about me” mentality; and how he learned to overcome that and build healthy relationships in life.
Life Interrupted, It’s Not All About Me by Chris M. Tatevosian is a short read of less than 150 pages. It is however, filled with deep topics covering depression, anxiety, abuse and recovery. That is a lot of emotional energy packed into a few pages. Chris Tatevosian’s purpose in writing this book is to help others avoid the mistakes he made. He is very honest about the mistakes he made and offers the reader ideas on how to avoid making the same mistakes. There is a good mix of positive and humorous stories mixed in with the challenges, so it is not an all-out depressing book. He talks about the good times and bad with his ex-wife. Hearing about the struggles to get disability and social security is relatable to many with disabilities of all kinds and he explains how the stress impacts both the people in the relationship, not just the one with the disability.
At times the book feels like it is a personal journal where Chris is just writing out bits and pieces of his memories. I feel this is important though to the reader because you see him before MS took away his independence. You see him as he was, and it helps to understand why he became so bitter and fell into the “poor me” attitude that eventually ruined his marriage. Letting others see this makes it more real and relatable. In the end this book is not just about him complaining about all he lost due to MS, it is about how he learned to adapt and how he learned from his mistakes. This is a good book for people that are struggling and feel alone and feel that they can’t ever change the situation they are in. You may not be able to change your disability or disease, but you can change your attitude and how you relate to the people in your life to make your situation a little better.
Pages: 148 | ISBN: 1606045636
One Love
![One Love by [Duffy, Thomas]](https://i0.wp.com/images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51srA77oYFL.jpg?resize=296%2C444&ssl=1)
Thomas Duffy’s book, One Love, is a tale of both love and heartache. Protagonist Tim is torn between a “what might have been” sort of love and another that is actually in front of him. Duffy doesn’t paint over the ugly parts of love, instead highlighting them. He exposes what love looks like in real life, not some fairy tale version that we were taught in the movies. Duffy doesn’t shy away from the flaws and complexities of his characters. His is a raw and honest account of entangled and intertwined relationships that examines what we sacrifice for love, and the love we may sacrifice for security.
A book has to really grab me from page one for me to read it quickly. I got through this one in two days, even with other things going on. I was pulled in. I was fascinated and wanted to see what happened from page to page. I went through a range of emotion with the characters. I wanted to hug Tim and slap him sometimes at the same time. The same went for Louie and Melody at times. I felt like I was peeking in on intimate details of lives I shouldn’t be seeing but wanted to see at the same time. Thomas Duffy pulled back the curtain on real life. He exposed what everyone tries to hide.
Readers will find themselves identifying with the characters. They are all flawed in some way or another, and that makes them more identifiable. Louie’s addiction, Tim’s stagnant career and failure to commit, Melody’s indecisiveness, Cindy’s crippling anxiety. Duffy covers the gamut of dysfunction. Chances are that each reader will see his or herself in at least one of the characters. I appreciated the realism and admittedly saw myself in a character or two. Everyone has a “what might have been” scenario or two. This book lets readers vicariously live one of those scenarios out.
I’m not a romance novel fan. I wouldn’t call this your average romance novel by any stretch. However, there are some sexual scenes in the book. They are not overpowering to the rest of the plot. They feel necessary and relevant to the story. You’ll find much more concentration on the feelings of the characters and their daily lives than sex, but it is there. -And, it is important to the story.
This one was a real page-turner for me. The writing was simple without being boring. There was no pretense. No stuffiness. I was completely interested in the lives of the characters from the first page until the last and found myself wanting to know more. The characters felt real. They were well-developed. I feel invested in their lives. I want to know what else happens.
The book is brilliantly written. It was a very easy read. The pace was perfect, and the plot flowed well. The characters felt real. I can’t say enough good things about this writer. I’d love to read more of his work.
Pages: 263 | ASIN: B00PAE4HV4
Till It Stops Beating
“If your heart has ever hurt from beating wildly, whether from anxiety or love, this book is the one to read.”
This quote at the end of the book summary perfectly describes the book. This is one of those stories that is relatable and heartwarming. When I first started reading this book, I found myself swept away with the story. It is about Maddie Hickman, a girl who suffers from extreme anxiety who has found herself on a downward spiral when life becomes too much. This takes the 17-year-old on a crazy adventure in the shape of a road trip.
I immediately related to Maddie in this story because I realized I was suffering from anxiety when I was her age. I loved seeing this kind of representation in a story, dealing with both the hardships and the hope. Maddie is a strong character that must balance her anxiety with being a normal teenage girl which for her means college applications, family drama, and boys. I loved reading Maddie’s voice as she s both charming and funny. Her attention to doughnuts, in the beginning, kept me cracking smiles and added to the characters unique voice.
Author Hannah Goodman did an incredible job of capturing the voice of a teenager, which is unsurprising when I found out she is referred to as “the teenage whisperer,” due to her 20 years long career working with teenagers as a teacher, tutor, and coach. I was impressed with how she was able to tackle a difficult issue like anxiety and make a story that was funny and sweet without making light of the issue. She also treats Maddie’s problems, whether big or small, as real, not belittling them as silly teenage issues. These things come together to make an amazing story that holds an important message for teenagers and adults.
On top of the masterful rendering of a teenager with anxiety, this story also delves into the sweet world of first love. Goodman has played with the complicated and often heart-wrenching experience of love that is oh so beautiful. I very much enjoyed getting to see Maddie deal with the ups and downs of love and found her story to be heartening and sweet.
I found this to be a great summertime read and would highly recommend it, definitely 5 stars from me.
Pages: 216 | ASIN: 1684330807
