Blog Archives
A Good Boy
A Good Boy, by Kevin O’Sullivan, is a memoir of the author’s experience in the secretive Catholic organization known as the Legionaries of Christ. The author begins his book with memories of the father he lost when he was only two years old. Readers are introduced to Kevin’s mother and how she influenced his decision to join the Legionaries of Christ. O’Sullivan shares his experiences from his school years as he struggled to understand his sexuality. The author also shares the unfortunate experiences he faced in his years in the Catholic organization.
Kevin O’Sullivan’s memoir takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster as they follow him through his younger years leading to adulthood. I found myself glued to the pages, and I was horrified by some of the experiences the author shared with us. O’Sullivan is candid in his book, and he doesn’t sugarcoat the truth or protect anyone; he tells his truth. My thoughts were racing as I was reading because readers see both the author trying to understand his sexuality and the way in which his faith affected who and how he loved.
O’Sullivan’s story is compelling in every way. I found myself frustrated as I read about the excuses the members of the Legionaries of Christ made to justify abuse. I also felt sympathy for O’Sullivan because he had such strong beliefs in his Catholic faith before realizing how inherently wrong the abuse truly was. Many readers will empathize with him as he is forced to question the Catholic religion.
Overall, I enjoyed reading A Good Boy, by Kevin O’Sullivan, and I commend him for sharing his story with readers. His writing makes readers feel like they are having a conversation with a friend. I am hoping the author writes a second part to this book as I would love to see the next phase of his life. I highly recommend this story to those who are curious about the Legionaries of Christ but also to those who have gone through the same experiences as O’Sullivan. Readers will know that they are not alone and feel that they, too, have a voice.
Pages: 293 | ASIN: B0B173MV33
Walking on the Water
Aimy Ellen’s emotionally-resonant memoir, Walking on the Water, follows a devout Christian woman as she navigates her life through its ups and downs as a single mother and the miracles her faith has brought her. Born into a Baptist family, the author developed a deep relationship with God and has since lived by His words. She prayed for a happy life and a good family and eventually married. However, having a child took longer than expected. After more than a decade, she gets pregnant and a year later her husband leaves her to raise her son alone. She constantly prays to God for her son’s safety and happiness and her faith never waivers. In an unfortunate turn of events, her son is assaulted and from there on Aimy and her son begin to believe in miracles, angels, and God’s power.
Aimy Ellen has written a powerful and impassioned memoir of her son’s remarkable recovery from a near-fatal assault. Aimy’s only son, Alex, was found critically injured on the side of the road, a victim of an armed robbery, with life-threatening injuries including a punctured lung, shattered ribs, and a bullet wound. Rather than abandoning all hope, she turns to the Lord and places her complete trust and faith in Him as she always has. Aimy shows readers that her faith in God and her belief in miracles helped her son pull through this tragic event and encourages readers not to give up no matter how difficult the situation.
This significant moment in the author’s life, relayed in a riveting memoir, serves as a testament to her faith. Her writing style is easy to follow and ensure that her uplifting and inspiring message comes across in a profound way. This poignant and sentimental book shares a remarkable story of faith in the face of adversity.
Walking on the Water is a great book for readers that have doubt in their heart about God, as it will help reaffirm their belief. I think this book would also be an impactful read for those that remain strong in faith as it will serve as a compelling story of one persons trials and tribulations and shows how miracles can happen when you have faith.
Pages: 82 | ASIN: B07KXMTPTT
The Making of a Physician
The Making of a Physician is a captivating autobiography written by Harry L. Graber, M.D. F.A.C.C.. In his book the author addresses why he chose his career and the people that influenced and shaped his career today. Graber makes an interesting connection between these choices and our DNA, exploring the nature vs. nurture debate, coming to the conclusion that he was meant to become a physician.
In his journey to retirement Graber describes interactions he had with patients that shaped his career outlook. In addition to his own story, he also includes interesting anecdotes from doctors that he knows, providing their perspective on the central question; ‘are you satisfied with your career choices’?
This fascinating biography will be incredibly helpful and insightful for any student of medicine, or anyone beginning their career in that field. Graber details many reasons why he chose the medical field and the fulfilling nature of becoming a doctor. This book will also be beneficial for jaded doctors, as the author gives them reasons to continue with their practice, showing them just how much they contribute to society.
I also this think is a fantastic book for anyone who is looking for a detailed and compelling look at someone that has built a substantial career. Graber provides readers who are not in the medical field an inside look from a doctor’s perspective, allowing the reader to better understand physicians and the sacrifices they go through. The author is straightforward with his stories, not using much medical terminology to confuse his readers, which makes this story easy to read and accessible to a wide audience.
The Making of a Physician: This Was My Calling is a enlightening memoir that explores a fascinating concept on the influences in our lives and how they shape up.
Pages: 202 | ASIN: B0794TYLT6
The Fabric of Our Lives
105 Steps is a memoir of not just the time your wife was in the hospital, but of your journey together in life, with all the ups and downs it took you on. Why was this an important book for you to write?
It’s often said that just before you die, your whole life flashes before your eyes. With my wife on life support in ICU, I knew regardless of the outcome, my life would also never be the same. As a songwriter, words and tunes have always been my chosen outlet, however sitting bedside and faced with losing my wife, I felt compelled to remember and relate every moment we shared together. The recollections, dates and experiences constituting the fabric of our lives together seemed to write themselves and, at times, I felt like it wasn’t me actually writing, I just painted the picture, immersed in and reliving each moment of our 51 year relationship. The journey we were on was too big for a song so 105 Steps was born and written in 6 weeks (on my iPhone), because I couldn’t bear to lose one single valuable memory.
I appreciated the candid nature with which you told your story. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?
I tried to be as honest as I could. My fear and vulnerability was exposed in the front pages when I wrote;
“Imagine yourself standing before a wide, deep, dark river. It’s night time but, for some unknown reason, you know you must cross the river. You are alone and afraid. A large, white stepping stone slowly rises from the deep and you step out. It’s firm and solid. Another white stepping stone appears in front of you. It too, is firm and solid. You take it. Then another, and another and another. The river is wide but your path is now long. You turn around to see how far you’ve come. There are no stones. There is only one stone, the one you are standing on”.
Readers familiar with ICU and long hospital stays will understand the metaphor of the river and the stones. After my fear had been exposed and, with nothing to hide, the words flowed freely. That one paragraph (above), was difficult to write, but established the parameters for the rest of the book. Emotionally, the time of most anguish and mental trauma was when we were, as a family, called into a meeting with Doctors, expecting we would have to make a decision on whether my wife might live or die.
What is one piece of advice someone gave you that changed your life?
“Never lose your childhood innocence”
… always a font for bravado and courage, often a call to not be afraid to “step up to the plate”. Told to me by Carlos Santana, but (loosely) a famous quote by Federico Fellini
After knocking on various doors (no particular person but thru books, meditation) … I came to understand that Space, Time, Energy and Matter are all manifestations of the same thing. This realisation freed my mind and opened up a lifetime source of creative positive energy and thinking. I could believe in and mould my own future.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
There is always hope, and Love is the solution. We only have control over our own thoughts but, with that, comes great power. Power to only hold positive thoughts, positive images, positive outcomes. Power to refuse to entertain negativity. The human brain will manifest whatever is held within it and doesn’t differentiate between good and bad. No matter the adversity, readers can create their own future, readers can mould and manifest their outcomes. No matter how bad things appear, a positive outcome can always be had if readers nurture their thoughts in a sea of love and have faith.
Author Links: Amazon | Website
Steve sits bedside with his wife Glen, as she lies unconscious fighting for her life. Forced to face the prospect of a future without her at his side, he recalls their entire lives together, from the moment they met. In remarkable colour and detail, Steve cleverly intertwines a memoir and their 51 year relationship with the tension of real time hospital drama as it unfolds.
Beginning in the 1970’s, the story follows a young, long haired, guitar playing dreamer on a spontaneous and eclectic backpacking journey through Africa, the UK, Europe, Australia, Hawaii, mainland US, Canada and Mexico in a coming of age. Steve finds first himself, then faith and positivity, belief and, finally the love of his life and their place together in the Universe.
Besides telling a story of how love unfolds, 105 Steps reveals how life really is what happens to us when we are busy planning other things. Steve’s desperation as he diarises the events surrounding his wife’s condition is palpable but, through all of this, 105 Steps leaves an indelible feeling of positivity. It’s a tense but heartwarming tale of how adversity can galvanise an entire family to find love, strength and courage.
A seemingly ordinary life becomes a remarkable journey when juxtaposed against the tension of ICU and illustrates how life can be joyful … if you want it to be.
105 Steps will show you how the power of positive thinking and prayer really can make a difference.
Healing From The Trauma Is Possible
Real Events of Narcissistic Abuse is your memoir of surviving abusive relationships with narcissists and how you healed from those experiences. Why was this an important book for you to write?
Real Events of Narcissistic Abuse: Someone’s Survival Guide was inspired by God through learning how many other victims and survivors are out there in the world. After discovering that this horrific abuse occurs around the world, I knew my story was needed to help others understand that they are not alone, that they are not crazy, and that 100% healing from the trauma is possible. Overcoming the trauma and trauma triggers is and can be done when we know the ‘why’ behind the abuse. When we understand the ‘why,’ we can connect the dots with all the red flags we missed so that we don’t miss them again going forward. The book will inspire and educate others about the very real spiritual battle for the mind, as we learn that the abuser was trying to gain control of our mind.
While the abusers want to control us, it is ultimately the control of our minds they truly want. When they cannot get control of our minds, they will experience what is known as a narcissistic collapse, an adult temper tantrum. It is during this collapse that their true colors show who they really are and who they are not. My story helps others identify if they are in an abusive relationship or situation so they can start planning their escape and break any unhealthy attachments to the abuser. Hence my brand, inspired by Jesus, breaking the trauma bond to the world, to help others overcome unhealthy attachments to people and things so they can truly heal.
My story is one of many about trials, tribulations, and triumphs! It is also a walk with me on my journey into God’s reality. The day I was reborn in Christ is the very day I realized we are in a real spiritual battle between good and evil, and that the abusive behaviors are the real evil we are facing daily. To fight the good fight, we draw closer to God and become a better version of ourselves as we heal and grow spiritually to do all that we are destined to do. We turn our pain into purpose and co-create with our Heavenly Father to benefit humanity with love, light, and laughter through changing that thinking into positive vibes, and live our best life.
What is a common misconception you feel people have about Narcissism?
One major misconception many people have is that narcissism is a mental disorder. When God tells us we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against spiritual wickedness in high places, it becomes clear that narcissism is a spiritual disorder, one where the abusers are disconnected from their righteous spiritual body. Narcissism is all about negativity and low vibration to keep people down so the enemy can keep kicking them while they are down. Abusers do the same thing and that is not a coincidence. Everyone experiences a little narcissism growing up, but survivors who get rid of that victim mentality associated with narcissism start to see exactly what not to be and what not to engage in when it comes to the abuse. It’s called growing up and maturing as we should. And we put away all those childish things like Jesus did (1 Corinthians 13:11).
While narcissism is the “all about me persona,” the ‘ism’ mindset, it is through the spiritual energy transfer that negative thoughts and emotions occur. The abusers cannot process their emotions properly, so they project them outward, abusing others to try and make themselves feel better. When they realize that doesn’t work, it makes them even more bitter. Many experts in this type of abuse will tell you that these abusers are cowards underneath the mask they wear. What we mean by the ‘mask’ is the mirroring of their target to trick their target into thinking they found a soulmate. Narcissism is all about keeping people away from God, so they don’t discover their purpose and get into repentance. Repentance goes hand in hand with the spiritual awakening as we learn to knock it off with childish behaviors and follow God’s commandments. None of us are saints by any means, and that is why we need Jesus, but narcissism will keep people confused and lost while at the same time tricking them into believing they are saved. Talk about cognitive dissonance in action!
Narcissism is also highly judgmental of outward appearances. Narcissism is filled with hypocrisy, lies, deceit, and all the other wickedness we are to refrain from, including idolatry. Narcissism is full of idolatry, putting other people and things above God. Narcissism causes people to lack empathy and compassion for others. Without empathy, a gift from God, the individual will become a narcissistic abuser, even at least a part-time one. Nonetheless, an abuser is an abuser and that’s not okay. I say that abuse of any kind is not okay often for a reason, as it is wrong to go around treating others badly. We are instructed by God to love one another, and we learn to do that from afar when it comes to the enemy. We simply love from afar by not fearing or hating them. We turn it over to God and let Him handle them.
The bottom line with narcissism is that it is designed to trick many into thinking the world revolves around them and that there is never enough. A good example can be found in those who, out of fear, go and buy way more than what they need of a particular item, not thinking about their neighbor who may also need that item. That is classic narcissism in action, not caring about anyone else and only caring about themselves. Narcissism causes people to put themselves above God, and that’s where they mess up.
What is one piece of advice someone gave you that changed your life?
One significant piece of advice someone gave me that changed my life was to start setting strong boundaries and sticking to them. One surefire way to do this is learning to say ‘no’ to things that do not resonate with my spirit and not feel guilty for saying ‘no.’ We learned through the abuse that when we give the abuser an inch, they will take a mile. By setting strong boundaries, we are more easily able to resist the devil and he shall flee (James 4:7). Without boundaries, we are more easily tempted and fall into sin. Once God wakes us up to and from the abuse, we enter a spiritual awakening and what comes with that is repentance, seeking forgiveness for our sins from God. We must have boundaries to pick up our cross and follow Jesus because the enemy will always try to test our faith, using the same tactics repeatedly, as he has no new tricks.
One of the best examples of a boundary that I learned to set the hard way was to never get personal with coworkers, especially if in a toxic and abusive workplace. Another example of a boundary is the disclaimer on my website that lets potential abusers know that if they are just looking for attention or a pity party, then my services are not for them. My consulting sessions are for those who are serious about healing and growing spiritually. Setting that boundary has curtailed an influx of abusers who were just looking for attention and verbally attacking me with mundane gaslights and questions. One made me laugh as they tried to see if they could get me to second guess myself by asking if I was sure I was healed enough from the trauma to help others. My first thought was, “Well, I can see right through your shenanigans, and they won’t work, so yes, I am 100% healed.” So, boundaries are an important thing to have if we are to stay focused on our calling and do the will of God. Without boundaries, we would not be able to thwart the fiery darts of the wicked. Additionally, without boundaries, we allow ourselves to be pulled into many different directions and we sacrifice our inner peace. Boundaries help us keep our inner peace.
What do you hope is one thing readers take away from your story?
The primary takeaway from my story for readers is just how strong they truly are because of God and Jesus! A good example is in the book about how I still managed to keep my GPA high and graduate with my bachelor’s and master’s degrees with honors, despite the crazy-making from narcissistic abuse situation number nine. That situation was the straw that broke the camel’s back, and I finally heard God’s call, paying close attention to all the behaviors of the ex-roommate who fit the criteria of a psychopath with everything he tried to do, from putting spyware on mine and my mother’s phone, to rigging up an electrocution ‘machine’ in the house to try and cause me to fall ill. He was living in a fantasy world where he painted me as his wife and the spyware was so he could have a “pretend affair” with someone he tried to triangulate me with. Some parts of that story are comical as he tried to turn his “pretend mistress” into a version of me. The abuse he dished out was not funny at all, but some of the things his pretend mistress did was hilarious. Even during the aftermath of that situation, I was able to enroll into the current doctorate program and once all of that finally calmed down, with a protective order out against the ex-roommate, I have made it to the dissertation proposal stage in the program!
Readers will learn that nothing is impossible with God! Through faith, dedication, and determination, we are resilient and stronger than we think. We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, and no man can stop God’s plan for our lives. Readers will be encouraged and enlightened to keep going, healing, and growing. Each time the enemy tried to cause our downfall, we bounced back ten-fold, emerging stronger than we used to be.
The book is an easy read! It is not bogged down with overly sophisticated words and is to the point, without heavy jargon no one has ever heard of, keeping the writing style conversational. With the conversational style, readers can relax and enjoy learning while healing and being educated about narcissistic abuse.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website
Our stories matter and can help other survivors understand exactly what is happening on a societal level and how it all ties into the spiritual battle between narcissists and empaths. The reader will learn more about their own experiences with narcissistic abuse and be able to find closure within themselves, as well as understand that none of it was personal.
Plus, the reader will be inspired and empowered to know they can take their power back! Overall, the major takeaway from this book is that survivors will renew their hope and faith that healing is possible, as well as learn the reason why we didn’t see the abuse on an individual level for so long. We learn that we were duped into thinking the abuse was normal until we start to recognize all the red flags on an individual level, then we see them on a societal level.
Truth is Indestructible
The names have been changed to protect the innocent — and the guilty — in this non-fiction memoir by Stuart Nagero. As a small child in India, Nagero’s wife, Vidhi, suffered seven years of brutal physical, sexual and mental abuse at the hands of her adult cousin, Varun. As Nagero makes explicit in the title, Truth is Indestructible is a husband’s reaction to learning of this part of his wife’s history.
This short book of only 52 pages focuses almost exclusively on the author’s reaction to learning of his wife’s trauma and his philosophical musings about the nature of evil and social reform. He tells Vidhi’s story in outline only. There are few gory details of exactly what Varun did to her, apart from a couple of examples of his depravity. Instead, we are told that when her family fell into poverty, Vidhi and her mother were placed by her absentee father with extended family. In this family, Vidhi became the “sexual target” and “punching bag” for a violent, psychopathic man seventeen years her senior.
When at last Vidhi confesses her history, she and Nagero seek justice, but there is no justice to be had. The police are not interested in such an old crime, and the family covers up and denies everything to save social face.
In a bid for a kind of healing, Nagero seeks to give a voice to the millions of other silent victims. He holds up Varun as just one example of an evil that infests the world, taking the specific instance of Vidhi’s experience and extrapolating that to comment on the human condition and society as a whole in which “evil individuals take advantage of the power and social taboos to protect them.”
Nagero is knowledgeable and articulate; through his novel, he provides a voice for his wife and other abuse victims. This memoir is a good read for those that want to know they are not alone, and that there is hope for the future.
Pages: 67 | ASIN : B09YT1MW5L
105 Steps
When Stephen Trigwell’s wife falls ill, the life his family has always known is forever changed. Their lives are consumed with doctor visits, hospital stays, medications, surgeries, and an overwhelming sense of fear. In March of 2021, Glen Trigwell was diagnosed with an aneurysm that required immediate surgery in order to set a stent in place. From that day forward, Stephen Trigwell made the decision to document the events that followed not only for his family but for his wife’s sake as the months that followed proved to be a time she may just lose. This memoir was written so she would know the love, care, and time that went into her experiences.
105 Steps is the true story and memoir of Glen Trigwell’s journey as documented by her husband, Stephen. Her shocking diagnosis in March of 2021 took their family down a frightening road. The aneurysm that changed their lives would pull them even closer together as they watched Glen fight to regain her life from this beast.
Stephen Trigwell’s writing is raw, open, and honest. He gives readers a deeply personal look into his family’s life as they cared for Glen from the beginning with her diagnosis through the moments from which they begin to believe she may never recover. Readers will feel each and every triumph and the devastating lows along with Stephen as he recounts each moment of her hospital stays and the harrowing days following her surgeries.
It’s difficult to say that I loved a story like this one because it’s true and painful, but I truly do. Trigwell has given readers an amazing gift with this account of his wife’s experience. I can see how his willingness to share his family’s pain and joy will help others living through the same type of challenges. His generosity is amazing and appreciated.
105 Steps, by Stephen Trigwell, is for anyone who wants to read a heartwarming and touching story about real unconditional love. The Trigwell family’s story is as inspiring as it is amazing and goes a long way to making so many feel less alone in such trying circumstances. I highly recommend Trigwell’s work to any reader looking for a beautifully-written true story of love, faith, and the determination to overcome the most incredible odds.
Pages: 222 | ASIN : B0B21XQFZ6
The Golden Gladiator – Book Trailer
The Golden Gladiator. . . .
Myth? Urban legend? Hero? Antihero?
Myth or urban legend? Not at all. This is the true story of senior citizen Michael Lynch and his inspirational journey back to the gridiron and glory. In his mid-sixties, he played on one of the best semi-pro football teams in America, and was coached by a former NFL veteran.
After seeing his nephew play in a high school All-Star game on Long Island during the summer of 2012, Michael Lynch had an epiphany. He wanted to play football again. In the late 60s and early 70s, he had been a football star in high school, college, and in the semi-pro leagues on Long Island. Forty years later, he decided to turn back the clock and risk life and limb to play football again in one of the toughest semi-pro leagues in America: the Florida Football Alliance.
This is a story of courage, redemption, tragedy, and love as Lynch played for four years in over fifty football games. He was a game captain, an Honorable Mention on the 2014 Florida Football Alliances All-Star team, and was honored at the leagues’ banquet in his final year in 2018 for his inspiration and dedication to the game he loves. He played on two championship teams, in 2015 and 2018.
Michael Lynch was inducted into the Guinness World Records in 2019 as the oldest American football player ever, and the oldest American football player to catch a touchdown pass—which he did at the age of sixty-eight.
Hero or antihero? You decide, but first read Michael Lynch’s epic tale, his Iliad and Odyssey of football journeys—the true story of . . . the Golden Gladiator.
LITERARY TITAN 