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The Hidden Power of Rising Dividends: How to Produce Security, Income & Growth
Greg Donaldson plunges into the stormy seas of the stock market, uncovering the deep wisdom that emerges from navigating its unpredictable currents. He offers a firsthand account of Black Monday, the infamous crash on October 19, 1987. The Hidden Power of Rising Dividends thrusts readers into the eye of a financial storm that forever altered the global economy and left a lasting impact on his life, both personally and professionally.
The Hidden Power of Rising Dividends stands out for its ability to be both thorough and approachable. It turns the complexities of the stock market into something intriguing, even for those who typically find financial jargon overwhelming. Donaldson starts strong, painting vivid pictures of a day that has no equal in financial history. His storytelling grips the reader, capturing the sheer panic and uncertainty that swept through Wall Street as the Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeted nearly 23%. The chaos feels almost tangible—markets crumbling, data lagging behind, and phones ringing non-stop with frightened clients on the other end.
Donaldson doesn’t just recount the financial impact of the crash; he bares his soul, sharing the psychological toll it took on him and those around him. He invites readers into his mind, revealing how a timely scripture from Isaiah became a beacon of hope amid the turmoil. His journey is deeply introspective. The solace he found as his small investment firm wavered on the edge of collapse is nothing short of inspiring. Donaldson’s talent for storytelling shines brightly, particularly when introducing key figures who shaped his thinking during this tumultuous period. One major lesson here is recognizing the potential in companies not just for quick returns but for their long-term resilience and value. Donaldson’s knack for drawing parallels between the tangible qualities of prime farmland and the intrinsic strengths of companies with solid brands, consistent earnings, and strong reputations makes complex financial ideas accessible to a wide audience.
The Hidden Power of Rising Dividend is a testament to the virtues of patience, perspective, and prudence. Donaldson’s evolution from a frantic trader to a calm, long-term strategist offers lessons that are as timeless as they are valuable. With an exceptional blend of historical narrative, personal reflection, and financial strategy, Greg Donaldson has crafted a book that is a must-read for everyone—from experienced investors to beginners, and even for those who simply enjoy a well-told story.
Pages: 380 | ASIN : B0D722DHC8
Nurse Florence®, What is Type 1 Diabetes?
Nurse Florence: What is Type 1 Diabetes? by Michael Dow provides an informative and accessible introduction to the complex topic of Type 1 Diabetes, tailored for young readers. The story follows a group of students, Jean, Condi, and Sonia, as they meet with Nurse Florence, who educates them about the disease in a clear, engaging way. Through simple language and easy-to-understand illustrations, Nurse Florence explains what Type 1 Diabetes is, its symptoms, causes, treatments, and the challenges that come with managing the disease.
What I found particularly effective about this book is its ability to break down complex medical concepts into terms that kids can grasp. When Nurse Florence explains how insulin works in the body, she uses diagrams and comparisons that make the information easy to visualize. This type of clarity is essential, especially for younger readers or those who might be learning about this disease for the first time. The straightforward approach helps demystify a topic that can seem overwhelming. Some sections repeated key points, particularly when discussing the symptoms and complications of diabetes, which helps reinforce important information. This thorough approach can be especially valuable for readers who benefit from extra clarity and detail, ensuring they fully grasp the concepts. One aspect I truly appreciated was how the book offered practical advice for living with Type 1 Diabetes. Beyond just presenting facts, it gave suggestions that readers—whether children with diabetes or those learning about it—could apply in real life. For instance, Nurse Florence’s discussion on healthy eating habits, checking blood sugar, and the importance of exercise gives readers tangible takeaways. The inclusion of tools like insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors is also a great touch, showing how modern technology plays a role in disease management.
Nurse Florence: What is Type 1 Diabetes? is a well-crafted educational tool for children and their families. Its simple explanations, combined with its focus on real-life application, make it an ideal resource for young readers curious about Type 1 Diabetes or those who need to understand the condition better. This book is perfect for kids who have a family member with diabetes, educators looking to introduce health topics in the classroom, or anyone seeking a basic understanding of this condition in a format that’s easy to digest.
Pages: 232 | ISBN : 978-1304939999
Love, Loyalty, and Revenge
JimiJix Special Brew follows a man shattered by the tragic loss of his wife and daughter who deteriorates in a dark world of crime and revenge. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
No single event or case was the inspiration for the setup in JimiJix Special Brew, although Killian Doyle, and the marketing mascot, were obviously inspired by my time in advertising.
Do you think there’s a single moment in everyone’s life, maybe not as traumatic, that is life-changing?
Yes, I believe that change is often prompted by an event in someone’s life. It could be a career event, a relationship event, a family event, or some other event, but I believe that an event often prompts a person to change.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The big theme was change. The book is primarily about how a relatively ordinary person has to change and use all their skills (their special brew) in order to obtain justice. Whether, and by how much, a person can change, has always been of interest to me.
Other themes explored in JimiJix Special Brew are love, loyalty, and revenge.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when can your fans expect it to be out?
I originally wrote and self-published JimiJix in 2015, I rewrote JimiJix as JimiJix Special Brew in 2024. JimiJix was one of a series of three books that featured Killian Doyle – the others being ShamrockSnake (2019) and TummiTurtle (2021). I am now rewriting ShamrockSnake, in which Killian Doyle sets out to discover why his business partner died in a murder-suicide. The revised version of ShamrockSnake will be published in 2025, with the revised version of TummiTurtle planned for 2026.
Author Links: GoodReads | Website | Facebook | X (Twitter) | YouTube | Amazon
JimiJix Special Brew is a crime-thriller about the murder of a well-known marketing character for a fast-food chain.
Underlying Strength
Beneath the Scarlet Frost follows a princess living in a magical kingdom who has to grow up quickly and come to terms with reality when wielders of wicked magic invade their lands. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The world of this story, Alse Hanya, was actually one I created back in 2011 when I was fourteen years old. I had wanted to write a book about warring magical clans at the time but never got too far into it. In 2014, I started a book about a war of magic vs non-magic, inspired by the Grimm story, “Sweetheart Roland.” I wrote and re-wrote the first ten chapters countless times, but it was never “right.” Then, in 2019, I read a book by Helen Rappaport, The Race to Save the Romanovs, and as the family had always interested me, the more I learned the more I was inspired by those real historical events. I ended up combining the world-building from my fourteen-year-old self, the characters I’d started in the retelling, and the influences of WWI and the Imperial family of Russia at the time. That, and I knew without a doubt that I wanted to write a heroine who showed different strengths than we normally see in modern books. I wanted to show how the quiet, dutiful, compassionate character that usually hangs back could be the strong protagonist, and how those strengths have such an impact.
A lot of time was spent crafting the character traits in this novel. What was the most important factor for you to get right in your characters?
The most important factor for me was making sure the characters all interacted authentically. I wanted the sibling dynamics to really feel like siblings, each with their differing personalities but unquestionable love for one another. I also wanted to show a different kind of “strength” to each character. No matter which character you look at in this novel, main, secondary, or minor, each one has a certain underlying strength to them, traditional or less commonly seen. Of course, they all have flaws and weaknesses too, as is human nature, but the personal impact and emotional depth through the characters were extremely important to me. Additionally, I modeled the Zdraevit family with some character traits from the real Romanov family, and I did a lot of research to get to know the family as much as possible, including reading their personal journals. I definitely wanted to hide those little easter egg details in there.
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from and how did it change as you were writing?
As I mentioned above, the world came from a story I wanted to write about warring clans when I was fourteen. I wrote lore and histories etc., and created a rough magic system surrounding thirteen “types” of magic, for which their country was named. When I started the retelling in 2014, the world setting was very flat, it was also set against more of a 1940s London backdrop. It wasn’t until I decided to use the Romanovs as inspiration that the pieces clicked together, and I knew I wanted there to be nods to real-world countries and histories woven throughout the narrative, which of course then influenced the setting at large. Eisa for example, started out as a land of endless winter but then was dialed back to a climate and environment more realistically akin to Russia.
What will the next book in that series be about, and when will it be published?
Following the significant event that takes place at the end of Beneath the Scarlet Frost, book two, Within Forsaken Shadows, will focus on exploring more of the world and coming to terms with grief, duty, fear, and moving forward. It is a story of survival and healing, growing war, courtly politics, and culture shocks, and it is a story of new beginnings and understanding. Some of the naivete displayed in book one, won’t really fly in the sequel. The world the characters are entering into is dangerous and often very unforgiving, with little room for innocence or stagnance. Within Forsaken Shadows is set to release on February 18th, 2025.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
Shadows scream, whispers torment, and wishes curse.
The empire of Eisa once stood as a symbol of hope for purging the wicked magic that had plagued its lands. But, when Wielders are spotted within those borders, the sanctity that once acted as an unshakable foundation crumbles beneath Sorrel Zdraevit’s feet.
With the resurgence of Wielders on Eisan soil, protests are increasing in the streets, citizens are suffering, and everywhere she turns tragedy fractures the facade of peace that had sheltered her.
As the second eldest princess in Eisa’s imperial family, when war is brought to the kingdom’s door, Sorrel is forced to step into a new role, leading her deeper and deeper into the world she fears most. Desperate to protect her country against dark and twisted magic, and heal those around her, she must decide what it is she stands for when the world as she knows is rendered senseless.
Unsure of whom to condemn, and whom to put her faith in, Sorrel is faced with tainted realities that threaten to destroy everything she’s ever held dear. All that matters is keeping her kingdom and family safe against the monsters infiltrating her country. Secrets and lies drag her into the depths of her worst nightmare, where fighting through the calamities is the only way she will have any hope of making it out alive- If she can hold on to her own will to live.
Different Biases at Different Stages
The Genesis of Change follows two alchemists on missions that test the foundations of their craft and humanity who begin to unravel secrets that have the power to change the direction of their world. What was the inspiration that created the fantastic journey these characters go on?
My main inspiration was the ability of speculative fiction to, redundant as it sounds, speculate over specific themes. Let me elaborate.
I’m quite attracted to using fantasy to tell stories from the point-of-views of non-human characters—and, in particular, characters whose ethics, morals, and mindset vastly differ from a human-like perspective. This ties up with the concept behind alchemists’ origins, which is what gave me the idea for a training montage of sorts. I won’t spoil anything from Genesis here, but alchemists are not born; they are “thoughts embodied” and held together by the core set of beliefs, thought patterns, and feelings of the being that became the “source” for the alchemist. Therefore, their training (to call it somehow) implies finding that core set, fostering a thorough and in-depth understanding, and stripping everything else… which is why alchemists are timeless. They are not “alive” they “exist”… which is something discussed very lightly in Genesis. Because the alchemists are divided into four Orders, each with affinity to different elements, I chose to focus on the Soul Transmuters—which are the alchemists that manipulate thought patterns, emotions, and consciousness.
Since The Genesis of Change is a prequel novella, I wanted to use the storyline to introduce the magic system—that philosophy-based alchemy, the three elements (alive, half-alive, and non-alive), and the four Orders. I also wanted to showcase some of the other concepts, such as The Towers, where the alchemists live, and their extreme grey morality caused by that non-human mindset, and that incredible power some hold. Verve has quite a scene towards the end, and if I must be honest, that’s just a shard of their true power. Likewise, another goal was to showcase how alchemists perceive humans and tease at how humans see alchemists.
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from and how did it change as you were writing?
Philosophy is definitely one of my main inspirations. In particular, the alchemy of The Orders is loosely based on Kant’s transcendental idealism, but also on some elements of psychology. For example, transcendental idealism argues that space and time are features of our perception, and there is an entire scene in which Elan argues emotions are atemporal. Likewise, some of the Soul Transmuters abilities (this is a magic system after all), are loosely based on the interpretation that objects exist because we exist–hence, why through will and knowledge, some alchemists can create specific elements. Other ideas are based on Stoic philosophy; in particular, the dichotomy of control—which is why some characters argue that “to live is to struggle”.
There are also many other inspirations, but I can’t share some of them so as not to spoil elements of the wider universe. However, something I can share is that The Towers structure is partly inspired by two drawings from M.C. Escher: Relativity and Waterfall; trying to describe that in words was both baffling and curious. Likewise, Borges’ famous short story “The Library of Babel” did influence one particular room within The Towers, though—the Library!
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
In The Genesis of Change, one of the main themes I wanted to explore was bias, and the fact that no matter how old, intelligent (factually or emotionally), or keen we are… we are still biased. Bias is not something we can control; it is more of a constant through someone’s life. We may have different biases at different stages, but there is always going to be some degree of it.
Likewise, another important theme to touch on was the fact that all knowledge is, by definition, incomplete; knowledge is never static because it changes and evolves as a society does, effectively expanding or reducing. Related to this, and perhaps more related to the broader universe, was to enable a discussion on the consequences of an unrestricted pursuit of knowledge; doing anything for knowledge—which is what the alchemists do–may outright cause more damage than intended. After all, humanity has incurred (and continues to incur) in quite a few calamities just for the sake of knowledge (medical history can be quite enlightening in this regard).
Is this the first book in the series? If so, when is the next book coming out, and what can your fans expect in the next story?
Records of the Orders is actually a universe and will be composed of standalones and series. An interesting bit is that this universe is composed of books and books-with-choices—also known as interactive fiction. The books-with-choices will always be standalones and optional, but they’ll be part of the universe as well.
In particular, The Genesis of Change is a prequel novella, so book 0.5, and it focuses on introducing the magic system (alchemy and The Orders), as well as key characters—The Rector, Verve, and Elan. You can get the ebook for free by subscribing to my newsletter!
A standalone book-with-choices titled Mien is also available! It is free to read through the app Unearthed Stories (available for Android and iPhone/iPads); this is a full-sized standalone which happens 5 years after the events in The Genesis of Change. Several of the characters in Genesis make an appearance here, but the protagonist (as the title indicates) is Mien. Although it’s still quite philosophical, this one leans more towards a political fantasy (not ideological, though; it leans more towards political philosophy).
Now, the first trilogy (I won’t reveal the name yet) within Records of the Orders is estimated to arrive in September-October of 2025. Why the delay? Oh well, I’m plotting all three books to write them back to back; my goal is to release each book quite close to each other. There may be a surprise release before that, and the best way to get news before everyone else is my newsletter 👀
Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Instagram | Threads | Website | Amazon
Élan; the chaos-tamer, the record-breaker. Verve; the one behind the rise and fall of thousands of civilisations. Two alchemists, each sent on a mission by the leader of The Orders—The Rector.
Élan must shatter their mentee’s humanity to train her as an alchemist, while Verve must define the unexplainable existing within a respected healer. When their missions reveal clues that could reformulate alchemy, they’ll edge closer to fathom The Rector’s goal while facing an endless conundrum—to remain as is, or to learn and adapt.
The genesis of change is near.
Triumphs and Setbacks
The Path to Trust follows the leader of a secret werewolf community who has to find a way to keep his community safe when a brotherhood dedicated to hunting magical beings resurfaces and threatens everything. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
All of my books focus on overcoming challenges and show how family, love, and determination can lead to success.
In The Path to Trust, the story centers around Adam accepting his reality as a werewolf, overcoming trauma, and assuming leadership in his community, all within the context of an urban fantasy.
I aimed for the story to carry a meaningful message, inspiring people to question societal norms related to appearance and self-conception and to demonstrate that anyone, including werewolves, can be accepted and welcomed if they exist. (Or perhaps they do exist, and we just haven’t encountered one yet! 😊)
What were some ideas that were important for you to personify in your characters?
The protagonist personified my childhood ideal of a hero: strong but kind, handsome but unassuming. Despite having human imperfections, his strong moral compass always guided him.
I aimed for both the main character and his companions to be authentic, allowing their triumphs and setbacks to resonate with real-life experiences.
In fantasy novels, it’s easy to get carried away with the magical powers characters have. How did you balance the use of supernatural powers?
As an urban fantasy writer, I wanted the world to make sense, so the characters were not unrealistically powerful. I also imagined encountering one of these beings in the street and still being able to live side by side and be friends.
Most importantly, I wanted to convey the idea that being different or powerful doesn’t mean that people around are at risk, as long as there are strong morals involved.
As you can see, it’s not the conventional werewolf plot, but it goes deeper.
What is the next book you are working on, and when will it be available?
My next book is a sequel to Adam’s life, and hopefully, his achievements can still inspire others to live better lives.
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Amazon
In the secluded Irish island of Luach, a secret werewolf community thrives under Adam’s compassionate leadership. However, their peaceful existence is shattered when The Order, a long-dormant brotherhood dedicated to hunting magical beings, resurfaces and rips Adam’s life.
Faced with an unprecedented situation, Adam spirals out of control, fracturing his relationship with Kate. Despite her fears, Kate doesn’t give up on him and, with unwavering determination, fights for their love and the life they once had.
Adam has much work ahead of him. He must regain the community’s trust to wrest control of The Order and rebuild his relationship with Kate.
The Path to Trust is the second installment in the MacTire Legends series. This non-traditional young adult romance fantasy plot seamlessly blends suspense and cozy romance within the rich lore of werewolves, offering an exciting, heartfelt narrative that will put you on the edge of your seat, cheering for Adam at every turn.
The Search for God
In Death of a Blue Jay, a man is forced to face his inner demons as he learns to embrace life’s nuances and rediscovers his own faith. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The inspiration for my story was based on a trip to Bar Harbor, Maine. My friend and I were not cognizant of the time on one hike and we found ourselves trying to hike back after sunset in the darkness. This experience helped me understand how life is hard and we all have a “dark path” to follow to reconcile past traumas or mistakes. The issue is it is hard to face this reality so most people tend to mask their obligations and distract themselves with comfort. Along the process, there is humility involved and a reliance on a higher power above ourselves.
Did you plan the tone and direction of the novel before writing, or did it come out organically as you were writing?
I planned the very beginning and ending of the novel before writing and also established the main themes throughout the novel. I started writing the book with the scene from the very middle of the novel and organically the tone and direction developed as I was writing from the beginning to the end.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Some themes that were important for me to explore in this book were mortality, morality, and the search for God.
What is one thing you hope readers take away from Jeremy’s story?
Charity is an essential call for all of us in life and we must be realistic with our mental health and reconcile any past traumas before giving joy to others because otherwise we are left confused, stuck, and selfish!
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Amazon
This book has received recognition from:
International Impact Book Awards (May 2024) under Christian Fantasy.
2nd Quarter 2024 Firebird Book Award Winner- Christian Fiction (1st Place) and Religious Fiction (2nd place)
In D’Souza’s “Death of a Blue Jay“, Jeremy Martin goes through a supernatural experience of ups and downs and understands that there is value even when we fall because there will be new lessons gained for future use of wisdom.
In the fictional world of ROB-RAH-RATS, Jeremy is forced to face his unconscious mind, where his deepest secrets are revealed; and where he must face his inner demons and build virtue to ultimately return to the real world and fulfill a final act of charity. D’Souza shares contemplation and the allegory of certain objects to give the reader a new perspective on the value of living by eyes of faith rather than simply by eyes of sight.
LITERARY TITAN 