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Be Clear and Intentional
Communicate Like a Champion provides straightforward advice for enhancing professional communication, along with strategies that emphasize clarity and empathy. Why was this an important book for you to write?
This book was important for me to write because I’ve seen time and again that the success or failure of projects, teams, and even careers often comes down to communication. As a leader in telecommunications and during my doctoral studies, I recognized how often components of communications, such as clarity and empathy, were missing in professional exchanges. I wanted to create something concise, practical, and easy to use, something people could apply immediately in their workplace, whether they’re leading teams, collaborating across departments, or simply trying to be better understood.
What is one misconception you believe many people may have regarding effective communication in the workplace?
One of the biggest misconceptions is that communication means more words. People often think that long emails or detailed presentations equal effectiveness. In reality, effective communication is about being clear and intentional, saying the right thing, not everything. Another misconception is assuming silence means agreement. “No questions” doesn’t always mean understanding or alignment, and that’s where leaders need to confirm, follow up, and create space for feedback.
Did you learn anything that surprised you while you were researching and writing Communicate Like a Champion?
What surprised me most was how consistently small actions can create significant results. It wasn’t the grand speeches or high-stakes presentations that made the most significant difference; it was the everyday habits that mattered most. Things like summarizing a meeting in a single clear sentence, asking one good clarifying question, or pausing to reflect before responding. Those small, consistent habits are what transform someone into a “champion communicator.”
What is one thing you hope readers take away from this book?
If there’s one thing I want readers to take away, it’s that communication is a skill you can practice and improve. It’s not just for extroverts, executives, or “natural speakers.” With small, intentional steps clarifying intent, listening actively, and following up, you can become the kind of communicator who builds trust, fosters collaboration, and leads with confidence. That’s what “communicating like a champion” is all about.
Whether you’re a new professional, a seasoned leader, or someone navigating the complexities of hybrid teams, Communicate Like a Champion offers practical, proven strategies for improving your connection, leadership, and collaboration in the workplace.
This concise and actionable guide walks you through the core elements of strong communication—from clarifying your intentions to using empathy and follow-up effectively. With relatable examples, reflection prompts, and a 28-day challenge to build habits over time, this book helps you go beyond just “getting your point across.”
You’ll learn how to:
Communicate clearly across departments, hierarchies, and mediums
Recognize internal and external factors that influence every message
Use tone, clarity, and follow-up to earn trust and foster collaboration
Apply tools and tech that elevate your tone and clarity
Lead conversations with empathy, even when conflict is unavoidable
Whether you’re sending an email, running a meeting, or managing change, this book provides a reliable framework for ensuring your message lands and builds stronger relationships.
Black Pearl
From the first page, Black Pearl sets itself up as more than just another political thriller. It follows Cody Musket Jr., his family, and their network of allies as they confront an unrelenting tide of child trafficking, terrorism, and political upheaval. The story is about family, blood and chosen, fighting to survive and protect the vulnerable. There are gun battles, high-stakes rescues, secret agents, and even quiet moments of faith that cut through the noise. The novel moves quickly between firefights in Puerto Rico, clandestine rescues, and tense personal confrontations, all while keeping the theme of courage, loyalty, and redemption alive.
This book was a wild ride. The action scenes are painted with raw intensity, the kind that keeps you turning pages even when your eyes are begging for rest. But what surprised me most wasn’t the explosions or the shootouts, it was the emotional weight behind them. The author doesn’t shy away from the uglier parts of humanity: abuse, betrayal, greed. At times it felt heavy, even bleak, but then a character would step in with an act of selflessness or an unexpected flash of humor, and it pulled me right back from the edge. I admired the way Miller balanced that darkness with hope, though I’ll admit there were moments when the dialogue felt a little too on-the-nose, almost sermon-like, when I wanted it to breathe more naturally.
The writing style kept me engaged throughout. The pacing is relentless, and the action sequences play out with a sharp cinematic eye that makes the story easy to picture. The prose moves between moments of beautiful simplicity and bursts of dramatic flair, creating a rhythm that adds energy to the read. I found myself deeply invested in the characters, especially the kids, and I often wished the narrative would linger longer with them before sweeping me into the next pulse-pounding scene. The insistence that love and faith can outlast evil came through with sincerity and left a lasting impression.
Black Pearl is a book I’d recommend to readers who love high-octane thrillers but also crave an undercurrent of heart and conviction. Black Pearl reminded me of the intensity of Tom Clancy’s political thrillers and the moral conviction found in Terri Blackstock’s Christian suspense novels. Like Clancy, Miller crafts action scenes that feel vivid and urgent, pulling you straight into the heart of danger. And like Blackstock, he isn’t afraid to weave faith and hope into the darkest corners of the plot. At the same time, his focus on family bonds and the resilience of children gives the story a warmth that sets it apart from more conventional thrillers.
Pages: 307 | ASIN : B08MDDZZJC
Seeking Yesterday
Seeking Yesterday tells the story of a family’s journey into the past, sparked by the discovery of a 1922 land claim in the California desert. Richardson traces the lives of her grandparents Ralph and Emma, who dared to homestead on 160 acres of harsh desert terrain, while weaving in broader history from the Homestead Act to World War I, the rise of Palm Desert, and the fading dreams of pioneers. The book unfolds as both a personal quest and a sweeping historical account, blending memoir, genealogy, and local history into one. It is at once intimate and expansive, grounded in dusty documents and vivid imagination, pulling the reader into the struggles and resilience of people who shaped not just one family but part of the American West.
I felt the writing had a quiet warmth. Author Lis Richardson doesn’t hide her own longing to connect with the people who came before her, and that vulnerability made the book feel human. At times, the detail was immense, but I appreciated the effort to bring texture to landscapes and lives that could otherwise slip away into silence. The desert, especially, comes alive here.
What struck me most was the honesty in confronting both pride and pain. The book doesn’t gloss over the failures, the heartbreak, or the reality that the “empty” land was once home to Indigenous peoples. I admired that acknowledgment, and it deepened the story beyond one family’s nostalgia. Some sections leaned heavily on research and read more like a history text than a personal reflection. The strongest passages were the ones where her personal yearning met the historical record.
I’d recommend Seeking Yesterday to readers who enjoy family memoirs, regional histories, or stories of resilience in unforgiving places. It’s a book for those who’ve wondered about the lives hidden behind old photographs or land deeds. If you like the mix of memory and history, with a bit of grit and dust clinging to the edges, this one is worth your time.
Pages: 351 | ASIN : B0FMJQV8GQ
D.O.L Light Running in Afghanistan
The book plunges headfirst into a world of secret military projects, hidden powers, and tangled family ties. Lilly and Aurora, caught between loyalty and betrayal, navigate brutal battles, heartbreaking losses, and a storm of revelations about who they are and where they come from. The story moves with a wild energy, shifting from explosive action in New York to covert missions in Afghanistan, all the while threading in the complicated web of love, grief, and survival that binds its characters together. The book is about identity and the cost of power, wrapped inside high-octane scenes and sharp dialogue.
I found myself both entertained and unsettled. The writing has a raw pulse to it, like the author wanted every scene to bleed emotion or crackle with tension. Sometimes that worked beautifully. The fight sequences felt cinematic, and the dialogue between Lilly and Aurora was charged with anger, sorrow, and just enough dark humor to keep it human. But there were moments when the avalanche of detail threatened to bury the emotional core of the story. Even then, I couldn’t put it down, because there was always another twist, another confession, another blow waiting around the corner.
I also caught myself feeling torn about the ideas underneath the action. The story plays with big questions: what it means to be family, how much pain someone can carry, and how power both saves and destroys. The story also leans hard into chaos and violence, which keeps the energy high and the tension unrelenting, never giving the characters or the reader much chance to breathe. The author clearly loves his cast, though, and that affection comes through in the banter, the awkward humor, and the way even the most hardened fighters carry their scars like open wounds. It gave the book a surprising tenderness under all the blood and bullets.
Light Running in Afghanistan reminded me of the relentless drive you find in early James Patterson thrillers mixed with the emotional grit of something like Suzanne Collins or even Stephen King at his more chaotic. It isn’t neat or carefully buttoned up the way a Tom Clancy novel might be. Instead, it thrives on the jagged edges, the mess that makes its characters feel human. Readers who want a story that punches fast and doesn’t apologize will feel right at home here.
Pages: 364 | ASIN : B0F9TV3ZX2
Welcome Baby Wigglet!
Welcome Baby Wigglet is a heartwarming and joyful children’s picture book that beautifully captures the excitement, curiosity, and emotions surrounding the arrival of a new sibling. Perfect for early readers ages 0–6, this story continues the adventures of Gigglet, a lovable little pig, who faces one of the biggest milestones of her young life, becoming a big sister.
At the heart of the story is Gigglet’s worry that her new baby brother, Wigglet, might take her place in the family. Mama and Papa gently reassure her, reminding her that she will always be their “little baby” while also showing her the pride and importance of her new role. This simple but powerful perspective shift makes the story so effective for children, turning feelings of uncertainty into joy, pride, and love.
The narrative is honest yet reassuring, making it an ideal resource for families preparing their children for a new arrival. It acknowledges common sibling concerns but frames them positively, helping kids feel included and excited about their role.
The illustrations are vibrant, engaging, and irresistibly adorable. Each page is filled with warmth and color, perfectly matching the cheerful, giggly tone of the story. The simple, easy-to-read words make this book accessible for beginning readers while keeping younger listeners captivated.
What sets Welcome Baby Wigglet apart is its relatability. Gigglet embodies the very questions, curiosities, and emotions that many young children have when a new baby joins the family. The story balances humor, tenderness, and playful surprises to keep little ones engaged. Parents and caregivers will appreciate how naturally it sparks conversation, giving children the chance to express their own feelings about a new sibling. It’s a story that is not only read once but returned to again and again, whether as bedtime reading, a gift, or a treasured keepsake in moments of family transition.
Welcome Baby Wigglet is a celebration of family, love, and the special bond between siblings. With its colorful illustrations, gentle storytelling, and heartfelt message, this book is a must-have for families preparing to welcome a new baby. Whether read aloud to toddlers or enjoyed by beginning readers, it delivers endless giggles, wiggles, and joy. Highly recommended for parents, grandparents, and anyone looking for the perfect sibling gift book.
ASIN: B0FLZ6L3SZ | Pages: 32
Girl, Groomed
Carol Odell’s Girl, Groomed is a raw and unflinching memoir that traces her childhood experiences of grooming and abuse at a horse stable, the deep love she had for horses, and the long, painful process of understanding how that past shaped her adult life and relationships. Odell moves between her girlhood innocence, where horses offered her comfort and belonging, and the unsettling reality of how her trust was exploited. As she grows into adulthood, she reckons with the trauma, explores how it bled into her marriage and identity, and shows how therapy, reflection, and courage helped her reframe her story.
The writing is vivid, sometimes almost cinematic, and the way Odell describes both the beauty of horses and the darkness of abuse made me feel pulled in two directions at once. There were moments where I found myself smiling at her descriptions of childhood wonder, then seconds later reeling from the cruelty and manipulation woven into those same memories. I admired her honesty, but I also found myself feeling frustrated on her behalf, angry at how easily her vulnerability was taken advantage of, and heartbroken that the safe space she longed for was the same place that hurt her.
What impressed me most was how Odell refuses to simplify her story. She doesn’t paint herself as a perfect victim. She shows her younger self caught in admiration for her abuser, which was difficult to read but also profoundly true. That honesty made the book feel even more important because it illustrates the messy, confusing ways trauma imprints on us. I appreciated the way she linked her past to her marriage struggles later in life, and I found myself pausing often to reflect on how our old, unexamined wounds shape the way we love, fight, and cope.
I would recommend this book to readers who want a deeply personal exploration of trauma and survival, but also to anyone interested in the psychology of how abuse and grooming take root. It’s not an easy read, but it’s an essential one. I think therapists, survivors, and anyone willing to confront hard truths will find it valuable. It left me unsettled and hopeful at the same time, which to me is the mark of a powerful memoir.
Pages: 222 | ASIN : B0D96PPVDQ
Lord, Lord – a heavenly mystery
Lord, Lord – a heavenly mystery tells the story of Liza, a small-town reporter who suddenly finds herself in Heaven after her untimely death. What follows is not a harp-filled, cloud-floating afterlife but a layered, curious introduction to eternity where angels sip tea, Heaven looks like an Ivy League dean’s office, and “tourists” are given soft landings before judgment. Through conversations with Michaela, her welcoming angel, Liza begins to unpack her life, her choices, her loves, and her mistakes, all while navigating the strange mix of humor and gravity that this version of the afterlife offers.
Author Kathleen Cochran writes with a conversational ease, almost like sitting down with a sharp-witted friend who isn’t afraid to poke at your doubts and faith. The dialogue carried most of the story, and it was both quick and playful, though sometimes it wandered so much I caught myself rereading passages to stay grounded. Still, there were moments that stopped me in my tracks, like when Michaela explained the Bible as a kind of recruiting tool.
Liza’s questioning sometimes circled back on itself, and a few of the explanations felt a little more direct than I expected. Still, the story would then shift into a tender memory or drop in a line of humor that caught me off guard in the best way, and those moments made me appreciate the guidance rather than resist it. The balance between skepticism and belief felt real. I never doubted Liza’s cynicism because it sounded so much like my own inner voice when I wrestle with faith.
By the end, I felt like I’d been through both a lighthearted play and a quiet sermon. It isn’t a book for someone who wants tidy theology or a straight path to answers. It’s better suited for readers who like their mysteries with a side of laughter, who don’t mind Heaven being described with Persian rugs and Waterford lamps, and who want to explore faith without losing the messiness of doubt. I’d recommend it to anyone who enjoys thought-provoking fiction with a spiritual edge, especially if they don’t mind a story that feels more like a conversation than a plot-driven march.
Pages: 168 | ASIN : B0161ZHCWQ
Let’s go Backer and Backer: The Playful Puppy
Let’s go Backer and Backer! The Playful Puppy is a heartwarming and rhythmic tale that is a beautiful celebration of love, kindness, and community. The story follows a young girl who adopts a playful puppy she cherishes with all her heart. What makes the narrative especially meaningful is the way it traces the puppy’s journey backward, from the moment the girl meets her new best friend, to the compassion of strangers who first rescued the puppy, and the care of shelter staff and veterinarians along the way. With each repeated refrain, children are reminded of the many hands and hearts that contribute to one happy ending.
The cumulative storytelling style is both engaging and educational. The repetition encourages children to anticipate what comes next, supporting memory and sequencing skills, while also giving the book a delightful rhythm that makes it perfect for reading aloud. Alongside the text, the illustrations are a joy to look at, bright, expressive, and full of warmth; they bring every step of the puppy’s journey vividly to life. The artwork not only complements the story but also deepens the emotional connection children will feel as they follow along.
Beyond the narrative, the book delivers valuable lessons. It naturally teaches empathy and kindness, showing young readers how compassion and teamwork can make a real difference. It introduces the idea of pet adoption in a gentle, approachable way, fostering both a love of animals and a sense of responsibility. Parents will also appreciate the interactive opportunities the story provides, from discussing the roles of different characters (like the veterinarian or rescuers) to connecting the tale to real-life experiences with pets and community kindness.
Let’s go Backer and Backer!: The Playful Puppy is a celebration of the caring connections that make such bonds possible. With its rhythmic text, memorable structure, and delightful illustrations, it’s a book children will want to hear again and again, and one that parents will be glad to share. A perfect choice for fostering empathy, sparking conversations about community, and, of course, for any family that loves dogs.
Pages: 24 | ASIN : B0FM8JGFZX
LITERARY TITAN 