Susan Keefe’s selection for your reading in March

The Broken

by A. L. Frances

Charismatic and handsome Matthew Honey seems to have it all, an impressive seaside home, a successful business and a beautiful daughter Eve. Yet although this is in part true, those who know him understand that this immaculate, accomplished man is hiding behind a façade. Years ago he lost his beautiful wife, Eve’s mother, Lauren, in a tragic accident. Self-preservation mode has become his way of life, and his only reason for living, his lovely daughter who is now sixteen.

However, as we all know, life can change in an instant, and his world is turned upside down when he meets the alluring Jess. Captivated, and immediately under her spell, he finds himself obsessed by her. Eve, although originally terribly hurt by another woman seeming to usurp her mother, seems eventually to warm to her too.

Yet, although their daytime hours are happy, Mark and Eve’s nights are consumed with terror. Matthew, is even questioning his sanity. Is he just feeling guilt for daring to love again, or is there some other, far more sinister reason for his nightmares?

As this intriguing horror story unfolds, the author takes her readers on a terrifying journey deep into Matthew and Eve’s psyche. There, we discover a place where an evil entity dwells. But what does it want?

This incredibly absorbing horror story captured me from the very first page. The first book by this young English author, it is the first of a four part series. Born in South Manchester and now a mother and living in Hollingsworth, A.L. Frances decided to write her first book at the age of twenty-nine, and I can’t wait for her next one! Highly recommended!

Available from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Broken-L-Frances-ebook/dp/B08HM3YBLF/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1611590174&sr=8-1

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The Rugged Entrepreneur: What Every Disruptive Business Leader Should Know 

by Carlton Scott Andrew

Carlton Scott Andrew, the author of this educational and inspiring book has had an incredibly successful business career. Whilst at North Carolina State University he founded the college market newspaper, then graduated with a degree in economics and business management. To gain a high level of business finance education he worked in corporate banking, then spent four years with NCNB (now BoA) in their corporate division handling mergers & acquisitions and corporate accounts. With this vast business experience behind him he then began his career as a serial entrepreneur.

Rugged Entrepreneurs (aka “Ruggeds,) are the author’s name for people like himself who have the strength, and rugged determination, to build a successful business and then take it to the top. They are that special breed of people who are not afraid to take the bull by the horns, and work hard to make their dreams and ambitions come true.

Top businesses are created, and grow at the hands of dedicated professionals who have strong work ethics, have learnt essential business skills, and have confidence in themselves and those around them. Carlton Scott Andrew has, through looking back over his career pinpointed four key elements for success, (1) A fervent work ethic, (2) A humble and healthy pride (what he calls “Rugged Pride,”) (3) Fortitudo mentis (aka, mental toughness, and lastly (4) Faith.

These four elements are explained in detail, enabling those who have the fire in them to succeed’ to do so. Everything you need to know is within these pages, clearly described and backed with real-life examples, facts, analogies and stories which will help the reader retain the information through emotional word picture associations. Not only does he cover the establishment of a successful business, but he then looks forward into the future and the impact people, events and competition can have on it. The reader learns about the necessity for foresight, insight, drive and purpose, all essential elements if your enterprise is to succeed, and go to the top.

As an entrepreneur, your business is your responsibility, it is you, your presence in the business world. Perhaps you already have a business which is struggling, and you don’t know what to do. Well this is the book for you too, the author gives you the tools you need to understand what you need to improve, be successful, and for your business to stand out from the crowd. However, be warned the road to the attainment of your goals is not an easy one, or for the faint hearted, however, with big sacrifices come huge rewards, for those who take up the gauntlet.

This author knows what it take to succeed and is living proof that his blueprint works .Packed with sound business advice, backed by strong examples and enlightening concepts, this book is, in my opinion, essential reading for anyone who wants to succeed. Carlton Scott Andrew has given you the tools you need, now it is up to you to use them.

Available from Amazon

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Operation Ugly Truth: A Nurse’s Firsthand account of the NYC Pandemic 2020 

by Patrice M. Foster  

Operation Ugly Truth: A Nurse’s Firsthand account of the NYC Pandemic 2020 Kindle Edition

Sometimes you come across a book which you feel everyone in the world should read, I feel this is one of them. This book is the author’s story, in which she gives a no-holes-barred account of life as a frontline nurse during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Late in 2019, the world was hearing rumours that in Wuhan, which is the sprawling capital of Central China’s Hubei province, there was a highly infectious disease Covid 19, which was spreading alarmingly. No-one took much notice, the world assumed it would soon be under control. How wrong we all were…

In March 2020. One infected person arrived in America, and from that moment no-one was safe. New York once a teeming metropolis became a ghost town. Actions were taken, policies announced, but it was too late. From that just one case, New York had in April more coronavirus cases than China, Iran and the UK, which were at the time the worst affected.

It was then that the brave nurses and other healthcare workers were called upon to help their co-workers. The need was desperate for nurses to care for the infected people, both in hospitals, and also in various makeshift buildings commandeered to hold the incredibly numbers of people desperately ill.

These brave nurses left their homes and loved ones, and travelled wherever their expertise was needed. Selflessly they helped others, knowing that by doing so they would be condemned to isolation, unable to see their friends and families for fear of spreading the infection to them. In this compelling story we discover what it is really like being a frontline nurse helping Covid 19 patients.

Patrice Foster was born in Jamaica, and despite being abandoned by her mother, and a hard childhood she graduated and became a RN in 1998. Since then she has been a successful business owner, and is the author of many books. She continues to work as a nurse, and follows her own path to healing and self-discovery.

This is a story which should be read by all. Everyone, in one way or another, has been, or will be affected by this virus. During our lives each of us will at some time turn to nurses and health professionals to care for us. Now is your chance to discover what life is really like for them during this pandemic.

Available from Amazon:

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Bare: Love, Sex, and Finding Your Soulmate 

by Kimberly Love

What a title, and what an author! As the CEO of Viking Queens, and radio host on Crushing 40, impact Radio USA, Kimberly Love daily inspires and coaches listeners to change their lives. That she practices what she preaches is obvious when you read this entertaining and thought-provoking book aptly titled ‘Bare: Love, Sex, and Finding Your Soulmate.’

What makes this book so engaging is that the author has no problem laying bare her own romantic and sex life, on the road to enlightening her readers. Candidly she admits to loving kissing and, well everything about being in love, and demonstrating that love to a partner. However, in with the romance of kissing, and exploring relationships, this no-holds-barred author is equally open about some not so wise choices she has made, and the lessons she has learned. This openness gives the reader a chance to reflect on her words, and really think about their relationships as well. From a ‘having been there and got the tee-shirt’ standpoint she has no reservations about using her own experiences to illustrate the character traits she can only see now she is free of the person, and I feel sure this will be invaluable to some of her readers. I have to say that I’ve never been attracted to ‘bad’ men but have known others who have been, and who also suffered in abusive relationships, and the insights she gave me will definitely make me a more educated listener in future.

I thought that her reinforcement throughout the book that it is okay no to be in a relationship was something I found personally very comforting. Being older than the author, not being in a relationship now, after years of happy marriage is extremely strange. This book came at just the right time for me, as I have been struggling with being alone and after being with a partner since I was 21. The author’s words made me realise that now is the time to discover me, and it’s okay to do so.

I loved her views on soulmates. Don’t despair, if, or when you find yours, it is wonderful. Despite the belief that love dies down as the year’s progress, in my relationship it never did. Personally I found it lovely to read that it’s normal after years of marriage to fancy the pants off your partner! It appears kids aren’t always right, when they say you are too old!

At the beginning of the book the author gives a great list of soundtracks for this book, something which I really enjoyed listening to. I found that reading this book is like having a really good sleepover with your best friend. You know, when you’re sharing a bottle of wine, or two, and the topics starts getting steamy. Your inhibitions go and, you find yourselves giggling about those ex’s, the things they got up to, and what you really thought of them…

If you’re looking for love, fed up with it, just got out of a relationship, or just fancy a really good read, then this is the book for you! Highly recommended.

Available from Amazon:

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