Out the Concrete: 13 Lessons on Building Freedom—Inside, Outside, and Beyond the Game (Author Interview)

 

https://a.co/d/078QFXnX

In the introduction, you write that prison became your “classroom.” Was there a specific moment when you realized your sentence wasn’t going to define the end of your story, but the beginning of a different one?

There wasn’t one dramatic moment where everything suddenly changed. It was more of a gradual realization that if I kept thinking the same way that got me there, I was going to stay mentally incarcerated long after my sentence ended. Prison stripped away distractions and forced me to sit with myself. Over time, I realized I had two choices: become bitter or become disciplined.

I started reading differently, thinking differently, and paying attention to how decisions shaped outcomes. That’s when prison became a classroom instead of just punishment. I stopped seeing time as something being taken from me and started seeing it as something I could invest into rebuilding myself. That shift in mindset changed everything.

 

A major theme in the book is becoming the “CEO of your own life.” What made that idea click for you while incarcerated, and how did it change the way you moved both inside prison and after release?

A lot of people spend their lives reacting instead of leading. I realized I had been giving circumstances, emotions, and survival mode too much authority over my decisions. Becoming the “CEO of your own life” means taking ownership even when life has been unfair to you.

In prison, structure and discipline matter. Your habits either strengthen you or destroy you. I started approaching my life the same way a CEO approaches a company: auditing my mindset, my circle, my routines, and my long-term vision. That mentality changed the way I moved while incarcerated and helped prepare me for life after release. Freedom without structure can become another form of chaos, and ownership gave me direction.

The Mindful Meadow

https://amzn.eu/d/076bzDZU

A sweet story about animals of all sizes in a lush, green meadow. Together, the Mindful Meadow leads a happy life. A wise old owl who teaches the young animals about mindfulness is at the heart of the tale. They get together under the brilliant light every day to learn how to be happy in the here and now. This book is the ideal read for both adults and children since it teaches important lessons about mindfulness, the present moment, and slowing down through its catchy verses and endearing characters.

The Shadowed Son

https://books2read.com/u/38oAKO

Gretchen Greenway-Jones spends her life trying to shield herself from pain. She married a kind man and poured love into raising two daughters, trying to outpace regret. Yet there was one man she abandoned- a secret she buried deep, and faraway from the world. Three decades later, her past crashes into her present. He has found her, and no matter how deeply she pleads for peace, he cannot let her go. He haunts her steps. Each place she goes, she feels his eyes, cold and relentless, digging up everything she tried to hide. His threats pierce her- he will tear her secret open for all to see, shattering the life she built to escape him. Driven by resentment, he is determined to make her pay for pushing him into darkness.

Who is this man?

Her son.

Editorial Review For Beyond the Checklist: Why Direction Matters More Than Discipline

 

Beyond The Checklist: A Better Way to Follow Jesus - Kindle edition by Baker, Tony. Religion & Spirituality Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Editorial Review For Beyond the Checklist: Why Direction Matters More Than Discipline

Beyond the Checklist: Why Direction Matters More Than Discipline presents faith as movement toward Jesus. Tony Baker builds the book around six markers: Cultivate, Become, Engage, Serve, Give, and Reach. Each one asks a clear question about habits, character, church life, service, money, and witness. The book uses the Mississippi River image to show how small acts can gather force over time, which feels simple enough to grasp and hard enough to ignore.

The book’s strength sits in its plain, direct style. It does not bury the reader under church language. It gives real-life examples, habit checks, money audits, and next steps. The author keeps bringing the reader back to one question: which direction is your life moving? That question works. It cuts through the usual spiritual scorekeeping with a clean edge.

This book fits well in the Christian formation and discipleship space. It speaks to readers who feel tired from checklists and church performance. It also fits a current need in faith writing: people want practices that connect belief to daily life. This book gives them that without turning the whole thing into a spiritual spreadsheet with nicer shoes.

Readers who enjoy practical Christian growth books will connect with this one. Pastors, small group leaders, church members, and people rethinking their faith habits will find a lot to use. The tone is pastoral and grounded. The steps are clear. The examples make the ideas feel lived in.

The recommendation is clear: Beyond the Checklist: Why Direction Matters More Than Discipline is worth reading for anyone who wants a faith that moves past attendance, routine, and self-checking. It offers a grounded path toward growth, community, sacrifice, and witness. It has a message that churches can use, and it gives readers enough honest work to keep them busy for a while. In a good way, of course.

 

Editorial Review For Accusations of Oedipal Relations and Other Mistakes to Not Make

 

Accusations of Oedipal Relations and Other Mistakes to Not Make: Misadventures and Lessons Learned - Kindle edition by Newman, Richard. Humor & Entertainment Kindle eBooks @ Amazon.com.

Editorial Review For Accusations of Oedipal Relations and Other Mistakes to Not Make

This book reads like a long sit-down with someone who has stories and no filter. The author walks through years of travel, work, and chaos, from job sites across the country to small towns and back roads. Each chapter drops you into a moment that feels lived-in. You see him install machines, get too high by accident, fight with family, and survive a brutal car crash. The thread that holds it all together is simple. He keeps moving, he keeps messing up, and he keeps writing down what he learned, even if the lesson comes late.

The strength here is the voice. It sounds real, like someone talking across a table after a long day. The humor lands in rough places, which makes it hit harder. The “Lessons Learned” sections give structure to stories that could drift, and they add a layer of self-awareness that sneaks up on you. The pacing works too. Some stories move fast and punch you in the gut, like the crash in The Maroon Fusion. Others take their time and let the absurd moments breathe, like the edible disaster or the dog in Miami. You get range without losing the core tone.

This fits into the memoir space, though it leans more toward raw storytelling. It taps into a trend where writers skip the tidy arc and show the mess as it is. The work-life travel angle adds another layer, since it mixes blue-collar detail with personal chaos. It feels closer to a collection of field notes than a traditional life story, and that works in its favor.

Readers who like honest stories with rough edges will enjoy this. People who have worked on the road or dealt with family tension will see parts of their own life here. It will land well with anyone who can laugh at bad decisions, then sit with the fallout a few pages later. If you want neat lessons tied up with a bow, this is not that book. If you want stories that feel true, even when they sting, this one delivers.

Pick this up if you want something that feels unfiltered and a bit reckless in a good way. It is not trying to impress you. It is trying to tell you what happened, then let you decide what to do with it.

The Holistic Root To Managing Anxiety with Maria Tabone

The Holistic Root To Managing Anxiety with Maria Tabone

In our fast-paced, overstimulated world, anxiety has become an all-too-common struggle, affecting over 40 million adults in the U.S. alone. The Holistic Root to Managing Anxiety: Healing from the Inside Out offers a refreshing and effective path forward, guiding readers toward long-term relief through a whole-person approach.

Now in its Second Edition, this updated guide goes beyond traditional self-help methods by addressing the deep-rooted causes of anxiety using integrative, holistic strategies. Drawing from both Eastern and Western practices, this book empowers you to reconnect with your body, mind, and spirit for lasting change.

Inside, you’ll discover:
-How nutrition and specific foods can ease anxiety and support emotional balance
-The science behind exercise as a natural mood stabilizer
-Step-by-step instructions for mindfulness, breathing, and relaxation techniques
-Daily rituals and lifestyle shifts that create a solid foundation for mental resilience
The book guides you through a transformational journey toward wellness. Whether you're just beginning to explore integrative health or looking for new tools to deepen your healing, this book offers practical insights you can use right away without needing hours of free time or clinical training.
If you’re ready to feel grounded, empowered, and truly well from the inside out, this book is your starting point.

Swing of the Pendulum (Detective Rick Dietz)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GVD461DL/

When the Chief of Security at Datamech is found murdered, Detective Rick Dietz is pulled into an investigation that quickly outgrows its corporate shell. The only thing missing from the scene is a prototype biochip capable of storing human memory with emotional context — a breakthrough powerful enough to reshape intelligence, identity, and motive. As Dietz digs into the company’s secretive research team, he uncovers a tangle of ambition, rivalry, and buried fears surrounding a technology no one fully understands. Every answer raises new questions, and every witness seems to be hiding a different version of the truth.

As the pressure mounts, Dietz assumes the stolen chip was the motive behind the murder — but was it? Is he dealing with industrial espionage and foreign interests, or something far more primitive? With the line between innovation and danger blurring, Dietz must confront the human cost of a technology built to remember everything, and the devastating consequences of the secrets it was meant to protect.

Editorial Review For When Faith Meets Psychology

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GTPR2DV5/

Editorial Review For When Faith Meets Psychology

When Faith Meets Psychology speaks to Christians who carry anxiety, depression, ADHD, or burnout, then stack guilt on top of it. The book starts with that double burden and keeps one clear claim in view: mental health struggle does not mean a person is failing God. From there, it moves through care, diagnosis, anxiety, depression, ADHD, burnout, daily rhythms, therapy, and a care plan. Prayers, reflections, and workbook pages keep the book tied to daily use.

The strength here is the voice. Aaron J. Bellridge writes in a plain way and keeps the pages moving. He names church clichés for what they are and refuses to coat them in shiny fog. That choice gives the book force. He pairs Scripture with tools, grounding exercises, breath prayers, therapy screening questions, and relapse planning. The result feels grounded and useful. The book keeps its message in view, and that message lands. Care for the mind and body counts as faithful stewardship.

This book fits the Christian living and mental health space that many readers want right now. Faith readers want books that treat therapy, medication, and pastoral care with care. When Faith Meets Psychology enters that space with a steady hand. It joins the push toward faith and mental health integration. It never reads like a trend report wearing church clothes.

Readers who feel worn down by prayer-only advice will get a lot from this book. Christians who live with anxiety, depression, ADHD, or burnout will see their struggle named in plain terms. Pastors, small group leaders, and family members will get language that can help them drop the clumsy lines people toss out when they have no clue what to say. That alone gives this book real value.

I recommend When Faith Meets Psychology for readers who want faith, mental health care, and daily practice in one place. It offers comfort, structure, and a path people can use. The book knows what it wants to say, and it says it without wasting the reader’s time.

 

Editorial Review For Engaged by Monday

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GT1N8M35/

Editorial Review For Engaged by Monday

Lucy Carter walks into a courthouse and walks out with a clock ticking over her life. She has forty eight hours to prove she is stable or risk losing her son.
The story follows her as she tries to hold together her job, her reputation, and her role as a mother. A fake relationship with a wealthy man enters the picture, and things get messy fast. Public attention spreads. Private pressure builds. The core idea stays clear. Stability is not just a label. It is something she has to prove under a microscope.

The book shines in how it builds tension from simple facts. A deadline. A child. A court order. That is enough to keep the pages turning. Lucy thinks in sharp, practical steps. She lists risks. She plans moves. That mindset gives the story a steady rhythm. It feels grounded. The stakes stay easy to track. The writing keeps scenes tight and focused, so nothing drifts.

This sits right in the lane of romance mixed with high stakes drama. It uses familiar pieces like fake relationships and wealth, then adds legal pressure and public scrutiny. Stories like this keep showing up, and readers keep picking them up. That says a lot. People want romance, but they also want tension that feels real.

Readers who like fast pacing will enjoy this. Fans of single parent stories will find a lot to hold onto. Anyone who likes a mix of career pressure and personal risk will stay hooked. If you enjoy watching a character think through problems step by step, this one delivers.

This book knows what it is doing. It keeps things tight. It keeps things moving. And yes, it makes you wonder how anyone keeps their life together under that kind of pressure.

 

Editorial Review For Living a Transformational Life

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHGDVZNV/

Editorial Review For Living a Transformational Life

This book reads like a long conversation from the pulpit that refuses to stay in the pulpit. Melvin Davis walks through what it means to move from calling yourself a Christian to actually living like one. He starts with accepting Jesus as Savior and Lord, then keeps pushing into real change. He talks about facing your past, fixing your thinking, and staying committed when life gets rough. The message is clear. Faith is not a label. It is a process that asks for effort, honesty, and some uncomfortable growth.

The strength of this book sits in its clarity. Davis does not try to sound complex. He explains ideas in ways that feel direct and easy to follow. His personal stories help a lot. They give the book a grounded feel instead of sounding like theory. The car analogy about letting Jesus drive is simple but sticks in your mind. Also, the steady use of scripture keeps the message rooted. He stays focused on action. Not just belief. That choice gives the book weight.

This book fits right into Christian living and spiritual growth writing. It leans into themes common in church teaching. Personal change, surrender, and daily faith. It also reflects a trend where authors mix testimony with instruction. That blend makes it feel like both a guide and a witness account.

Readers who want straight talk will connect with this. It works for people who feel stuck in their faith or who know they are going through the motions. It also fits readers who like books that sound like a sermon but read at their own pace. If someone wants deep theology, this may not be their pick. If they want practical direction, it lands well.

This is a steady and honest read. If you are ready to be called out just a little, this book earns a spot on your shelf.

 

Hi, I'm Unique

  

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MJ9TXLW/

Hi, I’m Unique shows the strength and resilience of a young girl who really didn’t like her name and had a disability that often made her feel alone and unloved. Once she realizes that she is unique and has purpose, she faces life with confidence, optimism and embraces all the possibilities available for her to enjoy life as other children her age. She then seeks to offer comfort and encourage others to know that they too are unique.

Hi! I’m Unique is a book written to inspire children to be brave enough to dream, strong enough to believeand know that nothing is impossible. It encourages them to love themselves just the way they are and be brave and confident of who they are even if it means being different. Being different doesn’t mean you’re less than or inadequate. But it allows your unique strengths, personality and beauty to shine bright.

God saw each of us as unique and created us with intent and purpose. He has a plan for our lives and wants us to share our gifts and talents with the world.

Hi! I’m Unique is an ideal book for bedtime reading and as a tool to encourage, inspire and empower young readers.

Editorial Review For Whispering Lies

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CLVGWVVJ/

Editorial Review For Whispering Lies

This book walks through a personal path of pain, faith, and growth. It starts with the author looking back at her past to face hurt and find purpose. The story moves through life stages, from being a young girl to becoming a woman who understands her worth. There are moments of struggle shaped by wrong choices and false views of self. Still, the journey keeps pointing toward healing, trust in God, and a shift in mindset. The theme stays clear: you can face your past and still move forward with purpose.

The strength of this book sits in its honesty. The author puts her life on the page with no filter, and that gives the story weight. Each chapter builds from lived experience, which makes the message feel earned. The mix of storytelling, reflection, and faith-based insight keeps things grounded. Also, the use of real situations helps the message land without feeling forced. It knows what it wants to say and sticks to it.

This book fits into the faith-based memoir space. It also taps into a growing focus on healing from past trauma and finding identity through faith. There is a clear link to stories that center on purpose and spiritual growth. It speaks to readers who look for real-life testimony rather than fiction or theory.

Readers who like personal stories with a faith lens will likely stay with this one. It may also connect with those who are working through past pain or trying to figure out their direction in life. If someone wants a story that feels lived-in and not polished for show, this book delivers that.

This is a steady and honest read. It does not try to impress. It simply tells the story and lets the message speak. And yes, it might call you out a little while it does that.

 

Beyond the GPA: How to Give Your Student an Edge with College Admissions

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CH26VZFV/

UNLOCK YOUR STUDENT'S FUTURE: DISCOVER THE SECRETS TO COLLEGE ADMISSIONS SUCCESS!

ARE YOU A PARENT FEELING OVERWHELMED BY THE COLLEGE ADMISSIONS PROCESS? DO YOU WANT TO ENSURE YOUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT STANDS OUT IN A SEA OF APPLICANTS? LOOK NO FURTHER THAN "BEYOND THE GPA: HOW TO GIVE YOUR STUDENT AN EDGE WITH COLLEGE ADMISSIONS," WRITTEN BY A SEASONED COLLEGE CONSULTANT WITH OVER 30 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE!

IN TODAY'S ULTRA-COMPETITIVE ACADEMIC LANDSCAPE, A HIGH GPA IS NO LONGER SUFFICIENT. COLLEGE ADMISSIONS HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY SELECTIVE, AND STUDENTS NEED A STRATEGIC APPROACH TO SHOWCASE THEIR UNIQUE STRENGTHS AND TALENTS. THIS COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE UNRAVELS THE COMPLEXITIES OF COLLEGE ADMISSIONS, DELIVERING INSIGHTS THAT CAN TRANSFORM THE STRESS OF APPLYING TO COLLEGE INTO A MANAGEABLE AND EVEN ENJOYABLE EXPERIENCE.

GET STARTED WITH CONFIDENCE

WHETHER YOUR CHILD IS A FRESHMAN OR A SENIOR, IT'S NEVER TOO EARLY OR TOO LATE TO BEGIN PLANNING FOR COLLEGE. "BEYOND THE GPA" EQUIPS YOU WITH THE TOOLS TO KICKSTART THE COLLEGE SEARCH PROCESS. FROM UNDERSTANDING YOUR STUDENT'S INTERESTS TO IDENTIFYING COLLEGES THAT ALIGN WITH THEIR GOALS, THIS BOOK HELPS FAMILIES NAVIGATE THE DIVERSE LANDSCAPE OF HIGHER EDUCATION. LEARN HOW TO ENCOURAGE SELF-EXPLORATION, IDENTIFY PASSIONS, AND REFINE ASPIRATIONS ALL WHILE AVOIDING COMMON PITFALLS.

MASTER THE RESEARCH GAME

WITH HUNDREDS OF COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES TO CHOOSE FROM, RESEARCHING INSTITUTIONS CAN BE DAUNTING. THIS BOOK ARMS YOU WITH VALUABLE STRATEGIES TO EFFECTIVELY EVALUATE POTENTIAL COLLEGE FITS. DISCOVER HOW TO LEVERAGE RANKINGS, CAMPUS VISITS, AND STUDENT REVIEWS TO GATHER INSIDER INFORMATION. FIND OUT HOW SPECIFIC PROGRAMS, CAMPUS CULTURE, AND EXTRACURRICULAR OPPORTUNITIES ALIGN WITH YOUR STUDENT’S ACADEMIC PURSUITS AND PERSONAL INTERESTS.

CRAFT UNFORGETTABLE APPLICATION ESSAYS

THE COLLEGE APPLICATION ESSAY IS YOUR STUDENT'S CHANCE TO SHINE, AND "BEYOND THE GPA" REVEALS HOW TO CRAFT COMPELLING NARRATIVES THAT RESONATE WITH ADMISSIONS OFFICERS. PACKED WITH PRACTICAL TIPS, THIS GUIDE TEACHES STUDENTS HOW TO EXPRESS THEIR UNIQUE VOICE AND EXPERIENCES IN WRITING. SAY GOODBYE TO GENERIC ESSAYS! DISCOVER HOW TO WEAVE AUTHENTICITY AND HIGHLIGHT INDIVIDUALITY THAT WILL LEAVE A LASTING IMPRESSION.

STAND OUT WITH STELLAR APPLICATIONS