A Life Through Books

Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Virtual Book Tour: The Underdogs by Isaac Kan #interview #fiction #contemporary #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours
6:58 AM0 Comments


Contemporary Fiction

Date Published: 9/26/24

 

 

The Underdogs was inspired by my time building a tech startup during the golden era of San Francisco, when Uber and Lyft were just getting started and battling it out. It’s a coming-of-age, immigrant story following a set of characters who are all trying to create a better future for themselves, for society, and escape their pasts.

Readers have shared that this story reminds them of The Prestige. Two geniuses, who came from nothing, competing against each other in a market that preys upon those who also come from nothing. Others have reflected on the story as a cautionary tale that stands the test of time — How “the few, the chosen” may end up taking advantage of the very same people who they grew up with.


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INTERVIEW


Introduce yourself and tell me about what you do.

Salmaun Ahmad, I go by Sal, and am publishing this book under the pen name Isaac Kan. I work in the tech industry leading strategic partnerships for a software company. From 2012 - 2014, I was an entrepreneur and this novel was inspired by experiences during that time. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area with my wife and kids.



Tell me more about your journey as an author, including the writing processes.

I’ve been writing off and on throughout my life. I won creative writing contests throughout school, wrote short stories in college, and wrote my first novel in 2015 (which I ended up stuffing in a shelf). My writing is sparked by stories that stir within me, they eventually get so strong that I can’t move forward until I’ve put them on paper. You could say my writing is inspired by real-life experiences and observations. I write iteratively — meaning a story starts with a germ of an idea or theme that I try to tease out with words, then as the story and characters reveal themselves more to me, I do a bit of outlining, then more writing, and more outlining etc. until I have a first draft. I aim to write 500+ words a day.



Tell me about your Book

The Underdogs was inspired by my time building a tech startup during the golden era of San Francisco, when Uber and Lyft were just getting started and battling it out. It’s a coming-of-age, immigrant story following a set of characters who are all trying to create a better future for themselves, for society, and escape their pasts.

Readers have shared that this story reminds them of The Prestige. Two geniuses, who came from nothing, competing against each other in a market that preys upon those who also come from nothing. Others have reflected on the story as a cautionary tale that stands the test of time — How “the few, the chosen” may end up taking advantage of the very same people who they grew up with.


About the Author



Purchase Link

Amazon





RABT Book Tours & PR
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Teaser Tuesday: Max's Christmas Bunny by Wanda Violet O. #etorica #bdsm #excerpt #comingsoon #rabtbooktours @changelingpress @RABTBookTours
6:23 AM0 Comments

 

Billionaire Daddy Doms -- Bunny (#1)

 

Erotica / BDSM

Date Published: November 29, 2024


 

I never thought Bunny ears and a Bunny tail butt plug would be the start of a grand adventure.

It’s Christmas, and money’s tight, so I asked the agency for a new assignment. Still, I didn’t expect to wind up in a gilded Bunny cage in the home of an eccentric billionaire. While I’ve never met Daddy Jacob, he knows me -- he owns the Agency that sent me out on this assignment. Now I’m to serve as a Christmas present for a man in his household -- a Christmas present for Max.

I’m not certain how the rest of the week will go, but so far it feels like Max may just be the perfect Master for me. I have the feeling this assignment could be the start of the biggest adventure of my life.

 

 

Excerpt

Copyright ©2024 Wanda Violet O.

 

Christmas has never been my favorite holiday. Having said that, the job that had just fallen into my lap -- to be a Christmas Bunny for some rich guy with a pet-play kink -- was the best Christmas present ever. The money was nearly obscene, the anticipation of adventure intense.

This job included the possibility of kinky sex. I had been given the standard safe word and signed a contract outlining my limits, both hard and soft. Was it the safest thing I’d ever done? Not in the least. But, again, the money was good -- really, really good. If I was ever going to get out from under the mountain of medical bills I’d been left with after the crash that had put me in the hospital for a month and killed my mom, I had to get drastic.

Now I found myself was sitting on a huge, plush, overstuffed red beanbag in a very large cage, wearing a headband with bunny ears and a butt plug with a fluffy bunny tail. The cage had a big red bow wrapped around the middle, and it sat under a massive Christmas tree covered with sparkling, colored lights. I had several red and green fleece blankets and soft pillows in the cage so I was comfortable, but the room was warm to me even though I was naked.

It was early morning and once I’d readied myself, before I got into the cage, I’d been told it would be an hour before I’d be needed. I’d been given an alarm to press if I needed help before the client came for me, or if I felt threatened. Standard for this type of job with the agency. It was run by the ultra-wealthy and catered to the obscenely wealthy. I’d been skeptical when I’d first started, but the agency had never failed to keep me safe.

None of that meant I wasn’t a bundle of nerves, and getting more nervous the longer I waited.

Just as I was getting ready to hit the panic button, I heard footsteps coming. A man wearing black silk pajama pants and nothing else stalked down the stairs. He had long, shaggy hair, and a heavily muscled, sculpted body, reminding me of a predator moving through the jungle.

This man was classically handsome, with a strong jaw, straight nose, and piercing blue eyes. His cheeks were wide and masculine with dark stubble where he hadn’t yet shaved.

When he turned his head, his gaze landed on me and his movements stopped. He stared at me for a long time, not moving a muscle except to breathe. When he finally started moving again, he was focused squarely, intently on me. “I sincerely hope you’re my Christmas present, little Bunny.”

I knew better than to speak unless I had permission. It had been drilled into me from the second I’d been accepted to the program. The clients the agency served had specific tastes. They tried to match us to clients with similar tastes, but there was always a learning curve if I were staying more than a few hours. This job was supposed to last a week and could seriously bail me out, but I had to follow the rules precisely if I wanted to get the big payday.

The man knelt in front of my cage to get a better look at me. Those ice-blue eyes of his seemed to caress me as his gaze roamed over my body. “Be a good little Bunny. Turn around and present yourself. Stick that ass up in the air so I can have a look at you.”

I did as I was told without hesitation, presenting myself with my legs apart, ass in the air, and my chest on the floor. I knew what I looked like because I’d admired the plush, fluffy rabbit tail butt plug before getting in the cage.

“Hmm, you are quite the gift, aren’t you?” he said, his voice a low growl. “Who were you sent for, little Bunny?”

“I’m not sure, Sir. Only that I was to stay in the cage and await the Master’s pleasure.”

“Ah, Max!” the deep voice called from across the room.

I wanted to turn my head and look behind me but didn’t dare.

“I see you’ve found your present.”

“Daddy Jacob.” Max’s tone was subservient but in a different way than I’d ever heard before. The man was clearly a Dominant, but differed to this new man? “She’s mine?”

“If things work out and she agrees, yes. She’s yours. A gift from me and Kitten.”

I couldn’t help but shiver at the implication. It was an unusual sensation between fear and… interest? OK, that was disconcerting. I didn’t know this man and there was apparently at least one more person here.

I’m not sure what I expected, but there was a long pause and what Max said next both hurt and confused me. “Have I done something wrong, Daddy Jacob?” Where before there was amused interest and a healthy dose of lust in Max’s voice and his eyes when he’d first looked at me, now it was devoid of emotion.

“Max…” There was a note of censure between them, as if Daddy Jacob wasn’t happy with Max.

“But Kitten --”

“Kitten knows you need a pet of your own. She loves you as much as you love her and Andromeda. So do I.”

This seemed like a private conversation and I felt horribly out of place. I turned my face to the wall next to where my cage sat and stayed perfectly still.

There was silence while I heard someone unlocking the cage. The door slid open with a small squeak. “Come out, little one.”

I wasn’t sure what was going on, but I knew without looking at him I didn’t want to disobey or ignore Daddy Jacob. Keeping my gaze lowered and my hands clasped in front of me, I scrambled to do as he’d ordered.

“Kneel and present yourself, sweet Bunny.”

 

About the Author

Welcome to Wanda Violet O.'s world of bedtime fantasy, where you'll find a variety of sexy creatures ready to drink their fill. Wanda specializes in extreme kink. Monsters, BDSM role play... she's got it all. Come take a look for yourself!

 

Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok: @changelingpress

 

Pre-Order Today



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Book Blitz: My Calling - Chronicles of an Alaskan Hospice Nurse by Esther Pepper RN, BSN, CHPN #nonfiction #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours
6:19 AM1 Comments

 

 

Insight and education for end-of-life care


Nonfiction

Date Published: 12/1/2024

 

 

The Chronicles are an essential and informative read for hospice nurses, caregivers and others interested in end of life. Journey through 29 amazing stories of an Alaskan Hospice nurse with incredible people and learn about pain, symptom management and grieving. Through their love and loss, find encouragement and inspiration in these real-life lessons on this specialty of nursing not taught in the classroom. Hospice . . . Hospitum . . . Hospitality

 

Early Reviews


“Esther’s book is a must read for any nurse across the lifespan. She has not simply put together a collection of powerful stories of dealing with death and the dying process, but each story closes with the pearls of wisdom each patient and family were taught about end of life. Esther shows us, story by story, that being there to provide for the needs of peace, comfort, and love of the patient and their families in those last moments is one of the most important vows a nurse can keep.”

Christi M. Angelo, APRN-BC, F/AC  Hospice and Acute Care - Alaska

 

“This account of an experienced hospice nurse in rural Alaska is both inspiring and informative.  Esther’s interactions with patients demonstrate both the depth of her humanity and experience with patients toward the end of life. For the intended audience of Hospice nurses and caregivers, it provides a framework and clinical information while maintaining a truly compassionate undertone. Other audiences will be moved, informed and inspired...”

Patty Hewson C.R.N.P. Adult Primary Care - Pennsylvania

 

“The Chronicles depict how cultural beliefs and traditions one is raised with can help bring peace to the patient in knowing what their final journey holds. Faith, hope, and love are epitomized through Esther’s work.”

Angela Watson, MSN, BSN, BA, RN Case Manager Indian Health Services - New Mexico

 

“You will find a treasure chest of valuable knowledge to support any of the disciplines of the Hospice team. Every chapter connects you with the real dynamics of individuals and families as they walk through the end stages of life. I warn you now, some of these insightful stories will bring a tear, but also provide real and helpful expertise that will further enable you to do your calling better.”

David J. Gibson - Ordained Minister and Hospice Chaplain - Indiana


About the Author

Esther Pepper, RN, BSN, is a Certified Hospice and Palliative Care Nurse who was raised in Alaska and has lived there most of her life. She has 20 years of experience as a nurse, 16 of which have been in Hospice care. She found her calling and passion for end of life early in her nursing career. She is dedicated to training new nurses into the field of Hospice and works as a Hospice Case Manager in South Central Alaska.

 

Contact Link

Website

 

Purchase Link

Amazon



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Monday, December 2, 2024

Virtual Book Tour: A Ten-Year Overnight Success by Jon Coss #interview #nonfiction #business #memoir #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours
2:36 PM0 Comments

 


 

The Inspiring Story of a Business You've Never Heard of

 

Business Memoir

Date Published: September 10, 2024


 

 

This is a story for the rest of us. Those who want to grow their companies but can't find relatable inspiration, or guidance, in current business literature. It's a story about a company that you've never heard of, but one that used computer algorithms to save the American taxpayer over $60 Billion in government pandemic relief fraud. And it's about an unlikely founder who takes the risks and inspires his team to go from an idea to a nine-figure exit in less than 9 years.

In A Ten-Year Overnight Success, Pondera Solutions founder, Jon Coss, takes you with him on his journey through what he describes as the four stages of a typical startup. You'll share his raw emotions through the "rise and fall of enthusiasm", his months of desperation in the "desert of despair", his tempered confidence through "wiggles of hope", and his immense relief and sense of accomplishment marching toward the "Promised Land".

Jon's story-telling narrative combines soul-searching truths with self-deprecating humor to provide you with an inside look at what it takes to achieve the success that less than 1% of businesses ever will. Along the way, he offers practical, nuanced lessons that you won't find in the typical business book. Lessons learned in the trenches. Lessons that may not make you the next Tesla but are sure to grow your business. Lessons that apply to the rest of us.






INTERVIEW


Introduce yourself and tell me about what you do.



From a young age, I have always appreciated “ordinary heroes” versus being drawn to celebrities or athletes. There were several entrepreneurs in my extended family who inspired me to become an entrepreneur and to write my book. These included my father, my mother, and two of my uncles who started a restaurant after immigrating to the US from war torn Europe. Their story is the topic of my next book, and I touch on each of these in A Ten-Year Overnight Success.

In addition, I consider myself an unlikely entrepreneur, which I hope inspires others like me. I write about this in my book as well: the fact that I was a fair actor as a child and did TV commercial voiceovers but they never put me on camera, that I won the state championships in tennis but only in what my kids called the “arrow state” of Maryland (because it’s so small that on US maps the name Maryland is in the Atlantic Ocean with an arrow pointing to its location), that my early career included stints at companies like Procter & Gamble where I basically sold toothpaste to Amish people in central Pennsylvania.

Finally, I spend a lot of time mentoring entrepreneurs and young people. I hope that they can learn from what I have achieved and from what I have not achieved. And I can honestly say that I LOVE it when people surpass what I’ve been able to accomplish – both financially and for the common good. In fact, it’s important to me that I always try to “do good, while doing well”. My latest startup, www.plumidentity.com, is designed to do just that. Fight government fraud while also protecting citizens’ rights to privacy.





Tell me more about your journey as an author, including the writing processes.

This is my first book, and while it was challenging to dedicate time to writing it while still managing a career and family, it was still a labor of love. I was most productive when trapped on an airplane with nowhere else to go, and ironically, while with my wife and our dog at our vacation home on the Northern California, where there is a lot to do.

I’ve done a lot of “professional writing” in the past which I’d define as technical documentation and government proposal responses, in addition to writing a few editorials and magazine articles. So I approached my book in a similar manner. I started with a chapter outline, jotted down ideas that I wanted to include, and then just wrote. Only later coming back to edits, additions, and structural changes.

The most important thing for me was to be open and honest. I want the reader to actually feel what I felt, at my worst and at my best. My wife even suggested that I “lighten up” one particularly discouraging chapter in my book, but I insisted that aspiring entrepreneurs should know what the road ahead really looks like.



Tell me about your Book

I wrote the book as a memoir but wanted to include some of the more nuanced lessons that I feel could benefit fledgling entrepreneurs.

This is a story for the rest of us. Those who want to grow their companies but can't find relatable inspiration, or guidance, in current business literature. It's a story about a company that you've never heard of, but one that used computer algorithms to save the American taxpayer over $60 Billion in government pandemic relief fraud. And it's about an unlikely founder who takes the risks and inspires his team to go from an idea to a nine-figure exit in less than 9 years.

In A Ten-Year Overnight Success, Pondera Solutions founder, Jon Coss, takes you with him on his journey through what he describes as the four stages of a typical startup. You'll share his raw emotions through the "rise and fall of enthusiasm", his months of desperation in the "desert of despair", his tempered confidence through "wiggles of hope", and his immense relief and sense of accomplishment marching toward the "Promised Land".

Jon's story-telling narrative combines soul-searching truths with self-deprecating humor to provide you with an inside look at what it takes to achieve the success that less than 1% of businesses ever will. Along the way, he offers practical, nuanced lessons that you won't find in the typical business book. Lessons learned in the trenches. Lessons that may not make you the next Tesla but are sure to grow your business. Lessons that apply to the rest of us.



Any message for our readers

I wrote this book for a number of reasons; but one of the primary reasons is that I couldn’t relate to business books about huge businesses like Shoe Dog about Nike (which I loved) and That Will Never Work about Netflix (which I also loved). The whole time I was reading them I also knew that my company would never grow as large as those did. So the books, while very entertaining, also felt “distant” in a way.

I wanted to write a book to inspire and provide some guidance to “the rest of us”. Business owners and entrepreneurs that work so hard every day, put everything they have into their companies, but also know that they’ll never be the next Elon Musk or Bill Gates. Still, en masse, they are the backbone of American industry.

And I wanted to be brutally honest about just how difficult the entrepreneurial journey is. There is simply so much that can’t be learned in school or in books. I try to expose people to some of that by “dragging them” into my doubts, fears, and insecurities rather than just pretending that my journey was a straight line to success.




About the Author

Jon has provided strategic consulting to many of the world’s largest technology companies, a nationally recognized expert in government fraud, and an active mentor for aspiring entrepreneurs

 

Contact Links

Website

LinkedIn

 

Purchase Link

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Publisher


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Reading Time:
Virtual Book Tour: Suits to Stilettos by Italia Tornabene #memoir #nonfiction #interview #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours
2:34 PM0 Comments


Memoir

 

Step into Italia Tornabene's world, where her life's triumphs unfold, one captivating page at a time. "Suits to Stilettos" isn't just a book; it's a front-row seat to witness the incredible resilience of the human spirit.

Join Italia's journey from a challenging start to defying odds and creating her own success story.

Born into adversity, Italia faced it all — from teenage motherhood to homelessness. But this isn't just about struggles; it's about the gritty determination that refuses to bow down. Her book is an immersive dive into the unconventional, and the story is an inspiration for those who seek a path beyond limitations.

"Suits to Stilettos" is a lifeline for those ready to transform their lives. Ready to be inspired? Grab your copy and start the journey today. Your circumstances don't define you; your choices do.





INTERVIEW


**Introduce yourself and tell me about what you do.**

My name is Italia Tornabene, and I’m a serial entrepreneur, author, and life coach. Over the years, I’ve built successful businesses, from Magic Maids to Tornabene Wine, and expanded into real estate, investing, and the fitness world. My passion lies in empowering others, especially women, to rise above their circumstances and unlock their full potential. I’ve channeled my experiences and lessons into writing books that not only inspire but provide actionable guidance for personal and financial growth.



**Tell me more about your journey as an author, including the writing processes.**

Writing has been one of the most cathartic and challenging journeys of my life. *Suits to Stilettos* took five years to complete, and every moment of it was filled with introspection, vulnerability, and growth. I wanted this book to reflect not just my story, but the lessons I’ve learned from my trials, triumphs, and everything in between. The writing process was a combination of recounting memories, reflecting on the key moments that shaped my resilience, and distilling these into lessons that others can apply to their own lives.

I worked tirelessly to ensure that each chapter carried an empowering message. It wasn't just about recounting events but weaving the narrative in a way that could inspire readers to persevere through their struggles. I also leaned heavily on my team for support—particularly my sister Sheila, who played a key role in helping me refine and publish my works.



**Tell me about your book *Suits to Stilettos**

*Suits to Stilettos* is a raw and candid look into my life as a woman who has navigated both corporate boardrooms and unconventional paths. The book is about breaking free from societal expectations, embracing one’s femininity, and owning one's power unapologetically. It delves deep into my experiences, from navigating toxic work environments to the challenges of balancing motherhood with entrepreneurship. I hope this book empowers women to step into their power, take risks, and embrace all parts of their journey—even the ones that don’t fit neatly into society’s molds.



**Any message for our readers**

My message to readers is simple: Your past does not define your future. It’s never too late to rewrite your story and pursue the life you truly desire. Success, in whatever form you define it, is within your reach. Keep pushing, stay true to yourself, and never be afraid to take bold steps, even if they scare you. You are more powerful than you know.



**Story **


One of the defining moments in *Suits to Stilettos* is my transition from working in a toxic government job to pursuing my passion for entrepreneurship. The decision to leave a stable job was terrifying, especially as a single mother, but it was necessary for my growth and happiness. This chapter shows that sometimes the scariest decisions lead to the most rewarding outcomes. It's a story of finding strength in adversity, knowing your worth, and trusting that following your passion will lead you to where you're meant to be.




About the Author

Italia Tornabene, a self-made millionaire, author, serial entrepreneur, and savvy investor, shares her extraordinary life experiences.

From rubbing shoulders with elite individuals to her unconventional career as an exotic dancer and sex worker, Italia's journey is as captivating as it is inspiring.

Discover how she overcame hardships and built an empire through resilience and determination. Her story is empowering and empowering testament to the resilience inherent in us all, and she's thrilled to share her wisdom with everyone she encounters.

 

Contact Links

Website

Instagram

Facebook

 

Purchase Today


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Reading Time:
Book Blitz: The County by Zane Horowitz #medicalthriller #thriller #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours
2:21 PM0 Comments

 

Medical Thriller

Date Published: November 7, 2024


 

For Sam Wyatt, his intern year was going to be the hardest year of his life. Profoundly affected by violence and death - and long before it was called PTSD or burnout - Sam and his fellow interns, Wilson Harrison, Gina Bautista, and Harry Martin must find a way to survive in THE COUNTY.

Doubting their choices, working 90 hours a week, lacking sleep, surviving on a diet of bad food and black coffee, each must learn to work in the understaffed, underfunded, and deteriorating hospital taking care of critically ill patients; for a system demanding they be constantly overworked if they want to become the doctors they promised themselves they would be.

Within this brutal system, Sam finds a mentor in Fish - his senior resident and the only one to tell him the actual rules to survive:

• Everyone will try to kill your patient, except you.

• It's OK to be wrong, but never unsure.

• Rebels are shot at dawn.

Fish should know. He had been through it just a year before. But would any of them make it out unscathed?

Set in the 1970's, this raw portrait of the birth of emergency medicine bears the roots of many of the problems underlying our broken medical system and our system of training doctors. Ones that have only progressively worsened since that time. But...

If you can persevere...

If you really follow Fish's rules...

Maybe you too can survive THE COUNTY.


About the Author

 In a career that spanned 5 decades in emergency medicine, Dr. Zane Horowitz was there when the specialty began. He worked predominantly in county hospitals and trauma centers throughout his 45-year career. He has seen the best and the worst of healthcare delivery. Since those early days, he has held many roles in the field of emergency medicine. He directed pre-hospital ambulance systems, supervised a multi-county rural EMS system and an air-medical helicopter service, and worked in community and rural critical access emergency departments. Currently, he is a Professor of Emergency Medicine at Oregon Health Science University, and he practices medical toxicology as the Associate Medical Director with the Oregon Poison Center. With over 100 medical publications Zane Horowitz now has written a novel about the early days of emergency medicine called THE COUNTY.


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Book Blitz: The Box is Time by Raymond A. Costabile #nonfiction #selfhelp #business #leadership #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours
2:18 PM1 Comments

 

 

Mastering the Ultimate Limit to Productivity

 

Nonfiction / Self-Help / Business/ Leadership

Date Published: October 30, 2024

Publisher: Mindstir Media


 

As we move through life, we have all known individuals who just seem to be the most incredibly efficient and productive members of an organization. Their projects are always completed on time, and they seem to leave work early with everything accomplished. They are never late for the operating room or with clinic visits. Even more rarely, we encounter leaders and organizations that seem to be able to excel in the same manner.

Often, however, we seem to be caught up in an endless cycle of losing time or not being able to find enough time to accomplish our mission in our personal or work life. Perhaps these individuals, leaders, and organizations, who seem to be superefficient, just understand time differently. Perhaps they understand time as the ultimate limit to productivity, a box that we are all forced to live and work in. They view this box as being filled with essential sand and potentially superfluous water. They know how to manage it and control the flow of water within their box. Conventional organizational structures, such as meetings, committees, surveys, and consultants, only waste time and limit productivity.

In his book, The Box is Time, Dr. Costabile presents an unorthodox and sometimes irreverent approach to time management for individuals, leaders, and organizations. By viewing time management in an entirely different construct, we will become one of the "two-percenters" who are actually able to always manage their Box of Time.

 

About the Author

Contact Link

Website

 

Purchase Links

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