Showing posts with label Book Tour. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Book Tour. Show all posts

Thursday, August 20, 2026

Book Tour: Selling God's Way by Michael Hamer

 




Maximize Your Income And Business Relationships

 

Business / Economics / Christian Living

Date Published: June 16, 2026

Publisher: Lucid Books Publishing

 


Selling God’s Way is a book that explains how to apply biblical principles to all aspects of professional selling: Prospecting, Questioning, Presenting, Closing, Servicing, and Handling Objections. Filled with biblical scripture and stories, the book presents the best way for any salesperson to maximize their income and business relationships, regardless of religion. Many people all over the world, and throughout all of time, believe that biblical wisdom remains the most valuable forever.


 

Excerpt

Using biblical principles and wisdom to sell is what I call “Selling God’s Way.” It’s applying the Word of God to all aspects of selling, regardless of whom we sell to, what we sell, when we sell, where we sell, why we sell, or how we sell. Throughout this book, I’ll use biblical principles and Scripture to address all the major aspects of selling: prospecting, questioning, presenting, closing, objections, and servicing. In the Bible, God gives us an everlasting guide for everything; therefore, the Bible should serve as the final authority for anything sales- or work-related. Biblical wisdom remains useful and valuable forever (see Mark 13:31 and Hebrews 4:12).

Selling God’s way means selling righteously. Throughout the Bible, it’s clear that righteousness is the character and quality of being correct, or justifiable, from a godly perspective. Throughout this book, I use the word righteously to describe the way we should sell. The Bible tells us that the ability to do things righteously should come through faith in Jesus Christ. Although many righteous things we do while selling arise from human traditions and teachings, if we analyze the principles behind those things, we’ll see that even these practices are rooted in biblical principles. This includes practices such as fair pricing, accurate research, serving to satisfy, and considering a prospect’s needs.

Unfortunately, during trials and temptations, we may consider or even succumb to doing things that directly oppose righteousness. Most salespeople want to succeed righteously. However, life’s worries, the pursuit of riches, and the desire for pleasure often strangle righteous inclinations. Fear of failure, anxiety, and stress can also invade a person’s thoughts and emotions, leading them to abandon righteousness. Far too many salespeople fall into sinful selling styles because of anxiety, fear, or evil desires, especially during difficulties. Under the guise of self-protection, some salespeople even abandon being righteous not only with their customers, but also with their managers and upper-level executives. Satan also schemes so that people follow him and forsake God.

However, we must believe that regardless of perceived consequences or predictable outcomes, we will attain the best possible good, because through our personal relationship with Jesus, all our needs will be supplied. Jesus Christ will strengthen us to succeed righteously, if we adhere to His teachings. Jesus showed us how to be righteous through the way He lived and died, demonstrating His love for God and people. Of course, one of my core convictions is that Jesus died and was brought back to life by God; His resurrection made it possible for everyone to become righteous and fruitful regardless of circumstances (see Romans 3:22, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Philippians 4:13, and Philippians 4:19).

What follows are examples of three companies I found selling righteously in 2022. These companies are committed to following principles and processes rooted in biblical morality:

Inspire Investing, a company founded by Robert Netzly; it manages billions of dollars. Inspire has a passion for investing in companies not only based on financial wisdom, but also on their moral perspective. This leads them to select investment opportunities not only based upon a company’s financial statements, but also their moral responsiveness and acts of righteousness as well. Additionally, Inspire Investing donates more than 50 percent of their net profits to ministries.

ServiceMaster Brands, a leader in needs-based services for nearly a century. Their nine brands serve homes and businesses each year in the restoration, cleaning, moving, bioremediation, and property inspection. The company was founded by the former minor league baseball player Marion E. Wade, who opened a mothproofing business in 1929. After recovering from temporary blindness caused by a chemical accident in 1945, Wade was inspired to create a company that viewed “each employee and customer as being made in God’s image—worthy of dignity and respect.” Theodore Malloch, author of Spiritual Enterprise: Doing Virtuous Business, says that ServiceMaster is an example of servant leadership. As of 2023, the company is home to over 3,500 franchisees across more than 4,900 locations, serving over one million homes and businesses each year. ServiceMaster does business under nine brands across fifty states and nine countries; it generates more than $3.5 billion in systemwide sales.

Tyson Foods, Inc., the world’s largest chicken company. It has a dynamic culture built on faith and righteousness. Here is a statement from the company’s founder John Tyson: “From the beginning, our company has been built on faith, family, and hard work. That tradition, our core values, and ‘doing what’s right’ are deeply embedded in our culture.” The company’s culture is prominently displayed on its website and is well known for their employees’ behavior. The website lists “five Cs” as its cornerstones: Caring, Candor, Creativity, Collaboration, and Commitment. I mention these companies because they seem to have developed an all-encompassing cover of peace and joy through using biblical righteousness as a foundation for selling and conducting business.

About the Author

 

 Michael P. Hamer is a lifelong salesperson whose journey in selling began at the age of seven on the streets of Gary, Indiana, where he sold eggs with his grandfather, a deeply religious man who helped shape Michael’s values and work ethic. Throughout high school and college, Michael continued honing his sales skills, selling products typical of his peers, books door-to-door in Los Angeles, and advertising space at a theater in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Michael graduated from Boston University with a degree in communications, concentrating in advertising and marketing. Following graduation, he spent nearly three decades in advertising sales within the radio and television industries in the Washington, DC market. Over the years, he held a wide range of leadership roles, including Account Executive and General Sales Manager.


In his final media position, Michael served as Sales Manager for WAVA Radio, a Christian teaching and talk radio station. Throughout his career, he earned numerous awards and recognition for both sales performance and management excellence. Despite his success, Michael observed a growing lack of service-minded behavior and people-centered priorities in business. Motivated by his love for salespeople and his deep commitment to God’s Word, he wrote Selling God’s Way to offer a faith-based approach to ethical selling that strengthens relationships, reduces stress, and aligns business success with biblical principles.

 

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Book Tour: Between These Walls by Michael Newman

 




A Gripping Journey Through History's Darkest Corridors


Historical, 20th Century, World War II & Holocaust

Date Published: March 26, 2020



History has a way of hiding its deepest secrets behind closed doors and within silent walls. Some stories remain buried for decades, waiting for the right moment to emerge and demand to be told. Between These Walls is not merely a work of historical fiction, but a profound exploration of identity, survival, and the unbreakable bonds that connect generations across time and tragedy. Written by Michael Newman, this compelling narrative weaves together threads of war, persecution, and redemption into a tapestry that refuses to release its grip on the reader's heart and mind.


A Tale Woven from Three Families

In the summer of 1988, New York art curator Daniel Singer receives a mysterious package from West Berlin, sealed with security tape that will shatter everything he thought he knew about himself and his family. What begins as a simple delivery transforms into an extraordinary odyssey that spans continents and decades, pulling Daniel into a labyrinth of secrets that have been carefully guarded for over forty years.

Newman masterfully constructs a dual timeline that oscillates between May 1945 and July 1988, creating a narrative bridge across generations. In the dying days of World War II, on the American occupied side of Germany's Elbe River, US Army Medical Corps Colonel Samuel Singer stumbles upon the shot-up wreck of a smoldering SS staff car. Inside: a badly injured driver, a dead German Army officer carrying the ID of a Nazi war criminal, and a young blonde woman, also dead in the back seat. This haunting discovery sets in motion a chain of events that will echo across four decades.

The story sweeps across the battlefields of World War I, through the horrors of World War II and the Holocaust, into the founding of Israel, and through three Middle East wars. Each historical moment is rendered with meticulous attention to detail and emotional authenticity.

The involvement of the Mossad, Israel's legendary intelligence agency, adds layers of intrigue and suspense to Daniel's quest. As he uncovers shocking truths about his heritage, Daniel must navigate a treacherous landscape where the past and present collide, where old wounds remain fresh, and where the consequences of long-buried secrets threaten to destroy everything he holds dear. Following one American family and two German families, Newman crafts a narrative that explores not just acts of evil and callous indifference but also acts of heroism, generosity, and love in the time of Adolf Hitler's rise and eventual defeat.


A Labor of Love Rooted in Personal History

Newman's research was exhaustive and deeply personal. He traveled throughout Europe, visiting the actual locations that appear prominently in the book. He walked the streets of Berlin, discovering the stolpersteine, the engraved brass plaques embedded in the cobblestone streets marking where Jewish families lived before the Nazis deported them to their deaths in Auschwitz. He ventured to the Eagle's Nest in Berchtesgaden near Munich, Hitler's wartime summer home perched high in the Bavarian Alps. Most significantly, he visited Mauthausen concentration camp itself, where his own father had been imprisoned by the Nazis in 1944-45.

"My visits to Mauthausen, Berlin and Hitler's summer home at Eagle's Nest were the motivators for me to write Between These Walls," Newman explains.

"These places provided me with the inspiration and ideas for the plot and premise of the book. With the global rise in antisemitism, the words 'Never again' couldn't ring truer."


The book's website features a compelling gallery of images from Newman's travels, including photographs of historical documents, and the actual locations featured in the story


Discover the Truth Behind the Walls

Between These Walls is available for purchase through multiple platforms, making it accessible to readers worldwide. The novel is available in both paperback and Kindle editions.

 



Excerpt

Coming Soon

About the Author

 

 Michael Newman brings an unparalleled authenticity to Between These Walls because he writes not as a distant observer of history, but as someone whose life has been indelibly shaped by it. The son of Holocaust survivors, Newman has always had a deep interest in the Second World War, not as an academic pursuit, but as a personal mission to understand and honor the experiences that defined his family's existence. He received first-hand accounts of what happened during WWII in the concentration camps, particularly Mauthausen, where his father was imprisoned.

Newman's mother, aunt, and grandmother were hidden by Righteous Gentiles in Budapest during World War II. His father fought in the Hungarian Army, dug trenches in a forced labor battalion near Stalingrad, and later endured eight terrible months at Mauthausen in Austria. In 1956, at age twelve, Newman himself became a refugee, slogging through mud and snow, dodging guard huts to escape into Austria after the crushed Hungarian uprising against the Soviets.

Years later, as a successful self-made real estate magnate and founder of InterRent, a real estate investment trust on the Toronto Stock Exchange, Newman could have allowed his professional achievements to define him. Instead, he chose to honor his heritage by telling a story that needed to be told. He has since taken his wife, three children, and one granddaughter on trips to Mauthausen, ensuring that the next generation never forgets.

During the Second Lebanon War in 2006, concerned over what he perceived as one-sided news coverage against Israel, he had the opportunity to travel, surreptitiously, to Israel. Using a connection with an Israeli intelligence colonel, Newman spent a week in the war zone, visiting bomb shelters, air raid command centers, and troops in the field. This experience became a model for a character in his book who helped Israel fight for independence in 1948.

"I am not a religious person, but I do identify myself with what happened during the Holocaust and I am very much a Zionist and support the founding of Israel," Newman says.

This conviction breathes through every page of Between These Walls, giving the novel an emotional authenticity that resonates with readers across all backgrounds.

Today, Newman lives on Toronto's waterfront with his wife, Dixie, and their Morkie, Mia. Surrounded by five children and eleven grandchildren, he has transformed the pain of his family's past into a gift for future generations. Writing books, as Newman admits, is "a career change I wasn't expecting to make at this stage of life. It's been gratifying for the ego." He is currently working on a sequel with the working title A Daughter's Revenge, and has hired a screenwriter on spec to craft a six-part series based on his first book.


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Book Tour: Grab Another Gear by Wayne Williams

 






Disrupt the norm. Ignite your passion.


Business / Leadership / Religion / Christian Living

Date Published: April 15, 2026

Publisher: Lucid Books Publishing


Coasting feels comfortable until you realize it’s costing you everything. You weren’t built to settle, to grind through the motions, to let fear and exhaustion call the shots. But somewhere along the way, you got stuck. Stuck in routine. Stuck in expectations. Stuck in a version of yourself that plays it safe instead of stepping fully into who you were meant to be.

This book is your invitation to grab another gear. To stop waiting. To start moving. To rediscover the strengths, passions, and relationships that make life rich and meaningful. Because your life isn’t meant to be endured. It’s meant to be lived fully, boldly, and with impact.

In these pages, you’ll discover how to:

*Break free from the patterns that keep you stuck
*Step into your strengths and uncover what truly drives you
*Build relationships that fuel your purpose and legacy
*Stop coasting and start living with intention, passion, and courage

You have more to offer than you realize. More influence. More purpose. More fire in your soul than you’ve dared to believe. This is about unlocking your potential, making a difference in the world around you, and discovering life as it was intended for you to live.

The road is open. The next gear is yours to take. Will you join me on this journey?


 


Excerpt 

From the moment we’re born, we inherit identities like hand-medown

coats. They might come from well-intentioned parents,

cultural expectations, or even the rigid mandates of a long-deceased

business founder. I’ve seen leaders haunted by the ghost of the

“dead owner,” forced to keep everything the same as it was in 1952,

no matter how outdated the methods. Over time, these inherited

identities can feel like a trap, stifling the freedom to discover who we

genuinely are.


Dead Founder Syndrome is particularly common in multigenerational

businesses. You’ll often see second, third, or even fourth

generations trying to innovate, only to be stopped by the phrase,

“But this is how Grandpa did it.” Grandpa may have passed away

years ago, yet he still holds sway over the company, dictating how it

should be run from beyond the grave. In some cases, the business

becomes stagnant or irrelevant because no one dares to deviate

from the founder’s old blueprint.


I’ve seen families, boards, and shareholders cling to the ghost of

Grandpa like he’s still calling the shots, using his memory not as a

compass, but as a cage. And the moment anyone tries to lead into

the future, someone throws out the defense: Grandpa wouldn’t

have done it that way. They mean it as praise. But let’s be honest, it’s

not loyalty, it’s fear wearing legacy’s mask.


Maybe you’re reading this book and thinking about leaving a legacy

for the next generation. But I have to ask: Does what you see today

resemble what Grandma and Grandpa saw when they were here?

One of my favorite stories that brings this idea home is the parable

about the ham: A young girl was watching her mother prepare a

ham for the oven. She noticed her mother cut off the ends of the

ham before placing it in the roasting pan. Curious, the girl asked,

“Mom, why do you cut off the ends of the ham before cooking it?”

Her mother paused and replied, “I’m not really sure. That’s just the

way my mom always did it. Let’s ask Grandma.”


So they called Grandma and asked her why she always cut the ends

off the ham. Grandma thought for a moment and said, “Well, that’s

just how my mother did it. I never really questioned it. Let’s ask

Great-Grandma.”


Finally, they asked Great-Grandma why she cut the ends off the

ham before cooking it. She chuckled and said, “Oh, that’s simple! My

roasting pan was too small, so I had to cut the ends off to make it fit!”

If this sounds familiar, you might be living out someone else’s legacy,

one that worked in a different time and place. The only way to know

what Grandma and Grandpa would do with the knowledge you have

today is to ask them. But of course, they’re no longer here.

So, the real question is: Whose identity are you really living out?

Releasing ourselves from those “dead” identities can feel as exhilarating

as standing on the edge of a cliff, arms outstretched. It’s scary, but it’s

also the precise moment where transformation happens.




About the Author

 

 Wayne Williams is a guide, coach, and activator who unlocks growth in people and organizations. He's a devoted husband to his wife, Terina, and a father and grandfather who makes sure his family feels deeply loved. Wayne’s entrepreneurial drive took him from building a multi-million dollar telecom company, guiding it through near-death moments to a successful exit, to launching ventures shaped by innovation, integrity, and risk-taking. His love for the wilderness fuels his commitment to preserving traditions of pioneering, hunting, fishing, and land stewardship, while his heart for people drives him to restore lives and relationships.

Known as a disruptor at heart, Wayne leans into stuck systems and unspoken tensions, not to create chaos but to spark transformation. He thrives in complexity, cuts through noise to find what matters most, and fights to surface ideas that release others into their calling.

 

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Monday, August 17, 2026

Book Tour: Second Chance Highway by Lori Keesey

 



A Sequel


Fantasy / Action & Adventure / Christian

Date Published: June 9, 2026

Publisher: Clay Bridges Publishing

 


Sometimes, the second chance we truly need is the one we give ourselves.

Ginny Carmichael feels trapped in her abusive relationship until an otherworldly visit ignites her determination to break free. With her baby daughter in tow, she embarks on a courageous road trip that not only takes her away from danger but also leads her to unexpected kindness, genuine connections, and profound forgiveness.

Along the way, she meets a compassionate waitress, a spirited aunt, and ultimately her estranged mother, who may hold the key to her healing. As Ginny approaches her destination—and the truth about her worth—she discovers that escape was never the destination. Wholeness was.

Second Chance Highway is a poignant tale of faith, friendship, and the path to restoration and redemption, and is the sequel to the award-winning Always Think of Me.


 


Excerpt

“Good morning.” Ginny stands at the door, yawning, still dressed in the clothes she wore yesterday. Black smudges of mascara line her bloodshot and swollen eyes, confirming my suspicion that she had a good, long cry. Yet somehow, she seems well-rested, even chipper. “I slept on the couch,” she says. “Hope that was okay.”

“Was the bed lumpy? I haven’t slept in it in years.”

“I wouldn’t know.” She gives me a sheepish grin and pours herself a mug of coffee. “I never even pulled down the comforter… I had a rough night. I hope you didn’t hear me or Laurel.” She gazes at the steam rising from her cup. “Poor kid. Her mother is barely keeping it together, and my meltdown woke her up.”

“I didn’t hear a thing. I guess your aunt’s not happy with you?” I ask, assuming the phone call was the cause of the upset.

“You could say that.” She takes a seat at the kitchen table next to me and fiddles with her memory bracelet. “Jacob got to her first. She thinks I’m deeply depressed and need professional help. She urged me to go back to Atlanta.” She sucks in her top lip and narrows her eyes. “That won’t happen, and I will be okay—with or without her. The problem is she has my mother’s phone number and address.”

“Your mother’s address?”

“Yeah. My mom lives in Las Vegas, but I’m not sure where she lives. I haven’t seen her in at least two decades.” She stares at the ceiling before continuing. “We both suffer from a bad case of unforgiveness.”

Ginny had not revealed the endpoint of her journey, and I hadn’t pried. She kept things close to her chest, dribbling details when she thought it was prudent. Or at least that was my impression. The news did ease my mind. If restoring a broken relationship was her goal, she would have my support. I give her a reassuring pat on her tiny hand.

“Ginny, I wish I had more time, but I promised Monty that I’d train my niece, Shannon. She’s taking my job. We can talk later, after the breakfast rush.” I lift my eyebrows, wondering how she will respond.

“Great! That gives me time to shower, feed Laurel, and find a laundromat.” She counts the chores on her fingers.

“Save your shekels. Use my washer and dryer.” Rising from the table, I point to a set of double doors in the kitchen.

“Oh, Oralyn, are you sure?” She glances at the laundry closet, then back at me, chewing her bottom lip.

I sigh and shake my head. Can she still be asking for permission? “Like I said for the fifty millionth time—make yourself at home.”

I grab my purse off the counter and am ready to open the back door when she takes two quick paces toward me. Her arms come around me, pulling me closer in a hug that makes me want to cry.

“You’ve been so kind to me.” Her voice is soft and rich with emotion. “You’re like my Granny Smith and that’s high praise.” She pulls back, and our eyes lock. “Through you, Oralyn, God has extended a tender mercy.”

I then hug and squeeze her against my chest. She feels like family.



About the Author


Lori Keesey is the author of Second Chance Highway, the sequel to the award-winning Always Think of Me. Lori discovered her love for writing at a very young age and then pursued a professional writing career as a journalist, freelance writer, and communication consultant. She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park.

 

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Thursday, August 13, 2026

Book Tour: This Never Happened by Kent Heckenlively

 

 Can a call girl enter politics and escape with her life and morals intact?


Heidi Scherzinger is just a typical working girl in Chicago in 1972. Well, maybe not so typical. In fact, she’s running Chicago’s most successful independent call girl outfit when she’s summoned to meet with Sonny Battaglia, the country’s most powerful Mob boss.

The other local call girl agencies are complaining about her success, so Sonny offers her a deal: either she gets whacked, or she relocates to Washington, D.C., where she’ll be working for the “Agency” under the control of the creepy Sidney Gottshalk, the resident blackmail specialist.

The Agency wants blackmail material on all the horny Democrats flooding the Capitol in the run-up to the presidential election, trying to defeat President Nicholas Dixon as he runs for a second term.

The always efficient Heidi quickly sets up a first-class operation, aided by the quietly competent Milton Greenbaum. What follows is a Florence Gump-style adventure through a 1970s Washington, D.C., that might be just a little different than the version you read about in your history books.

This Never Happened: A Call Girl in D.C. is available at Amazon.

╰┈➤Book Details 

 ↪ Title: This Never Happened: A Call Girl in D.C.

 ↪ Author: Kent Heckenlively

 ↪ Genre: Political Thriller

 ↪ Sub-genre: Romance

 ↪ Language:English

 ↪ Pages: 406

 ↪ Publisher: Manhattan Book Group

 ↪ Publication Date: June 23, 2026

 ↪ Formats: Paperback, Kindle

 ↪ Paperback ISBN: ‎978-1970844337 

 ↪ Price: Paperback $19.99, Kindle $2.99

 ↪ Watch the Book Trailer at https://f.io/rLzZemf1.

╰┈➤Excerpt

My Life Now – November 21, 2024

Most of those who’d want to kill me for telling this story are either dead or living in a nursing home.

I’m not dead, I’m not in a nursing home, but I am living in a “senior community.”

I’m the kind of woman you’ll often see is such a setting, teaching a morning and afternoon Pilates class, then checking out a lecture or play in the evening with her friends. I dress immaculately, my hair and makeup are always perfect, people often wonder if I’m in my mid-fifties or early sixties, (seventy-six, thank you very much) and truth be told, often getting propositioned by the Viagra crowd of men convinced they’ve still got it.

The truth is I’ve always loved sex and I’m pretty good at getting men and women to fall in love with me. But I’ve also mastered the art of convincing a person I’m fascinated by them, while at the same time remaining just out of reach. They know I’ll come and play for a few hours, especially if the money and conversation is good.

And there’s nobody better than me, man or woman, at listening to what the powerful are really saying while they’re trying to get me into bed, or do the commitment thing (no, thank you). That’s why I was on the payroll of the Agency for such a long time, although, truth be told, most of them are a bunch of psychotic morons.

You might call me a prostitute, call girl, hooker, or even a whore if you’re feeling particularly righteous, but I prefer the term courtesan.

Everything in life can be done poorly, or with style.

For example, President John Francis Fitzgerald did everything with a certain devil-may-care nonchalance, from bedding beautiful actresses to getting himself shot in Texas.

By contrast, President Nicholas Milhous Dixon could find the grey cloud on the

sunniest of days, and that partially explains how he went from winning the biggest landslide in American history to resigning in disgrace a year and a half later.

I say only partially, because there’s the part I played, that nobody’s ever really understood. You see, I’m the woman who’s been whispered about for years, the main player in the story you thought you knew, protected by forces more powerful than you can imagine.

But was it really my fault?

Maybe after fifty years it’s time to finally tell the story.

I’ll let you be the judge of whether I’m a hero or a villain.

– Excerpted from This Never Happened by Kent Heckenlively, Manhattan Book Group, 2026. Reprinted with permission.

About the Author

Kent Heckenlively is an attorney, science teacher, and two-time New York Times bestselling author. He is best known as coauthor of the Plague series – Plague, Plague of Corruption & Ending Plague) with Dr. Judy Mikovits and Dr. Francis Ruscetti, winner of the Distinguished Service Medal from the National Institutes of Health. His book, Plague of Corruption reached #2 on the New York Times Bestseller list in June of 2020, has sold more than 200,000 copies to date, and is being turned into a documentary narrated by Liam Neeson. Kent has published numerous non-fiction books, focusing on the tech sector, controversies in medicine, and media bias.

His most recent two books,Twilight of the Shadow Government and Catastrophic Disclosure, focus on government corruption.

This Never Happened is his third novel and reflects his belief that we all need a fun book for the summer. With more than 15,000 Amazon reviews, a 4.7 average ranking out of 5.0 stars, more than 750,000 of his books in print, critical praise from Kirkus Reviews, including a highly coveted, “Kirkus preferred review” for his book on interferon, as well as his books being translated into ten languages, Kent is quickly becoming a powerhouse in the literary world.

Visit his website at www.kentheckenlivelybooks.com

Connect with him on X at https://x.com/KentHecken.

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Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Book Tour & Giveaway: No Straight Lines to the Stars by Ken Kisco

 



An Unlikely Journey from Lifeguard Tower to Launchpad

 

Narrative Nonfiction/Inspirational

Date Published: August 4th, 2026

Publisher: Acorn Publishing


No Straight Lines to the Stars is the inspiring true story of a young lifeguard who dared to believe his life could reach far beyond the horizon.

On the beaches of Southern California, Ken Kisco learned that preparation saves lives. From rip-current rescues to split-second emergencies, he discovered that courage is not the absence of fear, but the decision to act in spite of it. Those early lessons in resilience and composure pushed Ken to believe he could accomplish anything . . . including his lifelong dream of reaching the stars.

Through relentless perseverance and unwavering faith, Ken rose into the heart of America’s most advanced space and defense programs, contributing to human spaceflight initiatives and supporting groundbreaking technologies. His unusual start as a lifeguard helped advance his career, distinguishing him from his Air Force and Navy peers. Yet, his toughest challenges were personal—he faced deep disappointment when a space mission was canceled and learned lessons about trust and integrity from a romance-turned-ruse.

Ken’s journey reveals that success is rarely linear. Setbacks became launchpads, adversity became refinement, and purpose became a compass. Part memoir, part inspiration, and part behind-the-scenes look at America’s quest for the stars, this is the unforgettable story of a man who proves that bold dreams, combined with grit and heart, can launch an ordinary life into an extraordinary one.


 

Author Interview
Tell me about yourself. Where are you from?   
I'm a California native whose journey has taken me from serving as a California Ocean Lifeguard to supporting America's space program as an engineer. Along the way, I've been fortunate to combine my passions for science, leadership, and helping others. No Straight Lines to the Stars is the story of that journey—one shaped by unexpected opportunities, remarkable mentors, and the belief that perseverance can lead to destinations we never imagined.
Favorite sports.  
Swimming and water polo have always been my favorite sports. They taught me discipline, teamwork, resilience, and how to remain calm under pressure—qualities that shaped not only my years as a California Ocean Lifeguard but also my engineering career supporting America's space program.
 What is your writing process like? Are you more of a plotter or a pantser?  
Because No Straight Lines to the Stars is a memoir, I began with the experiences that had the greatest impact on my life. From there, I organized them into a journey rather than a simple timeline, making sure each chapter offered a lesson or insight readers could apply to their own lives. My goal wasn't just to tell my story—it was to inspire others through it.
What would you tell a writer who is just starting out? 
Start writing before you think you're ready. Don't wait for the perfect first sentence or the perfect outline. Your first draft won't be perfect—and it isn't supposed to be. Write honestly, revise patiently, and remember that readers connect with authenticity far more than perfection. Most importantly, tell the story only you can tell.

Can you describe a typical day in your writing life?  
A typical writing day begins by revisiting what I wrote the day before. I spend as much time editing as I do writing because every chapter needs to feel authentic and meaningful. Some days I write several pages; other days I refine a single paragraph. For me, the goal has always been quality over quantity.


About the Author


At ten years old, Ken Kisco dreamed of becoming a rocket scientist, a goal that shaped his life. He earned multiple degrees, including master's degrees from the University of Southern California in systems management and from San Jose State University in industrial psychology.

As an aerospace systems engineer for NASA, Rockwell International, and Boeing, he developed new technologies and earned recognition as an American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Fellow.

Ken now shares his passion by mentoring USC engineering students, inspiring them to dream boldly. When not traveling, he and his wife enjoy San Diego's beaches, where they live.


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RABT Book Tours & PR

Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Book Tour: A Boy Becoming by Eddy Yang

 



A Renewed Vision for a Kinder, Gentler World


Coming of Age Memoir

Date Published: May 14, 2026

Publisher: MindStir Media



What if the most important lessons in life came from the ordinary moments we often overlook?


A Boy Becoming: A Renewed Vision for a Kinder, Gentler World is an inspiring coming-of-age memoir that invites readers into the private journals, drawings, reflections, and life experiences of young author Eddy Yang. Compiled from diary entries written between the ages of ten and sixteen, this powerful memoir chronicles the journey of a young boy learning how to navigate family, faith, friendship, sports, responsibility, and personal growth.


Through honest reflections and meaningful life lessons, Eddy explores what it means to build character in a world that often values achievement over integrity. Along the way, he learns that becoming a better person is not about perfection—it is about practice.


As an ice hockey goalie, Eddy discovers courage, resilience, humility, discipline, and the ability to recover from failure. Through conversations with his parents, guidance from teachers and coaches, experiences with service, and moments of self-reflection, he learns that true strength comes from within and that growth happens one choice at a time.


Filled with wisdom beyond his years, A Boy Becoming explores timeless themes including:


✔ Character Development and Personal Growth

✔ Kindness, Compassion, and Empathy

✔ Family Values and Faith

✔ Self-Reflection and Emotional Growth

✔ Discipline, Responsibility, and Resilience

✔ Youth Leadership and Positive Decision-Making

✔ Sportsmanship and Life Lessons from Hockey

✔ Gratitude, Forgiveness, and Humility

✔ Identity, Purpose, and Self-Discovery


At the heart of this reflective memoir is a simple but powerful truth: character is built slowly through ordinary moments. Every mistake, every challenge, every act of kindness, every lesson learned, and every effort to improve becomes part of the process of becoming.


Perfect for teens, young adults, parents, educators, coaches, mentors, and anyone interested in personal development, A Boy Becoming offers encouragement, insight, and hope for readers navigating their own journey of growth.


Inside You'll Discover:

●      Honest diary reflections from childhood through adolescence
●      Life lessons from family, faith, sports, and service
●      Thought-provoking insights about character and self-improvement
●      Inspirational messages for young people facing challenges and uncertainty
●      Practical wisdom about becoming someone you respect


Memorable Quotes from the Book

"Kind is more important than smart. Logic has no moral. We must be nice no matter what."

"Forgiveness frees you more than it frees the other person."


"Possessions should not possess you."


"A distracted driver misses exits. A distracted life misses destiny."


"Remember: you are not your trophies. You are not your mistakes. You are the daily effort that nobody sees."


If you enjoy inspirational memoirs, coming-of-age stories, personal growth books, youth leadership, family-centered nonfiction, or books that encourage reflection and character development, A Boy Becoming will resonate long after the final page.


Because becoming a better person isn't a destination—it's a lifelong journey.
 
 

Excerpt

When I first started writing, I didn’t know I was writing a book.

These were just diary entries. Sometimes I wrote because I was upset. Other times, I wrote because I learned something, or because a parent, teacher, or moment made me think deeply. I didn’t write every day. I didn’t always know what I was trying to say. But now, looking back, I see a path. A trail of thoughts, drawings, struggles, and questions.

From age 10 to now, 16, I’ve changed a lot. But some things have stayed the same: I still want to understand life. I still think about who I am and who I want to be.

Ice hockey, especially goaltending, has been a huge part of that journey. It taught me to face fear — literally — as pucks flew toward my body. It taught me patience, repetition, and how to fail in front of people. But more than that, it forced me to balance ego and humility.

This book isn’t about being perfect. It’s about practicing — not just with your talents, but with your thoughts, your choices, your character. It’s about growing, slowly and painfully sometimes, into someone you respect.

If you’re someone who’s growing up, too, I hope something in these pages speaks to you. Whether you're in the classroom, with your family, or just trying to figure things out, you’re not alone.





About the Author

 

 Eddy Yang is a student, writer, ice hockey goalie, and young author whose work focuses on self-reflection, personal growth, family values, faith, discipline, and character development.

His passion for writing began long before he imagined becoming an author. Throughout childhood, Eddy kept journals, diary entries, drawings, comics, and reflections that documented his experiences, thoughts, challenges, and questions about life.


Over time, these personal writings evolved into something larger—a record of growth from childhood into adolescence.


The Beginning of a Writer

Eddy never started writing with the intention of publishing a book.

He wrote to understand himself.


Sometimes he wrote after difficult experiences. Other times he wrote after learning valuable lessons from parents, teachers, coaches, teammates, or faith. Writing became a way to process emotions, reflect on mistakes, and preserve important moments.


As he revisited years of journals and drawings, he recognized a story unfolding: the story of becoming.


Hockey and Character

As an ice hockey goalie, Eddy has learned lessons that extend far beyond the rink.


Goaltending taught him courage, resilience, humility, patience, and discipline. It taught him how to handle pressure, recover from failure, and continue improving after setbacks.


These experiences became a powerful influence on his understanding of personal growth and are woven throughout his writing.


Why He Wrote A Boy Becoming

Eddy wrote A Boy Becoming because he believes growth happens through ordinary moments.

Character is not built overnight.


It develops through repeated choices, honest reflection, mistakes, perseverance, gratitude, forgiveness, and love.


His hope is that readers—especially young people—will recognize that they are not alone in their struggles and that becoming a better person is a lifelong journey worth embracing.


Mission

Through his writing, Eddy hopes to inspire readers to:


● Practice kindness
● Develop discipline
● Embrace humility
● Learn from mistakes
● Strengthen character
● Value family and faith
● Continue growing every day


"Kind is more important than smart. Logic has no moral. We must be nice no matter what."
 

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