With seven seas, seven continents, a hundred and ninety-five countries, and a history spanning billions of years, our little blue planet, the only one assumed to hold any signs of “life,” has been dominated by a single species. A species that has been blessed with the most potential, one that has quite literally reached the stars and touched the moon. 

Humans have always been capable of doing great things.

As inspiring as this may sound, humans, besides their brilliance, are also known for their vulnerability. Despite their unrivaled potential and gifts, humans tend to forget what they are truly capable of. 

They choose to hide behind a mask, giving into the pressures of society and, in the process, preventing their brilliance from shining through.

There is one book that teaches you otherwise. Reconnecting you with your true self, helping you tap into your true potential, and cultivating self-love, author Carly Reed invites you to an ode to healing, HUMAN: Behind the Mask.

The book is a deeply personal memoir of spiritual growth and recovery. The author expresses the truth through vividly described poetry, written to connect with others and inspire hope for those suffering through adversity. Be it addiction, lack of self-esteem, or depression, the read is medicine for the soul.

Carly aims to help readers connect with the human inside them and embrace their true selves. She teaches people to let go of the exhausting habit of hiding behind a façade and live a fulfilled life. 

Behind every ambitious book, there is a moment of inspiration. We sat down with Carly to understand what sparked her interest to put her pen to paper and ink out one of the most exciting poetry books of 2024. 

Carly began writing poetry and painting her thoughts and feelings to get through the intense cravings that accompany addiction. This explains why the poetry in her book feels so personal, raw, and honest, resonating with readers of multiple backgrounds. These creative outlets helped her tremendously in dealing with recovery. Little by little, she felt the weight on her shoulders ease. Little did she know that venting out her feelings would become a source of inspiration and a hallmark of self-healing for many. That’s the thing about hope; sometimes, it stems from the most unexpected places. You find solace in the place you were avoiding and instead confront it. Carly mentioned that she regretted not getting help or speaking out sooner. Carly realized the potential her art could have on others who can relate and identify with her struggles. Hence, she thoughtfully formatted her poems and artwork into a book.  

The lessons learned in the book convey a positive message. For those who find themselves aimlessly driving through a “never-ending” tunnel, Carly reminds you to take heart, for there is light at the end of it that awaits you. 

The book covers fundamental and hard-hitting themes that cover the struggle almost every individual encounters daily. Carly brushes up on mental health, body dysmorphia, and addiction, heavily resonating with mainstream societal issues today. We live in a world that constantly demands “perfection.” Perhaps we are to blame for this as we swipe away on our phones, fueling the social media epidemic of instant gratification and unrealistic standards. How often do you feel insecure after seeing a picture of a model or a celebrity showing off their new Mercedes? Where there is nothing wrong with celebrating your achievements, social media has become a cesspool of unnecessary competition. People only show parts of themselves that they think are socially apt enough to be seen. 

Or, simply put, they hide behind a mask.

Carly’s book is a love letter to all those tired of finding a new mask to hide behind. She starts off her book with a beautiful reminder.

“God gave you a purpose before anyone gave an opinion.” 

Carly’s book instigates a shift in perspective. Instead of looking at adversity as a curse or unfortunate circumstance, we see an opportunity to grow just as she did, painting her thoughts into rhymes that would become a beacon of hope for people.

Behind the Mask is an ode to humanity to realize that we are stronger than we think, to those struggling to quit their addiction, to those who feel as though they are not good enough, and to all those dwelling on their failures. 

Put your mask down. Embrace yourself.

And if you need help, you can confide in Carly Reed’s book, HUMAN: Behind the Mask, now available on Amazon.

Published By: Aize Perez

Esteemed author Lydia Fougeres invites readers on a transformative journey of introspection with her latest release, “111 Reflections for thy Earth Odyssey – Tome 1.” While focusing on the art of self-reflection, this book draws upon the author’s wealth of experience gained through years of meditation and her roles as a Registered Nurse and Reverend.

“111 Reflections for thy Earth Odyssey” is a compelling guide for individuals interested in immersing themselves in the subtleties of their thoughts and perceptions. The book prompts readers to question their perspectives, encouraging them to explore the impact of personal biases shaped by upbringing, societal status, and surroundings.

Explaining the significance of the title, Lydia notes that this is the first installment in a series that will progress numerically, offering readers a continuous journey from 111 to 222 and beyond. Each number carries a distinct meaning, providing a structured yet expansive exploration of spiritual and metaphysical concepts that enhance the reader’s understanding of interconnectedness.

The number 111, according to Reverend Lydia, holds a special significance as a magical portal to other dimensions. It symbolizes strength, the manifestation of desires, and wise decision-making. Each reflection in the book serves as a gateway to alternate worlds, allowing readers to grow into better individuals with a clearer comprehension of life’s broader context. As individuals delve into the depths of these reflections, they discover hidden facets of themselves, unlocking untapped potential and gaining insights that transcend the ordinary.

“111 Reflections for thy Earth Odyssey – Tome 1” is a thoughtfully crafted work intended to be more than just a one-time read. The author, Lydia, has intricately designed the book to serve as a timeless companion for readers on their personal journeys. The reflections within its pages are not static; instead, they are meant to evolve in meaning and significance as individuals progress in their lives. Lydia envisions her creation as a dynamic portal, one that continues to guide and inspire, fostering greater self-awareness and understanding with each revisit. 

Lydia Fougeres, an accomplished author, Registered Nurse, and Reverend, brings a wealth of diverse experiences to her insightful reflections in “111 Reflections for thy Earth Odyssey – Tome 1.” With a background steeped in meditation and a commitment to guiding others through their spiritual and metaphysical journeys, Fougeres invites readers to explore the depths of self-reflection.  Through her insightful reflections, she encourages a contemplative exploration of the intricacies within oneself, offering a transformative journey that goes beyond the surface, into the realms of self-discovery and spiritual enlightenment.

Lydia Fougeres welcomes readers, inviting them into her metaphysical world where imagination knows no bounds. She challenges the notion that the sky is the limit, asserting that the true limitations lie in one’s imagination. As she aptly puts it, “Minds are like parachutes. Do not skydive with me if you do not know how to open your parachute.” 

With this book, Lydia promises to prompt readers to think, question, and reassess their perspectives on life. For more information about the book publication or to connect with Lydia Fougeres, please visit https://lydiafougeres.com/

Published by: Aly Cinco

By: E. Vince

In religious books, authors have a great responsibility to deliver text that is not only impactful but also easy to understand. We have witnessed numerous names that have put forth riveting perspectives and comprehensions of the Christian faith. But, there is one name in particular that is set to change the landscape of the genre by penning an exhilarating series.

Author E. Vince brings audiences the AFTERLIFE series, with its first installment just issued as an e-book new release on Amazon. In the first book, There Will Be Trouble, the Hill family is dysfunctionally coping with the death of their wife and mother, Karen, due to a congenital heart condition.

We all have, on some level, gone through a time when we feel as though things aren’t working out for us. With our backs against the wall, we look to the skies for help, and when we feel unheard, we begin blaming God for inflicting our plight on us.

1. Vince’s story addresses this theodicy, enlightening audiences with a shift in perspective. The Hill family’s story teaches you to embrace the hardships in life, standing firm in faith. 

This begs the question…

Who Is E. Vince?

1. Vince is dubbed a “living scientific apologetic,” backing each of his views and religious ideologies with the help of science. His intellect is exuded through his incredible professional portfolio. Due to his personal experiences, he wished to use it as inspiration and research on the theodicy problem from a secular and Christian perspective. His book is designed to be an apologetic for God’s goodness despite very real, tragic pain and suffering in our lives. His writing will help connect some individuals through empathy, while others will find common ground via circumstance, and others may find their own religious beliefs challenged. 
2. Vince calls himself a frustrated artist. He fancies himself as an author and is frustrated because he spent forty years of his professional life as a microelectronic engineer, working globally for some of the largest names in the business on entry-level to supercomputer-level systems. He is also a certified data scientist and has experience as a Six Sigma black belt, which, although substantial, doesn’t make him an author.

Unrivalled Ambition

We live in a generation of “wokeness” and “cancel culture” that has had a disastrous impact on freedom of speech. The economic unrest all over the world is a catalyst for many issues within households. Stress, anxiety, and, most importantly, uncertainty have contributed to people deviating from their religion. Each year, approximately 1.85 million people officially convert to atheism, and then there are the agnostics who do not identify with any particular deity or religious faction. E. Vince, with his series, makes readers think and reflect on why they gave up on God in the first place. 

1. Vince uses a fictional narrative that resonates with individuals on a deeper level, regardless of their background. His talents shine through with each plot point, the relatability in writing paired with the larger-than-life characters.

When asked to share some background on the characters, here is what he revealed:

“First off, we have Karen, the glue that’s held the family together, whose health is deteriorating by the day, and, as a result, she is self-deprecating. She can’t forgive herself for dying right when her children need her the most— passing with a broken spirit.

Then, we have Bert, who enters pathological self-pity, ignoring the upbringing of his children, and begins a downward spiral of alcohol and drug abuse along with a catastrophic network of inevitable consequences.

Melody thinks she’s in love, gets pregnant, and runs away to be with the baby’s father, which only lasts a couple of months. She then gets an abortion and starts to work odd jobs. Subsequently, she self-medicates to get by. She can’t hold a job and turns to stripping and prostitution as a means to feed her habit.

Roy tries to stay in school and continue on a positive path, one that is not devoid of adversity. Roy is persecuted in school by bullies. A church youth group and two coaches step in to support Roy. He eventually graduates high school and joins the military to earn veteran benefits. Upon honorable discharge, he then entered college, met a fine young lady, and they got married in their senior year. Roy reenters the military as an officer and is deployed to the Afghanistan war.

Once Karen enters paradise as an infant (born again), she spiritually matures into a child, young lady, and adult woman. She’s assigned to a buddy (Nora) and an angel (AJ) to help her navigate Paradise. She goes to many exciting places and meets many interesting and well-known personalities from history, each with a story of God’s goodness despite evil circumstances. She’s given a quest by God to help her struggling family members.

There’s a surprise ending in Book 3 circling back to the beginning, supporting God’s goodness through all the collective pain, suffering, and doubt.” 

AFTERLIFE: There Will Be Trouble is a vivid representation of E. Vince’s ambition and writing prowess. Witness a candid and real representation of faith and finding salvation.