🏰 Author Interview Featuring Jo Denning, Author of Hush Hush City

 

I have a very talented lady here today to tell us all about her new book, Hush Hush City. Jo Denning is the author of the Saoirse Reilly series. She has spent her career as a behavioral health therapist supporting kids and teens who struggle with addiction. Jo began writing supernatural crime thrillers as a way of processing the traumatic things she has seen and heard. Her characters may be supernatural but their stories, their fear, and their pain are real. So, too, are the triumphs over impossible odds.

When she’s not writing, Jo enjoys baking, drawing, and watching trashy reality TV. She makes her home somewhere in the contiguous United States with her husband, one fluffy cat, and one barely domesticated cat.

Let’s Connect!

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

 


Thank you for this interview!  I’d like to know more about you as a person first.  When did you start writing?


I’ve always loved reading and writing. I started writing my first novel, Dead Blood City, in 2020 because the COVID-19 pandemic was—I want to say ruining my life but that sounds so dramatic. Let’s just say ruining my life. I began writing Dead Blood City, the first book in the Saoirse Reilly series, while working in a psychiatric hospital at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and following the death of a thirteen-year-old patient by suicide. The magic and monsters in Reilly’s world are metaphors for the very real evil and darkness that exists in our world. The painful experiences of my characters are things that real people go through every day. Unfortunately, treatment is not always enough to help them escape the darkness inside their own minds.

As a published author, what would you say was the most pivotal point of your writing life?

Gosh, I don’t know… I really like getting emails and direct messages from readers. They’ll reach out with compliments, questions, and interest in coming books. It’s really exciting to me that people I don’t even know are as excited about my writing as I am.

If you could go anywhere in the world to start writing your next book, where would that be and why?

I love this question! My husband and I love to travel. I wrote the first chapter of Hush Hush City on my phone in the Costa Rican rainforest just off the coast of Golfo Dulce which is a crazy sentence. I’d love to go back and write there again.

If you had 4 hours of extra time today, what would you do?

I’m not even gonna lie. I would sleep.

 

Where would you like to set a story that you haven’t done yet?

I want to do a closed door mystery set in a psychiatric hospital. My plan is to do this for book six of the Saoirse Reilly series. I used to work as a therapist in such a facility so I’d like to write a realistic portrayal of it. On TV, psych hospitals are so backward. It’s not the 1920s anymore.  

Why was writing Hush Hush City so important to you?

Writing Hush Hush City allowed me to continue a journey of healing and self-forgiveness that I started in my first novel. Reilly is on a treacherous and painful path but we are all walking it together. When I was working on DBC at work, in waiting rooms, at airports, and on my couch, I often wondered if there was any reason for it. And, sometimes, I felt very alone in a very dark place. Now the sun is shining through my windows, I have hundreds of readers, and I’m publishing the sequel. I hope that you, too, will read and grow.

Any final words?

I absolutely love hearing from readers! You can learn more about me, the series, and how to reach out at JoDenning.com. Plus, email subscribers can snag a free copy of both Dead Blood City and Shattered City, the first books in the Saoirse Reilly series. Then you can pre-order the sequel, Hush Hush City, on Amazon!

 

About Hush Hush City

 

Cruel Prince meets Law & Order in Hush Hush City, the thrilling sequel to Dead Blood City and second installment in the Saoirse Reilly series! Saoirse Reilly, police detective and wayward psychic, is still reeling from the events of Dead Blood City. Her lies are piling up but there’s no time to deal. She and her loved ones are in danger once again. While investigating the murder of a Boston blueblood, Reilly is drawn into a supernatural power struggle centuries in the making. 

Ancient monsters are prowling the streets and Domenico Alderisi, newly installed vrykolakas master, needs Reilly’s help securing his territory – which just so happens to be her hometown. Alderisi, once her enemy, may be the only one who can save the city. But he has his own agenda and a taste for Reilly’s blood. The only way for Reilly to protect all she holds dear may be to rely on her two-faced teacher, Dr. Emrys Somerled. The criminal psychologist and occult expert is something more than human. If anyone can take on monsters, it’s him. And he’d like to get closer to Reilly than ever before. There’s just one problem. Somerled is keeping secrets, too, and there’s nothing more dangerous. After all…

Stepping out of the silence is scary but secrets can kill.

Will Reilly escape the web of death and deception?

Find out in this urban fantasy meets gritty noir detective novel featuring imperfect heroes and slow burn dark romance with beautiful monsters who can’t be trusted.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/41Z1UUq

🏰 Author Interview Featuring Kristina Mand-Lakhiani, Author of Becoming Flawesome: The Key to Living An Imperfectly Authentic Life #BecomingFlawesome


 
I have a very talented lady here today to tell us all about her new book, Becoming Flawesome. Kristina Mand-Lakhiani is an international speaker, entrepreneur, artist, philanthropist, and mother of 2 kids. As a co-founder of Mindvalley, a leading publisher in the personal growth industry, Kristina dedicated the last 20 years of her career from teachers like Michael Beckwith, Bob Proctor, Lisa Nichols, and many more.

She started her career in a government office in her native Estonia and, by her mid-20s, achieved a level of success mostly known to male politicians at the end of their careers. It was shortly after that Kristina and her then-husband Vishen founded Mindvalley. From a small meditation business operating out of the couple’s apartment in New York, the company grew into a global educational organization offering top training for peak human performance to hundreds of thousands of students all around the world.

Kristina believes life it too important to be taken seriously and makes sure to bring fun into every one of her roles: as a teacher, mother, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and world traveler. Kristina helps her students to virtually hack happiness by taking them through her unique framework – “Hacking happiness” – a unique framework of balancing your life, taking in every moment, and paying close attention the small daily choices.

Kristina is also the author of three transformational quests – “7 Days to Happiness“, “Live By Your Own Rules.” and “The Art of Being Flawesome.” Kristina talks about personal transformation, authenticity, understanding and accepting oneself, and a path to happiness.

In July 2023, with the help of Hay House Publishing, Kristina releases her very first book – “Becoming Flawesome” #BecomingFlawsome. In her book, Kristina shares her own journey from being on top of a personal growth empire like Mindvalley to stepping aside, conscious uncoupling from her husband, and walking her path towards being more honest with herself.

Website: https://kristinamand.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristinamand

LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-mand-lakhiani-73168414

 


I’d like to know more about you as a person first.  What do you do when you’re not writing?

Well, I must confess that I lean towards introversion and find comfort in a close-knit circle of familiar faces. It takes time for me to open up. While I may appear friendly on the surface, engaging with strangers drains my energy. Being from a classical Northern European background, building connections requires patience. Once I do form those bonds, they are deeply cherished.

So, what do I do when I'm not writing? I adore spending time with my children and engaging in various activities with them. Exploring Estonia and nearby countries and immersing myself in nature aligns with my reserved and introverted nature. Traveling holds a special place in my heart. While I appreciate global exploration, I approach it with a scientific mindset, carefully selecting destinations that offer new experiences. With my children, we study the world map and plan our journeys meticulously.

I find solace in tending to my farm and embarking on various tasks, even if they involve getting my hands dirty. I consider myself a hobby farmer, and I take pleasure in planning and beautifying my farm's landscape. I am currently renovating a historical farmhouse that has been in my family for 400 years, transforming it into a museum.

In my leisure time, I indulge in reading classical literature, particularly fiction and timeless novels. Riding bikes with my children is another enjoyable pastime. I also have a fondness for strategy games like Civilization. Maintaining a healthy work-life balance is essential to me, and I prioritize it greatly.

As a published author, what would you say was the most pivotal point of your writing life?

I believe there are two points that hold great importance, and I'll share them in the order they occurred in my life, rather than ranking them by significance.

The first pivotal moment was when I made the decision to sit down and commit to writing a book. This choice is often delayed or postponed by writers. If you truly identify yourself as a writer, then taking that step to embark on your first book is incredibly crucial. It's tempting to keep busy with short-form writing, but it's essential to dedicate yourself to the long-form writing process.

Another significant turning point for me was the realization that I am, indeed, a writer. It wasn't a sudden revelation, but more of a gradual understanding that I never considered as a possibility before. Despite engaging in writing work and even pursuing amateur writing, I had never truly embraced the identity of a writer. The moment I acknowledged and accepted that I am a writer, it became a major turning point. It granted me a sense of identity, purpose, and transformed writing into something deeper than just composing emails or marketing campaigns.

If you could go anywhere in the world to start writing your next book, where would that be and why?

Well, my choice may sound unexciting, but I would actually prefer to write it at home. The process of writing a book demands time and dedication. If we envision going to a remote island or a creative retreat to write, it turns writing into an isolated event rather than an integral part of everyday life. As someone who identifies as a writer, writing a book is a part of my daily routine. It's not about needing to go somewhere specific to write; instead, my writing accompanies me wherever I am.

However, I understand the sentiment behind the desire to travel for writing purposes. Approximately ten years ago, when the idea of writing a book first sparked within me, I even planned a trip with my business partner to the British Virgin Islands. It was around March or April, and we reserved the entire month, envisioning a productive and creative period to work on that initial substantial project. However, I ended up engaging myself in other activities, keeping myself occupied. For me, writing a book requires a consistent commitment of two to three hours every day, following a routine for an extended period of time, whether it be a few months, half a year, or even a year. Considering this, I find that the comfort and familiarity of my home provide the ideal environment for my writing journey.

If you had 4 hours of extra time today, what would you do?

One of my absolute favorite activities is taking my kids to our farm. There's something truly magical about being surrounded by nature, far away from the hustle and bustle of city life. Waking up in the morning and seeing my sheep peacefully grazing on the patio brings me joy. It's a cherished experience that I simply adore.

Why was writing Becoming Flawesome so important to you?

The paradox of the personal transformation industry is that it implies that if you need to be fixed, it means that you are broken. I believe that we need more love and healing. Firstly we need to love our true selves. To do that we need to find our true selves. The best thing in the world is to be yourself. You don't have to do anything special to deserve love and respect. What I want readers to take away from my book is not just a message, but a feeling. I want them to feel a deep sense of peace within themselves. Because when you're at peace with who you are, amazing things can happen. It opens the doors for personal growth, self-improvement, and making a meaningful impact. But it all starts with finding that inner peace and accepting yourself as you are.

Tell me something about Becoming Flawesome that I may find surprising?

The introduction was the final piece of the book, written in just a few hours. It was added right before the manuscript was set in stone and ready for printing. It wasn't a random choice; I was actually dissatisfied with what we had so far. I took a risk by breaking the rules and writing exactly what I felt, even though it was at the last minute. While the rest of the book was carefully worked on, the introduction is a bit different. It makes sense to write it last because how can you introduce something that isn't even there yet? So I think it's perfect in its imperfection.

Do you have a quote from Becoming Flawesome that you'd like to share?

“Your dragons are not going to cease to exist no matter how well you build the walls of spirituality around them."

What’s next for you? 

For now I am focused on my book release and all other things that need to be done for it. But I am actually dying to start another book project. Various ideas are swirling around in my mind, and I'm leaning towards embarking on a new journey where I can delve into a burning question and let my writing take me in that direction. However, due to the demands of the publishing process, I haven't been able to dedicate time to start writing just yet. My priority is to focus on completing the current project first. But, my hope is that by the end of this year, I'll finally have the opportunity to begin crafting a new book. After all, that's the most exhilarating and fulfilling part of the entire process for me.

About Becoming Flawesome

 


Perfection. We all dream of living by it, feeling it, being it.

And it is in the name of perfection that we demonize our flaws, make ourselves ‘less-than,’ and render ourselves vulnerable to the shame of not being good enough.

We live in a society that subliminally encourages us to wear metaphorical masks, slay our inner sadness, and ignore our imperfections, or as Kristina refers to them, her ‘dragons.’ Even within the world of personal development and spirituality, toxic perfectionism lurks in the shadows.

In Kristina’s upcoming book Becoming Flawesome #BecomingFlawesome, she reflects on her own story, her battle against perfectionism, and what it took for her to return to what she now deems to be her most authentic self. Being described as “10 years worth of therapy in one book,” Becoming Flawesome is a celebration of our whole selves, warts and all, and the glory that is to be found in living in our truth.

Every chapter is closed with reflection points and exercises to encourage the readers to dive deep into the essence of who they truly are, what their values are, and how to navigate an oftentimes overwhelming world.

In this book, Kristina breaks the mold as she takes the reader on a journey through:

• The dark, controversial side of ‘personal growth,’ and the insecurities that thrive on it

• Self-care vs. self-love, and why you need both

• What authenticity actually is, beyond the buzz

• The ‘hermione Syndrome,’ and how to diagnose if you’re secretly suffering from it

• How to create aligned lifestyle habits that stick

• Why the more you judge others, the more you judge yourself

• Societal masks, and how to remove them from your psyche

• Imposter syndrome in the world of high-flyers

• Emotional literacy: how to cope with strong, painful emotions healthily

Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/mwtzj3jx

Mind Valley Books: https://www.mindvalley.com/books/flawesome

 

 


🏰 Author Interview Featuring Melissa M. Monroe, Author of Mom's Search for Meaning: Grief and Growth After Child Loss

 


I have a very talented lady here today to tell us all about her new book, Mom's Search for Meaning: Grief and Growth After Child Loss. Now living in Los Angeles with her daughter Grace, Melissa M. Monroe was born in Yuma, AZ. She attended Loyola University in Chicago. After finishing at Loyola, she studied modern dance at University of Chicago. In 1995, she moved to California to train in Pilates, yoga, and acupuncture, which she practices as a professional.

Website: http://www.melissamariemonroe.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/tripleMMeaning

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MelissaMarieMonroeAuthor

Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@triplemmeaning

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissammonroe/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-monroe-b0b1197/


As a book bloggin’ and book luvin’ Princess, I’m always curious to find out how authors got the ideas for their books. Can you tell us how you got the idea to write your book?


I began to blog about a month after my two-year-old daughter Alice died in her sleep of unknown causes (SUDC) because I could barely speak, and folks wanted to know how I was doing. They also wanted to know what happened. I thought some friends and family would read the blog, and I’d save my breath and sanity because re-telling the story over and over was traumatizing. But the blog took on a life of its own, something I didn’t expect. Eventually, my friend Teresa Strasser (author of Making It Home) ordered me to turn it into a book and send her chapters, and I always (sometimes) do what I’m told.

Can you give us an excerpt?

It was a heavy moment, but the ashes themselves were not heavy and did not take up much space. My mind could not grasp that my child, who not seven days before was running around the playground at school, following her sister around, and begging for more “gogurt!” was contained in this pouch.

Silent.

Forever.

There are no words for the feelings I experienced at that moment, but the feeling of love was predominant.

When everything we love turns to ash, all we have is love. I began to realize that if I marched toward the love — even on a day when I felt like shit — I would always be guided and surrounded by love. If I cursed the path, I wouldn’t see the love that was all around me and would find a cursed path.

When Alice died, it became crystal clear to me that nothing matters but love. That clarity was notable because not one other thing was clear. But more importantly, I began to see that love doesn’t die. My love for Alice went nowhere; I just didn’t know what to do with all that love when her body was no longer here, when I could not interact with her personality or hug her chubby belly. It was clear to me my love for her survived though her body did not. I could still feel her, though I couldn’t see or touch her. Grief is love in the absence of the recipient of the love.

Grief is the phantom limb of love.

This meant I had to learn how to love someone no longer here ... and to do that, I had to focus on the love that was here. And there was so much love around me, thank God.

If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would that be?

Publish sooner! I would say to be more courageous about publishing. I sat on many essays and poems for decades before working up the nerve to submit them. 

Do you hear from your readers? What do they say?

Fortunately, I have received hundreds, if not thousands, of supportive notes over the years. Most express their condolences about Alice and tell me how a particular phrase in the book helped them with their losses. One of the most surprising things about sharing my writing with the world is the beautiful community it has unwittingly built. 

What has been your best accomplishment?

Mothering my two girls, Alice and Grace, is my best accomplishment by a landslide. 

How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?

I feel like you can see the eleventy-hundred open tabs on my computer right now! I have enough material for another memoir, which will be more specific about my spiritual journey. I am also toying with an idea for a picture book on a non-grief topic. I am currently focused on publishing companion pieces and short essays in national magazines.  

Fun question – if you were princess or prince, what’s one thing you would do to make your kingdom a better place?

Oh, I love this question! If I were a princess, I would put at least one trauma therapist in every school, and we would learn conflict resolution every year from Kindergarten until we go to the Great Beyond.

I began to blog about a month after my two-year-old daughter Alice died in her sleep of unknown causes (SUDC) because I could barely speak, and folks wanted to know how I was doing. They also wanted to know what happened. I thought some friends and family would read the blog, and I’d save my breath and sanity because re-telling the story over and over was traumatizing. But the blog took on a life of its own, something I didn’t expect. Eventually, my friend Teresa Strasser (author of Making It Home) ordered me to turn it into a book and send her chapters, and I always (sometimes) do what I’m told.


If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would that be?

Publish sooner! I would say to be more courageous about publishing. I sat on many essays and poems for decades before working up the nerve to submit them. 

Do you hear from your readers? What do they say?

Fortunately, I have received hundreds, if not thousands, of supportive notes over the years. Most express their condolences about Alice and tell me how a particular phrase in the book helped them with their losses. One of the most surprising things about sharing my writing with the world is the beautiful community it has unwittingly built. 

What has been your best accomplishment?

Mothering my two girls, Alice and Grace, is my best accomplishment by a landslide. 

How many unpublished and half-finished books do you have?

I feel like you can see the eleventy-hundred open tabs on my computer right now! I have enough material for another memoir, which will be more specific about my spiritual journey. I am also toying with an idea for a picture book on a non-grief topic. I am currently focused on publishing companion pieces and short essays in national magazines.  

Fun question – if you were princess or prince, what’s one thing you would do to make your kingdom a better place?

Oh, I love this question! If I were a princess, I would put at least one trauma therapist in every school, and we would learn conflict resolution every year from Kindergarten until we go to the Great Beyond.

It was a heavy moment, but the ashes themselves were not heavy and did not take up much space. My mind could not grasp that my child, who not seven days before was running around the playground at school, following her sister around, and begging for more “gogurt!” was contained in this pouch.

Silent.

Forever.

There are no words for the feelings I experienced at that moment, but the feeling of love was predominant.

When everything we love turns to ash, all we have is love. I began to realize that if I marched toward the love — even on a day when I felt like shit — I would always be guided and surrounded by love. If I cursed the path, I wouldn’t see the love that was all around me and would find a cursed path.

When Alice died, it became crystal clear to me that nothing matters but love. That clarity was notable because not one other thing was clear. But more importantly, I began to see that love doesn’t die. My love for Alice went nowhere; I just didn’t know what to do with all that love when her body was no longer here, when I could not interact with her personality or hug her chubby belly. It was clear to me my love for her survived though her body did not. I could still feel her, though I couldn’t see or touch her. Grief is love in the absence of the recipient of the love.

Grief is the phantom limb of love.

This meant I had to learn how to love someone no longer here ... and to do that, I had to focus on the love that was here. And there was so much love around me, thank God.

 

About Mom's Search for Meaning: Grief and Growth After Child Loss

 

Paralyzed by guilt, grief, and PTSD after her 2-year-old daughter Alice died in her sleep of unknown causes, acupuncturist Melissa Monroe determined not to become a victim in the story of her life. While taking the advice she had given to many grief and trauma patients throughout the years, hoping she could create a meaningful life without closure, she took notes throughout her healing process.

Struggling to advance her timeline beyond that of her daughter’s – and still eager to be the keeper of Alice’s stories – Melissa began to write about Alice’s life and the impact of her death. She became her own lab rat, trying various approaches to healing with the hope that her experience might be helpful to others stuck in a trauma time loop.

As much a study of trauma’s effect on time perception as it is an intimate view into the heart and mind of a bereaved mother, Mom’s Search for Meaning shows us that meaning resides in the search itself…with a spoonful of gallows humor to help the medicine go down.

Praise:

“Melissa doesn’t just say the way out is through, she very much takes us through what that looks like. And in being so specific, I think it’s universally relatable. The final chapter is “To be, or not to be”-level work. This is mom-loss Shakespeare.” Teresa Strasser, author of Exploiting My Baby, the upcoming Making It Home, and co-host of the syndicated TV show The List

“Melissa’s book provides powerful testimony to the strength of the human spirit and our vulnerable, complicated, and yet inspirational ability to heal.”  Kim Cookson, Psy.D., founder of the Trauma and Resiliency Training and Services Program at the Southern California Counseling Center

“It is the story of how one person found her way – with grief and with pain, but also with humor and grace – back to a life that would be forever different, but which couldn’t be, and wouldn’t be, anything less than purposeful and honest.”  Dan Koeppel, author of To See Every Bird on Earth, Banana: The Fate of the Fruit That Changed the World, and Every Minute is a Day

“The explorations of compassion are deep, Melissa’s march toward love is inspiring, and the writing is beautiful. It is a book about child loss that – at times – made me laugh out loud. I will never stop thinking about this book. And I am so glad.” Liz Friedlander, film and television director

Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/yrmuumc6

Barnes & Noble: https://tinyurl.com/mryd9z7s

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/123189454

Billy Dees Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EMzd6XXm-kU


 

 


 

The Page 69 Test: *Blood & Water* by Linda Armstrong-Miller #page69

 


They say if you want to really find a good book, go to page 69 (the middle and meat of the book) and you like it, it's definitely worth reading. For today's feature, I'm zooming in on page 69 of Linda Armstrong-Miller's new Christian thriller, Blood & Water.
 


BOOK DESCRIPTION

Lisa Rivers is a genius with a photographic memory. She is the youngest, highest paid computer designer for the Department of Defense. Her program promises no more POWs and can be used domestically. No more missing children. So, how is it that Lisa is kidnapped? How was her identity discovered? Is she still alive and if so, can she be found before it is too late?

Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/35nwbkz3

Barnes & Noble: https://tinyurl.com/bdcu442x

Goodreads: https://tinyurl.com/tbn9suhe




The ride to Atlanta was a daytime nightmare. Sam lost control of his Explorer twice. He had hoped to use the two and a half hours to think.
While he did many things en route to Atlanta, thinking wasn’t one of them. Zach was beyond hyper. He couldn’t be still nor could he shut up, and as usual, he had a problem keeping his hands to himself. That turned out to be not only a problem but also dangerous.
For some reason, Zach couldn’t keep his feet on the floor. After fifty, Sam lost count of how many times he tied and untied his shoes. A few times his foot hit the gearshift. For the most part this caused no major damage. Just a rapid heartbeat on Sam’s part.
Twice, however, Zach kicked the gearshift, knocking the car out of drive. The car just slowed to nothing. Without thinking, the first time that happened, Sam shifted the gear back to drive without taking his foot off the gas. The car sped uncontrollably across a lane of oncoming cars and ended up in a ditch.
Had they been hit, they would have never survived the impact. Thank God they were not.
If possible, the second time was worse than the first. They were on I-85.
The traffic was bumper-to-bumper and going fast. Zach kicked the gearshift, causing the car to decelerate. How they managed to be in a lane with no cars immediately behind them was still a mystery to Sam.


 Okay, whoa...my opinion? Both Zach and Sam seem to be very fidgety about something. It sounds like an accident in the making. Give me chapter 1! I've got to find out what is going on here. Are they possibly on a lead to find Lisa???
 
What do you think? Would you keep reading?

 



Linda Armstrong-Miller has worked in the medical field for over twenty years. In that time she has worked as a counselor, registered nurse in the emergency room, ICU, Recovery Room, and she has worked with children placed in psychiatric hospitals. She understands when a family is in crisis and she has been with them during their time of distress, depression, anxiety and difficulty. She believes in God and uses her belief as well as her experience when writing. Blood and Water is her second book published. Touched is her first book. Currently she is working on a young adult trilogy.

Website: http://www.lindaarmstrongmillerauthor.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lindaam1

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100039732613292

{BOOK TRAILER} BECOMING FLAWESOME BY KRISTINA MAND-LAKHIANI #BecomingFlawesome #booktrailer

 

BOOK DETAILS


Title: Becoming Flawesome
Author: Kristina Mand-Lakhiani
Publisher: Hay House Publishing
Pages: 280
Genre: Nonfiction

BOOK BLURB:

Perfection. We all dream of living by it, feeling it, being it…


And it is in the name of perfection that we demonise our flaws, make ourselves ‘less-than,’ and render ourselves vulnerable to the shame of not being good enough.

We live in a society that subliminally encourages us to wear metaphorical masks, slay our inner sadness, and ignore our imperfections, or as Kristina refers to them, her ‘dragons.’ Even within the world of personal development and spirituality, toxic perfectionism lurks in the shadows.

In Kristina’s upcoming book Becoming Flawesome #BecomingFlawesome, she reflects on her own story, her battle against perfectionism, and what it took for her to return to what she now deems to be her most authentic self. Being described as “10 years worth of therapy in one book,Becoming Flawsome is a celebration of our whole selves, warts and all, and the glory that is to be found in living in our truth.

Every chapter is closed with reflection points and exercises to encourage the readers to dive deep into the essence of who they truly are, what their values are, and how to navigate an oftentimes overwhelming world.

In this book, Kristina breaks the mold as she takes the reader on a journey through:

  • The dark, controversial side of ‘personal growth,’ and the insecurities that thrive on it

  • Self-care vs self-love, and why you need both

  • What authenticity actually is, beyond the buzz

  • The ‘Hermione Syndrome,’ and how to diagnose if you’re secretly suffering from it

  • How to create aligned lifestyle habits that stick

  • Why the more you judge others, the more you judge yourself

  • Societal masks, and how to remove them from your psyche 

  • Imposter syndrome in the world of high-flyers 

  • Emotional literacy: how to cope with strong, painful emotions healthily 



 




Becoming Flawesome is available at:



About Kristina Mand-Lakhiani

Kristina Mand-Lakhiani is an international speaker, entrepreneur, artist, philanthropist, and mother of 2 kids. As a co-founder of Mindvalley, a leading publisher in the personal growth industry, Kristina dedicated the last 20 years of her career from teachers like Michael Beckwith, Bob Proctor, Lisa Nichols, and many more. 

She started her career in a government office in her native Estonia and, by her mid-20s, achieved a level of success mostly known to male politicians at the end of their careers. It was shortly after that Kristina and her then-husband Vishen founded Mindvalley. From a small meditation business operating out of the couple’s apartment in New York, the company quickly grew into a global educational organization offering top training for peak human performance to hundreds of thousands of students all around the world. 

Kristina believes life is too important to be taken seriously and makes sure to bring fun into every one of her roles: as a teacher, mother, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and world traveller. Kristina helps her students to virtually hack happiness by taking them through her unique framework - “Hacking happiness” - a unique framework of balancing your life, taking in every moment, and paying close attention to the small daily choices.  

Kristina is also the author of three transformational quests - "7 Days To Happiness", "Live By Your Own Rules.” and "The Art of Being Flawesome". Kristina talks about personal transformation, authenticity, understanding and accepting oneself, and a path to happiness.

In July 2023, with the help of Hay House Publishing, Kristina releases her very first book - "Becoming Flawesome" #BecomingFlawesome. In her book, Kristina shares her own journey from being on top of a personal growth empire like Mindvalley to stepping aside, conscious uncoupling from her husband, and walking her path towards being more honest with herself. 

Website: https://kristinamand.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kristinamand

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristina-mand-lakhiani-73168414/