Archive for June 27, 2023

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The Llama Farm On New Moon Lane

by Laura Briggs

 

Synopsis

Young and quiet, Lucy Granger leads an introverted life in Reading , living in a flat and working in design at a graphics company—until it is upended when she both sells her idea for a mobile game and suffers an unexpected medical diagnosis shortly afterwards. Facing a mandated medical rest period, she decides to use her windfall earnings to take a year’s holiday, renting a farm on New Moon Lane in a country village in Yorkshire. As Lucy settles into her holiday home for some tranquility, she soon learns that she is not the only tenant, when a llama named Llarry strolls out of the farm’s supposedly-derelict barn. He is shortly followed by others in a menagerie of abandoned animals left behind—from a sickly donkey who likes eating crisps to a flirtatious cockerel sleeping in the back garden. To Lucy’s consternation, no one is willing or able to take them on, leaving her with a strange mix of furry and feathered friends to find homes for. Reluctantly adapting to her circumstances in order to deal with this problem, Lucy will discover other surprises about the animals in her care, and the place she is temporarily calling home. About herself, as well. Will her ordinary life ever be the same after her experience on New Moon Lane? More importantly, should she really want it to be?

Purchase Link

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Author Guest Post

So excited for this chance to share about my newest book, The Llama Farm on New Moon Lane with all the readers at FUONLYKNEW today. It’s a fun, feel good read about a shy woman named Lucy whose holiday at a Yorkshire cottage is complicated by the presence of some unexpected fellow farm tenants, including three llamas, a donkey, and a rooster. The scene below finds Lucy sketching in the garden as she attempts to brainstorm ideas for her next work assignment. In the leaves below, the rooster was digging around, pausing to flap his wings and crow loudly. He waited, and a distant answer came across the field. A loud exclamation of surprise came from Kenny’s beak in reply.Lucy’s pencils made a colorful spill across the rocks, in magenta and jade green. Only doodling, she was in no hurry. Nothing significant was coming to mind yet. Maybe she was too tired. Some days, she was still tired, even if she took all of her pills and ate a sensible lunch with no crisps.She dropped her pencil, and it landed in the leaves and the overgrown mother-of-thyme below. It sent Kenny the rooster off like a shot, racing across the lawn as he sounded the alarm. He performed a little turnabout dance in the middle —possibly realizing that he’d overestimated the danger. The younger llamas made murmuring noises —an animal conference in progress, ending with a bumping match, which the bigger one, Philomena, won. With indignation, Fiona jogged away, moving outside of disciplinary reach. Larry had come into view in the corral, watching Lucy with curiosity. His tail flicked, and his head wove a little, as if trying to figure out precisely what activity she was pursuing. The little waggle in back was almost like a friendly wave. With hesitation, Lucy waved back, feeling slightly silly.

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About Author Laura Briggs

Laura Briggs is the author of several feel-good romance reads, including the Top 100 Amazon UK seller ‘A Wedding in Cornwall’. She has a fondness for vintage style dresses (especially ones with polka dots), and reads everything from Jane Austen to modern day mysteries. When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, caring for her pets, gardening, and seeing the occasional movie or play.

Social Media Links: Facebook / Twitter

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Brave Women at Work Lessons in Confidence tour banner

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Welcome to my stop during the book blitz for Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Confidence. Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Confidence is an anthology of women’s stories on the power of confidence at work.

This book blitz is organized by Lola’s Blog Tours. The book blitz runs from 27 June till 11 July. See the tour schedule here.

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Brave Women at Work Lessons in Confidence book cover

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Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Confidence
By Jen Pestikas, Hope Mueller, Dr. Cindy Girman, Dr. Belinda Hyppolite, Dr. Amanda James, Stephanie Joong, Dr. Praba Koomson, Dr. Zenobia Tantra and Maryilyn Vetter
Genre: Non-fiction/ Business/ Personal Development
Release Date: Late June 2023

Blurb:

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A group of powerful women impart their wisdom and share their experiences in Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Confidence.

Believing in oneself and being confident is the foundation upon which success in business and personal lives is constructed. While building their confidence these women tackle doubt, depression, anxiety, Imposter Syndrome, uncertainty, and more. Each author forged their own path to confidence by setting aside fears and embracing their personal and professional power. This book provides the encouragement and motivation for you to grow your confidence and step into your greatest success and fulfillment.

Links:
Goodreads
Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

“Believe you can and you’re half-way there.” — Theodore Roosevelt

As little girls, we are taught many things—be polite, be kind, be humble, be quiet, and do what you are told. These tenets follow us into high school, then college, then into the work force. We put in long hours at work, hoping someone will notice and eventually we might get recognized, or even promoted. We are polite and kind, even when we are uncomfortable or upset. We allow others to take credit for our ideas and often shrink in the face of opportunities or other challenges. We are missing a critical element of belief as Mr. Roosevelt says. We are missing confidence.

How do we manage the voice inside our heads that spews doubt, Imposter Syndrome, and fear? (Imposter Syndrome is a mistaken belief that one’s success is fraudulent or merely lucky.) Fear that we are not enough. Fear that we cannot possibly be the right person for the job. Fear that we can’t possibly balance it all. As a Hewitt Packard study states, “Men will apply for a job if they believe they meet sixty-one percent of the job qualifications; women will apply if they feel they meet one hundred percent.”

While women are not alone in facing Imposter Syndrome or doubt, they often censor their actions at work as a result. According to an article in the Harvard Business Review on self- promotion at work, “Men rated their performance thirty-three percent higher than equally performing women.” So, how do we grow our confidence and change the narrative?

We often learn confidence through personal and professional trials. Or perhaps we are fortunate enough to find a mentor or have family or friends that encourage us and reflect to us how talented, capable, and precious we are. Either way, we must make the decision to manage our inner critics to allow our true capabilities and gifts to shine. We must act in the face of fear. “We must feel the fear and do it anyway,” as Susan Jeffers, psychologist and author, states. And by walking through these challenging situations, we engender self-confidence. And the more we face our fear and inner critic head on, the more confidence we gain.

The great news is that confidence can be gained by taking one small and bold move each day. Like picking up this book! As you read Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Confidence, you will hopefully find comfort and solace in that you are not alone on this journey. Managing our self-doubt, Imposter Syndrome, and feelings of fear are part of the human condition. All the authors that have graced us with their stories have faced similar struggles. As you will read, the brave women in this book did not let their inner critic or fears define them. They learned what we do with these feelings and that is what separates us from the rest.

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Jen Pestikas author picture

About Jen Pestikas:

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Jennifer Pestikas is an executive, podcaster, career and leadership coach, and author. Jennifer has over 20 years of experience in financial services and currently works as the SVP, Business Development, of a Chicagoland credit union. Jennifer founded her podcast and her company, Brave Women at Work, in 2020. Her mission is to provide the education, resources, and inspiration for women to build confidence, speak up, get paid, and lead. Jennifer is thankful for the love and support of her husband, John, and her two daughters, Charlotte and Olivia.

Author links:
Website
Facebook
LinkedIn
Instagram

Hope Mueller author picture

About Hope Mueller:
Hope Mueller is a pharmaceutical executive, author, and small business owner. She is the founder of Hunter Street Press, a boutique publishing company focused on inspirational material that positively impacts readers, and C.L.I.M.B. Conferences, a retreat and conference organization that designs and operates highly curated events. Hope founded Hunter Street Charity, whose mission is to assist children and families during critical junctures in their lives. Hope loves traveling, exploring, and relaxing with her partner, Brad Mueller. Hope is proud of the strength and confidence of her four daughters and two grandsons.

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Author links:
Website
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Instagram

The authors:
Dr. Cindy Girman
Dr. Belinda Hyppolite
Dr. Amanda James
Stephanie Joong
Dr. Praba Koomson
Dr. Zenobia Tantra
Maryilyn Vetter

 

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There is a tour wide giveaway for the book blitz of Brave Women at Work: Lessons in Confidence. 3 winners win a paperback copy of Hopey by Hope Mueller (US Only).

For a chance to win, enter the rafflecopter below:

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.