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Blessed By the Best by Brian DawkinsBlessed by the Best: My Journey to Canton and Beyond by Brian Dawkins, Michael Bradley (Contributor)

Publisher:  Camino Books, Inc; 1st edition (August 30, 2021)
Category: Memoir, Football Biographies, Sports, Inspirational
Tour dates: June 27-July 14, 2022
ISBN: 978-1680980257
Available in Print and ebook, 256 pages
Blessed By the Best

Description Blessed By the Best by Brian Dawkins


Drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1996, Dawkins fought to elevate not only his own game but that of his entire team. He sweat, bled, and dominated through sixteen season in the NFL all the way into the Hall of Fame, but not for a moment did he believe his strength alone brought him that glory. Every step of the way the Lord had his back. From coaches that wanted to break him to defeats and bitter lessons in humility, his career is a testament to his faith and an homage to the countless people that helped him along the way.

In the wake of his success, Dawkins comes forward to describe his journey to become one the best safeties in the NFL. Physical training wouldn’t cut it. Blessed by the Best follows Dawkins trials to train his mind and faith along with his skill. As a nervous kid from Jacksonville, he never dreamed of one day standing in front of a crowd to accept that golden jacket. But one way or another, he made it. Dawkins tells his story straight, unafraid of exposing his own weaknesses; his over competitive spirit that takes losses to hard, the tunnel vision that estranged him from his kids, and the self-doubt that plagued much of his early years. Triumphs, pitfalls, love, and struggles Dawkins shares them all, not for himself, but in gratitude of those who have helped him along the way.

“I had been blessed by the best. First, that meant the Lord, who has blessed me with so much. It also meant all those people and things around me that I believe were the best for me. Maybe they weren’t the best for somebody else. Your best may not be my best. That’s fine. Everything that has happened to me has been to bring out the best in me. Even the toughest, hardest times in my life were the best things for me. If I hadn’t gone through them, maybe I wouldn’t be the person I am today.”

“This is not a football book. It has football in it, but this is a life tool,” Dawkins told Heavy. “These are things that I have gone through in my life, that others have taught me.”

Guest Review Blessed By the Best by Brian Dawkins


Guest Review by Mark

“A lot of people are going through things where they don’t feel wanted, or they feel they don’t measure up. They don’t feel they are getting the accolades they deserve or the simple affection they need. Not everyone can be a Hall of Famer in football, but people can learn what their gifts are and how they can surround themselves with people who help them be the best they can be.”

Football legend Brian Dawkins’ writes in his memoir ‘Blessed By the Best,’ about his family, his career and all of the blessings that he has been given.

Dawkins career started when he was drafted to the Philadelphia Eagles in 1996 and went for another sixteen years, during which time he played for the Denver Broncos, before he retired. But this memoir doesn’t just talk about his time as a football star. Dawkins dives deep into his relationship with his parents, his struggles with mental health and all of the big and small things that have made up his extraordinary life so far.

Growing up in Jacksonville, Florida, Dawkins had an idyllic 1970’s and 80’s childhood that including playing outside until the streetlights came on and hanging out with a group of kids from his neighborhood. Dawkins met his wife, Connie in high school.

Connie seemed to be from a whole different world from him, and when he began attending her church, he was given a new love and faith in God that persists to this day. Faith is a powerful motivator for Dawkins, and a huge puzzle piece of what he feels has brought him his success in life.

Dawkins’ life seems to have been a very compelling journey and he offers a great role model for anyone who is seeking advice on how to be the best version of themselves.

4.5/5 stars

I received the ebook for my honest opinion.

Praise Blessed By the Best by Brian Dawkins


“This book is without a doubt the most powerful and poignant autobiography I’ve ever read by a retired professional athlete – ever. And, of course, it would be. In my nearly three decades of covering the NFL for ESPN, I have never encountered anyone like Brian Dawkins. After reading this highly personal, truly inspirational autobiography, now I know why. If you are a parent, a teacher, a coach, a leader in any way in your profession or life, you can learn so much from Brian and this book. His message cuts through all the clutter of our age. His life is a timely reminder that we can do good, for ourselves, our families, our community and our country. Brian is a living embodiment of that. This book is testimony to that achievement – and it can be yours, too.” –Sal Paolantonio, National Correspondent, ESPN

“Blessed by the Best” is a journey into the life of someone who inspired me to never settle for being mediocre. Brian Dawkins’ aim in life has always been to be better than those around him physically, mentally and spiritually. Brian was not only an incredible football player but an awesome friend, and his faith and drive are electric and contagious. “Blessed by the Best” is a must read and will surely motivate you in all areas of your life.”-Brian Westbrook, two-time Pro Bowl halfback with the Eagles and San Francisco, 2002-10

“Just as he played, his book is honest and passionate. He reveals his struggles and accomplishments from his point of view. My favorite player of all time in any sport. Went to Canton to see him inducted. It was an incredible trip. Wishing him many more blessings.”- Mommashark, Amazon

“Amazing Book! This book is definitely worth reading. As a person struggling or anyone that wants advice to help guide you to overcome and become stronger in different aspects of your life, I would suggest this.”-Flea, Amazon

About Brian Dawkins


Blessed By the Best by Brian Dawkins

In this Aug. 25, 2006, file photo, Philadelphia Eagles safety Brian Dawkins stands on the sidelines during a preseason NFL football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Philadelphia. The veteran safety announced through his Twitter account Monday, April 23, 2012, that he is retiring from the NFL after 16 seasons. Dawkins spent his first 13 seasons with the Eagles and his last three with the Denver Broncos. (AP Photo/George Widman, file)

Brian Dawkins entered the NFL in the second round of the 1996 draft and has since achieved 1,131 tackles, 37 achieved passes, 26 recorded sacks and 19 fumble recoveries, which has earned him a place in the NFL Hall of Fame. Out of his 16 career seasons, Dawkins spent 13 with the Eagles before signing as an unrestricted free agent with the Denver Broncos in 2008. Despite the team change, Dawkins still holds several team records for the Eagles, and as of 2012 his jersey number 20 has become one of only nine to be retired in the history of the franchise.

Website: https://briandawkins.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/briandawkinssr/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BrianDawkins

About Michael Bradley

Michael Bradley is a writer, broadcaster and professor who lives in suburban Philadelphia. He has written for numerous national publications, and he has authored 32 books, including Big Games: College Football’s Greatest Rivalries. Bradley has appeared on TV and radio networks across the country, including ESPN and NFL Network. He is an Assistant Teaching Professor of Communication at Villanova University.

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Blessed By the Best by Brian Dawkins

Dragons In My Classroom by Barbara KennardDragons In My Classroom: A Teacher’s Memoir by Barbara Kennard

Publisher:  She Writes Press, (June 14, 2022)
Category: Memoir, Educator Biographies, Mid-Life Management, Inspirational
Tour dates: June 15, 2022-July 15, 2022
ISBN: 978-1647423650
Available in Print and ebook, 224 pages

 Dragon’s In My Classroom

Description Dragons In My Classroom by Barbara Kennard


As a young book lover with dyslexia, Barbara found the solution to her reading struggles in Miss Gluding, her first-grade teacher, who showed compassion for her student’s plight—and knew how to help her. From that time on, Barbara knew what she wanted to be: a teacher, just like Miss Gluding.

Unfortunately, Barbara also had some bad teachers in the years that ensued—including her sixth-grade teacher, an exacting woman who called attention to Barbara’s learning disabilities in front of classmates. Still wanting to follow in Miss Gluding’s footsteps in 1964, Barbara vowed she would be a better one than her sixth-grade teacher; instead, however, she became very much like her, with unattainable expectations for her students and herself. After seventeen years in the teaching profession, she realized she had to either change her teaching style or change careers. By providence, right as she stood at this crossroads, she was offered the opportunity to teach overseas at The Dragon School in Oxford, England, for a year—an opportunity she jumped at.

In the year that followed, Barbara would rely on her faith in God to give up a lot of what she knew about teaching and learn to do it differently—ways that wouldn’t have room for her perfectionism. In short, she would have to begin again.

Advance Praise Dragons In My Classroom by Barbara Kennard


“In this memoir, an English/dramatic arts teacher recounts a pivotal year at the Dragon School in Britain as part of an exchange program. . . . engaging and thought-provoking. . . . will be of special interest to aspiring as well as seasoned teachers. A well-crafted account about the search for greater flexibility when confronting life’s inevitable challenges.”Kirkus Reviews

“ . . . engaging . . . This book is an endearing testament to the power of personal growth and reflection in one teacher’s incredibly rich professional life.”StoryCircle Book Reviews

“In this memoir, Barbara Kennard so expertly captures the array of experiences that teachers encounter—the high and the low, the heartwarming and the hilarious. During her year teaching in Oxford, she comes to learn a new way of approaching both her classroom and her life that makes for an incredibly engaging read. Teachers everywhere will love this book.”—Nadine Kenney Johnstone, writing coach and award-winning author of Of This Much I’m Sure: A Memoir

“For any who struggle to distinguish between perfectionism and a yearning to grow into the fullest version of who God has created us to be, this book is a balm. Barbara Kennard writes candidly and compassionately about the people and places that taught her about self-acceptance and mercy. Her love of great writers and her appreciation for those she teaches and those who teach her shine through in vivid prose and engaging stories. Kennard is a lifelong educator. With humor, honesty, and self-awareness, this book invites readers to learn lessons alongside her about forgiveness, surrender, grace, and love.”—Dr. Jennifer Howe Peace, coeditor of My Neighbor’s Faith: Stories of Interreligious Encounter, Growth, and Transformation and Interreligious/Interfaith Studies: Defining a New Field

“The story of Barbara Kennard’s quest should inspire anyone who feels a calling to seek patiently for the best way to answer it and put it into play. This wise memoir should also remind us that although perfection can never be attained, we stand to have a lot of fun in the pursuit.”—David Smith, author of Be a Teacher: A Memoir in Ten Ideas

Interview Barbara Kennard


TR: Please tell us something about ‘Dragons In My Classroom’ that is not in the summary.  (About the book, character you particularly enjoyed writing etc.)

BK: I loved writing about my husband, Brady Millican.. I enjoyed recreating conversations we had, things we did together and places we traveled to during our year in Oxford. One of the hardest parts about the teaching exchange was being without him the first four months of it. He couldn’t get a full year sabbatical from his college in Boston, so we had to be apart until December of 1998. The scene where he finally arrives at the Oxford train stations is one of my favorites in the book; it was both fun and challenging to write.

TR: How much time and effort went into your research for the book?

BK: I spent about 7 years working on it, but that includes taking some classes on the art of memoir. I was also still doing some part time teaching after I’d retired in 2015. My writing was interrupt by travel and family needs. I really hunkered down in the fall of 2016 and got a first draft by the summer of 2017.

TR: Where did you get the inspiration for your cover?

BK: I wanted the cover to be a replica of Oxford’s iconic skyline with its ‘dreaming spires.’ not just because it’s famous, but because I love the city. It is still, 23 years after my exchange, my spiritual home. My time there was life changing and I wanted a dramatic cover people would recognize immediately.

TR: Which actor/actress would you like to see playing yourself from ‘Dragons In My Classroom’? How about your first and sixth grade teachers.  My kindergarten teacher was the worst. Whenever I think of her, I think of the wicked witch in ‘The Wonderful World of Oz’, played by Margaret Hamilton. LOL!

BK: I would love to see Emma Watson play me. She’s English, but she can do an American accent really well. I’d love for Emma to play me because she was a student at The Dragon when I was teaching there. She wasn’t a student of mine, but we knew each other and I helped her and some of her classmates with costumes and make-up for a school play. It would be very cool to have her play me! For my first-grade teacher, I’d suggest Sigourney Weaver and for my sixth-grade teacher, Meryl Streep.

TR: How did having dyslexia influence you in becoming the kind of teacher you are?

BK: I wanted to help kids with this and other learning disabilities. I knew how hard they would need to work and not just for the time they are in school. but really for their whole lives. Dyslexia doesn’t go away; one has to always deal with it and that can be exhausting and discouraging, but there are strategies that help. And, when you know your disability well, you tend to come up with your own strategies. I’d had some wonderful teachers who understood me and helped me and I wanted to be that teacher for my students.

TR: I also have dyslexia and went through first grade twice to learn how to read.  You grew up to be a perfectionist, like myself and others with dyslexia that I know.  Do you think that it is because we had to work so much harder than other students that we tend to be perfectionists as adults?

BK: Yes, I do. I still have to stop myself from trying to be perfect. Making oneself better and better can be a noble thing, but it can also be exhausting and a bit self-centered because it puts the focus on you. My book is about how I learned to be satisfied with my best effort even if it is flawed and let it go at that. None of us is perfect; nor are we meant to be.

TR: It has been a lot of work for me to transform myself from perfectionist to being more relaxed.  I am still working on it. Can you tell us more about your transformation?

BK: When I returned to the US from my exchange year in 1999, I struggled for a few years with what I call my closet perfectionism. In 2001 I met a priest at my church in Boston who knew about my struggles with perfection and gave me some guidance as she too is a perfectionist- there are a lot of us! She introduced me to the practice of silent prayer, a practice of spending time in silence for 20 minutes at least once a day. Not so much to talk to God, but to simply be silent and to contemplate that silence. I’ve been practicing this now for 20 years and its helped me tremendously to slow down, to be able to recognize when I am aiming for perfection and stop. I am better now at knowing when I have done my best and to be able to say it is good enough. This is lifelong work. It’s not an addiction, but it is a spiritual struggle.

TR: What books are you currently reading?

BK: I just finished reading The Magician, by Colm Toibin. It’s a novel about the Nobel Prize winner author, Thomas Mann. Right now, I am reading Silence and Beauty by Machete Fujimura, a novel about the nature of art and that of the Japanese writer Shusaku Endo.

TR: Is there another book to write in your future?

BK: Yes, 2 in fact! I am finishing a book on Shakespeare. I’m also working on a memoir about growing up with my Uncle Ted, who was born severely brain damaged.

TR: Are there any questions that you would have liked me or another blogger to ask but didn’t? Please ask and answer.

BK: No. I really appreciated the opportunity to be interviewed! Thank-you.

TR: You are very welcome!  Thanks again for taking the time for this interview.

About Barbara Kennard


Dragon’s In My Classroom by Barbara Kennard

(c) Cedric Buard

Barbara Kennard taught English and performing arts to elementary, middle, and high school students from 1980 to 2015 and has received two teaching awards: The Christa McAuliffe Award for Teaching Excellence and The Barbara Kennard Sixth Grade English Prize, established in her name at The Fessenden School by a Fessenden family.

Barbara lives in Texas with her husband, pianist Brady Millican, and their cat, Piper.

Website: barbarakennardauthor.com
Facebook: facebook.com/barbara.kennard.167
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BarbaraKennard7

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Desire Factor by Christy WhitmanThe Desire Factor: How to Embrace Your Materialistic Nature to Reclaim Your Full Spiritual Power by Christy Whitman

Publisher:  Beyond Words Publishing (April 21, 2021)
Category: Self-help, Motivational, Creativity, Inspirational, Non-Fiction
Tour dates: March & April, 2021
ISBN: 978-1582707594
Available in Print and ebook, 208 pages
The Desire Factor

Description Desire Factor by Christy Whitman

There is no limit to the amount of happiness that we, as human beings, can experience. There is no limit to how much love, laughter, excitement, or satisfaction we can feel. This universe is unendingly abundant, which means that it has the ability to yield to us whatever experiences we desire. Why, then, do some people manifest their desires so fluidly and naturally, while others are living lives of struggle, mediocrity, or quiet desperation?

Hard work alone does not guarantee a positive result.  In fact, pushing forward with determination and effort when things are not going as planned usually only makes a bad situation worse.  Energy – not action – is the source of all manifested things, and The Desire Factor is the definitive guide to achieving energy mastery.

The Desire Factor provides one of the most current, comprehensive, and easy to apply explorations into the realm of energy, and shows readers how – by purposefully calibrating the energetic frequency of their dominant thoughts, moods and expectations – they can bring any desire into physical form.

The book is built around 7 universal principles, each of which assists readers in connecting with and deliberately harnessing the divine energy stream that sources all things. These are:

  • The Principle of Alignment
  • The Principle of Focus
  • The Principle of Joyful Expectancy
  • The Principle of Having
  • The Principle of Loving
  • The Principle of Surrender
  • The Principle of Action

Each principle builds upon the last one, and together, they provide a clear path – not just toward the manifestation of objects, experiences and conditions you desire to create in each important area of your life – but toward the personal evolution your desires are guiding you to embrace.

My Thoughts Desire Factor by Christy Whitman

Guest Review by Mark S.

This book could almost be considered a guidebook to the universe. ‘The Desire Factor: How to Embrace Your Materialistic Nature to Reclaim Your Full Spiritual Power,’ is a self-help book with a twist– and that twist involves teaching you how to help yourself with tools that you already have.

Courtesy of author Christy Whitman, ‘The Desire Factor’ consists of seven main chapters, each one teaching a different principal of how to make your desires work for you.

Say you see a beautiful new car and you decide that you want it but you know that there is no way you can afford it. Most of us would probably just forget about it, but maybe there is another way.

In the beginning of the book, Whitman outlines tells a story about that scenario happening to her, with a designer purse, but she did not forget about it. Instead, she started thinking, and she quickly realized that she couldn’t imagine putting a pack of cigarettes inside of a beautiful designer purse, so if she wanted the purse, she would have to quit smoking. Eventually, Whitman returned for the purse but this time she was a successful business woman.

These kinds of anecdotes typify the style of writing that Whitman expertly executes in this guide. Even if you aren’t interested in her advice, this book is worth the read for her writing which is top notch.

Going through this book I highlighted so many sentences in my notes that I ended up with huge blocks of highlighted text. There are so many little nuggets of wisdom to take away!

This book will spark creativity and inspiration for anyone that reads it and will make the universe seem just a little bit smaller and a little bit more friendly to you. Will I get the car? No, I think I need to start smaller to use Whitman’s advice, at least to start.  I did just get a new Mazda 3 sports edition though.

I accepted the e-book for my honest thoughts.

About Christy WhitmanThe Desire Factor by Christy Whitman

Christy Whitman is a Transformational Leader, Celebrity Coach and Law of Attraction expert, as well as the two-time New York Times bestselling author of The Art of Having It All and Taming Your Alpha Bitch. She is also the author of the international bestseller Quantum Success. Her forthcoming book The Desire Factor will be released April 21, 2021.

Christy has appeared on the news, The Today Show, The Morning Show, Ted X, and The Hallmark Channel and her work has been featured in the media in various publications. She’s been featured in Goalcast, People Magazine, Seventeen, Woman’s Day, Hollywood Life, and Teen Vogue, to name a few.

Christy is the CEO and founder of the Quantum Success Learning Academy & Quantum Success Coaching Academy, a 10-month Law of Attraction coaching certification program. Christy has helped certify over 3,000 life coaches and has helped countless others to unlock their power to manifest. She lives in Scottsdale with her husband Frederic and her two boys Alex and Maxim.

Websites: www.thedesirefactor.com and www.christywhitman.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christywhitmaninternational/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christywhitman1/
Linkkle: https://linkkle.com/christywhitman
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christywhitman1/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ChristyWhitman
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ChristyWhitmanVideos

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This giveaway is for 1 print copy each for 3 winners and is open to Canada and the U.S. only.  This giveaway ends on April 29, 2021 at midnight pacific time.  Entries are accepted via Rafflecopter only.

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Desire Factor by Christy Whitman