(NewsUSA)

"Good Grief -- A Journey from Loss to Love"
by Valerie D. Swinton and Fred J. Kirby Jr. 

If you lost a loved one to death and wonder how, when, or even if you should move forward, then this book just might help you. The authors of this book each lost lovely, wonderful spouses to long illnesses after lengthy marriages. Their spouses encouraged them to continue living and to find another mate. Even in tragedy, grace helped them to discover purpose and rediscover who they were individually.

New circumstances require adjustments, continued growth, and constant struggle, but strong faith in God conquers all. Don't rush through the grieving process. With stories from the authors and others who have lost a spouse, you may find there is hope in new beginnings. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3kpdFzI.

"The Reunion Bomber"
by Bill Flynn 

Former FBI agent Ronan Ryan returns to Eastboro to attend the reunion of his high school class. A celebration with his basketball teammates and a pleasant encounter with his first love is interrupted by a violent act of vengeance. The reunion restaurant becomes a crime scene, but the killer's work is not finished. His other targets are all members of Ronan's class, including his high school sweetheart and his friend, the Eastboro Chief of Police.

They join with a jailed computer hacker to try to find the deranged but clever garage dweller who methodically wreaks terror on the classmates of his past. The reunion ends in 48 tense hours after the bomber makes his final detonation. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3xyVCfO.

"Distressed? Anguished? Heal Your BMind"
by Jacob Gonik 

For nearly 30 years, Jacob Gonik has successfully treated anxiety, stress, fears, traumatic obesity, depression, and other mental disorders in an average of 10 sessions thanks to his "Heal Your BMind" Concept. It is based on a new approach: Your mind has just two parts: an Intellectual part (IMind) and a Behavioral part (BMind).

Psychological problems are not embedded in your personality; they all reside in your BMind in the form of programs. The BMind works like a computer or smartphone app. When you enter ZETA, a BMind relaxing state, all harmful programs can be identified and healed! Self-ZETA is a mentalization process that anyone can use to modify habits and control stress, anxiety, insomnia, fears, and more. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3k74wgJ.

"You're Kidding, Right?"
by Brad Goldfarb 

This book is based on 30 actual questions that retired financial advisor Brad Goldfarb received from clients where the only possible response was, "You're kidding, right?" The common thread behind these questions: they seemed to come from clients' emotions and not necessarily rational thinking. Goldbarb knew he could simplify complicated analytical techniques so every investor could easily understand them, avoid mistakes and apply them to their own strategy.

This book was not written to offer specific advice to investors. It was not written with the idea of do-it-yourself. It was written to educate and enlighten investors to allow them to work more collaboratively with their financial advisors, especially during downturns and turmoil in the financial markets. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3itXAYE.

NOTE: BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

(NewsUSA) - People suffer from oral pain for a variety of reasons -- a cavity that needs to be filled, sensitive gums, canker sores, dry socket or, most commonly, a nagging toothache.

Oral pain can strike at any time, but getting a dentist appointment may take days, or even weeks. As a result, many sufferers turn to over-the-counter products for relief and are often unsatisfied. Consequently, they may turn to potentially harmful prescription pain relievers instead.

However, there is a safe and effective option for the relief of mouth pain.

Dr. Craig Schmidtke, creator of ORCA Oral Care Products, has 27 years of experience as a Board Certified Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon and Fellow of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons. Dr. Schmidtke saw the need for a natural oral care product to effectively manage mouth pain and first developed a liquid solution as a treatment for pain relief in his patients with dry sockets following tooth extraction.

The pain relief results his patients reported were so dramatic that he formulated a more user-friendly delivery method. By using a putty consistency and expanding its use to gum pain and general toothaches, he has made it available to anyone as Orca Pain Relief Putty.

"The ingenious formulation and delivery method of ORCA Pain Relief Putty has revolutionized the ability to control oral pain with a natural, non-opioid alternative that is simple to use," Dr. Schmidtke says on the ORCA website.

The benefits of ORCA Pain Relief Putty include:

- Naturally-derived ingredients. ORCA Pain Relief Putty is a non-prescription option for oral pain relief, and contains non-toxic ingredients, including essential oils, aloe vera, and plant extracts.

- Ease of use. ORCA Pain Relief Putty is packaged in a quality glass jar with an included spatula for ease of manipulation. Simply scoop out a pea-sized amount of putty, form it into a ball, and apply it directly to the painful area of teeth or gums.

- Clinically Proven. Dr. Schmidtke tested the ORCA Pain Relief Putty in a group of 201 adults who reported oral pain. After using the product, their average pain scores dropped from 7.5 to 0.5 on a scale of 0 to 10.

Keep ORCA Pain Relief Putty in your medicine cabinet for anytime a toothache or mouth pain strikes.

Visit NoMoreToothache.com for more information.

(NewsUSA) - One challenge that all busy parents face is how to keep a baby or toddler away from problem areas in the home. This month is Baby Safety Month, and is an important reminder to parents to look for potentially unsafe areas in the home, while identifying smart solutions to protect their little ones as they discover their surroundings.

Here are four child safety ideas that are easy to install and will help give homeowners a little peace of mind: 

1. Have a curious toddler who is exploring what's behind every door or cabinet?

Home safety products such as the Dreambaby® Patented EZY-Check® Multi-Use Latch are a must-have for parents to help keep children from investigating where they shouldn't. The adhesive multifunctional latch can be installed on almost any surface, including glass, wood, metal, and more without the need for tools or screws. The flexible, patented extra-long design works with most non-heat generating appliances, including the refrigerator. Its multi-touch release makes it tricky for young children to open.

2. Children are perpetually fascinated by electrical outlets, but the patented Dreambaby® CoverPlug® is unique in that it hides the entire outlet, so children don't even realize it is there. The Dreambaby® CoverPlug has a universal design that fits easily over three-prong outlets. The faceplate is paintable, so it can blend into the aesthetic of any room. Be sure to paint the faceplate before installation.

3. Whether they're crawling or walking, toddlers are on a mission to explore everything in their space. The Dreambaby® Newport Adapta-Gate® accommodates a range of regular and irregular openings and landings. It is designed for one-handed operation and is an easy-close gate, complete with an indicator to confirm that the gate is closed.

4. As babies learn to stand, they tend to pull themselves up with the help of any and all surfaces, especially kitchen cabinets. When it comes to keeping cabinets and drawers secure, parents can turn to the patented Dreambaby® Adhesive Mag Locks® for an effective but invisible solution that helps keep children safer without sacrificing style. The locks are designed to adhere to the inside of almost anything that opens, and the self-locking mechanism opens quickly when the special magnetic key is placed over the lock. Each lock can be disengaged when not needed, making it not only a great choice for your own home, but very useful at the grandparents' place.

Dreambaby® is a family-owned and internationally renowned company with more than 20 years of experience in developing affordable, high-quality child safety products.

Follow @dreambabysafety on social media and visit dream-baby.com to purchase home and child safety solutions or find more information.

(NewsUSA)

"What Passes as Love"
by Trisha Thomas 

A young woman pays a devastating price for freedom in this heartrending and breathtaking novel of the nineteenth-century South.

Born into slavery, Dahlia never knew her mother. When Dahlia's father takes her to work in his plantation as a servant, she leaves behind her best friend, Bo, and lives in a world between black and white.

Ten years later, Dahlia meets Timothy Ross, an Englishman in need of a wife. Reinventing herself as Lily Dove, Timothy agrees to marry her. Dahlia soon finds herself held captive as the dutiful wife of a young man who has set his sights on a political future. But when Bo arrives in shackles, Dahlia decides to risk everything to save his life. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3i8tLNe.

"The Mindfullness Experience"
by Keith Fiveson 

Make your world a better place for yourself and others with eight key strategies designed to integrate mindfulness into your daily routine and help you develop your strength and power in the world.

"The Mindfulness Experience" outlines key strategies from yogi, counselor, and life coach Keith Fiveson to help you maintain health and wellness from the inside-out and the outside-in. Using this guidebook and reference tool, you can develop strength and power in your life -- and thus find balance in an unbalanced world.

"Fiveson's book offers an integrated approach that can help anyone on a journey of self-discovery," says, Allen Salkin, reporter, "New York Times," "Vanity Fair," and "Los Angeles Magazine." Purchase at https://amzn.to/3smvfbw.

"The World Played Chess"
by Robert Dugoni 

Bestselling author Robert Dugoni returns with an emotionally arresting follow-up to "The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell."

In 1979, Vincent Bianco has just graduated high school. His only desire: collect a little beer money and enjoy his final summer before college. So he lands a job as a laborer on a construction crew. Working alongside two Vietnam vets, one suffering from PTSD, Vincent gets the education of a lifetime.

Now 40 years later, with his own son leaving for college, the lessons of that summerr -- Vincent's last taste of innocence and first taste of real life -- dramatically unfold in a novel about breaking away, shaping a life, and seeking one's own destiny. Purchase at https://amzn.to/2U4Lop7.

"Dark Intercept"
by Andrews and Wilson 

When dark forces rise, are faith and firepower enough? Navy SEAL Jedidiah Johnson receives a frantic call from his estranged childhood best friend David Yarnell, whose daughter has been kidnapped off the streets of Nashville. The only clue: the body of a dead priest at the scene.

Jed agrees to help. His presence immediately draws unwanted attention and triggers a mysterious attempt on his life. Then it starts to happen again -- the voices in his head, the nightmares, the visions.

To save the missing girl, Jed must take a leap of faith and embrace the gifts he's denied for all these years. And there is far more at stake: the world is not the place he thought it was. Purchase at https://bit.ly/2V0yN6y.

NOTE: BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

(NewsUSA) -High-achieving college graduates are continuing to flock to Wall Street pursuing dream careers in finance. This year, investment banks and other financial firms received record numbers of applications for internships, leading prospective candidates to seek new ways to stand out.

Inspired by this strong interest, CME Group, the world's leading and most diverse derivatives exchange, is offering an innovative opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students to shine: the 18th annual University Trading Challenge, which enables future professionals to try their hand at trading.

The competition is free to enter and runs from October 3 to October 29. Teams of three to five will learn expert techniques on how to trade CME Group futures across all major asset classes using a real-time professional trading platform. Live market data and premium news articles are also provided to students free of charge. First-place team members will each receive a $2,000 cash prize, with additional prizes awarded down to the fifth-place team.

"It's an exciting time for students who are planning to pursue a career in finance and want to gain insight into our industry," says Anita Liskey, Senior Managing Director, Global Brand Marketing and Communications. "This [global] competition provides the next generation of financial leaders with a unique opportunity to learn about futures trading and risk management -- skills that can help them navigate a variety of economic environments in their future careers."

Teams will be able to trade on CME Globex by using CQG's trading applications. Futures products in the challenge include agriculture, energy, metals, equity indices, interest rates and foreign exchange contracts.

CME Group provides a wide range of risk management education, including its CME Institute education hub, which offers detailed courses, webinars and videos on trading futures on options markets, as well as a trading simulator.

CME Group also partners with other industry organizations to offer educational tools, such as Futures Fundamentals, a one-stop educational resource for "Futures 101" to help beginners understand the role of futures markets in everyday life.

Registration for the competition is open now through September 30.

To register and view details on eligibility, rules, regulations and requirements, visit https://www.cmegroup.com/events/university-trading-challenge/2021-trading-challenge.html.

(NewsUSA) -The number of independent workers, small business owners and freelancers in the United States continues to grow as more workers embrace the flexibility and autonomy of being their own bosses. However, being THE boss also brings the need to wear many hats -- office manager, marketing specialist, accountant, tech support -- all while juggling multiple clients, time zones, and media platforms.

In spite of the global pandemic, the freelance market continues to mature, driving a 22% increase in the workforce since 2019. This trend is expected to continue especially as companies have become more reliant on freelancers for essential contributions to their daily operations. Increasingly, independent workers are now shifting the way they self-identify away from the more conventional titles of "consultant" and "freelancer" in favor of more fluid terms such as "entrepreneur" to match the changing business climate.

According to a recent 2021 survey of more than 200 independent workers by Indy - the all-inclusive, online platform for independent business owners -- approximately 25 percent of respondents identified themselves as "business owners." And regardless, these entrepreneurs, solopreneurs, freelancers and business owners all want the tools and resources needed to help ensure the professional operation of their businesses. That means they want solutions to help manage administrative tasks, including invoicing, billing, dealing with contracts, expenses and organizing workflow.

Smart strategies help independent workers focus on delivering for their clients, maximizing their potential and competing in a decentralized marketplace. Whether they are working strictly on their own, or managing a few other employees in a small venture, Indy helps fill the niche for freelancers and small business owners by offering a complete productivity suite that streamlines operations with the time-saving support features that help any business run smoothly and successfully.

"Ultimately, we believe in fostering community over competition and empowering today's 'indies' - the independent professionals, side hustlers and small business owners, to attain the stability and control required to be more successful, achieve a state of steady income and grow their business," according to Sebastian Gyr, Indy co-founder and CEO.

Indy offers solutions specifically geared for the needs of self-employed business owners with tools that are simple, cost-effective and transferable across devices and platforms. Freelancers can use Indy's Proposal Templates to create new business proposals and land new clients. The tools all integrate to form a seamless workflow for aspiring freelancers who want to simplify their admin. Once a client agrees to a proposal, Contract Templates are available to quickly send the new client a professional contract and start the job. Later, once the work is finished, Indy's Invoice Templates give freelancers a starting point to create a professional invoice quickly. Each invoice can integrate with payment providers like PayPal and Stripe to make tracking payments easy, too. All the tools work together to make running a small business easier.

Today's self-employed business owners take their business seriously, and they deserve the tools and support to make the most of it.

Visit weareindy.com for more information and to create an account.

(NewsUSA)

"What's Not True"
by Valerie Taylor 

With the court date set for her divorce and the future she'd planned with a younger man presumably kaput, Kassie O'Callaghan shifts attention to reviving her stalled marketing career. But that goal gets complicated when she unexpectedly rendezvous with her former lover in Paris. After a chance meeting with a colleague and a stroll along Pont Neuf, Kassie receives two compelling proposals. Can she possibly accept them both?

Kassie's decision process screeches to a halt when her soon-to-be ex-husband has a heart attack, forcing her to fly home. She confronts his conniving fiancée -- a woman who wants not just a ring but everything that belongs to Kassie. In the ensuing battle, Kassie discovers that sometimes it's what's not true that can set you free. Purchase at https://amzn.to/2RR1UrC. 

"Aloha With Love"
by Lindy Miller

Two hearts. One broken home. And the house that will bring them together. Soon to be a Motion Picture.

After an already tough week, Jenna Burke receives word that her beloved Aunt May passed away. Traveling back to her Hawaiian hometown for the reading of the will, Jenna and her sister inherit May's dilapidated Victorian home on desirable beachfront. There's one catch: the house must be renovated before it can be sold, and May even stipulated a contractor -- Ben Fletcher, who is driving Jenna crazy.

As May's old house starts to feel like home again, Jenna is torn between the life she's been chasing in the city, and the one she'd left behind. Purchase at https://amzn.to/2VOleYk.

"The Devil Pulls the Strings"
by J.W. Zarek 

If you like when tortured heroes, epic battles, time travel, twisted history and secret societies collide, then you'll love J. W. Zarek's spectacular page-turner. This is an epic fantasy adventure set in modern-day Wentzville, MO, New York City, and 1813 Genoa, Italy.

Boone Daniels has problems -- a debilitating panic attack, gut-wrenching guilt, a wendigo haunting him since age six, and now he almost killed his best friend. But when he fills in for his injured friend, a body falls from the brownstone balcony and the place explodes with gun fire. Boone escapes but uncovers a sinister plot to perform a rare Paganini piece that summons the Devil to trap Baba Yaga and destroy modern-day New York. Purchase at https://amzn.to/2SKZtaG.

"We Can Save the World…But The Last Crystal Trilogy (The Black Alabaster Box)"
by Peri Scott

A historical fantasy for middle grade/young adult readers and anyone who loves an adventure. A Broadway musical director and avid lifelong reader says, "If you love the fantasy of 'Harry Potter,' the time travel of 'Wrinkle in Time,' and the history of 'The Little House on the Prairie,' this is for you." It spans 100 years and two world wars, starting on the Santa Fe Trail in 1856 and ending on the famous Santa Fe Chief train in 1944.

The children haven't heard of the Last Crystal or its life-giving water until they are drawn into a magical quest to save it, facing life-threatening challenges along the way. Purchase at https://amzn.to/3x3PHPq.

NOTE: BookBites is presented by BookTrib.com.

(NewsUSA) - The "Sandwich Generation" is a term that can be used to describe many adults in their 30s through 50s who support both their children and their parents -- whether financially, physically or mentally.

These adults are often stressed out because they are pulled in two separate directions: They must provide for their (often growing) family, while also taking care of their elderly parents.

To mitigate such stress, Sandwich Generation adults can take the following steps to help manage their multiple roles without jeopardizing their own financial futures:

Set realistic goals. Instead of saying you want to be "comfortable" in retirement or that you want your children to attend "good" schools, define exactly what "comfortable" and "good" mean so you'll know what it takes to reach your goals.

Reevaluate your finances periodically. Your financial goals will change over the years with changes in your lifestyle or circumstances. Revisit and revise your financial plan (and update your estate plan) as time goes by so you stay on track to meet your long-term goals.

Plan for emergencies. Life is unpredictable, and emergencies, accidents and unforeseen events can happen. To protect your finances, plan for the worst by building up an emergency fund.

"Your emergency fund can cover unexpected medical bills, long-term hospital stays and incidental costs that can threaten to throw your budget off," said Marguerita Cheng, CFP®. "The last thing you want is financial worries when you're already stressed and anxious about medical decisions or unexpected occurrences."

Budget for childcare. According to a 2020 childcare survey from Care.com, the average weekly cost of childcare for one child is $244 for an after-school sitter, $300 for a daycare center and $612 for a nanny. Whichever option you choose, it could account for a substantial portion of your budget -- so you may want to ask your elderly parents to help take care of their grandkids.

Just as you need to plan for emergencies and education costs, Sandwich Generation adults also need to prepare for the care for their elderly parents.

Elder care is often provided by family members, as they can help with errands, finances and personal care. Some families share these responsibilities, and some decide on a trusted agent (who may or may not be a family member) to help.

"In either case, it's important to communicate as specifically as possible about the roles and responsibilities of the people caring for your elderly parents. When it's appropriate, put those agreements in writing and in legal form," said Bill Schretter, CFP®.

In addition to communicating responsibilities, Schretter identified four key areas the Sandwich Generation needs to address with aging parents:

1. Estate planning. Ensure that a family member or trusted agent has management or copies of an aging parent's estate planning documents, such as power of attorney and a living will or terminal care directive.

2. Medical care. Budget for medical expenses, and know what medications your elderly parent is taking and why.

3. Money management. Make a plan to oversee bill payments and credit card use. For instance, create a separate checking account for discretionary spending that the elderly parent can control, with limited overdraft protection.

4. Home improvement. Many older adults restructure and renovate their homes to better accommodate their needs as they age. Talk to your parents about budgeting for home renovations that they would like to make.

Opening a dialogue with a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional can help Sandwich Generation adults get expert perspective on their unique challenges in managing finances across generations. Find your CFP® professional today using the Find a CFP® professional tool.

(NewsUSA) - Stress -- it's everywhere. But there is an easy form of stress reduction that is as simple as opening your front door.

Spending time outside can help improve your physical and mental health, and you don't have to be an extreme athlete to reap the benefits.

Studies show that simply going out for a walk in nature can help build strength and endurance, and contribute to feelings of relaxation and resilience. Being active outside has proven benefits for people's minds and bodies.

Rail-trails in particular are ideal for individuals of all abilities and fitness levels to safely enjoy the outdoors. Rail-trails are multipurpose public paths created from former railroad corridor. That means they are flat or gently sloping, have a hard surface that makes them accessible to all types of activities and are available in rural and urban areas.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting communities across America with trails. One way they do this is through promoting the value of time spent outside -- by encouraging people to make "trail moments" a regular part of their lives and sharing these experiences to inspire others to discover the convenience and joy of being active outside on trails.

"I feel really lucky to have grown up in Virginia, and now I live in Washington state, with lots of access to these trails, but there are literally thousands of miles of rail-trails all over the country," says Miranda Webster, (@mirandagoesoutside) a longtime outdoor-enthusiast.

"So, whether you are mountain biking, hiking, walking your dog, or riding your bike, I hope that you're able to find a trail near you where you can enjoy it as much as I have through my entire life," she says.

Travel blogger Jeff Jenkins (@chubbydiaries_), based in Texas, has taken his wanderlust to local trails in a series of blogs and videos for the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.

"Now, I'm showing people how to discover their own backyards, from their local cities to national parks, trails and the great outdoors," says Mr. Jenkins, who has also created an online community for plus-sized travelers at chubbydiaries.com.

"So often people see trails as a way to get a little outdoor recreation, and yes, that's true," says Ian Mackay (@ians_ride), who regularly enjoys the trails in rural Washington state from his power wheelchair. "But it is so much more for me... having a safe trail space where I can go explore my own interests, interact with the community, and run my own errands is monumental to my happiness," adds Mr. Mackay, who is also the founder of Ian's Ride, a nonprofit organization.

This fall, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is taking inspiration from the thousands of stories that people have shared about the personal impact of time spent outside on trails and encouraging people of all ages and abilities to make a habit of it. Their #TrailMoments 21-Day Challenge offers fun activities to encourage people to get out on the trail every day.

Visit the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy website for more information and tips on making outdoor time part of your daily routine. www.railstotrails.org/trailmoments and @railstotrails #TrailMoments on social media.

(NewsUSA) - Despite the reinstatement of precautions related to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, travel remains possible in most areas, especially for individuals who are vaccinated. The urge for escape has prompted a surge in interest in adventure travel to experience other places, cultures, and wildlife. A Galapagos Cruise with Quasar Expeditions offers an unparalleled experience in the legendary Galapagos Islands for families, photography/wildlife enthusiasts, honeymooners, and adventurers of all ages.

Travel to the Galapagos on a luxury yacht offers visitors a unique opportunity to avoid cruise ship crowds and experience a safari-style adventure in deluxe accommodations. Other benefits of small ship cruising include more attention from expert guides, and more opportunities to take advantage of life-changing close-up encounters with the Islands' unique wildlife. Watch a video of these amazing encounters here.

Quasar Expeditions, a leader in the small cruise ship industry for more than three decades, offers 8-day and 15-day Galapagos luxury cruises on one of two yachts. Their vintage Grace Yacht was once owned by Princess Grace Kelly in the 1950's and it served as the honeymoon yacht for the royal couple soon after they wed. It carries a maximum of 16 guests and is maintained to a modern and elegant standard. The Evolution Yacht, a larger but no less luxurious ship in Roaring 20s style, takes a maximum of 32 guests along the footsteps of the famous naturalist, Charles Darwin who explored and studied the Galapagos Islands.

"We do not sell to the tourist. We cater to the traveler," according to the company's website.

"We strive to make sure our guests connect on an emotional level with the destination and all it encompasses; it is a journey for transformation."

Although the Galapagos boasts moderate temperatures year-round, fall in particular offers several unique opportunities, including snorkeling encounters with sea lions and pups, exceptional lighting conditions for photography enthusiasts, glimpses of giant tortoises laying eggs, and a good chance of whale and dolphin sightings.

All Quasar cruises on both yachts offer additional features that appeal to today's travelers:

Sustainability: Quasar Expeditions' unique commitment to sustainability extends from a zero single-use plastic policy and carbon-neutral emissions to partnerships with organizations that combat over-tourism and the commercialization of indigenous cultures.

Flexibility: Quasar offers a risk-free booking and cancellation policy, and cruises also allow for flexibility to capitalize on unexpected peak wildlife encounters.

For more details, visit www.quasarex.com/galapagos.