Reviewed by Romuald Dzemo for Readers' Favorite

Spirituality 103 The Forgiveness Code: Finding The Light in Our Shadows by Ivan Figueroa-Otero is a spiritual masterpiece, a self-help book that will help readers to descend to the very core, to the center, and beginning of their being. When I picked this book up, I felt that I would be reading some tips on how to bring ourselves to forgive people who have hurt us in life, but the core of the book is something else. It is about forgiveness, but forgiveness as an essential element in the spiritual journey that restores, heals, and situates us on the right path towards the mission of our life. In language that is very powerful, lyrical, and suffused with symbolism, the author offers compelling and insightful advice on self-discovery and the path towards compassion and reconciliation with ourselves.

There are very beautiful passages in this book and some undeniable facts. I read this book twice and went back to underline some key passages. One of the expressions that hit home was: “Living, if we go about it with selfishness and lack of awareness of our interdependence with the universal laws and other people, turns into a nightmare of suffering, with brief moments of happiness.” But we can change that and re-invent our happiness by walking the path of forgiveness, by understanding how our emotions hurt ourselves. In fact, most of the suffering people experience does not come from outside. It comes from within, when their mind mirrors the hurts and pain they have suffered. But they can set themselves free by choosing to bathe in the light of forgiveness. After reading this book, you’ll never look at yourself in the same way and the world, including those around you, will have a new significance in your life. Spirituality 103 The Forgiveness Code: Finding The Light in Our Shadows was the perfect gift I needed.

Reviewed by Viga Boland for Readers' Favorite

More by Mariah McKenzie may well be more than what readers expect or are prepared to handle. I certainly wasn’t ready for it, but, along the way, I learned a great deal I didn’t previously know about early childhood trauma. It’s no secret that children who are sexually abused suffer long term psychological damage. Therapy has been very helpful for many when it comes to dealing with the mental breakdowns that sometimes last a lifetime. But while studies and first hand reports show that childhood sexual abuse can also interfere in future adult sexual relationships, the full extent of that interference, the hows and whys, may be unknown to many readers.

This is where the value of More by Mariah McKenzie lies. More tells readers so much more about these other elements. It gets to the roots of the physical and sexual problems so many experience. Most importantly, More offers those who have an open mind, and are receptive to trying out different ways of healing, a means to do so. This healing is on a much deeper level, both physically and spiritually. Through combinations of Meditation, Ascension, and M.O.R.E (multi-orgasmic response), just to name a few approaches Mariah and her husband Jeff studied, they were able to repair sexual and relationship problems in their marriage to a degree neither could have dreamed. What they learned along the way was how much these issues were tied to early childhood sexual abuse. That was eye-opening.

Mariah McKenzie is very honest in her delivery throughout More. She holds nothing back. Sexual detail is specific, but not for titillation purposes: it’s absolutely necessary to enhance an understanding of the events and people in More. McKenzie invites readers deep inside her marriage and the lives of her family. As a memoir, it’s a good read. But this memoir also teaches, explains, and enlightens those looking for answers to problematic issues in their own married lives. More offers possible solutions most wouldn’t be aware of. To read More is to learn so much more!

Reviewed by Alyssa Elmore for Readers' Favorite

Awaken your inner power by freely expressing your feelings and creating healthy personal boundaries in the exquisitely illustrated graphic novel, Iphelia (Awakening The Gift of Feeling) by Erick Kenneth French. Meet Iphelia, a beautiful, highly sensitive young girl. Iphelia feels her emotions so deeply she is at a loss as to how to process them. To add further complications, Iphelia is also an empath. She senses other people's emotions so intensely that sometimes her own thoughts and feelings become a jumbled mess of confusing emotions. Learn with Iphelia why meditation, being aware of our emotions, and setting healthy boundaries are so crucial to our well-being. Explore different techniques for healing deep wounds to experience a happier, more emotionally mature life. Are you ready to end vicious cycles of anger and guilt? Delve deep into your inner being, and learn how to stop leaking and spewing your negative emotions on your loved ones and become the person you are meant to be.

Iphelia (Awakening The Gift of Feeling) by Erick Kenneth French is a stunning graphic novel/self-help book merged. I was beyond impressed with the content; the graphic story was so well formulated and depicted, I would have been satisfied with it alone. Only the author went so much further by including tools and techniques that assist in uncovering and healing old emotional wounds, clearing out old patterns, and creating new, healthier ways of dealing with our feelings. This book is beautifully written and flawlessly delivered, with techniques that are easily grasped and even more easily implemented. Upon finishing the story, I felt that I had spent significant time with a therapist; the concepts are so simple to apply, and with little effort the results become quickly realized. I highly recommend this book to adults that are tired of taking their stress out on their friends and loved ones, and who are ready to start taking responsibility for their actions, reactions, and their lives. For children, I believe that this book will enhance their understanding of the different emotions they are experiencing and help teach them emotional maturity while they are still young; giving them a priceless set of tools that will stay with them throughout their lives.