Showing results by narrator "Anna Gilliam-Abbasi" in All Categories

Anxiety is a complex emotional response that often manifests as a feeling of unease, apprehension, or dread. It can arise in various situations, from everyday stressors to significant life changes, and can affect individuals differently. At its core, anxiety is a natural reaction designed to prepare the body for perceived threats. This response, known as the fight-or-flight mechanism, triggers physiological changes such as increased heart rate, rapid breathing, and heightened awareness.

Too often church culture and religious individuals suggest that emotional pain shows lack of faith or sin against a punitive God. How ironic—Jesus suffered loneliness, misunderstanding, persecution, and death to meet us at the lowest places and lift us to hope and life with his resurrection.

Rodeo is a tough sport. Enough is not a motivational slogan. It’s a decision. After surviving a life-altering accident, relearning how to walk, being told she might never ride again, and rebuilding her life through loss, grief, and hard choices, Marci Powell learned something most people are never taught: You don’t become enough someday. You decide it — and then you live from that place.

Sarande Dreams and Desires follows the journey of Jack Reeves, a 55-year-old retired NYPD detective haunted by the memories of 9/11 and the Orlando Pulse Nightclub shooting. Jack lives a lonely life in Manhattan with his estranged daughter, Sarah. His wife leaves him, after they moved to Florida. due to his divorce, Jack resumes his law enforcement career, in Orlando, but the trauma of his past continues to haunt him.

What happens when five fabulous women from different walks of life decide to trade their annual beach vacation for the adventure of a lifetime? They go to Mars, of course. From the vibrant Nita, whose bold fashion choices light up every room, to the cautious Mary, who must face her deepest fears, this is a group bonded by laughter, love, and a friendship as fierce as any force of nature.

Emily Cotton, a CDC epidemiologist, and Charles Montgomery, a Naval Intelligence general, meet by chance in the thin mountain air of Aspen Creek, Colorado. Both are workaholics on forced vacation. Both are running from loneliness. Neither expects to fall in love. Five days later, they return to their separate lives—and the world changes forever.

Eleonora "Nora" Vance is thirty eight years old and has seen it all. After twelve years as a corrections officer at Riverbend Correctional Facility, she's learned to navigate the brutal realities of prison life with a careful balance of compassion and cynicism. She's witnessed the system's failures, watched good officers compromise their principles, and built an emotional fortress to protect herself from the darkness that surrounds her. Her life outside the prison walls is quiet, solitary, filled with books and routine safe, if lonely.

Roman Alastair knew the moment he saw her. The woman in the wedding dress was not his ruthless, socialite fiancée, Serena. She was her twin—softer, quieter, a terrified impostor. Her name is Sera, the discarded sister, thrust into a gilded cage to protect a web of lies. Enraged by the deception, Roman does what he does best: he turns her into a transaction. He will keep her, use her name to secure his empire, and break her quiet spirit with cold, calculated cruelty. He will parade his infidelity before her and revel in her pain. But Sera’s silence is not surrender. It is a weapon.

Resilience can be defined as the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties and adapt to challenging circumstances. It is not merely about enduring hardship but involves a dynamic process of growth that enhances an individual's emotional strength. Resilience allows adults to navigate the inevitable stresses and adversities of life while maintaining a sense of well-being.

No one is coming. And that’s not a threat — it’s freedom. This audiobook is a wakeup call for women who are tired of waiting. Waiting to feel ready. Waiting for confidence. Waiting for permission. Waiting for someone else to save them, choose them, or believe in them.

Waking up early offers a myriad of benefits that can significantly enhance both personal and professional aspects of life. The most immediate advantage is the quietude of the early morning hours. This time is often free from distractions, allowing individuals to focus on tasks or projects without interruptions. By rising early, one can establish a morning routine that may include activities such as reading, writing, or planning the day ahead.

She thought she was signing a contract. She didn’t realise she was authoring her own surrender. When financial pressure leaves analyst Mara Vale with no room for caution, she accepts a temporary live-in contract with Julian Cross—a tech billionaire whose reputation is built on hostile takeovers and surgical control.

Understanding the balance between comfort and aesthetics in home decoration is essential for creating a living space that feels both inviting and visually pleasing. Comfort often takes precedence, as it directly affects how individuals experience their environment. Cozy living spaces prioritize relaxation and well-being, making it crucial to select furnishings and decor that contribute to a sense of ease. However, aesthetics cannot be overlooked; the visual appeal of a home plays a significant role in defining personal style and enhancing the overall atmosphere.

The importance of listening cannot be overstated, particularly in a world where the pace of communication often prioritizes immediate responses over thoughtful engagement. Active listening serves as a foundational component in effective communication, allowing individuals to fully understand the perspectives and emotions of others before formulating their responses. This approach not only fosters clarity but also enhances the quality of interactions, whether in personal relationships or professional settings.

When Seraphina Jones's car breaks down in a Montana snowstorm, she finds herself stranded in the last place she ever expected to be: a remote country town with no cell service, no Wi-Fi, and no escape route. A high-powered marketing executive from Chicago, Sera has built her entire identity around climbing the corporate ladder, convinced that success is the only thing that matters. But a broken-down car and a delayed repair have other plans, forcing her to spend the Christmas season in a place that couldn't be more different from the fast-paced city life she knows.

IN TOO DEEP: A Newport News Story is a gripping true-crime inspired novel about survival, sisterhood, and the impossible choices we make when desperation meets opportunity. Set in the sweltering summer of 1994 in Newport News, Virginia, the novel follows Emily "Juicy" Cotton and her younger sister Rhonda "Butter" Cotton as they navigate the treacherous intersection of college dreams and street survival.

When busy Nova Wilcox decides to step away from work to visit home, she decides to live her best life. However, envy and greed rear their ugly heads, setting off a chain of events that Nova has to figure out how to get ahead of. Will an encounter with a sexy driver and a blast from the past ruin everything she worked hard for?

Born in 1954 in Easton, Maryland, Ruby Mae came of age in a world that had already decided what a Black girl's life was worth. What followed was a half-century journey through the darkest corridors of American life: the segregated back roads of the Eastern Shore, the locked wards of a state hospital, the sterile violence of forced sterilization. She loved men who couldn't stay. She left a daughter behind, repeating the only pattern she knew.

Effective prioritization is fundamental for enhancing productivity in any working environment, particularly for adults navigating the complexities of modern tasks. In a world where distractions abound and responsibilities multiply, the ability to identify and focus on the most critical tasks can significantly impact personal and professional success. Prioritization helps individuals and teams manage their time and resources effectively, ensuring that the most important tasks receive the attention they deserve.

Patrick Lynch understands fire. A seasoned arson investigator and reluctant hero, he's haunted by old scars and the ghosts of tragedies he couldn’t prevent. When a series of arson attacks brings him face to face with Broadway’s newest star, he must confront not only the city’s darkest secrets, but also his own.