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CJ Scarlet knows first-hand how violence can destroy lives. A survivor of childhood sexual assault and rape as a college freshman, CJ spent years dealing with the emotional aftermath of her experience. After taking her power back, she became an advocate for others who had been victimized, running a child advocacy center and serving as Director of Victims Issues for the North Carolina Attorney General’s Office. She initiated and co-chaired the implementation of the nation’s first statewide automated victim notification system, selected as the national model, which contacts victims before their perpetrators are to be released from custody. An expert in victims’ rights and advocacy, CJ has given speeches and workshops at national and international events; and has appeared on numerous radio and television programs, including MSNBC and NPR. She is also the author of Neptune’s Gift: Discovering Your Inner Ocean (available on Amazon). The former U.S. Marine photojournalist and forest firefighter holds a B.A. in Political Science from Virginia Wesleyan College, and an interdisciplinary master’s degree in Humanities with an emphasis on Human Violence and graduate certificate in Women’s Studies from Old Dominion University. Named one of the “Happy 100” people on the planet, CJ’s story is featured in two bestselling books, including Happy for No Reason and Be Invincible.

The Badass Girl's Guide: Uncommon Strategies to Outwit Predators is the one book criminal predators don't want you to read! Filled with critical information about how to empower yourself to keep from becoming a crime statistic, this definitive, comprehensive guide contains facts and strategies not found in other personal security books. This remarkable, edgy book reveals how predators select and groom their victims, and teaches women and girls how to "fail" the predator interview to avoid being targeted in the first place. It also provides clear instructions about how to use your personal bodily "weapons" to defend yourself in a confrontation, offering everything you need to know to stay safe, fight if you must, and navigate the criminal justice system if the worst happens. This book leaves women and girls feeling more inspired, motivated, powerful, and confident about their ability to take care of themselves. If you read just one book on personal safety and self-defense in your lifetime, The Badass Girl's Guide: Uncommon Strategies to Outwit Predators is the one for you! The News is Alarming, But You Have More Power Than You Think! If you watch the evening news, it can seem as if the world is being overrun by violence. And if you’re a woman or girl, you likely have already been victimized in some way or are vulnerable to criminal predators—at home, in the workplace and even in public areas. Women and girls are generally raised to be nice to everyone. They’re taught to avoid being rude at all cost. To smile through awkward situations. To giggle when they feel uncomfortable rather than risk embarrassing someone who is just “playing” with them. To expect men to be their rescuers if they’re in danger. How many times in your life have you ignored the blaring sirens from your intuition when someone was violating your boundaries? Or worried as the creepy guy from your dorm followed you to class? Or suffered through regular sexual harassment at work? It’s a strange paradox—we spend so much of our lives being hyper-vigilant about potential danger, but become utterly helpless when we’re confronted with uncomfortable and even dangerous situations. We smile when someone pays us an inappropriate compliment at work. We roll our eyes when a man makes a crude joke or gesture. We stiffen but don’t necessarily move when someone brushes up against us. Making “Nice” is Hurting YouWhy? Why do we “make nice” when we’re treated with disrespect? Our instincts are correct, but we override them because our early training was so strong. Part of the reason is fear—that the situation will escalate if we object, that we’ll embarrass the other person or ourselves, or that the person we confront won’t like/love/employ us anymore. We’re also often clueless about how to respond. Then there’s the pervasive, personally-held belief that we can’t take care of ourselves, so we demure rather than react. We feel helpless, which leads to a sense of hopelessness and powerlessness. Denial is also a huge factor; we deny what’s happening to us in favor of making excuses for the perpetrator: “He was just kidding. ” “I’m just being overly sensitive. ” “He didn’t mean it. ” Or the ever popular, “Boys will be boys. ” This unfortunate perspective lets predators off the hook when they behave badly. It’s Time to Take Your Power Back! If you’re tired of feeling afraid, of loathing and blaming yourself, of feeling too vulnerable, then take YOUR power back right now. Yes, right this very second! Recognize that you’re a powerful being and claim it! It’s time for you to get indignant! It’s time to be as aggressive or rude as necessary to keep yourself safe and secure. It’s time to stop waiting for someone else to rescue you. Summon your inner badass and rescue yourself!

Kindle Price: $4.99

Category: Parenting & Relationships; Politics & Social Sciences

When Dylan, an average wave of middling ability, realizes he is about to crash on the shore, he is terrified and miserable. But when he encounters a magnificent wave named Serena, Dylan learns that he is not separate and alone, but One with every wave and every creature in the ocean. In fact, Dylan learns that he is the ocean itself. In the process, he discovers that courage is found in the eye of the storm, that the limitless abundance of the universe is always within our grasp, that it is through focusing on the happiness of others that one's own happiness is achieved, that we truly do possess the power to make our dreams come true, and that although we appear to be separate from one another, we are collective drops that together form the same vast ocean. The book is sprinkled with colorful sea creature characters that help illuminate and reinforce the lessons Dylan learns on his voyage of the spirit. Abounding with thoughtful ideas for readers to consider and apply directly to their lives, this profound and fun allegorical tale will leave readers touched and inspired, as they travel with Dylan on the greatest journey of his life.

Kindle Price: $3.99

Category: Religion & Spirituality; Self-Help