Unshrink Yourself

 

 

12 Mini-Shifts To Ditch Self-Doubt and Own Your Life

Self-Help

Date Published: December 9, 2025

STOP SHRINKING. START OWNING YOUR LIFE.

A no-nonsense, heart-driven guide to help you break free from self-doubt and live boldly.

If you’ve ever held back because you didn’t feel smart enough, ready enough, or worthy enough, this book is your turning point.

In Unshrink Yourself, bestselling author and leadership coach Thanh Nguyen shares twelve small-but-mighty mindset shifts that help you silence your inner critic, let go of perfectionism, and finally step into your power.

With raw honesty, heartfelt stories, and practical reflection exercises, Thanh guides you through the exact steps she used to rebuild her confidence—from a voiceless immigrant teenager to an engineering executive, bestselling author, professor, and speaker who leads with courage and heart.

Each mini-shift is a simple yet profound change in how you think, speak, and show up every day. From accepting compliments and discovering your core values to rewiring negative self-talk and celebrating small wins, these shifts compound to transform how you see yourself and what you believe is possible.

If you’re tired of shrinking, second-guessing, and settling for less than you deserve… it’s time to rise.

 

Inside, you’ll learn how to:

• Break free from self-sabotaging thoughts and limiting beliefs

• Replace fear with faith and self-criticism with compassion

• Speak up, stand tall, and own your worth

• Build confidence through consistent, courageous action

• Lead your life with authenticity, balance, and joy

 

You don’t need to be perfect—just present, brave, and willing to grow.

 

Because the world doesn’t need a smaller version of you.

It needs the real you—confident, courageous, and unapologetically alive.

 

It’s time to Unshrink Yourself.

 

Praise For Unshrink Yourself:

"If you've ever held yourself back, played small when you knew you had more to give, or wondered whether your voice really matters, this book is for you. It will remind you that the world doesn't need a smaller version of you; it needs the fullest, boldest, most authentic expression of you." —Jack Canfield. Co-creator, Chicken Soup for the Soul® series. New York Times Bestselling Author, The Success Principles™: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be

 

"Unshrink Yourself helps readers grow into confident, values-driven leaders. Thanh Nguyen is a shining example of the Maxwell Leadership mission in action — to equip and empower others to lead with integrity, purpose, and passion. She embodies what it means to add value to people." —Chris Robinson. EVP of Maxwell Leadership Team. USA Today Bestselling Author, From Drift to Drive: A High Achiever's Guide To Breaking The Chains Of Complacency

 

"Unshrink Yourself fits right alongside works by Brené Brown and Mel Robbins... It reads like advice from a friend who's done the hard work and is willing to share the messy parts. Through personal stories, studies, and practical steps, Nguyen shows how confidence can grow from the inside out. The book's heart sits in its honesty. Nguyen's strength is how she keeps things simple. She skips the jargon and focuses on what actually works. Her voice feels lived in, not performative. The book balances storytelling with action steps that make readers pause and think, then actually do something about it." —Sam Wright, Book-Buy.

 

About the Author

 

 Thanh Nguyen is the co-founder of The Encourage Team and the bestselling author of Calm in Chaos: Mindfulness and Meditation for Busy Professionals. A certified leadership coach, keynote speaker, Professor in the Practice at Rice University, and longtime mindfulness practitioner, she is dedicated to helping individuals cultivate resilience, clarity, and courage through mindset mastery.

Originally from Vietnam, Thanh overcame financial hardship, language barriers, and personal adversity after immigrating to the United States as a teenager. With two master’s degrees—in Electrical Engineering and Business Administration—two U.S. patents, and more than twenty years of corporate leadership experience, she now channels her expertise into empowering others to live positively, lead courageously, and take inspired action toward their goals.

 

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The Paramount Code

  

Business, Self-Help, Non-Fiction

Date Published: December 8, 2025

What if the real code to success isn’t about working harder, but about mastering who you are when no one’s watching?

You’ve tried the scripts, the hustle, and the motivation videos. Yet something still feels missing, that spark of purpose, discipline, and integrity that separates the top 1% from everyone else. You’re not lazy; you’re just stuck in an old paradigm that no longer serves you.

The Paramount Code is not another motivational pep talk. It’s a complete system, a mindset-driven framework that rewires how you think, act, and lead. Rooted in the four timeless pillars of Integrity, Character, Honesty, and Professionalism. This book fuses the psychology of performance with proven field tactics from the real world of sales and leadership. The result? A clear, ethical, and repeatable code for excellence.

Imagine walking into every opportunity with calm confidence, knowing exactly how to handle objections, lead your team, and stay grounded under pressure. Imagine a workday fueled by focus and discipline, not chaos and burnout.

 

Inside the book, you will discover:

* The hidden “code” that silently determines your success or failure

* How to shift from old habits of self-sabotage to a growth-oriented mindset

* The real meaning of integrity and how it becomes your most powerful sales tool.

* The secrets to mastering canvassing, follow-ups, and closing with authenticity.

* How to lead and retain high-performing teams while avoiding the turnover trap.

* Practical checklists and behavioral maps that make success measurable.

* A field-tested paradigm for lasting motivation and mental toughness

 

Unlike theory-heavy business books, The Paramount Code is designed for action. Each chapter translates principles into simple, repeatable steps, making it feel like having a personal coach guiding you through change.

Think you’ve read all the success books before? Think again. This one doesn’t just inspire you, it equips you.

Success doesn’t wait and neither do the people who seize it. The rules are changing fast, and those who live by The Paramount Code are already rewriting the game.

If you’re serious about growth, this is your moment. Tomorrow, someone else will take the opportunity you hesitated on.

 

About the Author

 

 James Odell is a forty-seven-year-old author originally from Arlington, Texas, and he now resides in Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. He is a dedicated father to three daughters, a committed baseball enthusiast, and a passionate weightlifting hobbyist. He is currently studying at Liberty University with the goal of becoming a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor.

His writing journey began with "The Road to Hancock County," a book that required two years of steady effort and personal growth. His second book, titled "Stripped," arrived soon after and carried a message of honesty and resilience. His third release, "50 Shades of Faith," continued his development as an author with a voice rooted in purpose. His newest book, titled "The Paramount Code," stands as his most powerful work and reflects the lessons that shaped his life, his leadership, and his mission to help others rise above their circumstances.

James donates most of his book royalties to charity to help feed families in need. Countless individuals lose their lives daily to hunger-related illness, many of them children who suffer from preventable malnutrition. Every purchase of his books supports a mission built on compassion, service, and hope. His readers become part of a movement that reminds the world that generosity changes lives.

 

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Dragonsong by Michael Forester Genre: Epic Fantasy Adventure

 

 

Sometimes, nothing but the death of your father will do

Dragonsong

by Michael Forester

Genre: Epic Fantasy Adventure

Rebekah, noblewoman of Albion, has been driven to madness by the murder of her lover Vidar. In her torment she bargains with the Prince of Demons to turn her into a dragon. Thus transformed, she seeks to take revenge upon her father, Merlin, whom she is fooled into believing is responsible for Vidar’s death. To save the world from the ravages of Dragonsong, Merlin is forced to banish his beloved daughter to hell, regardless of the consequences for him personally. 

Behind the subterfuge stands Oberon, Captain-King of Elves. He does not foresee the devastation his jealousy and unrequited love for Rebekah will unleash upon Gaia when he frees her from Merlin’s spell and summons her from hell to support his war against Albion.

To save Gaia a second, Merlin is forced to travel back in time to prepare a warrior capable of overcoming the dragon through the power of the Sleep Stone. But he does not foresee the bond that will develop between the dragon and his own assistant, the Seer, Michael of Albion. If Lady Attie and Michael prove unable to return the Sleep Stone to the mouth of Hell in time, the Demon Army will be swarm out of Hell and overrun Gaia.

Time. Time is the key. Time is the only solution to Gaia’s destiny – but only if the gods of Asgard can find a way to stop it.  

 

What readers are saying:

“On a par with the epic of Beowulf, this modern day classic never ceases to amaze. Gripping, thrilling, twisting and turning, the plot of this epic piece of verse (an achievement unrivalled in the 20 the century, I'd say), will have you gripped from start to finish. Don't just dream of dragons and elves, Kings and Warriors, heaven and hell: read about them and allow the mythology to soak deep into the fibre of your being! You, and your deepest soul, will be thrilled.” -Rod Boothroyd

 

Absolutely beautiful book I loved this book. It is a tale of wizards, demons, dragons, elves, love and treachery set around the Arthurian court but written in rhyme. I have not read any poetic literature for over 40 years since studying Beowulf and Sir Gawain and the Green Knight at university so this book intrigued me. I am full of admiration for anyone who can write beautiful poetry but when they can also tell a story at the same time I find that quite remarkable. It is about the battle between elves and men, love stories ending tragically and deceit and treachery. I would urge people to read this even if they haven’t read poetry in a long time, I just found it so beautiful and the story will entrance you. The last lines as written by the Scribe are “Or wilt thou, reader, now persuade me once again to take my pen And make another story come to be? All I can say is that I really hope so!  - A 5 Star ***** Review By Breakaway Reviewers

  

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Michael Forester is a deafened author who lives between the New Forest and the sea. He is a full time author and public speaker, travelling both in the UK and internationally, speaking inspirationally and signing his books for readers in locations as far apart as the UK, Thailand, Cambodia and the Philippines. He is the author of ten published books to date, on subjects as diverse as business strategy, spiritual inspiration and epic fantasy poetry.

Michael’s own journey has taken him from early years in academia into middle years in management training and Neuro Linguistic Programming. It has taken him from normal hearing to near-profound deafness and the life-changing arrival of a hearing dog, Matt. It has taken him through a miraculously survived suicide attempt in 2002, into a spiritual awakening.

He has travelled to over forty countries, from the Amazon Rainforest, encountering ecological devastation, to South Africa, experiencing post-Apartheid forgiveness; from a personal pilgrimage in search of the singing bowls of Nepal, to a first-hand examination of the darker side of economic modernisation in the Philippines, besides many other destinations.

 

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The Weight of Dreams

  

An Ancient Saga of Myth and Magic

Magical Realism / Fantasy

Date Published: October 27, 2025

Publisher: MindStir Media

In a time lost to memory, Etana is born with the Sight and a rare gift whispered down through her bloodline: she can speak with elephants. When her father promises her in marriage to an older man, Etana chooses the unthinkable--she flees. Escaping the ritual that broke her sister, she slips into the wilderness under the watchful eyes of the Beastgod.

Alone but guided by ancestral spirits and a bond with a mysterious elephant, Etana journeys into the realm of myth. A powerful ruler summons her to tame a ferocious elephant meant for war. But to claim her future, she must master more than beasts--she must face enemies, survive betrayal, and confront a court that thrives on secrets and blood.

As kingdoms clash and gods murmur in dreams, Etana rises from fugitive to warrioress, from outcast to commander. In a world where loyalty is eternal and power demands sacrifice, who will she become when everything she loves is threatened?

Told through the rhythms of oral tradition and infused with magic, myth, and cultural memory, The Weight of Dreams is a luminous tale of spiritual resilience, feminine power, and the living bond between human and nature.

 

For readers of magical realism and literary historical fiction who believe the past still speaks--and sometimes, it sings.

 

About the Author

Nicole writes tales of magical realism while splitting her time between Texas and the rural Midwest observing various species of wildlife and dodging alien cows. An annoying cat (with the highly original name of Kitty) and a four-pound Yorkie (named GiGi) keep her company. Nicole is the author of The Art of Living, a romance mystery series written under the pen name Coline Oseille.

To find her latest releases and upcoming novels, visit www.NicoleSorrell.com.

 

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Amaranthine by Delia Strange Genre: SciFi Time Travel Historical Paranormal Vampire Romance

  

Eternal Life. 

Endless Love. 

Infinite Cost.

Amaranthine

by Delia Strange

Genre: SciFi Time Travel Historical Paranormal Vampire Romance

Eternal life comes at a cost

For centuries, Amaranthine has walked through time—an immortal bound by a gift she never asked for. From the opulent halls of the Roman Empire to the decadent jazz clubs of 1920s London, to the futuristic floating city of New Francisco, she has lived countless lives, loved deeply, and lost more than most could ever bear. With each new era comes new faces: lovers, rivals, and those drawn to the mystery of her eternal existence. But immortality comes with a price, and as the world changes, so too does the weight of the centuries she carries.

Torn between living for the future and haunted by the choices of her past, Amaranthine must confront the question that has followed her for an eternity: What does it mean to live forever when everything and everyone else fades away?

 

“This is the first book in a while that I have continued to mull over even after I'd finished reading it as it's definitely a story that gets you thinking.”

~ Lynne Stringer, Goodreads Review

 

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Marcellus took her hand, his touch warm, and without a word he led her deeper into the olive grove. The trees closed in around them and the world outside the grove disappeared, leaving only the two of them beneath the cover of night. The air smelled faintly of the earth and the lingering sweetness of ripening fruit, but all Amaranthine could focus on was the heat of his hand against hers, the certainty in his steps as he drew her farther away from the villa, away from everything she knew.

When he stopped, she nearly stumbled, caught off guard by the sudden stillness. Marcellus turned to face her, his gaze sweeping over her with an intensity that made her catch her breath. His eyes roamed her face, her body, lingering as though his look could somehow touch her skin. It wasn’t just a glance; it was deeper, heavier.

Slowly, deliberately, Marcellus ran his fingers up her arm, light as a breeze. The touch sent a shiver down her spine, thrilling and delicate all at once. His hand traveled over her shoulder, warm and sure, before brushing against her neck, where her pulse raced beneath his fingertips. He cupped her face, his thumb grazing her cheek as his other hand slid into her hair, gently cradling the back of her neck. The closeness of him—his soft breath against her skin, his scent unfamiliar and intoxicating—made her dizzy.

When he pressed his body against hers, she didn’t hesitate. Amaranthine’s arms wrapped around him as though it was the most natural thing in the world, her fingers curling into the fabric of his tunic. She could feel the heat of him through the thin cloth, the steady rise and fall of his chest, and the thrilling, terrifying anticipation that hovered in the air between them. He leaned in, his lips so close to hers that she could feel the warmth of his breath, and her body instinctively tilted forward, closing the last distance between them.

The kiss began softly, their lips brushing with a delicate hesitance, as though both of them were testing the boundaries of something new. It was sweet, tender, like a whispered secret exchanged in the dark. Amaranthine’s heart fluttered, the warmth of his mouth against hers sending gentle waves of pleasure through her body. Her hands tightened their grip on his tunic, pulling him closer, and for a moment, everything else faded away—her worries, her fears, even the nagging sense of not belonging. Here, in this kiss, she felt connected, as though they shared something deeper than words.

Slowly, almost imperceptibly, the kiss deepened. Marcellus’ arms wrapped around her waist, his hands pressing her closer, and the softness between them gave way to something more intense, more urgent. Passion overtook them both, their lips moving with a fervor that surprised her. Amaranthine had never kissed anyone before, but she felt as though she’d always known how, the way their mouths fit together, the way their breaths mingled in the cool night air. Her heart pounded faster, and a strange heat pooled in her chest, spreading through her veins in a way that made her feel alive.

Then something within her awoke. At first, she didn’t recognize it, mistaking the growing intensity for the natural progression of a kiss. There was a pull, a sensation inside her, almost like the drawing of breath, but deeper, fuller. She thought it was part of the magic of kissing, the way it could make someone feel as though they were floating, untethered from everything. No wonder people kiss, she thought, her mind hazy with the thrill of it. It’s wonderful. She let the sensation sweep over her, unaware of what she was truly doing. But then, after a moment, she noticed something different. Their lips had stopped moving. The rhythm they had found, the tender push and pull, had stilled.

Amaranthine opened her eyes, confused, and pulled back. Her breath caught in her throat. Marcellus staggered away from her, his face ashen, his once bright eyes dull and clouded. He looked gaunt, hollow, as though something had been drained from him. His skin sagged against the bones of his cheeks, and before her eyes, he aged—twenty years, maybe more—his youthful vibrance withering into something frail and brittle. He gasped, his hands reaching out toward her as though for help, but no words came. Then, with a final shuddering breath, Marcellus crumpled to the ground, motionless.

An only child with an active imagination, I created many stories in my head. My bookcase was overflowing, and I loved visiting the library. I'd always been a reader, but I hadn't considered writing until a childhood friend said we should write our ideas down. Once I started writing my stories, I couldn't stop.

I gravitated to stories of peculiar places and happenings. I loved twists and dark reveals, so my writing didn't stray far from that. I was a fan of fantasy—of ancient Greek myths or contemporary paranormal stories. They captured my imagination and opened me to worlds of possibilities. There were no constraints on fantasy, no wrong or right answers; anything I dreamed up was acceptable. And then came H. G. Wells and science fiction, which also opened the door to paranormal and speculative fiction, my three favourite genres.

 

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Killer Friends

  

Bloodstone Series #4

Historical Suspense

Date Published: 11-10-2025

Publisher: Books to Go Now

Henrietta Newell stormed into the detective bureau. She claimed her adult son was missing and feared for his safety. The detectives attempted to reassure her that the absence of a bachelor in his thirties, in a city like London, wasn’t extraordinary. Despite their efforts, she insisted an investigation be conducted, reminding them of her political connections.

Detective Rudyard Bloodstone and his partner were told to look into the matter. Their investigation reveals evidence of suspicious and unusual activity but no clues regarding the man’s disappearance. The few leads they develop take them from the world of wealthy families and into the secret society of sexual peculiarities.

The detectives discover the victim didn’t simply disappear. He was murdered. They have the evidence except for one problem, they’re missing is the victim’s body.

About the Author

I was born and raised in Chicago. My father was a history professor and my mother was, and is, a voracious reader. I grew up with a love of history and books.

My parents also love traveling, a passion they passed onto me. I wanted to see the places I read about, see the land and monuments from the time periods that fascinated me. I’ve had the good fortune to travel extensively throughout Europe, the Near East, and North Africa.

I am a retired police detective. I spent twenty-five years in law enforcement with two different agencies. My desire to write came in my early teens. After I retired, I decided to pursue that dream.

I’m currently working on the Bloodstone Series, which is historical suspense stories set in Victorian London. I’ve also written two World War 2 romances: The Ack Ack Girl and Moonlight Serenade.

My past series include my historical/time travel romance series is called, Knights in Time. My romantic thriller series is Dangerous Waters.

Each series has a different setting and some cross time periods, which I find fun to write.

I currently live in the Pacific Northwest with my husband and three wild and crazy rescue dogs.

 

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