Writer's Block

One Woman Shares Her Wisdom on Appetite in Xlibris Self-Published Book

2010-02-04T16:51:00.000-08:00

Many people, especially women, have been taught to refuse desire. In the self-published book, Eating Desire, Lisa Powers inspires one to get what they really want to live a truly happy life.

Eating Desire celebrates a woman’s appetite in all facets of life. Author Lisa Powers explains the logic of excessive indulgence as a result of depriving oneself from what one really wants.

By learning to listen to what a person really wants for his or herself instead of suppressing them, one can have a truly happy life.

Eating Desire is a personal account of Lisa’s obsession with food to conceal the terror and shame of her dark childhood. She also chronicles her transformation from being self-loathing to self-loving.

This book transcends satisfying one’s appetite for food, as it explores other important desires of life. These include comfort, connection, personal fulfillment, power and protection, sexual pleasure, transcendence, transformation and witness.

In this Xlibris self-published book, Lisa stresses how one’s relationship to food mirrors one’s struggle for emotional, spiritual and sexual fulfillment. One’s hunger for food is a wake-up call to listen to what one truly wants in life. It is not about indulging in the excess but in going down to the things that truly matter: that of steering the path that one is meant to take.

People with eating disorders will find the wisdom of Eating Desire truly helpful. The more one listens to what they really want, the less one tends to overeat or deprive oneself. Therefore leading one to become happier.

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Daddy, Where's your Vagina?: A Self-Published book on Stay-at-Home Dads

2010-01-28T22:41:00.000-08:00

In the past, women were expected to stay at home and take care of the children while the men went to work to provide for the family.

Times have changed. Nowadays, however, both parents go to work or it’s the other way around – the woman works while the man stays at home.

Joseph Schatz writes his experiences as a stay-at-home dad in the Xlibris release, Daddy, Where's your Vagina?.

This self-published book lets you in on the beauty and madness of being a stay-at-home dad.

Schatz shows how this compendium leads to an entirely new and different parenting discovery and experience. With gripping and hilarious chronicles of Schatz as a full time stay-at-home dad for more than 9 years, Daddy, Where’s your Vagina? provides practical tips for couples, invaluable lessons on parenting and highlights the joy of fatherhood.

Whether you are a stay-at-home dad or a working parent, Daddy, Where's your Vagina? is a must read for you.

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Self-published book bags 2009 Reader's Favorite Award

2010-01-18T22:29:00.000-08:00

Bill Poje, author of the self-published title Painless bagged the first prize for the fiction thriller category in the 2009 Reader's Favorite Book Reviews and Awards Contest.

With more than a thousand authors from all over the US who joined the event, this self-published book grabbed the highly coveted gold award alongside other winners in different categories.

Founded by Debra Gaynor, Reader's Favorite aims to provide qulaity books to readers as well as help authors gain more publicity and recognition through credible book reviews and a Book Contest.

Reader's Favorite believes that book awards have a huge impact on influencing booksellers and buyers alike. Through their honest book reviews, authors are pointed out issues and given suggestions for areas of their book that need improvement.

Winners of the Reader's Favorite awards were announced on January 15, 2010.

Painless is a story of a man named Augustus 'Aug' Valentine who seems to have everything going in his personal and professional life until he is faced with a riddle of deceit and the portent of death.

Painless is self-published by Xlibris.

Bill Poje holds a Bachelors degree in Accounting/Business Administration from Aquinas College and an MBA in Finance and Operations from the Owen Graduate School of Management in Vanderbilt. He became the financial controller for the largest exporter in the Bahamas, after which he moved back to the US to write books.

He is currently working on the sequel to Painless as well as essays, short stories and poetry.

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Kiwi on a Cloud: Self-published Mystery/Adventure Novel

2010-01-06T18:53:00.000-08:00

Perky Debbie McWard, New Zealand adventure travel guide, dodges two former lovers, flirts with a hesitant widower, Gil Rocklin, and copes with raucous investigative reporter, Frank Ferret, among her travelers.

Romances give way to fear, as a tourist is murdered, and another is falsely blamed. Debbie discovers that an indicted Yugoslavian war criminal, Ratac "the Butcher" Bymarovitch, is disguised and hiding among her trampers. But among six possible suspects, who?

The most terrifying question is why, of all the tours in the world, one of the world’s most hunted criminals specifically sought out Debbie’s tour group in which to hide, plot, and murder.

Only Debbie, her friends, and two small children can thwart the Butcher’s killing and his rekindling of the Balkan wars.

Surprises sizzle in Croatia, Slovenia, and New Zealand.

Written by Norm Aspen, Kiwi on a Cloud is a mystery novel published by Xlibris.

A Published book on how leaders fail

2009-12-13T21:53:00.001-08:00

There is no person out there who has achieved success without ever failing. In fact, failure is the most important element in success. Like it or not, fear it or don't, you are bound to fail more than a few times in your lifetime. And while you cannot get away with failure, you can definitely learn from it.

There are so many books out there on how to succeed, but hardly on how to fail. Author Lee Thayer means well, and has decided to publish a book about failing - in a way that can define your success.

Her self-published title, How Executives Fail is a definitive book about how you unknowingly contribute to your failure. With the right mix of humor, irony, wit and wisdom, this self-published book reveals that what you think greatly determines the outcome.

How Executives Fail lets you into the things that fail or can potentially fail you and will surely change you for the better.

Lee Thayer holds a career as a pioneer and influential innovator in designing and developing high performance organizations since 1960. He became consultant for big firms such as AT&T, Hallmark, IBM, General Motors, Westinghouse and the US Air Force, among others. He has also been invited to speak in major leadership programs all over the world.

He is currently mentoring and coaching CEOs and company presidents at the same time being passionate about his writing and speaking engagements.

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Self-published book gets into the sport of Geocaching

2009-12-03T21:46:00.000-08:00

Geocaching is the hottest, fastest growing high tech sport in the country. Do you have a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver? Do you have access to the internet? Do you enjoy the outdoors? Do you like to go on scavenger hunts for hidden treasures? If you answered yes then you are ready for geocaching!

Team Laughing Gravy has enjoyed geocaching so much that we wanted to open up the sport to more of the public. The Reno area abounds in breathtaking scenery. Many of the local cachers have taken advantage of this by placing caches in locations that provide awesome views.

Rick and Bea Vandenberg, authors of Geocaching Around Reno with Team Laughing Gravy, hope to entice you to find some caches with the photos in this self-published book.

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A Published book for Preschool Teachers

2009-11-24T00:06:00.000-08:00

Early childhood education comes with a diverse range of programs that may have positive benefits not just for children but also for the entire society as well.

Some of the advantages of early childhood education include higher grades; better ability to focus; improved social skills; lesser referrals to remedial schools and increased parental involvements.

While there may be some flak against early childhood education, the pros may outweigh the cons.

Hazel S. Adams’s A Handbook for Preschool Teachers, explains conceptualization as the key to early childhood learning.

In her self-published book, Hazel illustrates play and flexibility as the two key elements to conceptualizing. Find out how Hazel uses this concept that preschool teachers can apply for effectively carrying out the child’s developmental phase.

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Effortless Dog Training tips in Self-Published Book

2009-11-19T22:11:00.000-08:00

Dog training is not as simple as it seems. And becoming a dog trainer is a tough job as well. Of course, you cannot become an effective dog trainer if you do not have the passion for dogs. Other than that, you also need to have tremendous patience, be stiff and concise when handling your dog.

Being a dog trainer comes with different challenging yet fun responsibilities. You need to work with the type of breed your dog is and train it to follow commands and hone its skills; assess the development and progress of your canine pet all throughout the duration of the training.

Dog training is not only a exciting profession, it is also a great way to advocate social awareness about caring for and respecting dogs.

There are a number of things that you need to keep in mind when considering the dog training profession. Kevan Behan’s self-published book, Natural Dog Training, helps you understand what to expect when training dogs. It describes a canine’s social behavior and how dogs actually learn.

Natural Dog Training also outlines exercises and handling techniques for proper application and includes a special training program as well.

Kevin Behan started training dogs when he was ten. After twenty years of deeply understanding a dog’s behavior and instincts, with some fifty thousand dogs he had successfully trained, he then went on to publish Natural Dog Training.

Image Source: http://www.best-dog-photos.com/images/Dog-Training.jpg

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Published book reveals Raunchiest Men in History

2009-11-16T21:53:00.001-08:00

It has been said that the great men of history, whose contributions have enriched our lives today, were open and had brazen sexuality.

There was Diogenes, the famous philosopher who masturbated in the Athenian marketplace; Jean Jacques Rousseau, whose candid revelations in his book The Confessions earned him the title of being ‘the famous masturbator’.

Ernest Hemingway also bragged about his masturbation sessions on the Paris Left Bank while William Shakespeare’s sexual trysts was also intelligently mapped out in his sonnets as well.

Thomas Smith delves into this paradox in his self-published book, The Raunchiest Men in History. In this book, the author digs deep into the kinky lives of some of the world’s greatest men – from writers, poets, artists and even the clergy.

In The Raunchiest Men in History, Smith also reveals the rather shocking and scandalous sexual pathos among the clergy, some of which include Pius II, the great Vivaldi and Alexander VI. He also provides explanation behind this psychology in Freudian context. The book also recounts the author's sexually intense encounters as well.

The Raunchiest Men in History lets you in on shockingly steamy revelations from some of the world’s greatest men and provides a deeper understanding of the human psyche.

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Self-published book bags 2009 PEN Oakland Award

2009-11-09T17:26:00.000-08:00

C. Paolo Caruso, author of the self-published book, Sophia’s Exit Strategy bested other writers in the 2009 Pen Oakland Award, as distinguished from the Ernest Hemingway PEN for outstanding achievement by first-time authors.

Founded in 1989, PEN Oakland is an international organization of literary artists which aims to address multicultural issues and educate the public as to the nature of multicultural work. It aims to lobby against literary censorship practices across the United States as well as promote the role of literature in the development of mutual understanding and world culture.

PEN, which originally stands for Poets, Essayists and Novelists, now includes writers of any form of literature, such as journalists or historians.The award ceremony will take place on December 6, 2009 in San Francisco.

Sophia’s Exit Strategy is a poignant novel about a beautiful and reserved young woman named Sophia Lucarno, who struggles to break free from the shackles of an arranged marriage.

This self-published book is also available in St. Mar’s Book, New York. Sophia’s Exit Strategy is published with Xlibris.

Write and be Published

2009-11-04T22:41:00.000-08:00

Getting published in magazines can greatly help build your reputation as an authority.

However, writing compelling and informative articles for potential clients can be challenging – anyone can write, but only a few get published.

Carl Friesen lays the groundwork for effective article writing in the self-published book, Writing Magazine Articles.

In this book, you will learn:

what editors dislike most about professional contributors and what you can do about it.
how to get the editor’s buy-in before you sit down to write the article.
pain-free ways to write an article – even if you hate writing.
why each type of article sends a different message about you.
how an article-writing program can help pull you into more interesting, higher-paying assignments.

Writing Magazine Articles can guide you with crafting articles that really matter in a practical and authoritative way. Thus, you grow and achieve a higher and more respectable profile in your practice.

Carl Friesen has more than 20 years of writing experience for publication. He graduated from Carleton University with a degree in Journalism and holds an MBA from the University of Toronto. In 1998, he established a practice helping professionals successfully build their profiles. The book author is based in Toronto, Canada.

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Get your book published this November

2009-11-03T17:02:00.000-08:00

Are you working on a book? Grab this juicy promo. Get 50% off on all book publishing services when you publish this November.

Xlibris offers a wide-array of publishing services that match every writer's needs. And with a 50% publishing price slash, this makes for a perfect holiday gift not only for yourself but also to your friends who want to publish a book as well.

Get your book published and take advantage of this offer now!

Christmas indeed comes early in November. Read all about it here or get a FREE publishing kit to learn about Xlibris' services.

Love in the time of Coma

2009-10-21T00:18:00.000-07:00

Relationships are tested to get strengthened: real love is best demonstrated during times of heart-breaking ordeals.

Such is the story of self-published book author Terrell Clima and her husband, Ron, who had a comma after a motorcycle accident.

Terrell’s courage, undying love and strong faith in God, allowed her husband to heal as they both began a new journey of live and love together. Her patience during the ordeal is amazing.

This beautiful and inspiring story is the heart of Terrell’s published book, Don't Pull That Plug: The Intimacy of a Coma, published by Xlibris.

Getting her book published and sharing it to her readers is the book author's expression of her deep gratitude to God who carried her and Ron through the trying times that strengthened their love for each other.

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Do you REALLY know what to do when you get promoted?

2009-10-15T22:39:00.000-07:00

Every year in corporate America, thousands of employees continue to be promoted into management positions with little preparation for what they will confront.

The assumption remains that if employees are good enough to be promoted they instinctively know what to do in their new role. Instead, the new boss is challenged by situations he is poorly equipped to handle, causing frustration for him and dissatisfaction among the employees.

Peter Woan’s self-published book, They made you boss, Now what?, is written from his first-hand experience and describes different aspects of the boss’s job. Unsure what to do now that you are moved up to a higher position?

They made you boss, Now what? provides practical insights for the new boss, the experienced boss and even the aspiring boss.

Peter Woan was born and educated in England and then moved to the USA after getting a job as department manager in one of the biggest insurance brokers in the world. He was then promoted to branch manager, then national COO of the specialty insurance division. After working for the said company for a long period of time, he then moved to join another insurance firm.

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Curbing Child Obesity

2009-10-12T00:15:00.000-07:00

Obesity in children has become increasingly common not just in the United States but all over the world. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) has considered child obesity a global epidemic.

Studies show that obese children are most likely to carry this condition until adulthood. In fact, they are more prone to a plethora of health problems. Chronic diseases such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes, metabolic disease and certain types of cancer also develop in childhood as well.

Aside from health problems, obese children tend to have low self-esteem, as they are often teased. They also become left out of social activities because they move about slow. This makes them susceptible to depression.

Left untreated, obesity can be fatal to one’s health. With the right diet and exercise, this condition can be treated. This is where the role of parents comes in. They should serve as positive role models for their child and give all the support and encouragement possible.

T. Allan Brenner's self-published book, The Childhood Obesity Dilemma critically looks at child obesity and presents realistic solutions to curb this growing trend. This book is a must-read not only for parents, but also for community leaders and policy makers as well.

The book author is a health and fitness buff. He is currently a high school athletic official and teaches k-8 physical education in Chicago, Illinois.

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A reason to show up for work tomorrow morning

2009-10-06T00:29:00.000-07:00

There’s more to reporting for work than simply hitting targets, meeting deadlines and attending meetings.

Cynthia A. Jerkins, a self-published book author gives a fresh perspective on life in the workplace through A Reason to Show Up for Work Tomorrow Morning.

This self-published book is a must-read for many of us who have to drag our feet to leave the house and be in the office every day when the corporate life we live is nothing but an ocean full of toxins: Your boss does nothing but put you down, your customers could never be satisfied, your colleagues couldn’t care less and the results you deliver are hardly noticed. It’s a very distressful life – if you call that life at all!

A Reason to Show Up for Work Tomorrow Morning presents a different way of looking at the workplace. The book author highlights value and integrity and stresses the importance of making excellence as a lifestyle. We cannot control or change what happens to us, but we always have the option to change the way we respond to our circumstances.

Cynthia A. Jerkins has a profound experience with different kinds of superiors and colleagues in various workplaces. The depth of her understanding of the professional world and her experiences in a government office propelled her to publish a book.

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Removing Doubt in an Interview

2009-09-29T23:34:00.000-07:00

Job interviews are everyone’s worst enemy. How you handle a job interview can make or break your chances of landing that dream job.

One of the major roadblocks of successfully going through a job interview is doubt. It is a contagious problem that an interviewee can pass on to the interviewer, which can ultimately change his/her mind about hiring you. Author Eric Hoss hopes to help job applicants banish doubt in interviews his self-published book, Removing Doubt in an Interview.

In this Xlibris release, Eric Hoss talks about the entire process that takes place during an interview. It provides handy tips, exercises and advice on what to do on when on the ‘hot seat’, thus letting you nail that interview.

Removing Doubt in an Interview is every applicant’s bible to getting the job you want.

Eric Hoss has been studying the employer-applicant interview process and has had a substantial experience in management, making his text every bit of the law.

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Mark Whitacre Against All Odds

2009-09-27T23:16:00.000-07:00

Mark Whitacre Against All Odds by author ‘Floyd Perry’ is a gripping story about Mark Whitacre, a top-level corporate executive who becomes an informant for the FBI, revealing his company’s multinational conspiracy of price fixing.

This in mind, he is known to be the highest-ranking executive-turned-whistleblower in the entire US history. During the investigation, Whitacre admitted to having been involved with embezzling funds and receiving corporate kickbacks, which sent him to almost a decade in prison.

After having been freed from prison, Mark Whitacre reveals his reflections and realizations in this self-published book - that spiritual wealth matters far more than material wealth and to be truthful at all times. His story provides spiritual boost that can be applied in everyday life.

The Informant! is the latest movie under the direction of Steven Soderbergh, who is also known for the films Che, Erin Brockovich, Ocean’s Eleven, Traffic and Sex, Lies and Videotape.

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A prisoner's gripping flight to freedom

2009-09-23T19:12:00.000-07:00

Experience heart-pounding action in author Wade J. Halverson’s new self-published novel from his 187 book series, Life After 187.

Sentenced to life in prison when he executes the men who murdered his wife, Kane Silver is singled out by the warden for his fighting ability. Along with inmates Valentino Lopez and Si’Ling Lee, Kane is drafted into service and forced to fight for money in high-stakes tournaments. But when the three friends escape during a New Year’s Eve match in Lake Tahoe-saving the warden’s life in the process-their situation becomes more complicated.

Their status undetermined, they vanish underground and sign on to help a young woman whose parents are being held by an Argentinean drug kingpin. Follow Kane and his friends as they compete and grow closer while rediscovering what it means to be free.

From Lake Tahoe and the western United States to Costa Rica, Hong Kong, Buenos Aires, and Thailand, Life After 187 takes readers on an exhilarating ride filled with big money, intense action, justice, and the pursuit of honor.

Wade J. Halverson is the book author of Kane Silver novels and the 187 series. He has worked as a bodyguard and owned kickboxing gyms for the past twenty years. He currently resides in Southern California.

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Winning the legal battle against Child abuse

2009-09-20T22:08:00.000-07:00

Children’s rights professionals working in Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) spend a great deal of their lives working to help victims of child abuse. CACs implement a multi-disciplinary approach to investigate, treat and prevent sexual and physical abuse in children.

However, allegations of child abuse are settled in the court and CAC centers often lack qualified legal counsel to make the legal process flow. Thus, CAC professionals may find the rigors of the courtroom rather confusing and complicated.

This prompted lawyer Andrew Agatston to publish a book, The Legal Eagles of Children’s Advocacy Centers. This self-published book is a collection of Agatston’s legal letters to CACs, child advocates and detectives that helps pave a path toward becoming Legal Eagles.

People working in Children’s Advocacy Centers will find this book useful as it provides an overview of, and addresses many legal concerns CACs may face. The Legal Eagles of Children’s Advocacy Centers can help to better improve the legal system’s response to child abuse as well as programs that serve these children.

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The Root of All Diseases

2009-09-14T19:41:00.000-07:00

Research has shown that there is a strong link between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease, as well as other chronic degenerative illnesses. It has been found that those affected with dental disease are more likely to suffer from heart ailments than those who do not.

One theory explains that inflammation caused by dental infection contributes to coronary artery disease. This is because oral bacteria can enter the bloodstream, attach to plaques in the blood vessels and form clots. When this happens, normal blood flow is obstructed and could lead to a heart attack.

Dentist Robert Kulacz and cardiologist Thomas Levy have discovered the huge impact dental diseases have on one’s health. They have found that oral disease cure and prevention can have a significant effect in improving chronic degenerative diseases, much less, keeping them at bay.

This led them to publish a book, The Roots of Disease: Connecting Dentistry and Medicine. This self-published book demonstrates that infective dental toxicity can be the root of all chronic illnesses. By identifying and correcting oral diseases, people may be able to prevent or eliminate chronic degenerative ailments.

Loaded with scientific data from both dental and medical perspectives, The Roots of Disease will enlighten and educate readers that although dentistry and medicine rarely go together, both should not be separated from each other.

The Roots of Disease stresses the assertion that oral health truly has teeth to one’s overall health.

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Remembering 9/11

2009-09-09T18:47:00.000-07:00

September 11, 2001. A day America would never forget. The world witnessed a series of vicious terrorist attacks that claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people. Many cried and mourned. Nine years have passed and many are still grieving and missing them.

The self-published book, We Remember is Maureen Crethan Santora’s tribute to the innocent victims and heroes who sacrificed their lives on that tragic day. We Remember is a compilation of gripping stories and profound memories of 9/11 victims from the people who love them.

In this inspiring book, one gets to know those who genuinely sacrificed their lives to save others – modern day heroes who have truly made a mark on the lives of people. Heartwarming recollections take you into the hopeful and remarkable lives they lived, giving you a deeper understanding and appreciation of life, in all its essence.

Maureen Crethan Santora is a retired educator, having taught in the New York City Public School System for more than 25 years. On September 11, 2001, she lost her son Christopher who was one of the firefighters during the attack. She has published two other books also remembering the 9/11 tragedy, The Day the Towers Fell and My Son Christopher.

Proceeds of this book will go to the Christopher A. Santora Educational Scholarship Fund, which provides scholarship grants to students and educatinal materials to schools.

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Dr. Seuss' legacy lives on

2009-09-07T22:31:00.000-07:00

"Children want the same thing we want. To laugh, to be challenged, to be entertained and be delighted." – Dr. Seuss

World-renowned children’s book illustrator Theodor Geisel, more popularly known as Dr. Seuss was well-known for his engaging stories, brilliant illustrations and playful sounds that helped propel children’s love for reading and books. Until today, Dr. Seuss is well-loved because of his huge contribution and lasting impact to the word of children’s literature.

Keeping Dr. Seuss’s legacy alive, author Stephen J. Hemenway was inspired to publish a childre n's book series known as The Slouch in the Couch series.

Never Jump on a Grump is Hemenway’s second published book and is filled with outrageous illustrations by Shaun Piela as well as fun and exciting rhymes.

Like the two other titles in his self-published children's book series, The Slouch in the Couch and The Stinkells in Stankwell, Never Jump on a Grump is a fantastic read for children guaranteed to encourage them to read at the same time teach them proper values.

Stephen J. Hemenway is a Deputy Sherriff at the County of Los Angeles. He is also a member of Broadcast Music Inc. (BMI), the International Police Association and the Association for Los Angeles Deputy Sheriff’s. He is also a doting husband to his wife Terri and a proud father of three girls, April, Ashley and Stacie.

The Slouch in the Couch series is published by Xlibris.

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All about Makeup

2009-09-02T23:54:00.000-07:00

The art of applying makeup is a tricky process. When done right, makeup magically conceals flaws and imperfections and enhances your best facial features all the same. Makeup enables you to transform into any look you want, with infinitely many possibilities.

Lora Bertuccio’s self-published book, Face It is your complete makeup guide. It is the perfect manual for anyone who wants to learn makeup whether for personal enhancement or to earn income from it.

In this book, Lora Bertuccio incorporates her personal approach and her 20 years of professional experience in the makeup industry. Now you can discover her best kept secrets and learn the tricks other makeup pros use. Face It provides a complete, step-by-step guide on how to apply makeup, what tools to use, how to care for your makeup items and more.

Published in full color, get to see before and after transformations, matching makeup looks for different fashion styles and avant-garde creations.

Face It can help you appreciate beauty at another perspective and face the world with confidence.

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The Joy of Making Out

2009-08-31T22:05:00.000-07:00

No, it’s not what you think ‘it’ is and it’s not what this book is all about. Ralph Frank Magnotta’s The Joy of Making Out is your ultimate financial guide to making more out of what you have.

This self-published book outlines helpful tips for those who find themselves in financial clutter and suggests smart ideas to grow your money and using it well.

By focusing into the basics of financial management, you can be able to properly establish and handle your money, allowing you financial security and stability in the long run. From setting up an automatic savings plan and cutting federal, state and local taxes, The Joy of Making Out also provides helpful online resources that help you get more value for your money.

Ralph Frank Magnotta graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School of Finance and Accounting. He also took the Army Air Corp Cadet accelerated course in Syracuse University.

The book author is former Vice-president of the National Association of Internal Revenue (NAIRE) and is a member of various professional organizations such as American Association of Certified Public Accountants and National Association of Tax Professionals.

With the help of this book, making out will never be this good.

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Advocating Improved Health Care at a Lower Cost

2009-08-27T17:52:00.000-07:00

US President Barack Obama has been pushing for health care reform ever since he was elected to office in 2008. As part of his administration's effort to make health care more accessible for every American, the White House is now asking help from doctors in promoting the planned health insurance overhaul.

In the President's proposed reform, health care insurance would be made more available in all its forms, provide more options for the public, and generally lower the cost of medical care. Enlisting the aid of doctors indicates that the administration is depending on interest groups to support the health insurance reforms.

The ongoing health care reform issue is not only a concern for the Obama administration and the politicians who have the ability to approve or decline the proposals, but this most importantly impacts professionals in the medical field, health insurance companies and the American public who is at the receiving end of this conundrum.

There is a need for everyone involved - the physicians, politicians and patients - to know important insights about health care related concerns.

Dr. Arndt von Hippel, in his self-published book Better Health Care at Half the Cost, covers health-related topics ranging from the economy, the medical/industrial complex, taxation and outsourced jobs, to inexpensive remedies for certain health issues.

The book author explains how cheap and effective treatments benefit the patient while discussing hundreds of ways to reduce health care costs and improve patient outcomes. Von Hippel further empowers patients by reviewing what medical care can and cannot achieve, and why screening tests and biopsies often give ambiguous results.

Better Health Care at Half the Cost will certainly give legislators and laymen the leverage they need to make better decisions concerning health care and eventually pass laws that will not only benefit insurance companies, but more importantly make health care more available and affordable to everyone.

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How to Process a Legal Appeal: Tips from a Real Jailhouse Lawyer

2009-08-24T23:00:00.000-07:00

Systems in any court of law, though created to work for everyone, are still never perfect. Convicted of a crime he was not guilty of, Rick Haley was determined to stand up for his rights and struggle for freedom.

Determined to win the fight, he made an appeal and succeeded. Haley believes that one who has been wrongfully served should strive to defend his/her rights. This inspired him to write a book entitled How to Process a Legal Appeal Successfully.

This s elf-published book is created for a prisoner who was wrongfully convicted or was not given proper representation in the court of law.

The book author outlines the things you should and should not do when preparing an appeal. Having gone through the process himself, Haley is confident that any determined prisoner can be successful with his/her appeal by properly following the procedures in the book.

The procedures explained have also been used many times as a surefire means to gain an appeal in the state and federal courts.

How to Process a Legal Appeal Successfully is a helpful guide for prisoners and families of prisoners in their struggle for justice.

Rick Haley was sentenced to two terms of life imprisonment in the New York State prison system for a crime he knew he was not guilty of. He studied law and obtained two degrees as a paralegal.

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Living life at 40

2009-08-19T23:01:00.000-07:00

One experiences a great deal of change when hitting 40. It is a particular time when one enters a new stage and faces challenges s/he has never encountered before.

G. Richard Ambrosius, a decorated Vietnam War veteran, first became interested in the changing face of aging. This led him to publish a book on aging and living life well.

The s elf -published book, Choices and Changes shows how adults aged 40 and above could develop a detailed road map for getting the most from life’s second half.

“This is not a guide to help you plan for disengagement and leisure activities… nor does it focus on the years ahead as a time of decline when your biggest concern might be how to pay for long term health care.” Ambrosius explained.

“On the contrary, it addresses how prevention and positive planning can actually negate the need for many such healthcare expenses.”

The book author challenges his readers to become involved in communities, to begin second (third, fourth) careers, to continue to learn and grow, and to develop a positive self-image.

Choices and Changes contains questions and activities on each section that will help you evaluate where you are and where you plan to go as you traverse life’s second half.

Ambrosius aggressively countered aging stereotypes through his research, products, articles, lectures and workshops in the past 25 years. He is widely known as a humorous and inspiring motivational speaker on the subject of changing population trends and their impact on sales, marketing, customer service and management practices.

G. Richard Ambrosius served as Executive Director of an Area Agency on Aging in Northwest Iowa in 1976. He is the founder and president of Positive Aging and has testified before Congress on several occasions covering the topic. He is happily married is a proud father to three children.

Choices and Changes is published with Xlibris and is a top royalty earner.

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Dealing with a terminal illness

2009-08-16T19:15:00.000-07:00

Especially for people affected with AIDS, it takes a lot of courage to accept their fate when dealing with this terminal sickness. This has inspired Elaine Young Mcguire to publish a book entitled ‘The Good Thing About AIDS, The Bad Thing About AIDS’.

A retired teacher from Lilburn, Georgia, Elaine Young Mcguire has lost both her brother and son to AIDS.

In this self-published book, smart and heartwarming illustrations by Roy Chung take you into the beauty and madness of wholeheartedly accepting your ordeal with a terminal illness and looking at the situation with a bright eye.

The Good Thing About AIDS, The Bad Thing About AIDS is a compelling book that can touch the hearts and open up the minds of people. It teaches one that an illness should not define one’s life and that it should not get in the way of living normally. It shows that one can still live, laugh and learn more if you willingly accept your fate in stride and embrace the condition you are in.

Death is not the be-all and end-all of everything. It doesn’t always mean a loss. In fact, it is just the beginning of something new. People affected with terminal illnesses, as well as their loved ones, should understand how important it is to embrace and accept things as they come. Only then will one learn to be able to live a life truly worth living.

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Carpe Diem!

2009-08-12T19:37:00.000-07:00

In one of his mid-nineteenth-century writings, Peter Drucker, the father of management, penned: “there is surely nothing quite so useless as doing with great efficiency what should not be done at all.”

Ken Knox, a self-published book author of the 21st century, lives the same principle the father of management taught and lived in his lifetime. Knox’s published book, Carpe Diem: Simple Strategies to Move from Average to Extraordinary, highlights the value of doing what’s important and ignoring what’s not.

The book author also accounts his experiences being an average person enjoying an extraordinary life. Having worked for Fortune 500 companies and owned several small businesses, Knox deeply understands that the key to achievement is to focus on the right things and do them the right way.

“Seize the day” is what the Latin 'carpe diem' means and the essence of Knox’s published book. He has served small and large businesses in the last 15 years and is conducting trainings and seminars on the matter all over the US and abroad. The book author is also a professor in several colleges and universities.

One doesn’t have to be above average to perform above average results. One is never too young or old to start focusing on the right things. What’s important is that you seize the day.

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Publishing one's journey to political activism

2009-08-10T00:07:00.000-07:00

The world of political activism transcends the limits of taking out to street protests, handing out leaflets and being vocal against injustice and other forms of oppression. Political activism, in essence, is a continuous struggle to achieve political freedom, social change, economic sustainability and environmental protection.

There is but an ongoing war against discrimination, terrorism, corporate power, patriarchy, US imperialism, etc. For political activist Mary L. Wentworth, political change should start from within. One must acknowledge his/her own consciousness in order to truly see out there and find the solution to many of the world’s problems.

This inspired her to publish a book entitled Discovering America: A Political Journey. This self-published book is a gripping, blow-by-blow memoir about the author’s emotionally abusive experiences as a political activist – from leading political campaigns to being sent to prison in New Hampshire.

Discovering America: A Political Journey narrates political milestones with keen and thorough analysis. It also features an innovative section wherein Mary studies her own experiences from the current political spectrum.

Discovering America: A Political Journey is a must read not just for today’s political activists but for those who truly care. This book aims to give a deeper understanding of prevailing issues at hand so that these can be better addressed.

Born in Maine, Mary Wentworth embraced political activism after getting married and having six daughters.

During the McCarthy witch hunts, she was actively involved in lobbying against gender and race discrimination in Philadelphia for over a decade after quitting her job at a top-secret agency. Mary went full swing as an activist after getting divorced and relocated to Amherst, Massachusetts.

A well-traveled person, Mary writes articles and columns in newspapers and does radio and TV commentaries on different issues.

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MIAMI is the next BIG stop for the next BIG thing

2009-08-05T19:46:00.000-07:00

What perfect opportunity to meet and greet other book enthusiasts, boost your book’s exposure and be counted among international book authors than at the 2009 Miami Book Festival.

Over 100,000 book enthusiasts are expected to take part in this week-long gathering, which is also the biggest literary event in the United States. Highlighting this major literary festivity is the annual International street fair on November 13-15 at the Wolfson Campus, Miami Dade College.

The 2009 Miami Book Fair hosts Book Signing and Author Video stints, perfect for authors to showcase their literary works and build a network with book lovers, other book authors, literary agents, publishers and retailers. The 2009 Miami Book Fair promotes and reinforces love for reading and the importance of literacy as well.

All roads lead to Miami in November! Be a part of the 2009 Miami Book Festival. Book your slot now and have a fun and rewarding experience.

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The dark pitfalls of Compulsive gambling

2009-08-03T00:15:00.001-07:00

Compulsive gambling, also known as gambling addiction, is a type of impulse-control disorder. Unlike alcohol or drug addiction, compulsive gambling does not manifest any obvious physical symptoms, making this condition also known as the ‘hidden illness’.

Compulsive gamblers find it extremely difficult to control their urge to gamble. Gambling is all they could ever think about and want to do, even when it is already taking a toll on their relationships with other people, their work or their finances. Broke or not, depressed or happy or even when the stakes are not in their favor, people who are affected with compulsive gambling just can’t seem to stay out of the bet.

Compulsive gambling can cause relationships with loved ones to suffer, wreak havoc on responsibilities in the home or at work and drag you to financial burden. It is estimated that women make up 1/3 of the population who are compulsive gamblers and it continues to rise at present.

Author Rosemary knows for certain just how compulsive gambling can ruin everything good in a person – her having been a gambling addict for more than seven years. This prompted her to publish a book, ‘Women Overpowered by Compulsive Gambling’. This self-published book is a personal account of how she had succumbed to the baffling and insidious world of gambling, wallowing in the dark pitfalls of this addiction.

Moreover, Rosemary also shares that, like her, any compulsive gambler can get out of this rut. She believes that with other compulsive gamblers, especially women, can turn their life around and start a new and clean slate. Alongside diligence, determination and hardwork, Rosemary can inspire and enlighten others of experience through her book, ‘Women Overpowered by Compulsive Gambling’.
Image source: netcasinolinks.com

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New Rules in Customer Service

2009-07-29T00:39:00.000-07:00

A very important aspect when running a business is customer service. Your customers are the lifeblood of your business and how you deal with them can speak for your business itself. It is impossible for a business to succeed if it fails to meet customer expectations. You have to keep them satisfied in order to earn their trust and attract new ones as well.

With cutthroat competition and the ever-changing demands in the service industry, businesses and organizations should strive for, and consistently uphold customer service excellence in order to ensure their success and survival.

Author Sophia Brooks presents fresh, new and surefire ways to achieving customer satisfaction in the self-published book, Customer Service New Rules. This book provides step by step ways for businesses, organizations and individuals to earn customer loyalty and attract new ones as well.

Customer Service New Rules also puts emphasis on employees, as they play a huge role in defining the quality of your business’s customer service. This book gives employers the heads-up on how to hire the right people; how your people should deal with customers; how to deal with your people and how to motivate into becoming efficient and effective people at work.

Earning a reputation for service excellence is never easy, and achieving business success is never a walk in the park either. This book hopes to help you achieve your business and organizational goals. How you keep up and commit to it depends on you, of course.

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The Way to Overall Healing and Wellness

2009-07-20T19:14:00.000-07:00

Good health is not only measured by one’s physical wellness. Other than the body, the mind and spirit should come together in order to create and nurture optimal health. This mind-body-spirit connection is exercised in Pilates, which integrates a range of techniques using every possible series of movements, but which are all united by a common concept of movement.

Fitness expert Susan Mitchell believes that humans are unique energy beings. Inspired by the teachings of founder Joseph Pilates, she introduces the Tao (pronounced as Dow) of Movement in her self-published book of the same title. The Tao of Movement is an actual technique to promote physical wellness and spiritual healing. It also includes principles of ballet, Tai Chi, Yoga and the subtle art of energy cultivation.

Tao is a Chinese philosophy which means, The Way. This way of movement is the Tao of Movement, which can improve one’s understanding and use of his/her own body. This method benefits practically everyone, from professional athletes to those with special needs.

This book incorporates the proper use of breathing technique, spinal awareness as well as energy balance and cultivation. She stresses the importance of alignment, in which one uses the mind, body and spirit altogether in order to create, nurture and sustain holistic well-being. The Tao of Movement integrates easy, time-tested techniques alongside the bio-mechanics of the energy body, which Susan Mitchell helps you understand in the book.

Through the Tao of Movement, you can expect to look and feel better about yourself. The Tao of Movement can help you achieve a balanced body; a clear, focused mind and an improved state of being – all of which define optimal health.

The Tao of Movement is available on Amazon, BarnesandNoble and the Xlibris website.

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Being a "Man" in a man's world

2009-07-17T00:09:00.000-07:00

For many women, working in a male-dominated industry can be very daunting. Some women, in a bid to fit in and move up, make the mistake of hiding their real selves, trying to be like men. But for self-published author Renee Weisman, women can survive and succeed in a man’s world without having to change who they are as women. She shares this in her book, Winning In a Man’s World.

This book is an account of her experience working in a male-dominated industry, of which she has spent nearly 40 years in the engineering profession. Renee did it her way – demonstrating leadership traits without necessarily losing her feminine qualities. She relates that the encouragement she had been receiving from many of her fellow engineers, male and female alike, has given her the drive to inspire other people, thus the birth of the book Winning In a Man’s World.

A distinguished engineer, Renee was one of the first women engineers in a top-level position, having been Director of Engineering at IBM prior to retiring in 2007. Renee also owns Winning at Work, a leadership consulting firm. She specializes in conducting live and virtual seminars to help boost employee morale and build better, more harmonious working relationships between men and women. Renee capitalized on gender differences as a catalyst to achieve individual and organizational profitability. She is also a proud mother of two beautiful daughters whom she successfully raised despite her hectic work demands and the absence of a nanny.

Renee writes this book the ‘scientific way, so much so that these are presented in a factual approach. Personnel and relationship issues are devoid of emotional arguments, which are perceived a barrier to achieving real and positive results. The book also contains special sections and exercises that allow readers to apply what they have learned.

Winning In a Man’s World has so far been gaining very good response from the reading public. In fact, her book has opened many more opportunities for her in regards to consulting and she also became a featured writer for Womenco.com. Others have also used the book to gain encouragement as well.

Renee only has good words to say about her publishing experience with Xlibris. She is very satisfied with the efficiency of the people behind the publishing process, especially the copy editors for their brilliant suggestions in enhancing the clarity of her book. She is also confident of its marketing services that she has just signed up for the bookstore returnability program, an option that can boost your book’s marketability.

Renee first learned of Xlibris through a friend, who had also availed of its publishing services and was pleased with their services. She believes that company integrity and the depth of services are the topmost things to consider when selecting a self-publishing company.

After working with Xlibris on her book, she knew she had made the right choice. Aside from currently promoting her book, she is also actively writing for Womenco and conducting speaking engagements on various topics. Renee believes that by deciding in advance your target market and choosing the right means to get your book “out there”, then any aspiring author can be successful with self-publishing.

Being a woman in a man’s world should not be intimidating – it should be fulfilling and rewarding an experience instead. Renee believes that women can create a more comfortable environment and increase their chances for success. She also feels strongly about going after the things that truly matter when fazed with fear or doubt. These she hopes to show through her book, Winning In a Man’s World.

Winning in a Man’s World can be purchased directly through the Xlibris website or Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

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Image source/s:
http://www.junewedding.com/newsletter/images/jan05/intl/businesswoman.jpg
http://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/bookdisplay.aspx?bookid=51741

Popular Investment Myths REVEALED

2009-07-14T23:21:00.001-07:00

Many people avoid investing in the stock market during difficult times, thinking that it is only most suitable when it is at its best. However, it may not always be true and may not always work to your advantage.

In fact, research shows that investing during a risky period can give you long-term returns on equities. While there may be further declines in the interim as well as years of a trading range type market before these lucrative returns can be realized, these have but proven to be rewarding. The problem with many investors, though, is that they lack discipline and patience to stick with their stocks through trying interim times.

There are a lot of surefire ways to successfully invest in the stock market. What you may know about investing may not be wrong, but most of what you believe may be, otherwise. This is what money management experts John K. Sosnowy and Kori S. Voorhees reveal in the Xlibris release, ‘Everything You Know About Investing is Wrong’.

This self-published book breaks many of the most common stock market investment myths. John and Kori explain the fine line between accumulating and retaining wealth, giving you helpful suggestions for mapping out a worry-free retirement. They also correct the notion that simply investing in collectibles or your home can make you rich as well.

John and Kori also provide a blueprint for successful investing – strategies that are not only compatible with your risk/return needs but can also greatly reduce your investing drawbacks during ‘bear market’ periods (a prolonged decline in investment prices). This way, it can keep you committed to equity investing thus reaping the market’s sweet returns in the long run.

Understanding the stock market is not enough for your financial success. By separating myth from fact, anyone can make it big on stock market investment, regardless of income. ‘Everything You Know About Investing is Wrong’ shows that and more.

With over thirty years of investment management experience, John K. Sosnowy has been a nationally recognized pioneer in tactical asset allocation/risk management strategies. He is president of Sosnowy Investment Management Company (SIMCO); vice-president and portfolio manager of Flexible Plan Investments Ltd and chairman and CEO of SIMCO Financial. He is also the founder and former president of SAAFTI, an industry national trade association.

Kori S. Voorhees is former marketing coordinator for SIMCO for three years, after which he went on to pursue his writing career. Her first book was Christmas on Wednesday, which she also published with Xlibris.

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Unleash your Coaching Power

2009-07-09T22:50:00.001-07:00

The workplace is a playing field that is set by boundaries, rules and strategies. However, not many supervisors, managers, directors and top executives understand that good coaching enhances effective leadership. Good coaching is important to ensure that players are out on the field than going out of control.

The self-published book, Seven Keys for Coaching Power, helps promote highly effective leaders by applying seven keys to coaching prowess. Author Stella Louise Cowan thoroughly explains how one can achieve coaching power through seven key standpoints.

Through this practical and straightforward book, one can be able to identify coaching needs, address poor performance issues; use methods and tools to track performance; set improvement expectations; implement developmental plans and track progress through proper maintenance.

With more emphasis on application, Seven Keys for Coaching Power contains more than twenty application tools such as checklists, exercises, performance models, self-assessment instruments and worksheets that are great for independent study or as workbook for a facilitated class.

Being a good coach can bring out the true leader in you. This is why proper coaching skills play a huge impact within the organization and can yield remarkable results. Seven Keys for Coaching Power can help you achieve all these.

Stella Louise Cowan has been a training and organizational development profession for more than fifteen years now. With a Masters degree in Education from Wayne State University, Stella also has extensive experience in teaching management-related courses, both as instructor and assistant professor at tertiary level. She is an expert on training product design as well as innovative, results-oriented performance solutions.

In addition, Stella specializes in supporting training activities to promote skills application back on the job. She has conducted countless training workshops in areas such as behavioral-based interviewing; change management; leadership coaching; presentation skills and team building. Stella has also participated in numerous organizational initiatives to identify and address the cause of performance gaps in organizations.

Stella has also self-published two other titles, Be a Star Facilitator or Presenter and So You Want to be Mentored, which she also published with Xlibris.

The FAT book

2009-07-07T18:44:00.000-07:00

There is a fine line between eating to live and living to eat. The former is indispensable while the latter is a celebration of life. By living to eat, I profess my love for food – from home-cooked dishes to street-served treats to fancy recipes.

My tastebuds have a penchant for trying out different flavors from all over the globe – whether Asian or Western, name it and I savor it. While I am more conscious with what I take in my body now, I never deny myself of food that makes life truly worth living – think food laden with fat, sugar, salt, spice – just nice.

When it comes to food, having a little bit of everything is the key to truly eating right and living well. I know of some people who never give in to even just a bit of their pleasures thinking that doing otherwise might do them more harm than good.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with you wanting to steer clear of a certain type of food, if it means improving your health or upholding your beliefs. But when you deny yourself of food you love and the pleasure of enjoying its goodness, what could be worse than that?

Here’s a cookbook unlike any other. “Lots of Fat and Taste Recipes” by John De Kleine is a great addition to a true food / cooking enthusiast’s shelf. Recipes in this self-published cookbook dates back to the time when cholesterol was not a scary word and triglyceride was merely a difficult term to pronounce. It lets you explore a different world where you eat and enjoy food because it tastes good, without ever feeling guilty or worrying whether it was healthy or not.

The book title alone speaks for itself, enough to scare any diet / health-conscious person. Expect recipes to be loaded with fat, rich and creamy drippings, sinful concoctions, etc.. “Lots of Fat and Taste Recipes” however, does not suggest you cook and eat these dishes on a daily basis.

Scientific findings (and common sense) dictate it is unhealthy to take in more fat than your body allows. Doing so would not make John De Kleine liable for whatever health condition you may experience in the long run either.

However, “Lots of Fat and Taste Recipes” is your best resort for when you want to satisfy your craving, or take a break from stuff that tastes way better than leathery, husky or mushy blandness.

This book reminds you to eat healthy but reward and indulge yourself every once in a while with all that rich flavor, spices and stuffing. By not completely giving up on great-tasting recipes, “Lots of Fat and Taste Recipes” is your unique approach to eating right and living well.

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Punctuation Matters

2009-07-06T22:34:00.001-07:00

I came across this interesting post from my office buddy. See how punctuation really makes a difference when communicating with people. Read carefully.

Source: http://www.joppeluiten.nl/dearjohn.htm
Punctuation Makes a Difference.
I would rather receive a letter like this.

Dear John:

I want a man who knows what love is all about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful. People who are not like you admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me for other men. I yearn for you. I have no feelings whatsoever when we’re apart. I can be forever happy--will you let me be yours? Gloria

than like this one.

Dear John:

I want a man who knows what love is. All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people, who are not like you. Admit to being useless and inferior. You have ruined me. For other men, I yearn. For you, I have no feelings whatsoever. When we’re apart, I can be forever happy. Will you let me be? Yours, Gloria

Yet, the only difference is punctuation.

See? :)

Essays on the 4th of July

2009-07-01T20:27:00.001-07:00

The beauty of America lies in that it has a uniquely diverse culture. America is composed of people from every race, ethnicity, religion or the absence of it. Its people’s beliefs, lifestyles and interests range from the very noble to the most absurd. This cultural diversity is what makes America popularly known as the Land of the Free, binding its people together. Yet this could also spell cultural chaos.

Concerned that Americans have seemingly lost sight of the founding principles that breathed life into the Declaration of Independence, John Gilligan prompted to self-publish a book entitled, The Soul of America: Essays on the 4th of July. This book is a compilation of Gilligan’s newspaper-published essays that tackles on what America has become and what he hopes it will still be in the future.

Loaded with historical facts and insights, John’s essays rest on three major standpoints, namely the founding of America; its present cultural and political problems and how one’s patriotism can keep the country great.

The Soul of America: Essays on the 4th of July is a must-read for everyone who cares about the future of this country. It also aims to keep the fire of patriotism of burning in each citizen and reflect on the real essence of America and what makes this country great.

What Death Can Touch

2009-06-29T22:13:00.000-07:00

I was stunned to hear the news about the passing of pop superstar Michael Jackson and ‘Charlie’s Angel’ Farrah Fawcett, two of the most influential figures of their time. I thought of Jackson’s death to be untimely. I felt that it wasn't his time yet, as I know that he still has so much to prove given the controversies that have shrouded his career and personal life. It's just sad that Michael Jackson never got the chance to make a good comeback before it all ended for him.

I thought of Farrah Fawcett's long battle with rectal cancer a brave fight. It's worthy to note that even in her numbered days, she never lost hope and continued fighting the disease with incredible courage. That even in her last days, she carried on to share her long and painful ordeal with rectal cancer in the hope of inspiring others. She was a spokesperson for the American Cancer Society and an advocate against colorectal cancer, zealous in her cause to raise deeper awareness for this type of disease.

Frankly though, I am more affected by the death of Farrah Fawcett than Michael Jackson's. I have deep respect and great admiration for the King of Pop - his contributions to the music and entertainment industry invaluable. But I have an even deeper and greater sense of respect and admiration for Farrah Fawcett, whose life story was truly well-worthy to be told.

The passing of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett not only shows how much they have contributed to the entertainment industry but also how much influence they have on the rest of the world. It is a stark reminder that even in one’s greatness, one can never get away with the inevitable that is death; that one can never cheat death regardless of who you are or what you have. Indeed, death comes like a thief in the night, unbeknownst to you.

Losing a loved one may bring about a great deal of emotional pain and trauma. Some may find it hard to accept why it happened and move on with their lives.One grieves in his own way and time. It is important to accept and believe that there is a reason for what happened, even if you may not clearly see it.

Eventually, you will understand why. By accepting the situation, you free yourself from the pain and are then ready to move on with your life.

This self-published book is a gripping story of a journalist who, following the tragic death of his daughter, finally finds inner peace and joy from his personal woes as an alcoholic. What Death Can Touch can help you discover how one can achieve spiritual renewal after the loss of a loved one and understand the real essence of death.

Death should not be viewed as a mere loss or an end; it should be looked upon as a gain and a start of a new and uncharted journey.

What to do for Summer

2009-06-22T18:56:00.000-07:00

Swimming

Camping

Reading

The Beach

Working

Playing

Publish a book

Summer? It's Winter here.

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A taste of New York's finest

2009-06-15T22:09:00.000-07:00

When in New York City, you can never run out of places to dine because of its highly diversified food culture.

Each area has its own flavors to tell - from Chinatown, Brooklyn, East and Greenwich Village; Harlem, Gramercy Park, Lower and Upper East Side; Lincoln, Center, Little Italy, Meat Packing and Theater Districts; The Bronx, Tribeca, Queens, historic Chelsea to upscale Soho.

And when it comes to food, the Big Apple lives up to its name as the city that never sleeps; never failing to surprise people from different walks of life of its plethora of cuisines.

World-renowned chef Vikas Khanna cooks up a collection of sumptuous cuisines from some of the Big Apple's finest restaurants in the book, New York Chefs Cooking for Life.

This self-published book is a collection of sumptuous recipes from New York’s best and finest dining spots, among which include Acappella, Alain Ducasse, August, Asia de Cuba, Bouley, Brasserio, Caviar and Banana; Café Boulud, Café Gray, Capsouto Freres, City Hall Restaurant, Chanterelle, Cru, Devi, Dos Caminos, Jewel of India, Montrachet, Nobu, Payard, Roc, Salaam Bombay, Tamarind, Tribeca Grill and Vong.

New York Chefs Cooking for Life promises a gastronomical burst of cuisines for food lovers and cooking enthusiasts alike; a salute to New York City’s quintessential definition of food as a celebration of life.

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Get Big with a Small business

2009-06-09T00:09:00.000-07:00

There are a number of smart ways to make your money grow. You can invest in the stock market, bonds, certificate of deposit and other investment avenues.

Running a business is also another good option. The volatility of the job market, which is especially characterized by increasing unemployment in the labor market, has made many people consider, or create their own small businesses.

In fact, putting up a small business has become an increasing trend among many people to address the changing tides of the job market.

Running a business is always a risky game, its success is never a guarantee. But the benefits of putting up a small business can be plentiful for you.

In the Xlibris release, A Guide to Small Business: Form, Operate, Analyze”, Richard Mack discusses the elements of a small business and how you can successfully start your own. This self-published book provides helpful tips and ideas which interested readers can use to successfully establish and operate their own small businesses. It also presents the major components in a business to make it grow and last.

Mack’s in-depth discussion, which is based on thorough research and analysis, provides readers an understanding that a business, no matter how small, can attain huge success.

(Mack holds a Master’s degree in educational administration, supervision and Doctor of Philosophy degree in urban education and communications in complex organizations. His doctoral research is his baseline data for publishing a book. He was also head of the investment banking research and development division of a company involved in technology transfer buying and selling selected businesses throughout the world.)

A look at Bulimia through a Dental Chair

2009-06-02T23:54:00.000-07:00

Bulimia nervosa is an eating disorder that continues to affect many people around the world, more particularly women. This psychological condition, which constitutes binge eating and forcibly purging what has been eaten ensues emotional distress – depression, guilt and self-condemnation, which is then followed by physical problems such as dehydration, malnutrition and organ failure.

What’s interesting to note is that Bulimia can also cause teeth erosion, a result from the stomach acids that are used in purging. In fact, about 26% of Bulimia cases is first diagnosed by a dentist. Severe erosion can lead to changes in bite, formation of the upper and lower teeth and reduction in teeth size, which can eventually lead to tooth loss.

Dr. Brian McKay, a California dentist, has been in the dental profession for more than 25 years now and has observed a frequency of his patients showing signs of Bulimia. This has led him to publish a book that deals with this eating disorder from a uniquely different perspective – the dental chair. Dr. McKay believes that Bulimia can be treated in a caring, non-judgmental and revolutionary way. This motivated him to self-publish a book entitled “Bulimia is a Dental Disease”.

Considered to be the first of its kind, this book looks into the diagnosis, treatment and recovery of Bulimia from a highly experienced dentist’s standpoint. Discover interesting facts about this book, enough to make you grit your teeth and learn just how your dental condition could mean everything to your overall health and well-being.

'Bulimia is a Dental Disease' helps spot Bulimia and provides insights on how to treat this condition in a pragmatic yet highly revolutionary approach.

Spirituality: Solution to Racism?

2009-05-26T20:27:00.000-07:00

Racism is not only a tool of discrimination but of exploitation as well. Judging a person by the color of his skin alone already poses a lot of problems in our culture and society. While much has been said about racism, this cultural phenomenon continues to grow like a cancer that kills out of unfair judgment, negative attitude and prejudice.

In the Xlibris release, The Crazy Making Disease, author Christopher Bear Beams discusses the problems of racism and presents solutions to reverse, if not, eradicate the problem. Beam proposes these solutions at a spiritual and semantic approach that can put a stop to racism’s concept of hate and ultimately lead to racial healing.

The Crazy Making Disease presents a suggestive pattern that can help address this social cancer. In this self-published book, author Christopher Bear Beam emphasizes on spirituality, which, when properly investigated, identified and implemented can curb the ills that racism brings about to our culture and society.

The Crazy Making Disease aims to give hope and heal those who are struggling with this global disease.

The 5-year old Mother

2009-05-21T01:53:00.000-07:00

A woman can never be too old or too young to conceive. For many people, the question on when a woman can have a child is not about her age but by her readiness for it.

But such is not the case for Lina Medina, who, much to my shock, became a mother at 5 years old.

Born in Peru in 1933, Lina was just like any other girl her age who loved to play with her friends, discover new things and enjoy the simple pleasures of childhood. However, Lina started having abnormal changes in her body, as in her breasts and hips. When she turned 5, her stomach began to grow larger.

Thinking that it was a tumor, her parents took her to the hospital. After a series of X-ray tests and biopsies, the doctors confirmed that she had been pregnant for seven months already. It was also found that she started puberty at 8 months. This condition would later be described as precocious puberty.

On May 14, 1939, Lina gave birth to a healthy baby boy through caesarian section. The baby was named Gerardo, after her doctor.

For ten years, the family kept it a secret from Gerardo that Lina was actually his mother, and not his older sister. Gerardo died in 1979 from a bone infection.

Who got her pregnant still remains a mystery today. In fact, Lina’s father was arrested for suspicion of rape and incest, but was later freed for lack of evidence.

At present, Lina lives in Lima with her husband. She also has another son who lives in Mexico.

I still find it hard to imagine something as this to actually happen, myself wondering what I would do if that ever happened to me.

I wonder if in our lifetime, I could get a chance to meet her and know straight from her how she had coped with such challenging ordeal, the fact that many pregnant women go through a lot of changes that may be difficult to cope with.

Lina really caught my interest that I started searching if there were any published books about her, but I couldn’t find one. It would be great to publish a book about her, although I’m not so sure as she lives a simple and quiet life now, shunning away from controversy as much as possible.

But this I have to say, Lina sure was one extraordinary child, and is one amazing mother.

How Do You Stay So Young?

2009-05-19T01:14:00.000-07:00

A very common remark I always hear whenever people celebrate birthdays is this: “I’m getting older.” More often than not, many people are not too happy with it.

I still don’t get why many worry about getting old. After all, aging is inevitable and everyone goes through it. (Unless you have a similar serious case as that of Benjamin Button’s.)

I think an important thing to keep in mind is that you can never escape aging, you only have to embrace it. It’s only a matter of loving and living the kind of life you have to the fullest.

A lot of people are so much concerned about aging that they go through all means imaginable, if only to look and stay young. This is especially true for models, Hollywood celebrities, many of whom resort to cosmetic surgery all in the name of youthfulness.

Age is but a state of mind. It’s no use slathering on anti-aging creams or going through invasive cosmetic procedures to look young if you just sit back and watch life pass you by.

Here’s something I found interesting while browsing for books online. I didn’t know actress Terry Moore wrote a self-published book with a title that only a few people get asked about – How Do You Stay So Young? What’s even more interesting is that she doesn’t look her age. In fact, she looks way younger. Make a guess.

Really, how does she stay young?

My admiration for Terry Moore grows because she is a living proof of a woman – a person who truly loves and lives life. She is not just a highly-respectable actress, she is also an accomplished and inspiring published book author too.

Lest you didn't know, she's turning 80.

2009-05-14T18:14:00.000-07:00

The other day, my friend and I had an interesting conversation about Miss California 2009. He thought winner Carrie Prejean was shallow because of her answer to Perez Hilton’s question regarding same sex marriage.

I thought she wasn’t. Prejean had conviction and that should be respected despite of differences in opinion. It’s a matter of standing up for what you truly believe in instead of trying to get the approval of other people. I’m not sure whether that kind of question was appropriate in a beauty pageant, though. The question was more political and raised too much debate and controversy.

I told my friend that Prejean wasn’t shallow. I guess it’s how beauty pageants are being celebrated that make women shallow. There’s the glitz and glamour in beauty pageants I know but it can get all too consuming to the point that a woman’s beauty is based on the superficial and the intelligence on the hypothetical.

My friend then cited his observations about beauty pageants, which I found amusing. I quipped by telling him that he might want to publish a book about it. He said he would if I was on the cover in a bikini and a crown.

I was at wits end.

Here's a book you might be interested in. Satirical Americana contains light, tongue-in-cheek observations on things you cant find elsewhere. Think Miss America Pageant , Famous Writers , Child Beauty Pageants, Modern Art, TV Reality Shows, Liberals and Left-Wingers, Famous Talk-Show Hosts, Home Shopping Network, Pornography, Religion, Travel Articles and a lot more.

Written by Francis Murray, published with Xlibris.

The Vitamin C Connection

2009-05-11T00:54:00.000-07:00

Vitamin C has long been a powerful cure for many common illnesses and even those that are considered to be incurable. Vitamin C just might be your best protection, if not, treatment against potentially fatal diseases.

With the recent outbreak of the H1N1 influenza virus, otherwise known as swine flu, there is just no more excuse not to be even more alert with protecting themselves from this deadly virus., let alone other diseases as well. After all, prevention is always better than treatment.

Vitamin C, also known as ascorbic acid, has many proven wonders for the body. It promotes a healthy immune system, speeds up wound healing and recovery and prevents the onset of various diseases. In fact, Vitamin C is known to cure virtually all kinds of viral diseases and even more complicated conditions such as polio. Adequate dosage of Vitamin C can even spare you from costly vaccinations and other prescription medicines as well.

In the Xlibris release, Vitamin C, Infectious Diseases and Toxins (Curing the Incurable), Dr. Thomas Levy discusses the amazing truths and benefits of this wonder vitamin. And because Vitamin C is notably free from side effects, one can understand why it is but an ideal nutrient available today.

Dr. Thomas Levy tackles about the Vitamin C connection – its amazing truths and wonders.

Based on over a thousand literary references from reputable research centers throughout the United States, this self-published book gives you the real juice on Vitamin C and why it is good for you.

Got a story to share? Get published. Start your publishing journey here.

Interesting MOM-reads for Mother's Day

2009-05-05T17:50:00.000-07:00

Mother's Day is fast approaching and what better way to spoil moms than on this special day.

If you are planning to give a book as your Mother’s Day present, you might want to check out these interesting self-published books that are guaranteed to inspire, empower and bring pure motherly enjoyment.

A compelling story by Sharon Ewing, this book shows a mother's unconditional love and how far she can go for her children.

Beautiful inspiring rhymes perfect for mothers. By Celeste Nadine Gallucci, ASCAP, ISP.

A mother's story of her struggle to raise her children and raise herself up as well. By Cheryl K. Bruce-White.

A book dedicated to foster care. Based on author Mary Alexander's experience as a foster parent.

A Self-Discovery Journal for Mothers and Daughters Celebrating Life. By Teresa Brouwer.

These interesting book finds will make any mom prouder on Mother's Day.

Got a story to share? Make your first mark here.

Another Sort of Life

2009-05-03T19:02:00.000-07:00

'A professor breaks free from the comforts of a secure life and joins the dog-eat-dog world.'

The United States has seen a terrible slump in almost all sectors of the economy in the 1980s. During this decade, the national debt ballooned, many industries folded and unemployment rate was at an all time high. Many families, especially from the poor and middle class, had difficulties making ends meet. This could be seen as the worst time in the US economy since the Great Depression.

Now, Americans are once again facing the brunt of yet another economic turmoil, what with the looming global financial crisis.

Set in the 1980’s, the Xlibris self-published book, ‘Another Sort of Life’ is where John Calvert shares the pains of being “down on one’s luck” as he joins many unfortunate others in a world where survival knows no right or wrong.

Breaking free from the comforts of a secure life in the academe, Calvert now struggles to make ends meet as he takes on different odd jobs – from car washing, door-to-door selling, janitorial services, field work to even selling his own blood.

Humorously written, Another Sort of Life gives you light of the dark side of the 1980s and a comparison of how poor and middle class people from then keep up with the pace with those of today.

Check out the Xlibris website to get a copy of Another Sort of Life, plus many other exciting self-published reads. Get your free publishing kit and start your own journey to becoming a published author.

It's all about BOOKS at the 2009 Los Angeles Festival of Books

2009-04-23T20:17:00.001-07:00

Booklovers who want to experience something extraordinary shouldn’t miss out on the 2009 Los Angeles Festival of Books on Saturday and Sunday, April 25 & 26. This literary event, also in association with UCLA, guarantees something in store for any book aficionado no matter how old you are or what your interests may be.

Take part in a smorgasbord of fun and exciting activities such as book and poetry readings, author panels, book signings, cultural shows as well as musical and literary art presentations. This book festival is also a great avenue for kids and the entire family to share the pleasure of bonding together with books as it offers costumed characters, crafts, storytelling and a whole lot more.

Booklovers can find a plethora of books in whatever genre you can imagine. You can also get a chance to meet your favorite authors too. Among the 450 authors who are slated to attend the 2009 Festival of Books include actors Michael J. Fox and Tori Spelling, TV host Tom Bergeron and other well-known writers.

Self-published authors may find this annual book festival a great opportunity for them to showcase and sell their literary works and build a network with other book authors, publishers and sellers. Xlibris, a self-publishing company will be sponsoring book signings and exhibits for its valued authors on this highly anticipated event.

You can find all these and more at the 2009 Los Angeles Festival of Books.

A Place Called Happiness

2008-10-02T17:33:00.000-07:00

Life’s stresses, problems and pains can be roadblocks to inner happiness, stripping one’s ability to have a positive outlook. Despite these, one can still cope much better if he/she can find genuine happiness that stems from within. However, in a world as troubled as ours, how can an individual be truly able to find divine peace and contentment?This question, which has remained a mystery to many, has led author Dori Seider to write the book, A Place Called Happiness. This inspirational book provides a new, exciting yet pragmatic approach to achieving true happiness, even under the worst circumstances.

A recipient of the Fulbright scholarship, Dori has won writing awards and gained recognition for her humanitarian work. She is a music composer and jewelry design artist as well. Most of all, she is a teacher of Psychology, Education, French, and the History of American Women. Dori notes that it was her students in her Psychology of Stress that gave her additional inspiration to come up with this book about happiness.

A Place Called Happiness has so far been gaining overwhelming response from the reading public for seven years already. Dori, in fact, relates that she still gets feedback from people who expressed how the book has helped them in coping with difficult times in their respective lives. Others have also used the book to deal with the loss of a loved one or to simply gain enlightenment and inspiration. Dori was also pleased with how well the book was received when she spoke at a gathering by Barnes & Noble in Princeton.

Dori only has good words to say about her publishing experience with Xlibris. Upon completing her manuscript for A Place Called Happiness, she then went looking for a publisher that would meet her standards, namely efficiency and warmth. After working with Xlibris on her book, she realized that she didn’t go wrong in her choice of publisher. In fact, Dori has even recommended other authors to publish with Xlibris as well. She was extremely satisfied with her self-publishing journey that she decided to have her second book, Teach Me Something Real, still published with Xlibris. Promoting this latest book of hers is her current endeavor, and she is doing this through various television appearances.

Dori relates that her passion in her profession has given her the drive to inspire other people, thus the birth of A Place Called Happiness and Teach Me Something Real. This is the same kind of passion that other authors-in-the-making should possess, according to her. She further advises that they should write their most powerful experiences from deep within.

Finding inner happiness is the greatest gift one can ever have. This, coupled with hard work, compassion, a great sense of humor, and the ability to live and let live – all of which make up Dori’s philosophy in life – is what she hopes to show through her book, A Place Called Happiness. This is her testament to the fact that indeed, one can obtain true and lasting peace and joy.

A Place Called Happiness can be purchased directly through the Xlibris website or Barnes & Noble and Amazon. Get your FREE publishing kit now to start your own journey to publication.

Get It, Literally

2008-09-17T23:12:00.000-07:00

I am pretty anal when it comes to spelling, grammar and diction. I am aware that I tend to annoy people with this behavior but I can’t help it. Some, on the other hand, just keep mum out of fear or concern that they might upset me.

I am sure that like I, you and everyone else have anal-retentive tendencies too. You may freak out when the toothpaste tube is pushed from the bottom and not from the top. Others may be very particular with organizing things, arranging them in distinct order. Even my friend tissue-blots excess grease off her pizza everytime we eat out. Can you blame me if it drives me crazy when people spell or speak poorly? I am not alone, as I am aware that many people share the same anal-retentive behavior as I do.

A book that really caught my interest is the Xlibris release “Literally Speaking (A Journey in Two Words” by Jennifer Hughes. This self-published book is an artistic compilation of clichés (trite expressions which have lost real meaning), idioms (vernacular inclined to a geographical area), homophones (words that sound alike but differ in meaning) and euphemisms (a means of expressing something instead of its literal meaning).

Loaded with catchy illustrations, Literally Speaking (A Journey in Two Words) takes you into an ongoing journey to language in a simple and fun approach. In this book, you will find the literal answers to your otherwise figurative questions such as the meaning of the phrase “chicken strip” or what in the world “beer battered shrimp” means, literally speaking.

Engage in the informative and the delightful in this book. It is bound to make you get it (pick it up); get it (understand it); get it (buy it) and literally get it (you do it).

Check out the Xlibris website to get a copy of Literally Speaking (A Journey in Two Words).

Love on Paper

2008-09-11T22:12:00.000-07:00

Do you keep love letters?

I have had my fair share of love letters in my lifetime. I don’t clearly remember the very first time I got mine. All I know is that it was from a boy whom I really liked in fifth grade. It was scribbled in pencil on a piece of intermediate paper.

I recall with fondness how one cutesy love note bore more cutesy love notes which led to something cutesy – more popularly known as puppy love. Alas, my mother read all the letters stuffed in my school bag and crumpled them into a huge ball of rubbish. Unfortunately I was too young to know the importance of stashing these precious scraps away from queer eyes.

I was 17 when I had my first boyfriend. He also wrote me love letters, which he’d usually hand me to my surprise. His letters didn’t say much, but were enough to make me swoon and fall even more in love with him at that time. I still have them, hidden safely somewhere.

My second boyfriend, who was sweet in every way, used to write me love letters with so much passion and creativity. One he had smothered in his great smelling perfume, another he had embellished with rose petals and tiny little beads and so on, never mind the bad poetry. (grins) I'd write him love letters too, with the hardest attempts at making mine more passionate and creative than the ones I received from him. I didn’t get to keep all love letters he had written for me, as I burned some of them after a bitter breakup.

I also keep letters from some admirers. I hardly ever read these notes but on instances when I pore over them, it never fails to flatter me knowing I have, in a way, experienced what it’s like to be adored.

In a world where everything is just a click away, love letters are slowly dying; its beauty nearing a halt. Hand-written confessions of love and affection are being conveniently replaced by email, text messaging and other techie means possible.

However, compared to these modern ways of expressing one’s feelings, the beauty of love letters lies in its surefire ability to draw emotional response. It can make you giggle, swoon, cry tears of joy or even embarrass you. Not to gloat, but I can only imagine how you’d react to one of my love letters which reads “What can I do? I’m deeply in love with you. I love you so much. ” Ha. I welcome whatever your response is, thank you very much.

If there is one thing I have learned about love letters, it is to keep them, or at least some of them. Love letters are a stark reminder of how you became someone’s inspiration. It is a written record of someone who poured his time and effort to weave words out of pure emotion, and it doesn't matter whether or not he is a gifted writer. Years from now, you will come across these letters and remember that at some point in your life, somebody loved you; that you were special in someone's life – even if the relationship is gone.

A book that caught my interest on the subject is the Xlibris release Love letters from the ‘60s by Chris Miller. This self-published book shows the bliss of first romance nurtured through love letters, which were written by a young Manhattan girl named Sally Logan to her boyfriend. Her love letters were intertwined with her weekly goings-on in the sixties – think Thunderball; Bob Dylan; the Mustang; space shots; Vietnam, race riots and many others. Love Letters from the ‘60s takes you back into the reverie of your first romance.

It's been a long while since I last received, and wrote, a love letter. It really makes me wonder...

Check out the Xlibris website to get a copy of Love letters from the '60s.

Image Sources: http://middlezonemusings.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/02/love-letters.JPG; https://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/bookdisplay.asp?bookid=32850

FACT: Dog Owners Live Longer

2008-09-04T22:25:00.000-07:00

You may not know it, but in US households, there are actually more pets than homes. Another interesting fact is that there are actually more pets than people in the country as well.

It is no surprise why more and more people are owning pet dogs these days. Aside from the usual companionship that dogs give, studies show how they can provide health benefits as well. This spells good news for existing dog owners as well as those who are thinking of getting a dog as their pet too. Here’s how owning a dog can help you live a healthier, happier and yes - longer life.

Reduces risk of heart problems. Studies show that dog ownership can actually do wonders for your heart, with rates of survival for pet owners with heart problems higher than those who did not have a pet companion. This is because contact with pets can trigger relaxation response. More recent studies also show that survival rates of pet owners with cardiovascular problems are higher than those without pets.

Simply put, pet-owning people may less likely die than those who do not, with the effect of owning pets independent of the extent of heart diseases.

Believe it or not, pet ownership ranks as the topmost contributor to recovery among patients with heart diseases. Interestingly, this ranks higher than factors such as a spouse or family support. Pet ownership is considered an important factor in assessing a patient’s prognosis for long-term survival.

Reduces blood pressure. Certain studies also show that owning a pet dog can lower blood pressure, cholesterol levels as well as triglyceride levels.

Reduced visits to doctors. Pet owners have been found to have lower stress levels than non-owners. They are also noted to have lesser visits to their doctors as well.

Lowers Stress Levels. Pet interaction, such as with dogs, can lower the hormone cortisol, which is responsible for triggering stress levels in people. The ability of pet dogs to lower overall levels of stress perhaps account for many of their life-extending characteristics. For instance, a zealous dog can actually give a pet owner the opportunity not just to bond with him but also to get exercise as well.

Speeds up healing. The way a dog shows affection can actually speed up the healing process of individuals who may have physical injuries. In fact, a pet dog’s companionship can actually be good for overall physical strengthening as well.

Moreover, several studies show that dog companionship leads to lower feelings of loneliness especially for many senior patients being housed in nursing care institutions. This is because old aged fellows tend to have an increased need to be loved, accepted and to belong. Pets such as dogs or cats can give them the love and companionship that they need at this point in their lives.

Simply put, owning a dog, or any other pet is not only beneficial to a person’s feelings as well as sense of well being - they can also greatly contribute to a person’s longevity than those who don’t. Reasons may usually be attributed in psychological perspective, such as a decrease in levels of depression and loneliness, stimulating exercise, and enhancing nurturing and gaiety.

To say that dogs can contribute to longer life in humans is not all plain psychobabble. Studies have proven them so. I guess you now have more reasons to get a furry friend of your own.

Now you know why they say a dog is man’s best friend.

Having worked for the last fifteen years as a Dog Control Officer in Dutchess County, New York, author Marge Pizzutti shares what she knows and what you need to know about dogs in this Xlibris release. This self-published book is a collection of true dog stories that are sure to touch your heart, tickle your senses, inform and simply amaze you. Dog Tails also even contains humorous chronicles of the author's encounters with wild animals and cats as well.

Check out the Xlibris website to get a copy of this book.

Image Sources:

http://thedogtrainingformula.com/; http://www2.xlibris.com/

An Angel's Passing

2008-09-01T22:21:00.000-07:00

Too often, many people who are affected with a terminal illness are not prepared when confronted with the idea of death, let alone accept their fate. They are usually shrouded with clouds of anger, denial, despair and fear about what would seemingly lurk ahead. Leading a normal life can be very difficult for those suffering from a terminal illness, including their loved ones too.

It takes a lot of courage to accept one’s fate especially when dealing with a chronic sickness. This has inspired Susan Lee to write down a story entitled ‘An Angel’s Passing’.

Having worked in an Arizona school homebound program for special and ill kids, Lee’s novel takes you into the life of ten year-old Meggie Cabot and her struggle with leukemia.

While many other patients find it difficult to deal with this dreaded illness, young Meggie took her fate in stride instead and embraced the condition she was in. She has learned that her sickness should not define her life and that it should not get in the way of her living normally.

Meggie Cabot’s journey not only inspires, but helps one understand that being terminally ill does not have to hinder you from still leading a happy, normal life. Her story shows that you can still live, laugh and learn more if you learn to wholeheartedly accept your condition and look at it with a bright eye.

A smart, heartwarming and well-told novel, an Angel’s Passing has gained favorable reviews by many readers. Lee is happy and proud that Meggie Cabot’s ordeal has touched the hearts and opened up the minds of many people.

Death is not the be-all and end-all of everything. It doesn’t always mean a loss. In fact, it is just the beginning of something new. People affected with terminal illnesses, as well as their loved ones, should understand how important it is to embrace and accept things as they come. Only then will one learn to be able to live a life truly worth living.

An Angel’s Passing can be purchased directly through the Xlibris website or Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Image source: https://www2.xlibris.com/bookstore/bookdisplay.asp?bookid=521

Get your FREE publishing kit now to start your own journey to publication.

Brain Food

2008-08-28T20:20:00.000-07:00

SIX MYTHS ABOUT THE BRAIN

by Sandra Aamodt and Sam Wang

People get many ideas about how their brains work from entertainment or folk wisdom. But modern neuroscience has proved many of these ideas to be wrong. The facts are more fun - and more useful.

Myth 1: You only use 10 percent of your brain.
Truth: You use all of your brain. The 10-percent myth became popular with the self-help teachings of Dale Carnegie, as a way of helping people think about how to realize their own potential. But you need your whole brain, which is why strokes can be so devastating.

Myth 2: Playing classical music to an infant can make the child smarter.
Truth: The "Mozart myth" comes from a study that was done on college students, which showed a shortterm effect that was gone in half an hour. Though babies don't have the wiring to process all the complexity in classical music, they are mesmerized by it, which might be why they seem to like "baby videos" like Baby Einstein. However, a recent study showed that an hour a day of watching Baby Einstein was associated with slower acquisition of new words! Much better is for your child to learn a musical instrument. This activity involves active learning and is associated with increased cognitive achievement.

Myth 3: Drinking alcoholic beverages kills brain cells.
Truth: In very heavy amounts, drinking for years does cause brain shrinkage. But this shrinkage is usually reversible. Furthermore, the brain cells don't die - they shrink individually. So although drinking can be bad for your brain, in moderation it's safe. In fact, drinking red wine can even be protective, probably in part by reducing the risk of stroke. The safe amount is three glasses a day for men, and two for women - a total of one bottle per couple.

Myth 4: Games like Sudoku and Brain Age keep your brain young.
Truth: It is great to be mentally engaged, and puzzles can help you get good at a specific skill, like memorizing grocery lists or hand-eye coordination. But most evidence suggests that practicing a task only helps you get better at that particular task. Far better for mental function is physical exercise. Regular fitness training is especially effective in the elderly, who may suffer from gradual problems with "executive function," including planning ahead and abstract thinking.

Myth 5: In a noisy place, you can hear better on your cell phone by covering your other ear.
Truth: You can get a far better result by covering the mouthpiece while you are listening. This is because your phone feeds back all the room noise into the earpiece. Your brain is very good at separating left-ear sounds from right-ear sounds. By covering the mouthpiece, you create a situation that makes it easy for your brain to hear what's coming over the phone.

Myth 6: Vaccines cause autism.
Truth: Concerned parents of autistic children are drawn to this idea because during child development, the first symptoms appear around the time that children receive vaccinations. But in several countries, removing the additive to vaccines that is said to cause autism, thimerosal, has had no effect on rates of autism. Autism is a partially hereditary disease, and is caused by the inheritance of multiple "bad" genes. However, the identity of those genes is not yet known.

Article Source: http://www.welcometoyourbrain.com/

ImageSource:http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/welcome/features/20071017_Medicine_whitematter/Photos/head_and_brain.jpg

Interview with Barbara Roberts, Author of 'THE VINEYARD ON MULBERRY STREET'

2008-08-07T21:59:00.000-07:00

Barbara Marolla Roberts, born in New York City, is a graduate of Skidmore College where she majored in art. She taught elementary school and was an executive recruiter before working for Pace University in Westchester, New York, first as the Assistant Director of Graduate Admission and currently as the Graduate Program Coordinator of the Master’s in Counseling Program. She resides in Putnam County, New York, with her husband. Click here to purchase her book.

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Six Questions for Barbara Roberts

Why and how did you go about publishing your first novel, The Vineyard on Mulberry Street?

My first novel was a story I felt needed telling for many reasons. I almost felt it was a mission and once I started writing it seriously and consistently, I didn’t stop; making many sacrifices until it was finished. But I loved every moment of it.

Was self-publishing your first option?

Self-publishing was not my first option, but after reviewing other options, self-publishing proved to be the most expedient way to go and less complicated than the others.

As an established author, what are the hardships you still encounter as a writer?

The biggest hardship as a writer is finding the time to write. I can only write in the mornings when it’s quiet and I have no distractions. It is very solitary but immensely fulfilling.

Can you say that the character, Catherine, reflects who you personally are: strong independent and enigmatic?

The character, Catherine, is based on my mother – strong, independent and enigmatic. I, too, am strong and independent, but not enigmatic. I am not as compelling or interesting a person as Catherine is.

What does your book have that will give readers a different turn from the usual forbidden love stories?

The moral code in America was stricter in the 1940’s and 1950’s. To deviate from the established norm, “Backstreet” love was not viewed at kindly. There was a great deal of stigma attached to non-conventional lives. I want the readers to know Catherine as a person, understand her dilemma and have compassion for her.

When Kirkus referred to her as “brave and loyal” it warmed my heart. That is exactly what I wanted to portray.

What is your view on writers who are afraid to take the self-publishing route?

I would recommend writers to take the self-publishing route, especially with Xlibris. My first contact at Xlibris was Cheryl Gratz, who was professional and helpful. She made the first step easy, and the following steps easier than one would think. The transition from one phase to another was not complicated.

How to REALLY seduce a guy

2008-07-28T01:03:00.000-07:00

I came across a book by Jessica Rowling entitled “Seduction: How to Seduce the Man of your Dreams”. In her book, she mentioned that the way to become a woman of every man’s dream is to be the “prettiest, thinnest girl possible”.

In the book, Rowling quotes “…every man wants the prettiest girl they can find. You need to accept this is how men are, unless you want to be lonely or spend the rest of your life dating men who are below you.”

Rowling stresses that men are superficial and they are naturally drawn to pretty and thin women. And so if a lady truly wants to be who any man desires, she has to be perfect – meaning you need to have the perfect body, the perfect wardrobe and pheromone levels.

For a moment, I wanted to meet the author and engage in an intellectual debate with her. I can understand that for some reasons, Rowling means well and probably just wants to help any girl out there who wants to get the man she desires or be the woman every man wants, for that matter. But frankly, I don’t think I’d want myself to be with that kind of man (again).

There is nothing wrong with a woman wanting to look good, of course. I think every woman should be conscious of how she looks, but not to a level of excess. Who’s stopping you from wanting to have a gorgeous body like Jessica Alba’s or pampering yourself in a salon or getting a nice wardrobe?

Yes, men are highly visual creatures. There always has to be some sort of physical attraction involved to catch his attention. What I don’t get though, is the notion of ladies having to change for other people, let alone the men, just to put them in the throes of seduction.

Why not change for yourself?

It’s also the same as wanting to get pin-thin only because it’s what is mostly accepted as the standard of beauty. How many girls have turned out to become ‘something’ instead of someone they truly are because others have imposed upon them the need to change?

Why not change for yourself?

It’s not even worth trying to look good for, much less, seduce a superficial man – who measures a woman only on how she looks on the outside. Come to think of it, even if you have successfully seduced that so-called man of your dreams, how can you be so sure he’s going to stay with you through attractive and unattractive times? (Let’s admit it ladies, we all do have our ugly moments, too).

I am not keen with the idea of seducing a guy, unless there is an established connection between the two of us (winks). There are instances when people would ask me who I am trying to seduce with how I look, how I talk or how I act around everyone else. If a guy happens to notice, well thank you, it's flattering.

Change starts with yourself. It is when you have truly learned to love yourself, flaws and all, that other people will accept and truly love you. Look good because you want to, not because it’s what you think will appeal to men or please others. When you learn to love yourself, you naturally exude a positive vibe that people will find it hard not to notice. Who knows, you will finally be able to snag a man who will take you for who you are and not for what you have.

How to seduce a guy? Don’t even try, at the very least not too hard at all.

Work it!

2008-07-21T23:05:00.000-07:00

I love and live to eat. Food always gives me an all-time high. Other than writing, food magnifies my happiness and triumphs, soothes my anger and comforts me in my fleeting bouts of sadness or depression. And when it comes to ‘good’ food, there is just no stopping me.

You see, I was fat from high school until I finished college, but I didn’t care. Well-meaning people would often tell me to go easy on my food intake, but I paid them no mind. I would keep telling myself never to deprive myself of the things that make life worth living – fast food, chocolates, ice cream, you name it. It wasn’t until I realized most of my clothes no longer fit me and became the butt of jokes among my friends because I was fat in all the wrong places. I knew I had to lose weight.

So I skipped meals. It was, to me, the only way to shed off the pounds. Exercise was never an option. I went to work without eating breakfast, stayed in front of my office computer while my workmates were having lunch and hit the sack very early so that I didn’t have to eat dinner. The only thing I ate throughout those days were crackers to assuage my churning tummy. Also, it must have been a hidden blessing to find out that my then-boyfriend had been playing around as it made me lose the slightest appetite I had left of me. In as early as two months, I went from plump to svelte.

It was overwhelming, a dramatic boost to my self-esteem. I became more confident about myself and around other people. I was finally able to wear those clothes I only dreamt of wearing back then. My long-time crush, who never noticed me in high school because I was fat, was suddenly all over me and I kept him drooling like a mad dog. My friends could only marvel at my transformation, and often ask me how I did it. But I never told them. Of course, even someone with half the brain would know I lost weight the wrong way. My triumph didn’t last long though. On one ordinary day, I complained about stomach pain. And when I could no longer help it, I got so sick that I had to be rushed to the hospital. The doctor told me I had ulcer.

“You’ve been dieting too much”, I was told. My life would never be the same anymore and it was harder than I thought. But I knew I had to bear with the consequences. My lifestyle had to turn 360 degrees around.

Thankfully now, I no longer rely on medicines nor religiously stick to my meal schedules as I used to just to keep myself from going through those pain episodes. I can now go back to eating food my doctor has told me to steer clear from (in moderate proportions, of course). I never want to be fat again but I will never go back to how I lost weight the unhealthy way. I still hate to exercise though, my lifestyle being sedentary at the best right now. But I have been really trying to get my body working up a sweat, slowly yet steadily. Little by little I’m becoming smarter about the decisions I make not just in keeping the pounds off but in my health, in general.

The Xlibris book “The Diet Docs and the Amazing Metabolic Transformation” by Joe Klemczewski, Ph.D and J. Scott Uloth, M.D. can give you a leg up on what you need to know about shedding it off and keeping it off. With the right blend of straight, factual information and light, no-nonsense humor, this book can help you achieve a diet plan that you can easily attain and sustain.

I still love and live to eat. And when it comes to food, I will never deprive myself of what I believe really makes life worth living – in moderation of course. And while some remain that they’d rather be “fat and happy”, I’d be happier with the healthy route.

Image source: Xlibris.com

Of Dating Boo-boos

2008-07-14T00:57:00.000-07:00

Being single is no different from being in a relationship – it comes with boons and banes. Take dating, for instance. I am enjoying the freedom of being emotionally unattached, and living the single life has given me a lot of perks: I have more time for myself and can play the field. That is, I can go out and date anyone I want. Being asked out by guys is, of course, flattering; but it can be a misfortune on my end because no matter how much I rely on my judgment when picking the guys I choose to date, some of my dating experiences have but turned out to be a disaster.

Take this guy whom I once went out with, for instance. Scraping gum off my shoe was probably even worth it than putting up with his constant bragging about himself and his assets, which he did the whole night. Another guy whom I once went on a first date with could have turned out to be a fine one – smartly dressed and a great conversationalist when, after a while, he brazenly popped the trite “my place or yours” question. If he thought I was an easy catch, he should’ve thought twice. Charge it to experience, I told myself, as there is definitely no possibility for second dates with these duds, thank you very much.

I am no dating pro. I have committed a fair share of dating boo-boos, too. But these experiences have taught me a lot, whether or not how bad they were.

A lot of people have wrong notions about the concept of dating, which probably explains why their experiences end up becoming a nightmare. Especially when going out on a date with someone you don’t really know on a personal level yet, you need to keep in mind that you are still getting to know the person so avoid anything that may appear too romantic or suggestive - even if you may already have previous conversations with him/her. You and your date want to be comfortable and appearing as though you want to rush into things can be off putting.

Also, keep in mind that first impressions are lasting. Wear something appropriate. Avoid overdressing or showing up as if you haven’t made a conscious effort to look the part for it. Be particular with your grooming and hygiene, too. Who wants to spend a date with someone who, say, stinks? Presentation can say a lot to your date, believe me.

Choosing a place may depend on whether you and your date want it in a formal or casual place. Whatever you go for, make sure that it is where both of you can talk well and easily. Some popular options can be at a cozy restaurant or a coffee shop. If, however, you want to meet over drinks, make sure you don’t get yourself or your date drunk.

Always pay attention to your date. Who likes a date who’s always on the phone or whose eyes are wandering here, there and everywhere? Perhaps the most important thing to a great date would be good conversation. You and your date should have something to talk about. That way, you can establish common ground. But you need to be careful with what you open up about or ask. Unless you really, really, really know your date, avoid asking or opening up about financial troubles, work woes, family problems or previous relationship traumas. You don’t want to be mistaken for someone being needy, desperate or psychotic. Also, you might want to go easy on your “I’s.” I think the reason why some people do this rather annoying thing is in order to impress their dates. I don’t know about you, people but this just doesn’t work for me. After all, dating is not just all about you – it is also about knowing your date too.

Whether or not the date turns out well, thank your date for the time. If you are no longer interested in going on another date, don’t be impolite nor keep his/her hopes up for another date.

A book I can very much relate my dating experiences to is the self-published book, Diary of Dating by D.G. Elizabeth. This book chronicles the highs and lows of a woman’s dating adventures. Like her, I am learning so many valuable lessons and becoming more aware of what I really want not just in a relationship but in my life in general as well. And while I may still love the season I am in, who knows, I may be able to find that so-called ‘Mr. Right’ from my dating adventures.

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