Specific Gravity with J. Mathew Neal, MD

Synopsis: Specific Gravity is a fun, interesting medical mystery with a variety of puzzles for the protagonists to solve. It is also the story of a man’s redemption from his past misdoings, and how he finds happiness with someone that is more than a match for him.

The book is also a philosophical reflection on the impact that medical errors make in the medical field–something that we all need to think long and hard on. With the right tools and education, hospitals have made great strides in minimizing this important problem.

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Back to the Garden: Getting From Shadow to Joy

For 25 years as an enthusiastic sales trainer, motivational speaker, life transition coach, yoga teacher and award-winning author, Patrice Dickey’s intention is to help people recognize the highest and best in themselves and translate it into authentic, positive forward movement in their lives.

She has led Get the Life You Love, a popular creativity enhancing and life enrichment class at Emory University’s Center for Lifelong Learning since 1999.

Released in 2006, her book “Back to the Garden: Getting from Shadow to Joy” has won five awards in inspirational, spiritual and non-fiction categories–a standout in every contest in which it has been entered. The greatest honor to Patrice was discovering a young woman’s comment on MySpace: “Most amazing self-help book I’ve ever read. It actually works.” Now that’s authenticity!

Her background includes a successful 16 years as a public relations entrepreneur, heading her consulting firm PD Communications. British Airways, the Center for Women’s Care & Reproductive Surgery, Executive Medical Marketing and other high caliber groups comprised her client base, mostly health and wellness related. She regularly contributes articles to national and regional magazines on topics of health, relaxation and top destination spas.

After 15 years as an award-winning instructor of Dale Carnegie Sales Training, she expanded the scope of PD Communications to include corporate keynotes and workshops, giving people the tools to embrace change, develop more meaningful lives, and leave a legacy.

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Viral Change: The alternative to slow, painful and unsuccessful management of change in organizations

Most of conventional change management programmes fail. One of the reasons is that these conventional approaches are mainly focused on changes in processes and systems, with the assumption that these will lead to change in people s behaviors. However, this assumption is wrong: people often continue to do things like before or, after an initial peak of so-called adoption , initiatives fade. The author states that there is no lasting change unless it is true behavioral change and this is hardly a by-product of new processes . In other words, it is not until people in organizations change behaviors that we can claim that actual change has occurred.

Leandro Herrero
Meetingminds (2006)
ISBN 9781905776016

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The Secret Cave with Lisa Marie Lanno

The Secret Cave

Lisa Marie Lanno
iUniverse (2006)
ISBN 9780595405855
 

Synopsis: A summer vacation on a lake, two families and the adventure of a lifetime!

Two curious cousins exploring the deep woods see a strange site in the distance while at the top of a tree. They decide to investigate. Come along on a journey into a world of secrets and a 300-year-old mystery.

Join Joe, Ronnie and their sisters as they unravel a puzzle full of clues, hidden caves, an old diary, possible treasure and much more. Along with the excitement is all the danger that an expedition like this can bring. What could be lurking in the caves? Will they solve the riddles, follow the clues and find treasure? Or will they get into trouble, lost, hurt, or worse?

All the secrets will be revealed to you. Enjoy a “Stop and Think” section at the end of each chapter to spark your own imagination with “What do you think?” questions. A helpful vocabulary section is added so you’ll understand everything. Read, imagine, learn and enjoy!

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Fitness Kills: A Nora Franke Mystery with Helen Barer

Nora Franke is a New York food writer stuck in a rut. Hoping to get rid of a broken heart (and the extra pounds that came with it), she accepts a job as a menu consultant at an elite fitness ranch in Baja. With any luck she’ll shed the weight, make some friends, and maybe even find a way to get over her ex-lover.But Nora soon finds that there’s more than just yoga classes, morning hikes, and liquid fasts among the flowers and herbs—someone’s put murder on the menu, and unless she can solve the mystery of who’s behind the death of two of the guests, Nora may just be the next victim.

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Attention authors! Should you self-publish your book?

Listen to Brent Sampson talk about self-publishing. See what company offers 5 turn-key publishing packages so you get exactly what you need without paying for what you don’t. And only Outskirts Press offers 15 different formats with the Diamond package, the most offered anywhere!

Listen to interview on Reader Views

The Wolf’s Torment - S. G. Cardin

The Wolf’s Torment

S.G. Cardin
iUniverse (2007)
ISBN 9780595417339
Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (9/07)

“The Wolf’s Torment” takes you into Moldavia in the 1800s.  Crown Prince Mihai Sigmaringen is engaged to wed Theresa, a woman of royal blood, whom he has never met.  He has also just discovered that his lover is pregnant.  When he learns that she has been deceiving him about her feelings for him, he tries to shut his emotions off.  Returning home to Moldavia, and trying to do the right thing, he takes her with him to live near the castle.  He also brings his trusted friend Viktor with him.

When he meets his future bride, he realizes that she is a true treasure.  Neither he nor his bride is aware that she comes from a lineage of witches.  Still she seems to have some magical talents.  This disturbs Mihai, because his mother was killed by a witch.  When Viktor is bitten by a werewolf, he turns to Mihai for help.  Viktor complicates matters by having feelings for Theresa.  At times he finds himself unable to control the animal in him.  He also begins losing his humanity.  He is no longer someone to be trusted.
          
S.G. Cardin has created a wonderful werewolf story.  She also involves witches and vampires. In this book, werewolves have special and complicated ties to vampires and witches.  Moldavia is rich in supernatural lore.  Placing this story here, adds to the mysteriousness of the country.  The plot involves intriguing elements that include deception, greed, lust, and betrayal.  The key characters Mihai and Theresa are honorable and have good hearts.  What makes the story really interesting is how the people around them commit heinous acts to try to deceive them.  They catch themselves falling into traps set for them.  Sometimes it is too late.
          
I really enjoyed “The Wolf’s Torment.”  It is refreshing to read a novel that is different from the standard supernatural tales.  Taking away the supernatural elements, the underlying story is still really interesting.  Cardin puts you inside the heads of her characters and makes you feel their torment.  I look forward to the sequel.  Do not miss this one.

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