May 29 2020

Even the Losers: A Saga from the Summer of 1980 by Bryant Delafosse

Author: susan • Discussion: No Comments

NEW RELEASE

A wonderful coming-of-age adventure set in the summer of 1980.

After reading ‘Remember the Future,’ I couldn’t wait to download this latest book by this talented author. This excellent story is set in Texas where the author was born and raised. In it, Bryant Delafosse who holds a degree from the University of Texas at Austin and is a screenwriter, now living in Southern California, takes his readers on the coming-of-age journey of Neil Thibodeaux which takes place through the summer of 1980.

Neil lives with his short-tempered dad and bully of an older brother in Houston Texas, however, the day our adventure begins is Monday 5th May, memorable, not only because it is Neil’s 17th birthday, but also because it is the day he is being torn from his friends and everything he knows to move across state and live in Philton, in his words, the ‘butt-crack’ of the State of Texas.

At his new job (the cause for the move) Neil’s dad has found him work, however, Neil has other ideas and finds himself a job working in the local movie theatre, the Lone Star Six. He is interviewed by a jaw-dropping beauty Cecilia, or CC as she is known, and instantly Neil has a crush on her. However love seldom comes easy and is sometimes not reciprocated, so Neil can only look on and hope his time will come, whilst enjoying his new friends and work colleagues at the theatre.

And so the summer begins. At home, things have never been the same since the death of his mom. His father and the two brothers are both struggling to cope with the loss in their own ways. Jake is off the rails, angry and resentful, and sibling rivalry is strong, making life hard, and even more stressful for their hard-working dad.

However, this is the summer of 1980, a summer of great music like AC/DC’s Highway to Hell, and incredible films including the much anticipated new box office hit, which is now considered the best Star Wars movie of all time, The Empire Strikes Back. When it arrives in Philton it causes a stir and the theatre has record sales. Neil is loving his job and has been promoted to the projectionist, and the author uses his own memories of working as a movie projectionist to add special touches to Neil’s experiences in the story. I challenge anyone who was alive in 1980 not to be transported back in time by their own wonderful memories this story evokes.

Like any teenager, Neil dreams of driving, and owning his own car, getting a girl and having fun, however these things are not always easy or straightforward to achieve. Yet through the authors wonderfully descriptive writing, we join Neil on the rollercoaster of life lessons which he learns that summer. Whether it is harsh realities, loves found and lost, friendships, or dreams, we spend this summer with him having fun, laughing and crying with him as his future begins to unfold, and starts to reveal the opportunities to come…

A wonderfully nostalgic coming of age story, written sensitively and in a thought-provoking way by this talented author.

About the Author:

Bryant Delafosse was born and raised in Southeast Texas and currently lives in Southern California. His previous novels include the thrillers THE MALL, HALLOWED, and REMEMBER THE FUTURE. EVEN THE LOSERS is now available exclusively on Amazon.

You can contact him at: bryantdelafosse@yahoo.com, follow him on Twitter @BryantDelafosse, and become a friend @ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6153967.Bryant_Delafosse.

About the Book:

What was it like to work at a small-town Texas movie theater in the summer of 1980? For seventeen-year-old Neil, it meant his first job, his first love, and the release of the most anticipated movie of his lifetime, THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK. He never counted on meeting the girl of his dreams or that she would become his boss. But if he was ever going to have a shot at an older woman, he would need a car, some spending cash, and the respect of the guys in the projection booth of the Lone Star Six.

Even the Losers is available from Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Even-Losers-Saga-Summer-1980/dp/B088XWV689/ref=sr_1_6?dchild=1&keywords=even+the+losers&qid=1590742820&sr=8-6

May 25 2020

Let’s Talk about Egg Donation: Real Stories from Real People by Marna Gatlin and Carole LieberWilkins

Author: susan • Discussion: No Comments

Essential reading for those considering egg and embryo donation.

Marna Gatlin became a patient of John S. Hesla MD in 1999 when she attended ORM Fertility. He was immediately impressed with her intelligence, warmth, thoughtfulness, and candor. Marna has since founded a large non-profit making organization, Parents via Egg Donation (PVED) which has for many years become an important source of information for people who want to become parents via egg donation.

Carole LieberWilkins became one of the first women in the world to become a mother through egg donation. She is a licensed marriage and family therapist at a private practice in Los Angeles, she is a specialist in the field of reproductive medicine, and family building options. She is PVED’s Mental Health Director and was a founding member of Resolve of Greater Los Angeles in 1987.

In the last 30 years the process of egg donation has changed a lot, and the reasons for needing egg donation are many. Marna Gatlin and Carole LieberWilkins the co-authors of this book, call upon their own experience, and those of others to provide their readers with an essential resource which explains the journey ‘real families’ experiences when building a family built through egg and embryo donation.

Within its pages the processes are explained and true accounts given by those who have used this process. Questions are answered, fears calmed and doubts expressed, allowing the reader to fully understand that they are not alone, others have been through the experience. I really love the quote from Marna which says “Don’t get too hung up emotionally regarding your egg donor selection because at the end of the day, the baby you have is the baby you were meant to have.”

There are no subjects glazed over in this frank, honest, no-holds-barred book. I had to smile at the questions asked, especially about hair color, simply because my sister comes from a family who all have blue or grey eyes and yet hers are dark brown. These things don’t matter, and shouldn’t be worried about, having a happy healthy child is all that matters.

Uniquely, this is the first book which provides its readers with age-appropriate scripts to allay the fears of parents about how to talk to their children and explain the special way they were conceived. There is also a list of resources which contains organizations and books which you may wish to read.

In summary: This book is an essential resource for those who are considering building a family through egg and embryo donation. Highly recommended!

About the Authors:

Marna Gatlin and Carole LieberWilkins are two experts in the field of egg donation and third party reproduction, with a combined experience of nearly 50 years. Both moms via egg donation themselves, they have dedicated their careers to teaching families how to talk to their kids about how they were conceived. Carole was one of the first people in the world to become a mother via egg donation. She is a therapist specializing in infertility, adoption, and alternative family building. Marna is the founder and executive director of Parents Via Egg Donation, which connects over 10,000 families created via egg and embryo donation worldwide every year.

About the Book:

Let’s Talk About Egg Donation was written by, for, and about families built through egg and embryo donation. It takes the reader on a journey–from infertility diagnosis, to pregnancy, to how to talk to your child about egg donation. Let’s Talk About Egg Donation tells true stories of real families who are parenting via egg and embryo donation. Their stories are woven throughout the book to craft an informative, easy-to-read narrative that focuses on positive language choices. This is the first book written by parents through egg donation that gives you age-appropriate scripts for how to take the scary out of talking to your kids about the special way in which they were conceived.

Available from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Lets-Talk-about-Egg-Donation/dp/148087759X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1590407928&sr=8-1

May 21 2020

Book Title Generator: A Proven System in Naming Your Book by Scott Lorenz

Author: susan • Discussion: No Comments

How to make your book’s title stand out from the crowd.

The author of this book, Scott Lorenz, is the owner of Westwind Communications a successful book marketing company which has, over the years helped authors realize their dreams and catapulted their books into the eyes of the public. His vast experience in this field has given him unique insights into many aspects of book realization and marketing, and in this compact book, he shares these gems with his readers.

We all know the well-known phrase, “to judge a book by its cover,” however, first you have to find the book, and it is by the title that this is achieved. Search boxes are brilliant however, it is what you put into them which matters, and it is by understanding the types of keywords you should (or shouldn’t) use in your title, that you will get your book seen by your target audience. The importance of an eye-catching title cannot be overemphasized.  

Therefore “How to Title Your Book” is one book every author should read, even if your book is already published, title changes are possible, and with the knowledge, you will acquire within these pages you will discover that a clever author doesn’t just come up with a title, they take advantage of examples out there from well-known authors, and do thorough research first.

However, the really smart author, or would-be author, will take advantage of this book, because within its pages are all the information you will need, complete with examples, crafty tips and many more things most authors just don’t consider. From lengths of titles and subtitles to alliteration, the use of numbers, and pen names, a myriad of topics are discussed. In each section, the advantages and disadvantages are clearly explained, and the impact they could have, which enable you to make informed decisions, and give your book the best chance it can have of standing out.

 In conclusion, this enlightening book is, in my opinion, essential reading for authors. As author’s, we are not only extremely proud of our work, but we also want it to be read by our target audience. Let’s be honest we want to sell a lot of our books, for many reasons, fantasy author’s I am sure (even if it is in secret,) dream of becoming the next J. K. Rowling, and many children’s book authors who love animals fantasize that Disney will want to make a film of their book, I know I do. Whatever your reason for writing your book, you owe it to yourself to give it the best chance it can have to shine, and this book will help you achieve this.

About the Author:

Book publicist Scott Lorenz is President of Westwind Communications, a public relations and marketing firm that has a special knack for working with authors to help them get all the publicity they deserve and more.

Lorenz works with bestselling authors and self-published authors promoting all types of books, whether it’s their first book or their 15th book. He’s handled publicity for books by CEOs, CIA Officers, Navy SEALS, Homemakers, Fitness Gurus, Doctors, Lawyers and Adventurers. His clients have been featured by Good Morning America, FOX & Friends, CNN, ABC News, New York Times, Nightline, TIME, PBS, LA Times, USA Today, Washington Post, Woman’s World, & Howard Stern to name a few.

Learn more about Westwind Communications’ book marketing approach at https://www.book-marketing-expert.com/ or contact Lorenz at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 734-667-2090. Follow Lorenz on Twitter @aBookPublicist

About the Book:

Nobody buys a book unless they’re first attracted by the title and cover. If the title doesn’t grab them it’s game over.
That’s why Book Publicist Scott Lorenz of Westwind Book Marketing created a strategy  for naming your book that’ll get attention of potential buyers. Don’t name your book until you’ve read Book Title Generator.
Using the latest methods of getting a book ranked on search engines and in Amazon, Lorenz lays out a plan to help you get the right title for your book. Lorenz asks authors to consider all options in the quest for the perfect book title. From using numbers, alliteration, idioms, and keyword research, Book Title Generator covers them all.
Many famous books we all know today started out with dreadful titles. Learn why when a title was changed their book sales took off! As a Book Publicist Scott Lorenz has helped title hundreds of books and promoted hundreds more. He’s a student of book titles and shares his nearly three decades of book marketing experience with authors in this book.
Book Title Generator is designed to help authors and publishers spark the idea to lead them to the perfect book title. It’s the surefire way to find your winning title.

Available from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Book-Title-Generator-Proven-System-ebook/dp/B088CTD6Z1/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=book+title+generator+by+scott+lorenz&qid=1590062526&sr=8-1

May 04 2020

The Last Gun-Shark by Joe Corso

Author: susan • Discussion: No Comments

An exciting Wild West adventure, which you won’t be able to put down!

In this exciting Wild West adventure, Joe Corso displays his incredible writing ability to the full, as he brings to his readers the life, sights, and sounds of the Wild West.

His protagonist is Brazos Kane, a gun shark who at the beginning of this adventure learns of the death of his uncle, Texas Jack Kane, the man who has taught him all he knows. Immediately he leaves for Kansas City to attend his funeral and settle his affairs. However, Bazos is very aware that he is wanted in various jurisdictions, and so, before leaving he takes a quick trip to the barbers to change his appearance.

His uncle, who was once known as Killer Jack Kane, was in later years known as the best trickshot artist in the world and traveled with circuses and sideshows showing off his talent. Brazos was very delighted to discover that he had been willed his beautiful leather conch-embossed gun-belt with two ivory-handled 45-caliber 1st generation single action Colt 1873s, which his uncle used when he performed, his handsome painted horse Wizard, and also $15,975.

However, there was also another legacy which his uncle had handed down to him, a commission which he had taken on, but unfortunately, he had died before it he could fulfil it.

It is to facilitate the safe passage of Amanda Collins. She is the niece of the owner of the Grand Hotel in town, and having spent the summer visiting with her aunt and uncle, she now needs to return to her home in North Dakota. Her father, Governor Collins wants someone to get her home safe.

Bazos accepts the commission and is pleased to discover that Amanda is not only a beautiful young woman but also a good rider. Saddled up they begin their adventure, however, it isn’t long into their journey before Bazos realizes that they are being followed. When it happens again shortly after, a shocking revelation from Amanda unveils the reason why. Suddenly the stakes are so much higher! Not only are they traveling through dangerous Indian territories where the natives are keen to kill the white man who has invaded their lands, but also interested parties are pursuing them for an entirely different reason.

Throughout this exciting story, the hard lives of the early settlers is clearly portrayed, along with the utter disrespect for life, at a time when people took what they wanted and killed indiscriminately anyone in their way. However, in the telling of this story the strength, fortitude, and comradeship which also developed can be seen as Brazos and Amanda unite with a wagon train and are joined by other cowboys as the follow their intrepid trail to North Dakota. Through this story, those of us who have never visited this vast country truly get a flavor of the courage and fortitude of these settlers who despite all odds managed to stand their ground against the natives, build towns, and railways, and establish methods of communication.

This book has so many facets, it is an excellent Wild West adventure, it portrays the history and lives of the people in those times, and it is also a romance, with twists and turns which will keep you guessing until the very last page.

About the Author:

I Grew up in Queens, New York. I’m a Korea Veteran and I retired from the FDNY. I started writing late in life hoping to help my grandchildren pay for their college education. I found that I could write a good story that resulted in 33 books and 38 awards and a multiple top 100 author.

AWARDS

The STARLIGHT CLUB (12 awards)
1 SILVER in the 2012 eLit contest in the ‘TRUE CRIME’ category’.
2 HONORABLE MENTION in the 2013 Reader’s Favorite ‘HISTORICAL FICTION’ category’.
3 IPPY award FINALIST in 2014.
4 GOLD SEAL MONTAIGNE MEDAL FINALIST in 2014 ERIC HOFFER BOOK CONTEST.
5 FINALIST in the 2014 (NIEA) National Indie Excellence Awards-CRIME-FICTION Category
6 BRONZE on August 25, 2014, in the CIPA HISTORICAL FICTION category.
7 FINALIST in the 2015 USA Regional Excellence Book awards.
8 Included in Shelf Unbound’s 100 best Indie Books of 2015 as a NOTABLE INDIE
9 FINALIST in the 2015 USA REBA NORTHEAST Regional Contest Fiction Category
10 HONORABLE MENTION in Library Thing 2013 Book Contest.
11 2019 INDEPENDENT PRESS AWARD DISTINGUISHED FAVORITE in the Crime Fiction Category.

THE STARLIGHT CLUB 2
12 2015 BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR SO FAR

THE LONE JACK KID (3 awards)
13 FINALIST in the 2013 READER’S FAVORITE in the ‘WESTERN’ category. (1)
14 FINALIST in the 2014 LARAMIE AWARDS. (2)

THE LONE JACK KID: THE RETURN (Award winner) (3)
15 TRUEWEST MAGAZINE – Best of the West 2016: Western Books – Self Published Category

THE REVENGE OF JOHN W. (Award winner)
16 2nd place Winner in 2015, 21st Annual C.I.P.A. E.V.V.Y. Book awards in the FICTION/WESTERN Category.

FIRE: BOX 598′ (Short Story) (Award winner)
17 BRONZE in the 2013 Readers Favorite contest – ‘HISTORICAL NON FICTION’ category.

‘ENGINE 24: FIRE STORIES 1, 2, 3’ (5 awards)
18 BRONZE-FIRE STORIES: BOX 598
19 SILVER-in the 2015 eLit contest in the ‘ESSAY/CREATIVE NON-FICTION category.
20 FINALIST-Chanticleer 2016 Book Contest in the Short Story Category.
21 FINALIST 2017 Book of the Year Award in the GENERAL NON-FICTION Category.
22 HONORABLE MENTION-ENGINE 24 FIRE STORIES 1, 2, 3 2016 CHANTICLEER OVERALL BEST SHORT STORY/NOVELETTE

LAFITTE’S TREASURE (7 awards)
23 GOLD in the 2015 eLit contest in the HISTORICAL FICTION category.
24 2015 BOOK COVER was a DaVinci FINALIST in the ERIC HOFFER BOOK CONTEST.
25 2015 BOOK was awarded Da VINCI EYE FINALIST in the ERIC HOFFER BOOK CONTEST
5 STAR REVIEW by READER’S FAVORITE in May 2015
26 2015 BEST COVER AWARD by BooksGoSocial.com. Was awarded a cash prize by Lawrence O’Brian of Dublin, Ireland. Voting performed by the public and judges.
27 3RD PLACE WINNER in 2015, 21st annual C.I.P.A. E.V.V.Y. BOOK AWARDS in the FICTION/HISTORICAL category.
28 2015 Chanticlear BOOK AWARDS CLUE FINALIST for Thriller/Suspense
29 2016 GOETHE FINALIST – Post-1750 HISTORICAL FICTION

TOMMY TOPPER AND THE PIXIE PRINCESS (2 awards)
30 FINALIST at the 2015 READER’S FAVORITE AWARD CEREMONY held in Miami.
(5 STAR REVIEW by READER’S FAVORITE.)
31 FINALIST in the 2017 IAN Book of the Year Award in the CHILDREN’S FICTION Category

THE OLD MAN AND THE KING: (2 awards)
32 GOLDEN EARPHONES AWARD WINNER – by Joe Corso | Read by Al Benelli
33 Finalist in the 2017 Readers Favorite contest

Mystery & Suspense * 5.75 hrs. * Unabridged * © 2013
This entertaining thriller features an improbable hero, Lom, a 72-year-old Korean war veteran who’s still a crack shot. He quickly sets out to save Toby, the king of a fictitious country who’s hiding out in Lom’s favorite diner after dodging an attempted assassination on a New York City street. Narrator Al Benelli portrays the male characters in this slightly wacky story with verve and a spirit of adventure. He sets the stage for Lom’s adventures with a fluid delivery and excellent pacing. Further, his interpretations intensify the political machinations and international chicanery in the king’s fictitious country. He intensifies the brutality of the mobster and his hired killers and sounds fittingly concerned as Lom’s girlfriend, Martha. Overall, Benelli presents completely entertaining audio. S.C.A. Winner of AudioFile Golden Earphones Award © AudioFile 2015, Portland, Maine [Published: SEPTEMBER 2015]

THE TIME TRAVELER (3 awards)
34 FINALIST in the 2016 Readers Favorite Book Contest
35 FINALIST in the 2016 BOOK EXCELLENCE AWARD CONTEST Science Fiction Category
36 The Time Traveler was selected as Many Book’s April Book of the Month under the Sci-Fi genre.

A portion of Rabia Tanveer’s December 2015 Reader’s Favorite 5 Star Review of the “Time Traveler” follows.

“I have to admit, I was a little skeptical about this novel. However, I could not help myself, I had to read it. I’ve heard great things about Joe Corso and the way he writes, so I thought this would be the perfect time to start a novel and see what he’s got. And you know what? I was so into this story that I did not even realize that I was almost halfway done. It was interesting and very refreshing. It was so good that I started to re-read it immediately after I finished it. Huge thumbs up for Mr. Corso for writing such a great story.”

SHOOTOUT IN CHEYENNE (2 awards)
37 2016 BOOK EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNER in the WESTERN CATEGORY
38 2017 TRUE WEST BEST OF THE WEST – SELF PUBLISHED & SMALL PRESS WESTERN BOOKS CATEGORY

_______________________________________________________________________________
*** The 2020 STARLIGHT CLUB BOOK TOUR begins Febuary 20. 2020, Visit www.corsobooks.com and click on the BOOK TOUR tab to learn more.***

Author’s Website: https://www.corsobooks.com/

Available from Amazon in Kindle format https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087HP57SD/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0

May 04 2020

The Lost Gospel of Donald by Preston Coleman

Author: susan • Discussion: No Comments

A not to be missed irreverent look at the lives and times of Donald Trump by Preston Coleman the King of Satire!

Preston Coleman, the author of this extremely witty book is a professor of communication with a doctorate in media studies. Anyone reading this clever story will not be surprised that he has won awards for his teaching, research, and satire.

At a time when many Americans, and indeed the rest of the world are frustrated and concerned about the words and actions of Donald Trump, through this clever work of historical fiction, the author gives his readers a satirical look at the life and times of this egotistical world leader.

The recent discovery of a previously unknown gospel in the basement of a Russian Orthodox church in Weehawken, New Jersey, written by Donald of Gaul has opened the eyes of the world in a revolutionary new way.

In this gospel, Donald Trump is Donald of Gaul, a wealthy entrepreneur with a hospitality empire. Forward-thinking he is always looking for new talent and acts, and having seen John the Baptist baptize Jesus he thinks they are magicians of the best caliber and admires their ability to draw crowds, just what he is looking for! And so the story continues bringing forth from me a stream of giggles as I read this talented author’s work.

With Donald of Gaul taking us through the four gospels, the New Testament, and the history of Rome from Julius Caesar to Nero, in his own unique ‘business speak’ he gives his reader his tongue in cheek take on the holy book and the teachings of its prophets.

Whilst the Lost Gospel of Donald is an extremely entertaining, ingenious work of fiction, it also, at the turn of every page, give its readers an interesting wealth of discussion topics, and copious material for debate. With clever comparisons, the author has highlighted some of the terrible career decisions which Donald Trump has made, and which have caused untold frustration to many people both in America and throughout the world.

In Conclusion: This irreverent, clever and witty book is just what we need! It sums up the worrying mind and makeup of this current world leader precisely, and I think it will become a classic, and afford talking points for years to come.

About the Author:

Professor of love, master of satire, expert fingerer of guitar strings and more!

Big heart, huge forehead, enlarged prostate–truly the total package.

Preston Coleman has been busy being born since 1961. He enjoyed an idyllic childhood in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia, then suffered through a difficult adolescence that lasted 25 years.

By age 37, Coleman had earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism from the University of Georgia and a doctorate in media studies from the University of Iowa. In addition to teaching and conducting research, he wrote local newspaper columns and a series of political satires including:

Kingdoms of Paper and Glass
The Tennessee Leprechaun
The Oinky Boinky Machine
Elmo Frumpkin
and Those Arkansaw Bumkins.

These were published by his own Piccolo Press, so named (without irony) because it was small, but shrill. Rarely have an author and publisher shared such love and admiration. The end result was the creation of a personal library of over 1000 volumes, more than half of which Coleman wrote himself.

In the late 1990s, Coleman made the difficult transition from adolescence to middle age, and, at the beginning of the 21st Century, a second wrenching transition from local print media to the global Digital Age. He wrote and published realstupidnews.com, a news satire site that “s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d the truth, so you get more!” and newsprism.com, a news portal that ranked 500 news sites based on quality and orientation.

He was the official announcer and a performer at the 2004 Libertarian National Convention in Atlanta.

A vagabond professor of communication, Dr. Coleman has taught at numerous colleges and universities including the University of Iowa, Kennesaw State University, American Intercontinental University, Gainesville State College, the University of North Georgia, and Chesapeake College.

He’s won various awards including:

The Robert Bostrum Award for Outstanding Research
The Ann Matthews Purdy Award for Outstanding Faculty
The NISOD Excellence Award
Best Overall Satire, thesatireawards.com
Player of the Decade (1970s), Atlanta Colt Youth Association, 78-pound division

In 2020, Coleman resumed his writing career with the publication of The Lost Gospel of Donald and a compilation of previous work, Those Arkansaw Bumkins with The Oinky Boinky Machine and Elmo Frumpkin. He’s begun a new work, TBA, as he enjoys a quiet life on Maryland’s Eastern Shore with his wife, dogs, guitar, and kayak, in that order.

Available from links on the Author’s Website https://prestoncoleman.com/the-lost-gospel-of-donald/

Apr 25 2020

The Divine Comedy, Volume Two, PURGE-THE-STORY by Luigi Enrico Pietra D’Oro

Author: susan • Discussion: No Comments

A powerful epic poem.

Dante’s Divine Comedy was written nearly 700 years ago. It is widely considered to be the foremost work in Italian literature and was based on his contemporary, cultural and religious beliefs. Now this epic poem has been rewritten for the modern world by Luigi Enrico Pietra D’Oro (Lewis Goldstein.) Lewis Goldstein is fulltime Art and Art History Professor at Barstow Community College in California.

Purge the Story (Purgatory) is the second volume and is written in the same rhyming format as Dante’s original. The first volume, Return to the Inferno was published in 2018.

Luigi’s journey begins with the retelling of his last experiences in hell and his emergence onto the foothills of the Mountain of Purgatory, where he is met at the Gates of Purgatory by Pope Francis.

As we travel with Luigi through Purgatory, his, and our eyes are opened to incredible harm the male of the human species has caused to our planet. With striking clarity, the terrible destruction which has been wreaked by a relatively few large corporations is exposed, and we discover how their greed has caused untold damage to our planet, its inhabitants, and their habitats, with wide scale-pollution and long term ecological devastation.

However, this journey through Purgatory’s purpose is to enlighten us to the realization that our planet can be saved if we are prepared to do what is necessary. The wrongdoings of men are laid before us and we are left in no doubt that the road to the salvation of the planet will not be easy. Man, to achieve redemption must take ownership for the horrendous deeds which have happened in the past, learn never to make them again, then purge the sins, and then make atonement for past transgressions. How can this be achieved? Luigi is shown how, and it is by the creation of a feminist partnership society, one which will heal and repair the damage caused by men, and in return realise a wonderful Earthly Garden.

In this powerful epic poem exposes the very worst in human nature, its greed and thoughtlessness, and yet offers seeds of hope in that by the creation of a new order, the earth can be reborn into the beautiful place it should be. Extremely thought-provoking! Highly Recommended

Available from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B086B2DF9G/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i4

Apr 24 2020

Let Go and Let God . . . and Then What? by Suzanne Mondoux

Author: susan • Discussion: No Comments

An incredible guide to discovering and healing your inner self.

What an incredible book this is! Within its pages the author somehow it manages to combine self-help, inner healing, be motivational, and inspirational. What’s more this book is suitable for all ages, genres, and professions, something I find unique.

Through the sharing of personal experiences with her reader, and the incorporation of a fictitious story about a cat called Delilah, her surroundings, and life, the reader is encouraged open their eyes to their world, look forward with a positive attitude, and embark on a journey of self-discovery.

From the moment we are ‘aware’ we absorb the information around us via other people. We learn, discover things about our world and environment, listen to the expectations and limitations others put on us. Now, through this enlightening book we each have the tools we need to unlock our dreams, reach our full potential, and then grow, taking one day at a time to discover the real us. We learn how to unburdening ourselves of the concepts and restraints of others, and truly become who we want to be.

From a very early age the author knew she had a strong affinity with the spirit world and animals. Her work has enabled her to recognise these gifts and her strength of character has led her to write her books. In fact her first published novel, How I Became a Dragon was inspired by her experiences whilst working in the Republic of Congo as Project Director for the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) in the Sangha Tri-National landscape.

However, as she points out, if you are searching for God and enlightenment, it is not hidden in these pages. The purpose of this book is to, through telling her story, and talking about poignant moments in her life, which have opened her eyes to her true self, she hopes to inspire her readers to do the same.

To aid in this, the book’s chapters focus on life experiences and at the end of each there is the opportunity for the reader to express their thoughts and experiences on each topic on the activity pages. These pages eventually combined to reveal their own unique journey. However, the author is keen to point out, our journey does not end there, because life is a continual adventure and the quest to discover new things about ourselves is constantly evolving each and every day.

In Conclusion: This book contains the key to opening your own mind into the possibilities which await you. Within, the author gives her reader the tools they require to move forward positively, with true self-belief, and the knowledge that they are 100% in control.

About the Author:

Suzanne Mondoux: A Voice For Animals
Explorer, Environmental Professional, Author.


French Canadian-born author and environmentally-conscious mining manager Suzanne Mondoux is dedicated to the protection of wildlife and the environment. “I am passionate about the well-being of animals.” In the Republic of Congo she wrote about her work with elephants. “The title of my first book ‘How I Became a Dragon’ refers to the tusks of elephants killed for the ivory that arrives in China, where the dragon is synonymous with Chinese culture.”


Mondoux wrote her second novel while working the Rep of Guinea –
Her second novel ‘Tragedy of the Moth’. Since then she has published The Adventures of Anuk: the first leap, and Anuk: book of words, and children series colouring and activity books (10) – I Believe series. She continues to work in Africa doing Biodiversity work.

Available from Balboa Press:

https://www.balboapress.com/en/bookstore/bookdetails/792828-let-go-and-let-god-and-then-what

and Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07THHJGCG/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i1

Apr 22 2020

Those Arkansaw Bumkins: with The Oinky Boinky Machine and Elmo Frumpkin by Preston Coleman

Author: susan • Discussion: No Comments

Three rollicking, irreverent tales from Preston Coleman, the King of Satire.

Preston Coleman has done it again! For those who loved his witty and extremely irreverent political satire The Lost Gospel of Donald, this talented author has this time written three short satires which will have those of us, exasperated by the American political system, laughing until they split their sides.

The first “Those Arkansaw Bumkins” tells of the Bumkins household’s transportation by tornado onto the lawn of the Capital City Mal. Subsequently they have a meteoric rise to power as Co-Presidents of America in their new abode, the White Castle. Well, you can probably imagine the shenanigans which take place, but let me tell you, they are nothing compared to the tales you will read about in this entertaining and totally irreverent story. Let me just say that there’s a clue in the stories subtitle, “A Gremlin in His Goober.”

Then follows The Oinky Boinky Machine, which is the tale of Livingstone Ostrich, an Ostrich who bravely, after a great tragedy, decides to puts his head above the parapet. As with the popular classic Jonathan Livingston Seagull, written by Richard Bach, this is a tale of standing out in the crowd, and the consequences of doing so. Bravely the intrepid Livingston Ostrich decides that something has to be done to stop the horrendous Oinky Boinky Machine. But is he the bird to do it? Will he have the strength to overcome the cavernous machine, and its blood-sucking Vampire Pigs which reside within and keep it alive?

Last but not least is the tale of “Elmo Frumpkin. Poor Elmo Frumpkin is a forest hermit, who finds himself snatched from his peaceful life in the Deep South, and thrown into prison by Sher’f Gimby. There he discovers that his innocent behavior has caused him to be placed unwittingly into the criminal justice system. With his life changed forever Elmo and his far from conventional cell mate Hannibal Purdy escape from prison, and begin their rollercoaster of an adventure. Read it and laugh out loud, giggle or whatever takes your fancy, but most of all embrace wholeheartedly this talented author’s clever use of irony and humor.

Destined to go down in history as the King of Satire, Preston Coleman is a refreshing blast of fresh air, and just what his country and the literary world need!

About the Author:

Professor of love, master of satire, expert fingerer of guitar strings and more!

Big heart, huge forehead, enlarged prostate–truly the total package.

Preston Coleman has been busy being born since 1961. He enjoyed an idyllic childhood in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia, then suffered through a difficult adolescence that lasted 25 years.

By age 37, Coleman had earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in journalism from the University of Georgia and a doctorate in media studies from the University of Iowa. In addition to teaching and conducting research, he wrote local newspaper columns and a series of political satires including:

Kingdoms of Paper and Glass
The Tennessee Leprechaun
The Oinky Boinky Machine
Elmo Frumpkin
and Those Arkansaw Bumkins.

These were published by his own Piccolo Press, so named (without irony) because it was small, but shrill. Rarely have an author and publisher shared such love and admiration. The end result was the creation of a personal library of over 1000 volumes, more than half of which Coleman wrote himself.

In the late 1990s, Coleman made the difficult transition from adolescence to middle age, and, at the beginning of the 21st Century, a second wrenching transition from local print media to the global Digital Age. He wrote and published realstupidnews.com, a news satire site that “s-t-r-e-t-c-h-e-d the truth, so you get more!” and newsprism.com, a news portal that ranked 500 news sites based on quality and orientation.

He was the official announcer and a performer at the 2004 Libertarian National Convention in Atlanta.

A vagabond professor of communication, Dr. Coleman has taught at numerous colleges and universities including the University of Iowa, Kennesaw State University, American Intercontinental University, Gainesville State College, the University of North Georgia, and Chesapeake College.

He’s won various awards including:

The Robert Bostrum Award for Outstanding Research
The Ann Matthews Purdy Award for Outstanding Faculty
The NISOD Excellence Award
Best Overall Satire, thesatireawards.com
Player of the Decade (1970s), Atlanta Colt Youth Association, 78-pound division

In 2020, Coleman resumed his writing career with the publication of The Lost Gospel of Donald and a compilation of previous work, Those Arkansaw Bumkins with The Oinky Boinky Machine and Elmo Frumpkin. He’s begun a new work, TBA, as he enjoys a quiet life on Maryland’s Eastern Shore with his wife, dogs, guitar, and kayak, in that order.

Available from Amazon https://www.amazon.com/Those-Arkansaw-Bumkins-Machine-Frumpkin-ebook/dp/B08775K5FF/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&qid=1587547036&refinements=p_27%3APreston+Coleman&s=digital-text&sr=1-2&text=Preston+Coleman

Mar 25 2020

Memoirs of a Former Fatty: How one girl went from fat to fit by Gemma Dale

Author: susan • Discussion: No Comments

First off I have to say that I loved this book!

Having already lost some weight, but desperately needing to lose more, I was immediately drawn to this book’s title, and once I started reading it, I was hooked!

Gemma Dale writes her frank book from personal experience, or should I say experiences which she (sometimes bravely) shares no-holds-barred with her readers. She connects with them on every level, and it is refreshing, or perhaps worrying to discover that my thoughts and cunning sabotages aren’t unique to me, she has experienced them too!

From the very beginning, when she explains where she came from four years previous, weight wise, and emotionally, warts and all, her readers are made to feel quite at home. Her experiences as a ‘fatty’ whether in photos, comments, or occasions, are such that most of us who have been there can relate to.

From there she goes on to dispel some of the weight loss and diet plan myths, and explain that the simple fact is it is calories in v exercise which is the real ‘secret’ to losing weight.

She honestly admits that sometimes she doesn’t feel like exercise, and that there really is ‘no excuse’ for not being able to fit it in, “If you want something you will find a way, if not you will find an excuse.” This comment is so true that I have in fact put it as my screensaver, just in case I find it convenient to forget.

I so loved reading the content of this book, it is inspiring and so refreshing to read, especially since at the end she admits to not being perfect. I’ve even straight away downloaded her book ‘Be Your Own Wellbeing Coach,’ so motivated I feel from her words.

If you want motivation for your own weight loss journey, want to read a very human story, and have a laugh whilst learning some solid home truths about how we sabotage ourselves, or you just want a good read, then this is the book for you.

Available from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Memoirs-Former-Fatty-girl-went-ebook/dp/B01FCF9THM/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_product_top?ie=UTF8

Mar 11 2020

Health Happiness & Destiny Come from Wise Choices by Richard Ruhling

Author: susan • Discussion: No Comments

Keep this book close to your heart and it will be its protection for life, both physically and mentally.

Everyone, young, old, fit or unfit, will benefit greatly from reading this eye-opening book by Richard Ruhling, MD. Now retired, he graduated from Loma Linda University in California, and has a Master’s Degree in Public Health, is board-certified in Internal Health, and also was trained in cardiology before teaching Health Science at Loma Linda.

However, it was life experiences, and reading studies by the longevity and nutritionist Nathan Pritikin, who extolled the virtues of eating a low-fat, high-fibre diet, and other then revolutionary health professionals, which inspired him to change his lifestyle. It wasn’t long before the virtues these changes bought about were evident to him, and he was compelled to share these findings with others.

The emphasis is on you taking control of what you eat. It is your choice to make sure that you eat good quality, whole grain food, and plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables to keep you in the best health possible. Then on the flip side, he explains the dangers of consuming meat and fish. The sources of their hidden toxins are exposed, and these findings enable the reader to study the evidence for themselves, and realize how detrimental to health they are. These toxins will silently ravage the body, and eventually destroy us physically, in the manifestation of the terrible diseases such as diabetes, heart attacks, and cancer, which are now common in our society.

He also looks as smoking, and alcohol, examines their impact on our bodies and mental wellbeing, then offers helpful advice on how it is possible to overcome them.

As I read through the book I quickly realized how important the teachings of the scriptures are to the author. His faith and knowledge of the teachings, along with scientific findings, videos and article links, are used to provide powerful pointers, accentuating for the reader the important part they play in achieving total mind and body health.

In the latter part of the book, he examines in more depth the importance of a strong foundation of loving Christian family for children’s life is important, and that on these foundations a caring and humanitarian life can be sought.

In conclusion, in writing this book the author has quintessentially given his readers the tools they require, through examples and links, to take their destiny in their own hands and live a better and healthier life, however only they can do it.

About the Author:

At five years of age, Richard Ruhling told his father, “I want to be what you are, but why aren’t you a fireman?” So his dad took him on house calls in south St. Louis and his son saw that being a doctor was okay and people were appreciative.

After his MD and MPH, Ruhling taught Health Science at Loma Linda University which was gifted $40 million to learn why Seventh-day Adventists lived about seven years longer than their neighbors. Ruhling claims it’s what people eat that makes the body healthy or sick and most diseases are reversible if we are willing to eat more like vegans.

Ruhling agrees with Dr. Carson that Obamacare is the worse thing since slavery. His book, Why You Shouldn’t Ask Your Doctor, offers insights on eating as an obscure cause of many health issues because of delayed reactions. During yearly physicals, several executives told him that sugar, cheese or meat bothered their joints, but it’s not so easily seen by most people.

While teaching in the mid-70’s, Ruhling visited Pritikin’s Longevity Center and saw him reversing heart disease, high blood pressure and Type II diabetes with a low fat, low cholesterol diet and exercise, and his patients did better than those who took prescription drugs, but the American Heart & American Diabetic Associations did nothing to help Pritikin–no money in it for them!

Ruhling’s wife died from another MD’s prescription for a urinary infection and Ruhling visited US senators with medical literature showing that prescription drugs are a leading cause of illness and death. One senator said, “You are wasting your time–they own us,” speaking of drug company donations to their re-election campaigns.

Attending a non-denominational church, Ruhling asked the pastor if he could teach a class on prophecy. The pastor suggested that Ruhling go to the Adventist Church where they were more interested in prophecy. Ruhling didn’t tell him that he had attended an Adventist high school, college and medical school with Bible classes every semester, but he now had some differences with all denominations.

For example, he had a book submitted to Baker Book House before 9-11 saying the US would go to war with Iraq and Iran, based on Gabriel telling Daniel (8:17), his vision was for the end-times. Three verses later it explains the ram’s horns were the Medes & Persians. Now they are Iraq and Iran, but no denomination teaches this. More on this at IslamUSinProphecy.wordpress.com

Ruhling’s best selling Alpha & Omega Bible Code is based on the concept that where we find a word or phrase is first used in the Bible, it often has a meaning or context for the end-time because Christ is the Alpha & Omega, the First and the Last, and He is also the Word with a consistent meaning. His Kindle books are $2.99 and have mostly 4-5 star reviews.

His latest book, Turkey Soup for People who are Chicken about End-Times is subtitled, How 9-11 Points US to Judgment in 2019. It shows how judgment fell on Egypt for killing Israelite babies and how the US has aborted 60 million and enslaved most people in substance abuse and negative lifestyles. Christ said, “when you see Jerusalem compassed with armies” and we should see that sign this coming April, the month of Passover. A sudden calamity as in Egypt is expected like when God took Israel to a covenant and said, “I am married to you,” Jer 3:14 and the book offers insights to Christ’s wedding parables, not a rapture!

About the Book:

Richard Ruhling, MD graduated from Loma Linda University, a community featured in National Geographic (11/05) as the only ‘Blue Zone’ for health in N America. After a Master’s Degree in Public Health, he got Internal Medicine and was board-certified, also getting Cardiology training before teaching Health Science at Loma Linda. While there, National Institutes of Health was funding his school $40 million to learn why the community lived 7-11 years longer than other non-smoking groups. It’s about eating habits, which is an important aspect of this book.

At a cardiology convention, Ruhling heard Pritikin report how his diet helped reversed most diseases and 85% of patients got off drugs for blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. This was an awakening to real healthcare…

Medical care is not healthcare; it’s the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Adverse Drug Reactions make medical care the leading cause of death, but the media doesn’t report it, preferring to do ad$ for drug companies.

Ruhling confirms a UCLA study by Dr. Breslow that 7 health habits give a 30-year advantage over people who break all the rules. Health is a by-product of obedience to laws of the body.

Ball games are often won or lost in the last plays of the game. The game of life is similar–if we depend on drugs to relieve symptoms, we may die sooner or end in a nursing home where the average number of prescriptions are 9-13 and people are so spaced out they can stand in the hallway, filling they diaper and think everything is ok. We don’t have to go that way.

This book shows how food can be your best medicine and most diseases are reversible. This can empower us to be the captain of our own ship in important dimension of health.

Health, Happiness & Destiny Come from Wise Choices–Follow Me to a Better Life! Richard Ruhling, MD

Available from:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07Z8B9NXP/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_tkin_p1_i0

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/health-happiness-destiny-come-from-wise-choices-follow-me-to-a-better-life-richard-ruhling/1134187386?ean=9781087811949#