Join James Goldberg, author of the current affairs healthcare book, The American Medical Money Machine (Homunculus Publishers), as he virtually tours the blogosphere in February on his first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book!
About James R. Goldberg
James R. Goldberg, has served as a senior level executive and CEO with deep experience in running early and mid-stage technologically complex businesses with a major focus in health care. He has been a Principal of one of the world’s leading technology/business consultancies, the PA Consulting Group, based in London, England.
The author has been primarily involved, as a biomedical engineer and technologist, in developing medical technologies for surgery, drug delivery and diagnostics.
He served as contracted Executive Director of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories health care initiative, a U.S. Defense Research Laboratory program aimed at converting military technology into medical technology, Jim has invented over 12 technologies that have received U.S. and International Patents.
Goldberg earned his advanced degrees. along with other post graduate degrees at Michigan State University, New York University, Stanford University and European study programs including the Sorbonne, France, The University of Mainz,The University of Jena, Germany and the University of Madrid, Spain.
The American Medical Money Machine by James R. Goldberg (click on cover to order at Amazon)
About The American Medical Money Machine
Health care today sits at the center of a ‘perfect’ storm whose effects are inescapable for every living person of every age from infancy to death: the tenure of politicians up to the highest levels of key governments, the trillion-dollar revenues and profits in every world currency and the life or death of us all, not just in the U.S. but worldwide.
The tangled world of healthcare seems like an undecipherable riddle. What’s wrong? Who’s responsible? The suspects are everywhere.
Following the death of my only child, who died under mysterious circumstances at a U.S. – accredited hospital in Bangkok, I began a three-and-a-half year intensive investigation to discover WHY?
The unimaginable paths I followed started in Bangkok but quickly led to discoveries of how vast and secreted corruption in the American medical industry have contributed to destroy, with self interested greed and unbridled power, the greatest healthcare system the world has ever known >
The Interview
What is the latest book or movie that made you cry? THE SOLOIST, Robert Downey Jr. and Jammie Fox
What fictional character is most like you? ZORRO !
What is the greatest album ever? HIGHWAY 66 BY BOB DYLAN
Ok, Star Trek, Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, or Harry Potter? STAR WARS- (George Lucas was my neighbor in Northern California)
What is your ideal brain food? AMORONE (BIG RED WINE FROM NORTHERN ITALY)
What accomplishment are you most proud of and why? WRITING THE AMERICAN MEDICAL MONEY MACHINE
You want to be remembered for….? COMPASSION
Of those who’ve come before, the most inspirational are? THEODORE ROOSEVELT
The creative masterpiece you wish bore your signature? BEETHOVEN’S TRIPLE CONCERTO FOR VIOLIN, VIOLA AND CELLO
Your hidden talents are? WINE CONNISEUR AND MENTOR TO TROUBLED AND DOWN AND OUT.
About Searching for Tina Turner
On the surface, Lena Spencer appears to have it all. She and her wealthy husband Randall have two wonderful children, and they live a life of luxury. In reality, however, Lena finds that happiness is elusive. Randall is emotionally distant, her son has developed a drug habit, and her daughter is disgusted by her mother’s “overbearing behavior.” When Randall decides that he’s had enough of marriage counseling, he offers his wife an ultimatum: “Be grateful for all I’ve done for you or leave.” Lena, realizing that money can’t solve her problems and that her husband is no longer the man she married, decides to choose the latter.
The Review
Lena Spencer may appear to have it all. Two children and a husband who does more than provide for her and their family, it isn’t all about the money. Randall is away on a business trip when Lena starts to question their marriage. She has a son who has struggled with drugs and is currently under their supervision and a daughter that is more than distant. Add a husband who doesn’t give her a second thought and Lena decides that it is time to take control of her life.
When she approaches Randall with her problems, he dismisses her and feels that she should be thankful for the life he has provided. He also tells her that she is acting like a spoiled brat and that many women would be thrilled to be in her shoes. Lena turns to Tina Turner for help…not literally, but through her music and books.
I love reading books like this, books that show women that if they aren’t happy it is never too late to change. You don’t need to put up with an unhappy marriage or be bullied by your kids. Stay strong and make sure that you are happy or your misery will only trickle down to those that love you and treat you well.
About Jacqueline Luckett
Jacqueline Luckett is a former sales representative for Xerox. After leaving the corporate world, Jacqueline took a creative writing class on a dare (from herself) and began writing short stories and poetry and never looked back. Jacqueline loves living in Oakland, but travels frequently to nurture her passion for photography and learning to cook exotic foods. She is currently hard at work on her next novel.
Follow this tour
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http://www.madeleineatbooksandphotos.com
http://myreadingoom-crystal.blogspot.com
http://www.geekgirlreviews.com
http://startingfresh-gaby317blogspot.com
http://sumanam.wordpress.com
http://dixie-afewofmyfavoritethings.blogspot.com
About Chris Wardle
Chris Wardle holds a bachelor’s degree in physical geography as well as a Master’s degree for water supply in developing countries from Cranfield University in the UK.
Over the last ten years Chris has travelled extensively in developing countries working on charity projects in poor communities. He has been able to draw on his numerous experiences to inspire his creative works, particularly living for long periods in communities with different cultures in African and Asia.
An orphaned kitten in Northern Uganda was the inspiration for Mr. Choli’s character in the Tinfish series. He now lives in the UK with Chris’s family (via a few months with a foster family in France to organise his European passport).
You can visit his website at: http://www.mrtinfish.moonfruit.com/#
The Bat and Penguin Enclosure
I was reminded recently that a few years back, whilst entering the Beijing Zoo, Jill and I saw a sign for the ‘Penguin and Bat Enclosure.’ Excitedly we headed down the small path in the direction that the arrow pointed. What a novel way to display two such disparate creatures, we thought to ourselves. What would a penguin and bat enclosure look like? How would the two habitats be combined? Would the penguins and bats hang out socially, or stick to there own groups? After half an hour of wandering about, we unable to find any penguins or bats: either in combination or otherwise. Disappointed, we headed back to the start to see what the pandas were up to, which it turned out was actually very little.
‘The lighthouse of Mr. Tinfish’, the first of my series of books, contains both penguins and bats. – Coincidence? … Yes. However, once it’s made into a film (!) I’ve decided that the by-line will be: ‘the story that takes up where Beijing Zoo left off’. The penguins and bats in the book are, of course, not sharing the same lighthouse. That would just be madness. However, their paths do cross, as do some other rather unlikely combinations of animals, including pelicans, polar bears, moles, and warthogs. All of which may encourage zoos to consider options for more interesting species combinations for their future displays.
The Lighthouse of Mr. Tinfish by Chris Wardle (click on cover to purchase)
About The Lighthouse of Mr. Tinfish
Mr. Tinfish the penguin lives with his family in an old oil drum at the edge of the sea, which he likes to think of as his barrel-lighthouse. Unfortunately since the time of the people the climate has been subject to sudden changes and a rapid rise in sea level creates problems, not only for the barrel-lighthouse, but for all of the animals and birds who are part of the colony. Luckily Mr. Vinegar the Walrus enjoys feeling important during a good crisis, and enlists the help of Mr. Choli and Mr. Ginger, the cats.
Mr. Choli is the head detective of the colony, although his laziness usually gets the better of him as, being a cat, sleeping and eating roast fish are his main priorities. Luckily his companions, including Mrs. Cat-biscuit the goat, and his sidekick Mr. Ginger with his ever-rumbling tummy, are there to assist in his haphazard expeditions to help the colony whenever there is a problem.
The sea level is not the only environmental problem facing the colony, and an expedition party is dispatched to investigate the drying river, led by Mr. Choli, who after all has his own magnifying glass and pipe to help him appear more detective-ish. The exploits of the companions continue with secret tunnels and a sea voyage to Volcano Island. As the adventures unfold, it turns out that being the keeper of a barrel-lighthouse is quite a useful innovation for penguin.
Read an Excerpt
Mr. Tinfish the penguin lived in a lighthouse. Well, he liked to think he did anyway. In fact it was an old, rusty-red oil drum with the floor missing, sitting on a patch of grass near to the sea, just beyond where the high tide would reach each day.
He had made a small tunnel-like entrance underneath the side so that he could get into it from the bottom, and had lined the inside of the oil drum with moss and grass. All in all it was just about big enough for Mr. Tinfish, and his small family, to crawl in to each evening and to keep out of the cold night winds as they swept around the headland.
So, it wasn’t a lighthouse at all really, but Mr. Tinfish remembered the days when such things existed, during the time of the people, and large white towers with flashing lights would perch on the rocks near to the edge of the sea. As the oil drum in which Mr. Tinfish had made his home was overlooking the ever-encroaching coastline he felt that it was near enough to the real thing
Tags: chris wardle
Join James Goldberg, author of the current affairs healthcare book, The American Medical Money Machine (Homunculus Publishers), as he virtually tours the blogosphere in February on his first virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book!
About James R. Goldberg
James R. Goldberg, has served as a senior level executive and CEO with deep experience in running early and mid-stage technologically complex businesses with a major focus in health care. He has been a Principal of one of the world’s leading technology/business consultancies, the PA Consulting Group, based in London, England.
The author has been primarily involved, as a biomedical engineer and technologist, in developing medical technologies for surgery, drug delivery and diagnostics.
He served as contracted Executive Director of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratories health care initiative, a U.S. Defense Research Laboratory program aimed at converting military technology into medical technology, Jim has invented over 12 technologies that have received U.S. and International Patents.
Goldberg earned his advanced degrees. along with other post graduate degrees at Michigan State University, New York University, Stanford University and European study programs including the Sorbonne, France, The University of Mainz,The University of Jena, Germany and the University of Madrid, Spain.
About The American Medical Money Machine
Health care today sits at the center of a ‘perfect’ storm whose effects are inescapable for every living person of every age from infancy to death: the tenure of politicians up to the highest levels of key governments, the trillion-dollar revenues and profits in every world currency and the life or death of us all, not just in the U.S. but worldwide.
The tangled world of healthcare seems like an undecipherable riddle. What’s wrong? Who’s responsible? The suspects are everywhere.
Following the death of my only child, who died under mysterious circumstances at a U.S. – accredited hospital in Bangkok, I began a three-and-a-half year intensive investigation to discover WHY?
The unimaginable paths I followed started in Bangkok but quickly led to discoveries of how vast and secreted corruption in the American medical industry have contributed to destroy, with self interested greed and unbridled power, the greatest healthcare system the world has ever known.
Tags: current affairs, current affairs healthcare, healthcare, Insurance, james goldberg, james r. goldberg, the american medical money machine
About Alan Markovitz
Markovitz’s story begins with humble roots growing up in the Jewish middle class neighborhood of Oak Park, Michigan, the son of a television repair shop owner. We come to learn of the vision, grit and gumption that he possesses – and is very much needed – to succeed in business.
He starts out as a kid in a candy store, working the bar for the neighborhood strip club as a teenager. Markovitz befriends the owner and seeks him out as a business partner when he ventures out to buy his first club at age 22. From there on we see him come back stronger from every challenge, crisis, or adversity along the way to establishing himself at the top of the topless business.
Markovitz overcame many unique circumstances, including when he
- Had to testify against the Mafia that threatened him.
- Saw his club raided by the police as part of a smear campaign by a competing Eight Mile club owner – and spent the weekend in jail.
- Was shot by one of his own dancers after he fired her.
- Saw his dancers try to unionize to block a new compensation system.
- Had one of his clubs tank after the local city (Ft. Lauderdale) changed the laws about alcohol being served in strip clubs.
- Was blocked by political cronyism when he tried to open in Las Vegas.
- Got sued for trademark infringement by Boeing.
- Was accidentally shot by a drunken patron, an off-duty police officer.
- Had his father, a Holocaust survivor who became his business partner, negotiate with a menacing biker gang that threatened his first club.
- Manages over 300 dancers at each club.
- Attempted to bring the strip club setting to airplanes and golf courses.
- Got swindled out of a million dollars when trying to buy a club.
- Views expansion, upgrades, location, quality of service, the competition, pricing, and knowing when to wage a legal fight.
“The formula for success is fleeting,” says Markovitz. “Just when you think you know what it is, it changes. You can’t be complacent in this business.” Markovitz certainly knows what it takes to make millions and have fun doing it.
For more information on Alan or his book visit Topless Prophet.
The Review, courtesy of Tim Gleichner
I must admit I was more than a bit intrigued when I was first made aware of Mr. Markovitz’s book. The title itself, “Topless Prophet”, helps conjure up some ideas or memories in most red blooded men that would make this book required reading. But, upon further review, this book is quite a bit less erotic than it’s title would suggest, and much more a memoir, a life story, and a glimpse into the life of a self made success story.
While the story is about Alan Markovit’s successes, failures, and ultimate triumph in the “Gentlemen’s Club” industry, I found it to be a glimpse at one man’s business plan, his recipe for success, and a map of the pitfalls and landmines that could undermine any entrepreneur’s dreams.
It was also at times a very touching portrait of Mr. Markovitz’s relationship with his father. A businessman himself, Mr. Markovitz Sr.’s story is as amazing as that of his son. And what comes through very clearly in the writing is how much love and respect was shared by both father and son. It was the result of this love and that helped Alan overcome the many events that would have ruined a lesser man and ultimately would lead him to the top of his industry.
Mr. Markovitz’s book paints a picture of the topless industry that is equal parts adult entertainment and all that is maintained within that heading, as well as “Business 101.” His book is as much about customer service, pricing, and innovation as it is about lap dances and the old “bump and grind.” That Mr. Markovitz, along with Mr. Stevens, was able to strike that balance in the writing of this book made it a very enjoyable read and one that I would highly recommend to anyone.
Topless Prophet by Alan Markovitz (click on cover to purchase at Amazon)
About Topless Prophet
One man’s story of what it takes to run a strip club empire –the dangers, secrets, pitfalls, surprises – and rewards –and the business lessons learned.
What is it really like to open and run a successful string of strip clubs?
“It’s not what you think it is,” reveals Alan Markovitz, author of a new book and owner of the nation’s leading gentlemen’s club.
Topless Prophet: The True Story of America’s Most Successful Gentlemen’s Club Entrepreneur offers a rare glimpse into the world of gentlemen’s clubs, taking us behind the scenes of the operations of one of the nation’s most successful club owners. Where other books provide insight on the scandalous side of strippers, escorts, and x-rated entertainment, Topless Prophet is as much a business book and autobiography of an ingenious entrepreneur as it is an exploration of what goes into staying on top of an industry filled with cut-throat competition, corruption, celebrities, and beautiful women who make a living dancing.
In this moving memoir of Alan Markovitz, who owns several Penthouse Gentlemen’s Clubs and the country’s No. 1 ranked adult entertainment club (The Ultimate Strip Club List (www.tuscl.net), The Flight Club, we are treated to a first-hand account of a Detroit businessman who has helped change and grow an industry while overcoming many challenges, some life-threatening, some business-endangering. He has spent nearly the past three decades reformulating the ultimate fantasy setting for men.
“The business of entertainment has a lot of glamour and glitz – and beautiful women for sure — but it’s filled with many forces that can challenge and chew you up in no time,” says Markovitz. “The key is to think ahead, exceed expectations, be ready for a fight, and be wise enough to know when to walk away.”
Markovitz’s story begins with humble roots growing up in the Jewish middle class neighborhood of Oak Park, Michigan, the son of a television repair shop owner. We come to learn of the vision, grit and gumption that he possesses – and is very much needed – to succeed in business.
Book Excerpt
Not Taught in Business School
For the entrepreneur, it can be an extremely risky venture with a steep, sharp learning curve. They just don’t teach you in business school what it takes to get an adult club off the ground without immediately crashing and burning. You pretty much have to learn the business hands on, so to speak, or from the bottom up, like I did when I went to work at La Chambre. If you don’t know what you’re doing, you will get ripped off by thieving parasites of all varieties and, for those of you who believe that topless entertainment is the abject exploitation of women, all I have to say is this: you try managing 50 or 100 competitive and strong-willed ladies who are more often than not drinking copious amounts of alcohol on the job. If you let them they will walk all over you in their stiletto-heeled dancer platforms until you are no longer breathing…I kid you not. They can and will whine, wheedle, demand, manipulate and fight – literally tooth and nail – with all their feminine wiles as well as tricks they have picked up from traveling kung fu masters to get what they want. Mind you, I am not saying that there are not honest, kind, decent, hardworking and responsible women working as topless entertainers. There are. But trying to separate out the different personalities that often inhabit each individual dancer is work for a dozen clones of Sigmund Freud.
Book Review
Bold business moves are needed in any field of commerce — even in the adult entertainment industry. “Topless Prophet: The True Story of America’s Most Successful Gentleman’s Club Entrepreneur” tells the story of Markovitz and his realization of his goal to becoming one of the most powerful adult entertainment entrepreneurs in America. Starting with a small bar in Michigan, he’s created his own empire of topless bars. “Topless Prophet” is an intriguing memoir combining fascinating business sense with the curiosity of erotic dancing.
–Midwest Book Review
A few weeks ago I received a Friendship Stone in the mail. What is a Friendship Stone? Here is the information from the site:
“Without friends no one would choose to live, though he had all other goods.” – Aristotle
The Friendship Stone is a unique and individual Tiger’s Eye friendship gift, each stone with its quirky way of reacting to light and its own personality – just like people! The Friendship Stone serves as an important reminder of the bond of friendship – something of yourself that you can leave with someone else; a meaningful friendship gift above price, as unique as the way you feel about each special friend you have.
The Friendship Stone might be your introduction to a new friend; young or old; a gift to someone you love or a friendly gesture to a stranger – a perfect symbol of friendship that can be looked at and touched to inspire all the positive emotions a good friend can give…
Just as The Friendship Stone changes in the light, we might look at life’s challenges from all angles and choose only positive directions, inspired by the support and closeness of our friendships. Just as each unique Friendship Stone takes its unique shape from the other stones it touches in the natural stone-on-stone tumbling process, we too shape who we are as individuals by the people that touch our lives. My Stone Company’s mission is to bring people back to basics, to remind them at the end of the day, what is most important is the people that are in our lives!
The Friendship Stone is a small, natural and perfect reminder that wherever we are, our friends are connected with us, encouraging and looking out for us: unbreakable, endurable friendships that will last forever and be as beautiful when they are old as they are today.
I have to tell you, this is one beautiful stone. It is so much more than just a piece of tigers eye. I really thought long and hard about who I could give this to, but to be honest I couldn’t part with it. I will be placing an order for a few special people in my life who I feel could benefit from the beauty that the stone represents. I also want to order the Traveling Friendship Stone. What a great idea! Read more about the stone and stories about the company at The Friendship Stone.
Make a purchase between now and February 22 and you get a 14% discount for Valentine’s Day (exclusive online discount) – please make sure to use the promo code “valentine” when making your purchase.
Thanks and Happy Sunday!
Tags: the friendship stone
About Kay Marshall Strom
Kay Marshall Strom has written thirty-six published books, numerous magazine articles, and two screenplays. Four of her books have been chosen as book club selections, eleven have been translated into foreign languages, and one was optioned for a movie. Her writing is also included in numerous volumes and compilations, including the bestselling Conversations on Purpose for Women (Zondervan 2005) and various editions of the NIV Devotional Bibles.
In addition to her writing, Kay taught writing classes through the California State University system for ten years, and still teaches at writers conferences around the country. In 2008, she was invited to India to teach writing in order to give a voice to those not normally heard.
A sought-after speaker, Kay is in demand for retreats and special events throughout the US and around the world.
Kay and her husband Dan Kline make their home in the Pacific Northwest.
You can visit her website at www.kaystrom.com.
The Interview
Could you please tell us a little about your book?
The Second-Half Adventure: Don’t Just Retire-Use Your Time, Skills & Resources to Change the World is just about the most comprehensive title/subtitle I have seen assigned to a book! It pretty much covers the topic, doesn’t it? It is basically a call to Baby Boomers, who are scowling at the idea of aging, to use the second half of their lives to make a difference in the world.
What cause are you most passionate about and why?
A verse in the Bible says the Lord requires us “To do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God.” (Micah 6:8) I see this as a call to reach out to the most helpless and oppressed among us. Much of my writing, both fiction and non-fiction, focuses around those who are suffering and how we can intervene on their behalf in positive ways. I can do this best by staying off my soapbox and spinning stories!
Do you have any rituals you follow when finishing a piece of work?
I call my daughter, and we do “the dance of joy.” Then my husband and I go out for a really nice Chinese dinner.
What are you currently working on?
I am just finishing Book #37—a novel, the third of the “Grace in Africa” trilogy. The Call of Zulina was released in the fall, The Voyage of Grace comes out in August, and The Triumph of Grace will be available in Spring of 2011. As soon as this is finished (next month) I start another fiction trilogy, this one set in India.
Do you have any advice for writers or readers?
For writers: Never give up. Never, ever give up. Everyone gets better and better. No one gets worse and worse.
Is there an author that inspired you to write?
I know this sounds funny, but it was A Tale of Two Cities, by Charles Dickens. I was assigned the book to read when I was in eighth grade, and it absolutely captivated me. It opened my eyes to a story’s power to move a heart and change a nation.
What are some of your long term goals?
I want to keep on writing as long as Agatha Christie did. And I want to have as many books published as she did!
What do you feel sets this book apart from others in the same genre?
For several years, the editor at Moody Press asked me to consider writing a book on retirement. I always said no, because I had nothing new and fresh to say. Hey, I wasn’t retired, and I had no intention to quit writing. But then I met a group called Finishers Project. This great organization provides Christian adults with online information, challenges and pathways for discovering and processing opportunities in the U.S. and around the world. They helped greatly with this book. Check them out at www.finishers.org.
About The Second Half Adventure
Whoever you are, whatever your skills and experiences, you can use what you have gained in life to help change the world. In connection with The Finishers Project, The Second-Half Adventure will enable you to analyze where you have been, where you want to go in the second-half of your life, and how to start preparing today.
Through the stories of individuals and couples who have found meaningful involvements—from business people to housewives, from engineers to artists—this book will help you infuse your special God-given years with purpose and eternal significance. The best adventure is yet to come!
Read the Excerpt
(though they would never use that term!). Whether aching with disappointment
over the passage of time or proud of their accomplishments,
every seven seconds another one turns fifty. That’s 12,000
people a day. Nearly 4.5 million each year.As boomers enter the second half of life, because of their sheer
numbers, they are poised to rock society all over again. As I write this,
approximately 35 million Americans are age sixty-five or older. By
the year 2030 that number will have doubled to a whopping 70 million.
Some who look at this burgeoning population have raised a collective
gasp of alarm. “What are we going to do with all those old
folks?” they cry. “What will happen to our society? It’s only going to
get more and more decrepit!”Those people underestimate baby boomers. Boomers have never
done anything in the same old way things had always been done before,
so why would they start now? The fact is, they are already in the
process of reinventing retirement. And without a doubt, they are the
ones to do it. Not only because of who and what they are, but because
they are approaching their second half healthier, more educated,
and more full of vigorous years than any generation that preceded
them. They may be getting older, but they definitely remain a vital
force to be reckoned with.
…
Now consider for a moment: What if boomer retirees, whose passion
is for God, were to take Christ’s teachings seriously? What if they
were to determine to use their acquired skills and expertise to demonstrate
God’s love to the world in practical ways? Imagine what could
happen!
“The unique values and sheer numbers of the boomer generation
have not taken God by surprise,” Don Parrott of Finishers noted. “I
believe He has been preparing exactly the kind of workforce He would
need from North America at this time in history.”
Here’s what reviewers have to say!
(coming soon!)
The Second-Half Adventure Virtual Book Tour Schedule
Monday, Jan. 4
Interviewed at Beyond the Books
Tuesday, Jan. 5
Book spotlighted at Examiner
Wednesday, Jan. 6
Interviewed at The Writer’s Life
Thursday, Jan. 7
Interviewed l Chat l Book Giveaway at Pump Up Your Book
Friday, Jan. 8
Guest blogging at Moms Not All
Monday, Jan. 11
Book reviewed at Maria’s Space
Tuesday, Jan. 12
Guest blogging at Boomer Chick
Wednesday, Jan. 13
Guest blogging at One Pushy Broad
Thursday, Jan. 14
Guest blogging at Blogging Authors
Friday, Jan. 15
Guest blogging at The Book Connection
Book reviewed at Desperately Seeking Deals
Monday, Jan. 18
Book reviewed at Libby’s Library News
Tuesday, Jan. 19
Interviewed at As the Pages Turn
Wednesday, Jan. 20
Guest blogging at As the Pages Turn
Thursday, Jan. 21
Guest blogging at Paperback Writer
Friday, Jan. 22
Book spotlight at A Bookworm Reads
Monday, Jan. 25
Interviewed at Kim Smith’s Introducing Writers! Radio Show on Blog Talk Radio
Book spotlighted at The Hot Author Report
Tuesday, Jan. 26
Book reviewed at Marta’s Meanderings
Thursday, Jan. 28
Interviewed for Review From Here
Friday, Jan. 29
Interviewed for Personovelty
Monday, February 1
Interviewed at Blogcritics
Tuesday, February 2
Book trailer spotlighted at If Books Could Talk
Wednesday, February 3
Book reviewed at Winning Readings
Thursday, February 4
Interviewed at Divine Caroline
Friday, February 5
Book reviewed at Broken Teepee
Monday, February 8
Book reviewed at Books, Books, The Magical Fruit
Tuesday, February 9
Book reviewed at 4 the Love of Books
Wednesday, February 10
Guest blogging at The Writer’s Life
Thursday, February 11
Interviewed at The Hot Author Report
Friday, February 12
Book reviewed at Reading at the Beach
Monday, February 15
Book reviewed at Blog Business World
Tuesday, February 16
Guest blogging + book giveaway at Cafe of Dreams
Wednesday, February 17
Guest blogging at Prill Boyle’s Defying Gravity
Thursday, February 18
Guest blogging at The Story Behind the Book
Friday, February 19
Book reviewed at Simply Stacie
Monday, February 22
Interviewed on A Book and a Chat Radio Show
Tuesday, February 23
Interviewed at American Chronicle
Wednesday, February 24
Interviewed at Paperback Writer
Thursday, February 25
Interviewed at Broowaha
Thursday, February 26
Guest blogging at Night Owl Reviews
Tags: kay strom, pump up your book, the second half adventure
About the Book
All her life, Zenovia has struggled with the burden of caring for her schizophrenic mother, Audrey, alone. Until one day, God seems to offer support in the form of two members of a church called the Brethren of the Sacrifice, who knock at the women’s door preaching an unconventional version of the Gospel. Despite having questions, Zenovia agrees to join the church along with her mother. Soon afterward, Audrey stops taking her medication when fellow churchgoers deem her illness a demonic possession. Unable to watch her mother’s mental deterioration, Zenovia flees town, only to receive a fateful phone call several years later telling her of her mother’s suicide. Heartbroken, Zenovia must now make a soul-altering choice: accept “God’s will,” or return home to confront the demons she’s worked so hard to leave behind….
My Review
Zenovia’s life has been more like caretaker than teenager. The only child of a single parent suffering with schizophrenia she has seen the demons that her mother has struggled with more times than she cares to think about. But, she has been on the correct dose of medication and their life (besides being poor) seems to be ok. Zenovia is preparing for her graduation and college and is really looking forward to a great future.
One day there is a knock on the door and it is members of a church called Brethren of Sacrifice. Her mother invites them in and is excited about the propect of starting a new church. But, this church is much different than other churches they have been to…not necessarily in a good way. Audrey is happy and has met the man of her dreams (she has “visions” and saw him years ago so knows he is the one) and Zenovia is initially happy as well. A new circle of friends, a step-dad that truly seems to love her mother, what could be bad about that?
Things take a turn for the worse when the church convinces Audrey that she doesn’t need her medication – all she needs is faith in the Lord to help heal her. Add this to a mistake that Zenovia makes (and a major breach of the rules of the church) and things go downhill fast. Zenovia decides to leave, unable to live down her shame and the pschosis that has once again claimed its hold on her mother.
Will she ever be able to go back or is her future to be without the friends and family she thought she knew?
This was a very enjoyable book, but helped me realize this is part of the reason I am not religious. An eye opener, and the author has a real talent for keeping the reader engaged throughout.
About the Author
Tiffany L. Warren, is an author, playwright, songwriter, mother and wife. Her debut novel What a Sista Should Do, was released in June of 2005 and has ministered to over 50,000 readers. Her second book, Farther than I Meant to Go, Longer than I Meant to Stay was a national bestseller. In 2006, Tiffany and her husband, Brent, founded Warren Productions and released their first gospel musical. What a Sista Should Do – The Stage Play debuted in Cleveland, OH at the famed Allen Theatre.
Tiffany is also the visionary behind the Faith and Fiction Fellowship tour. Presently, the authors have visited groups in Atlanta, Houston, New York, Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Charlotte.
This is one of my favorite things to participate in. To find out more head over to The Printed Page.
Here are the books I received this week:
Ecstasy Unveiled by Larissa Ione (courtesy of Hachette Book Group)
Description:
A DEMON ENSLAVED
Lore is a Seminus half-breed demon who has been forced to act as his dark master’s assassin. Now to earn his freedom and save his sister’s life, he must complete one last kill. Powerful and ruthless, he’ll stop at nothing to carry out this deadly mission.
AN ANGEL TEMPTED
Idess is an earthbound angel with a wild side, sworn to protect the human Lore is targeting. She’s determined to thwart her wickedly handsome adversary by any means necessary-even if that means risking her vow of eternal chastity. But what begins as a simple seduction soon turns into a passion that leaves both angel and demon craving complete surrender.
Torn between duty and desire, Lore and Idess must join forces as they battle their attraction for each other. Because an enemy from the past is rising again-one hellbent on vengeance and unthinkable destruction.
FALSE CONVICTIONS by Tim Green (courtesy of Hachette Book Group) - can’t get the cover to load…grrr!
Casey is counting on an open-and-shut case, a sure success for her first effort with the Freedom Project, the renowned charity group dedicated to helping exonerate wrongfully convicted prisoners. Not only is the Freedom Project giving Casey the chance to help innocent people, but its founder, Robert Graham, is offering Casey a one-million-dollar annual pledge to her legal clinic for taking on just two jobs a year.
Her first assignment is to revive the case of Dwayne Hubbard, an indigent black man serving a life sentence for the rape and murder of a college student seventeen years ago. Using DNA evidence, Casey expects to easily prove Hubbard’s innocence. Yet when she arrives in rural Auburn, New York, she meets immediate and aggressive resistance.
Tormented by death threats and assassination attempts, Casey investigates a prosecution apparently rife with lies. From the judge, the lawyers, the jury, to the police, she traces a web of corruption surrounding the destruction of one young man. But in all the chaos, Casey’s hardest challenge may be just staying alive.
That’s all this week. Happy reading!
Tags: ecstasy unveiled, false convictions, larissa ione, tim green
