A New Curtain Opens, by Richard P. Matthews, is a compelling story that reminds us we need to “Abandon our search of the cosmic heavens for a Divine power, shut down our chattering minds and swollen egos, and listen to the silence within us – for in that silence we will find the ‘Great I am’.” People need to focus on this connection as all animals are doing. When it comes to enlightenment, animals naturally have it. They are already connected and protected and trying to help us connect. Yet we still continue our slaughter of them and their natural habitats, mainly to feed human greed!
In A New Curtain Opens, the story begins with humans on the verge of self-destruction in a situation that’s going from bad to worse on our planet. We are introduced to a kind and caring old gentleman, Hoss Proxetter, who becomes the most unlikely superhero Hayah – whose only super power is a shield of love that boomerangs hateful acts of violence back on the perpetrators. Hayah is tasked, along with the animals, to show the human race what the earth can become if only 1% of the people connect with the ‘Great I Am’ within themselves.
While this timely book acts as a reminder that the biodiversity of life on our planet is disappearing faster than at any time in human history, it also offers a refreshingly simple path to enlightenment in a character-driven adventure that gently leads us to a place where we can choose life and healing for ourselves and our planet.
Richard P. Matthews did his graduate work in theatre at Northwestern University and the University of Utah. He is a spiritual teacher who has devoted his life to bringing others to their Spiritual Centers and the ‘Great I Am’ within. An ordained Elder in the New England Conference of the United Methodist Church, Richard has been meditating since he was sixteen and practicing yoga since he was twenty-one. He travels throughout the US and Europe with the Living Bible Stories®, doing storytelling and meditation workshops, and starting new meditation groups. He is the Director of Revitalizing Ministries.
Richard is published in Swedish and English and is the author of Stories for Your Spirit and many published articles. A New Curtain Opens is the first of five novels in a series about Hayah. For more, please visit the website: www.RevitalizingMinistries.com.
A New Curtain Opens Available from www.RevitalizingMinistries.com, Kindle, Amazon and Create Space $19.84 Paper $9.84 Kindle ISBN-13: 9780979810640
Michael Herndon Ascot Media Group Post Office Box 133032 The Woodlands, TX 77393 Office: (281) 333-3507 [email protected] www.ascotmedia.com
If You Give A Donkey the White House: Political Satire for the Soul
Political satire can be traced back throughout history. Wherever there has been organized government it’s been a source of entertainment for people needing to vent their frustration with elected officials. Fast forward to the 21st century and not much has changed; in fact, political satire outlets have risen in popularity in recent years. David E. Levine’s colorfully illustrated new book, If You Give a Donkey the White House (Dog Ear Publishing), will have right-leaning readers in hysterics from beginning to end!
If You Give a Donkey the White House, modeled after Laura Numeroff’s vastly popular children’s series If You Give a Mouse a Cookie, is riddled with wit and loaded with sarcasm. Levine’s book blends political humor into a meaningful story with a clear and indisputable message: “People need to be careful where they put their trust because even one well-intentioned act can create a chain of events that leads to disastrous results!”
The story begins with a boy and his dog opening the gates of the White House to let in an arrogant donkey, believing it’s a good idea. “Unfortunately, once the donkey gets in,” says Levine, “he’ll want to expand the government and in no time at all, the boy gets taken on a misguided adventure that ruins his life.”
If you Give a Donkey the White House is a witty and engaging parody that “makes fun of those who think government is the solution to every problem and illustrates the potential for dire consequences when we put our hope and trust in those who seek to increase the role of government in our lives,” says Levine. Using colorful illustrations, the author shows how the initial action by a child dealing with an animal leads to a direct unforeseen end result, which then leads to another unforeseen outcome, and so on until it makes full circle and the title character finds himself right back in the same place he started!
What makes bashing bureaucracy so popular? If we went back to the oldest example of political satire around 400 BC and asked Aristophanes, there’s a very good chance that his answer would be the same today: It’s entertaining, and it’s a satisfying outlet that provides a good chuckle at the expense of government blunders.
David Levine lives with his wife and four children in New Jersey, where he finds ample opportunity to make fun of donkeys.
For more information, please visit: http://www.ifyougiveadonkeythewhitehouse.com/
Available at Amazon.com and all major online outlets If You Give a Donkey the White House By David Levine Publisher: Dog Ear Publishing Language: English ISBN-10: 1457530279 ISBN-13: 978-1457530272
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Excerpt of Amazon 5-star review: “If you Give a Donkey the White House is absolutely hysterical and had me laughing out loud from start to finish. This wry parody presented in the form of a children’s storybook is a savagely funny political satire and critique on the current state of affairs in Washington. This is a brilliant idea executed with finesse by the author…and is accompanied by uproarious illustrations. If you suffer from acute Obama fatigue, this may not cure you, but it will certainly make you feel much better…a great gift that will be greatly appreciated by politically inclined friends looking for some comedic relief in these troubled times.”
Julia Colbert Ascot Media Group Post Office Box 133032 The Woodlands, TX 77393 281.333.3507 office [email protected] www.ascotmedia.com
Creating sustainable peace has been a century-long goal for the Middle East, specifically Israel and its neighbors in the West Bank and Gaza. For decades, Frank Romano, PhD, has been making strides to support peace through interfaith grassroots efforts in and round the area. Despite war going on around him, he still persists and shares his personal journey in Love and Terror in the Middle East, 4th edition. This latest edition includes a new chapter dedicated to a recent event, when Romano was trapped in the midst of rioting Palestinians, following the killing of a Palestinian youth by Israeli soldiers.
Dr. Romano began his journey from California to France, where he studied philosophy. He then ventured to Casablanca, Morocco on his way to the Middle East where he was called to participate in the interfaith peace movement. He was also seeking the universal religion, perhaps Islam, meaning “peace.” What he found was a distorted version of Islam, not “peace,” and he was wrongly accused by Muslim extremists for being a Zionist spy, due to questions he raised relating to Islam and women. This led to his imprisonment, spiritual awakening and eventual escape.
Through meditation behind this journey, he found truth about religion. This truth serves as the driving force to bring Muslims, Jews and Christians together to celebrate their commonalities, building on a platform of the belief in one God.
Dr. Romano’s personal journey hasn’t been without sacrifices. Friends and fellow activists have been murdered. He’s been attacked by settlers, harassed by Israeli soldiers and arrested by Palestinian police. The ultimate cost was the end of his marriage, as well as another long romantic relationship. Additionally, his role as a father has been impacted due to less time with his children.
Despite his hardships, Dr. Romano still moves forward with his vision for realizing sustainable peace through grassroots efforts. “My vision has always been about creating dialogues and breaking down barriers,” says Dr. Romano. “Organizing interfaith groups is critical to creating a platform for those dialogues to take place.”
Meet Frank J. Romano, PhD. He is a lawyer, author, speaker and professor of law, literature, history and philosophy of law. Dr. Romano has been an advocate for peace and is an expert on the conflict in the Middle East, notably the West Bank, Gaza and Israel.
For more information on Dr. Romano’s drive for peace and Love and Terror in the Middle East, please visit: http://www.frankromano-loveandterror4.com (book) http://www.frankromano363.blogspot.com/ (blog) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwQ-TYRDIVI (Interview)
Available at Amazon.com and major online outlets Love and Terror in the Middle East, 4th edition By Frank Romano AB Film Publishing ISBN-13: 978-0989706865
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Rosa Syed: “extraordinary….provides a profound insight into the relations of Jews, Muslims, & Christians in the Middle East.…A magnificent book on the current events and the road to peace….”
Mark Russell Bell: “Reading Frank Romano’s memoirs, I was reminded that paths of spiritual discovery involve the intellect in relation to one’s dedicated research and contemplation….I also found myself acknowledging once again that the true ‘holy’ land in the transitory world we call Earth is not limited to any geographical area but is the condition where one recognizes that all people are members of the same vast family.”
Sarah Kelly, two-time Grammy nominee, continues to win accolades on the release of “My Corner of Heaven” (September, 2014).
Her most recent album is the most powerful combination yet of her faith and talent. Produced by Jonas Ekman and Jeremy Hunter, it blends classic rock sounds, contemporary pop notions and worshipful moments. The album takes the listener on a ride with throwback sounds, unbridled passion, deep worship and overall, true singer-songwriter material.
The title track, “My Corner of Heaven,’” paints a picture of the hereafter as it would be in a rock musician’s dreams: having a classic rock band play worship from the heart. “It’s not theologically correct and it’s not supposed to be,” says Kelly with a smile.
“It’s a little laugh for those who love rock ’n’ roll and God. To us, a guitar solo is worship when you’re doing it for the glory of God.” A line from the title track captures the essence: ““We’ll sing a Hendrix Hallelujah, with David’s heart, but Joplin’s tone….”
Kelly first turned heads with her raspy vocals and intense passion in both her rock and worship music. Beginning with the Grammy-nominated “Take Me Away,” she continues to produce a string of buzz-worthy albums that have sold over 250.000 units worldwide.
Kelly is also deeply committed to her work teaching songwriting and helping a new generation of artists discover and grow their talents. With 250 students and an internship program at the Sarah Kelly Music School, Kelly divides most of her time between touring, her home church and her students.
Capitol Christian Music Group CEO Bill Hearn will visit the Sarah Kelly Music School November 3rd, an opportunity for promising young musicians ages 7-25 to showcase their musical and songwriting talents. The Sarah Kelly Music School offers a creative approach to music education, at the Woodlands and through a series of online classes. They teach songwriting, guitar, vocals and piano, and students record demos every six weeks as part of their instruction.
Learn more about Sarah Kelly at her website: www.sarahkelly.com
“My Corner of Heaven” Released September 2014 Christian Rock $9.99 available on all major digital outlets including iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/my-corner-of-heaven/id911621976
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Bert Gangl: “…the new record, more than anything else, points to a star whose talent remains undimmed with the passing of time and whose best and most memorable work almost certainly lies ahead of her.
“‘Unescapable’ helps cement the long-standing comparisons to Alanis Morissette, while the equally rocking follow-on cut, ‘Legends (The Real You),’ would almost surely have given mid-’80s Heart power ballads like “What About Love” and “Alone” a run for their money… At the softer end of the spectrum, entries like ‘You Know Me’ highlight Kelly’s undeniable proficiency with purely pop material. And the Janis Joplin-esque vocals on the absolutely consummate piano-driven ‘Just As You Please’ add just the right amount of roughness to the piece’s otherwise hushed, reverent tones – the likes of which should be required listening for any artist seeking to craft a worship-oriented release.”
Praise for Sarah Kelly’s earlier work:
Bert Gangl: “…Her propensity for melodic, bracing rock with just the right amount of pop sheen immediately caught on with critics and the public at large, pulling down a Grammy nomination in the Rock Gospel category in the process…”
J. Lee Harshbarger: “…truly amazing….her voice immediately reminded me of Janis Joplin, and…Joan Osborne. Another reviewer offered a comparison in vocal quality to Alanis Morissette, and I can see that too. …the music on this album is not typically the kind of music I listen to, but Sarah Kelly’s singing and her songs are just so astounding that it goes beyond the normal boundaries of musical style in its appeal.”
Amy on Amazon.com: “Sarah Kelly has an amazing voice and her heart for God is apparent. Full of heartfelt worship songs….awesome lyrics.”
Jonathan Widran: “…her Christian fans might balk at her hiring of Mike Clink (Mötley Crüe, Guns N’ Roses, Megadeth), but he brings out the emotionally honest rocker in her brilliantly – creating shimmering electric guitar beds for lyrics that tap into rich spiritual themes without being preachy or specifically of one religious mindset.
“[her music is]…a mix of searing ballads and tough rockers…her vocals moving effortlessly from the soaring Ann and Nancy Wilson realm to more subtle emotional moments that show off her immense range. Irresistible….godly and inspirational and perfectly Christian, yet touches on a secular level as well….taps deeper into the listener with each brilliant listen.”
Spring, TX, June 5, 2014 – Children disappear from the streets of America every day; in fact, 900,000 a year – that’s one every forty seconds! While some are family abductions and runaways, many are not. Many of these missing children are kidnapped, murdered, or end up in the hellish world of human trafficking and can’t understand why no one has come looking for them. We cannot ever give up looking for them – they depend on all of us to bring them home.
Alexandria (Ali) Lowitzer is one of those missing children. On Sunday, June 8th, at 9 pm EST, Ali will be featured in the second episode of Investigation Discovery’s new series, ‘Last Seen Alive.’ The series follows the emotional journey of 12 families who chase down every lead, never giving up on the search for their lost loved ones.
“I wrote a book called Counting Down Bob Dylan: His 100 Finest Songs. I was very proud of it and thought, with a successful blog, a platform as the writer for a national magazine, and some persistence, I’d be able to market it well on my own. Yet even though the people who got their hands on the book really enjoyed it, I just couldn’t seem to get any traction on a national or local level in terms of directing people toward the book.
In preparation for release of the second book in the series, Counting Down Bruce Springsteen: His 100 Finest Songs, I contacted Ascot Media Group. First of all, having checked out a few other book publicists, they were by far the most affordable. But they also delivered incredible results. Within weeks I did seven interviews, fielded inquiries for about 40 review copies from all over the country, and am scheduled, once the book comes out, to do more interviews, including several opportunities with Sirius/XM and possible coverage in The New York Times.
That’s all thanks to Ascot Media Group, who put together an outstanding press release, got that press release in just the right hands, and guided me every step of the way through the process. I even used the press release they sent me, targeted some local media myself, and got several more bites that way.
I cannot recommend Trish Stevens and her outstanding staff enough. I even received a free e-mail blast for referring another author to Ascot. And, without hesitation, I will definitely be employing them for future releases. If you need top-notch publicity for your project and don’t want to clobber your bank account to do it, there is really only once choice: Ascot.”
If you’re sick of winter weather, take a trip to Charleston, SC, rated #1 city in the US for three years running by the Condé Nast Traveler Reader’s Choice Awards. You won’t even need to leave home. Boo Walker’s Lowcountry Punch (Sandy Run Press) evokes Charleston’s gritty side and its charm so vividly the city itself is essential to the cast of characters.
In Lowcountry Punch, DEA Agent T.A. Reddick leaves Miami for Charleston, SC after one of the worst nights of his life. He’s hoping a return to his roots will heal a wounded heart and the guilt of killing a friend. The sleepy and sultry city of Charleston is filled with echoes of the Old South: genteel playboys, society debutantes, and quiet cobblestone streets.
