Houston, TX, How many times have you looked at the clock and were surprised by how often it reads 11:11 or 2:22 or even 3:33? One woman’s curiosity got the better of her when this kept happening and she would not accept it was a simple coincidence. Her adventurous personality provided her with the courage to further explore each twist of fate that kept popping up around certain numbers – just to see where it would all lead.
The 11:11 Code: Secrets of the Convent (O-Books) is a gripping story of how yoga teacher Hilary Carter was led, by a compilation of past lives, premonitions and number signs to purchase (with the intention of renovating) an ancient convent in Andalucía, Spain. The problems she encountered went way beyond any normal restoration of a historical property you would expect to see on a television show today. First, her financial backer died, then her first builder ended up in prison and the second builder became paralyzed in a tragic accident – and all this only scratches the surface. The actual building, formerly a home to the Knights Templar, was both haunted and had a will of its own. Carter has since sold the convent, but this exploration of synchronicity and destiny sits with The Celestine Prophecy as an inspiring example of discovering meaning behind events.
Carter will shortly be setting out on a very special journey – she plans to travel along the 111 degree line of longitude to raise awareness of the 11:11 phenomenon, beginning in Calgary, Canada and ending in Nogales, Mexico. She will finalize her journey in New York where she will be available for interviews October 25 – 27th. Carter admittedly lives her life according to the numbers 11/111/1111 and firmly believes that her journey will help heal our planet. In fact, she suggests that if we each pause what we are doing at 11:11 a.m. every day, not just on November 11 (Veterans Day) when we honor those brave men and women who gave their lives for our freedom, and take a moment to reflect and send out positive, uplifting and peaceful thoughts – she believes it could make a huge difference in achieving a peaceful world.
There has already been much ado about the significance of 11:11 leading into the year 2012, and the fact that at 11:11 a.m. on December 21st in the year 2012, the Mayan calendar ends. It is believed that at this point a global or universal spiritual awakening will begin. After reading 11:11 Code, you will never look at the world in the same way again, for once you are awakened to the 11:11 sign, there is no going back to sleep …
Hilary Carter is a British Wheel of Yoga teacher, workshop leader and consultant astrologer, having studied with the world-renowned faculty of Astrological Studies in London. She is currently involved in setting up a yoga retreat center in an ancient convent that she has recently purchased in the Dordogne region of France.
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TIP SHEET:
Claire Wilkinson, author of The Crab Man: “Wow! What a book! This is a fascinating true tale of hidden secrets in an ancient Spanish church. The amazing coincidences that Hilary experienced around the number 11:11 took her on an incredible journey. Her discoveries and insights along the way will enlighten you and open your eyes to a new way of looking at the world…found the book intriguing and thrilling…couldn’t wait to continue reading and feel sure everyone else will too. It is such an important book…the truth will come out!”
Paul F. Newman, author of Declination in Astrology: “For those who have vaguely heard of 11:11 and maybe dismissed its wilder claims, this personal account provides an exciting and thought-provoking real life adventure. As a personal account of how mystical numbers can impinge so forcefully on a person’s destiny and change the course of lives, this is worth a dozen theoretical treatises on arcane revelation. The journey never flags and we travel in anticipation as the underlying (or unconscious) reasons for her buying the convent are gradually revealed.”
Barbara Venn-Lever, Host of ‘The Positively Barbara Show: “A delightfully easy read which draws you inward and onwards. It is a hard one to put down. Be prepared to have the blinkers and fetters removed and free your own spiritual evolution from ignorance.”
Greenwich, Conn. , Who is the real Jordan Sandor? A new novel of espionage and suspense by Jeffrey Stephens has readers wondering if a genuine CIA hero is out there who actually matches the description.
In Targets of Deception, Jordan Sandor retires from the CIA, only to be lured back into action when his former mentor becomes a rogue agent and helps plot a massive terrorist attack against the United States.
Like other fictional spy sagas, the Jordan Sandor tale is based on actual events. This isn’t the first time the public has searched for the true heroes behind the fiction.
Many researchers insist that the real-life Jack Bauer (of Fox-TV’s 24) is Jose A. Rodriguez, former CIA Director of the National Clandestine Service. The real Jason Bourne is rumored to be Robert Duncan O’Finioan, who allegedly survived secret government black-op projects. And many believe the inspiration for Jack Ryan (from author Tom Clancy’s series) was Gen. Carl Stiner, retired Commander in Chief, United States Special Operations Command.
Stephens admits that Targets of Deception (Variance Publishing) put down its roots in non-fiction.
“A friend of mine years back was in the Central Intelligence Agency,” the author said, “and he told me the story of a rogue agent who had gone over to the bad side in the Middle East. He couldn’t tell me anything that was classified, obviously, but he told me how difficult it was to track him down. I thought it might make an interesting story if we positioned his protégé as the person who would track him. The student tracks the teacher.”
The true events evolved into Stephens’ critically acclaimed novel, Targets of Deception. While admitting that much of the story is fiction, Stephens has studied the secret world of intelligence carefully.
“We owe so much to our troops who are fighting overseas, but there are also covert operations going on that we don’t know and can’t know,” he said. “I thought that was fascinating. The more I delved into that, the more I realized this was a story I had to write.”
Realism touches everything Stephens puts on paper.
“I’ve been to every location in this novel, I did research in Washington, so everything in this book has veracity – the weapons, the agencies of government, and so on, were all based on fact,” he said. “The lethal gas in this is VX gas, which is real and was developed by the British toward the end of World War II, and all these years later it remains the most lethal nerve gas known to man.”
Stephens earned his B.A. in Creative Writing from Penn State at age 19, got his Juris Doctor diploma from Fordham University School of Law and headed a private law practice in New York. He and his wife Nancy live in of Greenwich, Connecticut.
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TIP SHEET:
Vince Flynn, NY Times No. 1 best-selling author of Protect and Defend: “Jeffrey Stephens has arrived with Targets of Deception; a ripping, good yarn of intrigue that will keep you turning the pages all the way to its explosive ending.”
Robert K. Tanenbaum, best-selling author, Malice, Counterplay, Fury: “Jeff Stephens is a writer to watch. His first book, Targets of Deception, is a very solid, fast paced thriller that carries the reader on a globe-trotting adventure into the world of counter-terrorism. We will want more of CIA agent Jordan Sandor.”
Steve Alten, NY Times best-selling author of Meg and The Shell Game: “Jeffrey Stephens takes the reader on a fast-paced tale of international intrigue and suspense in this, his first novel, Targets of Deception. With a terrific lead character in Jordon Sandor and many plot twists, I look forward to watching Stephens develop as a top-notch author.”
Houston, TX, Designed to be the ultimate plane book, Where East Eats West: The Street-Smarts Guide to Business in China (Booksurge Publishing), entertains the weathered China hand as much as it educates the China rookie through humorous, firsthand narratives that make the reader feel as if Goodman is sitting beside them, having a conversation.
Already part of the MBA curriculum for Boston College, Rutgers and Colorado State University and winning praise by China veterans, Where East Eats West is an easy and wonderfully informative read. This book is perfect for the entrepreneur with a burning desire to head across the ocean in search of fame and fortune, or for those who have just received orders to relocate to China for the ‘opportunity of a lifetime,’ but have no idea what to expect. It is an amusing companion for those already in China doing business and struggling to maintain faith in a vision (and the essential goodness of humankind) or even for those who have been doing business in China for a long time (three years or more) and simply need a good laugh and know that they are not alone. Among its many pearls of wisdom, Where East Eats West prepares the China newbie for those first few infatuating weeks and equips them with how to avoid becoming delirious with ‘China Fever’ as well as how to cope when reality sets in. Then it provides just enough historical and cultural background about business in China to help you understand where they’re coming from when you don’t see eye to eye which invariably happens.
Goodman openly shares his two most important rules to succeeding in the Chinese business market (and in another chapter) offers a friendly warning about the two most uncommon things in China –to preempt being caught off-guard. Where East Eats West’s down to earth advice will give its reader the tools to deal with such issues as China’s vast human resources, a.k.a. the enormous ‘talent puddle’ and offers everything you need to know about doing business in China, all wrapped up in a book so entertaining, you won’t be able to put it down.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sam Goodman, Canadian serial entrepreneur started his first business at eleven. Moving to China in 1995, Goodman learned the language, built and sold the ‘World-famous-in China’ chain of cafes, Beijing Sammies; was a Client Partner for the world’s largest executive recruitment firm and a successful negotiator in English and Chinese on the Westinghouse US-China $5.4 billion, nuclear power plant bid. When he’s not working, he’s rock climbing with his wife and daughter.
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TIP SHEET:
Ted Plafker, 20 year China veteran, author of Doing Business in China: “From sandwiches to nuclear power plants, Goodman’s in-the-trenches China experiences cover an unusually broad range and the advice he offers you comes unvarnished, unleavened, and unadulterated, just like he lived it. Anyone contemplating an adventure in the world of China business will learn an awful lot from him.”
Steve Chiu, 13-year China Veteran, Co-Founder, Zhaopin.com (China’s Monster.com): “Finally! A China business book from the perspective of an entrepreneur. Where East Eats West has got it all: the hard truth, humor and real insight into doing business in China as the little guy, and winning.”
