Atlanta,
Georgia – Wry, poignant, witty and right on target, Southern Vapors by
Lynn Garson (CreateSpace) pulls no punches when it comes to growing up
in the privileged South. There are glimpses of her early life as an
heiress-in-waiting, the big white house like Tara, travels on a grand
scale and glamour at home. But an essential familial warmth was
missing. So we get an insider’s view of the price tag of privilege: the
constant requirement to maintain the right image at all costs and the
misery that came with it.
After a lifetime of struggle, Lynn
found her lowest points as a patient in not one but three different
mental hospitals. Her reflections on that time make it clear that in the
face of it all, Lynn maintained her dry sense of humor: “I used to
think I was unbearably unique,” she says. “Later I came to understand
that I was the quintessential Baby Boomer….by the time I thought it,
felt it, ate it, smoked it, drank it or wrote about it, most of my
generation had either already done the same or were right there with
me.” In Southern Vapors, you’ll enjoy the journey, whether you’re
laughing out loud or reduced to tears. “For my part, knowing I’m not
alone is very cheering,” she concludes. “So I have gladly traded in my
perceived uniqueness for a seat in the row next to the rest of you.”
Lynn
Garson graduated from Tulane University and has lived around the world.
She has three children and currently lives in Atlanta. A popular
motivational speaker, she has something memorable to contribute on
topics including depression, eating disorders and/or addiction, family
issues, and more. Southern Vapors is her first book and is currently
being adapted for the stage. For more information on this remarkable new
talent, please visit: www.southernvapors.com.
Sold at bookstores and online outlets Southern Vapors by Lynn Garson Publisher: CreateSpace ISBN-10: 1475008481 ISBN-13: 978-1475008487
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Trish Stevens
Jillian M. Sachtleben Ascot Media Group, Inc. Office: (281) 333-3507 team@ascotmediagroup.com www.ascotmediagroup.com
Ellaville, GA –
Jackie Carpenter always considered herself an ordinary person – a mom,
wife, businessperson. She never dreamed her life would become an
award-winning feature film, A Cry for Justice (Triple Horse Studios).
But when her life took a dramatic turn, she began to discover just how
much adversity she could withstand. It all began with the insistent
shrilling tone of a late-night phone call. Her son had been arrested and
faced charges of murder. A capital crime in Georgia, it can carry the
ultimate penalty: death by lethal injection.
He had been plagued by thefts on a home construction
site. The security service he hired could not start immediately; on
the advice of a police officer, her son set out with a gun to watch for
the culprits one night. The would-be thieves showed up, and the gun
fired unexpectedly. One of the thieves was fatally shot, and Jackie
Carpenter’s son was arrested and jailed.
It seemed such an
obvious miscarriage of justice: her son was only protecting his
property, the gun discharged by accident. The defense relied on a
now-controversial law, often known as the ‘stand your ground law.’ They
maintained that their client had every right to defend his property. The
prosecutor argued with equal passion that he was a cold-blooded
murderer.
The movie and the books it is based on are a
white-knuckled, fast-paced chronicle of a woman’s struggle to keep her
family whole. A Cry for Justice is based on Jackie Carpenter’s two
books: The Bridge: Between Cell Block A and a Miracle is Psalm 91 and
Georgia Justice: A Journey to Faith. Watch the movie trailer at: acryforjusticemovie.com.
The
movie has won several awards, including one for best screenplay. Just
last month, Jackie Carpenter was nominated to the category of “People to
Watch 2013” at the first-ever Annual Georgia Entertainment Gala.
Jackie
Carpenter has been a featured guest on television, radio, and in
newspaper articles. For more information on this author and her
remarkable story of faith, hope and love, visit her website at: www.bridgetoamiracle.com .
###
Trish Stevens
Jillian M. Sachtleben Ascot Media Group, Inc. Office: (281) 333-3507 team@ascotmediagroup.com www.ascotmediagroup.com
Boca Raton, FL
– We all have problems in life; but imagine, after years of hard work
and study to become a prominent surgeon, something goes horribly wrong
in the operating room and, in an instant, your life is forever changed.
It’s normally the patient that’s at risk of a complication in the
operating room, not the doctor. However, one day as Emile Allen, M.D.
was operating to save a woman’s life, he barely escaped being
electrocuted and nearly died. He remembered hearing a voice telling him:
“I’m not ready for you yet. You have more work to do.” He had no way of
knowing the challenges he would face or how many times he would hear
those words…
Dr. Allen had suffered a brain injury and, in a
split second, went from performing intricate surgical procedures to
struggling just to do simple things such as counting change at the
grocery store or reading a book. The event not only changed his career
but also his identity and capabilities. At the time, he didn’t
understand how significant the impact of this incident would be for the
rest of his life.
Eaten By The Tiger: Surrendering to an
Empowered Life, by Emile Allen, M.D., is a collection of stories and
insights acquired through his personal experiences as a surgeon, son and
patient that helped get him through the paralysis of emotional and
physical loss. He had ridden the gamut of emotions from shock and denial
to full-blown depression. While learning to meditate on vacation in
Fiji, he heard ‘the words’ again and was transcended to such a peaceful
state of mind that his perception of the rest of the world was
heightened. He had truly found the meaning of being “Eaten By The
Tiger.”
For anyone who has experienced a recent loss or might be
struggling with life’s daily challenges, Dr. Allen’s personal journey
will undoubtedly inspire you to find your own insights. Regardless of
the reason, you will be able to relate to something in his compelling
story because it will touch some aspect of your life.
Dr.
Allen’s fascinating inside stories of life as a surgeon, life lessons
learned from his frustration with the healthcare industry, and his own
personal experiences as a patient all exhibit a compassion for others
that blends perfectly with his dry wit and grabs the reader’s attention
from the first page. In sharing the extraordinary roller coaster ride of
emotions during his long recovery that prompted his journey of
self-discovery, readers may laugh or cry, but they will all be moved and
inspired to overcome their own obstacles and succeed at finding their
own purpose in life.
Dr. Allen is a graduate of Northwestern University Medical School in Chicago.
He completed his general surgery internship and urology residency at
the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics. He is the former Chairman
of Urology and Vice Chairman of Surgery at Scripps Memorial Hospital in
La Jolla, CA. As a retired urologist,
Dr. Allen has turned his passion for helping others into inspirational
speaking and writing, touching more lives than he ever could have as a
surgeon.
Eaten By The Tiger is both motivating and empowering. In
candidly sharing all he experienced, from his darkest moments to his
utmost joy, Dr. Allen helps readers see that how we deal with life’s
challenges determines the outcome of our lives. For more information,
please visit: www.eatenbythetiger.com.
###
Trish Stevens
Jillian M. Sachtleben Ascot Media Group, Inc. Office: (281) 333-3507 team@ascotmediagroup.com www.ascotmediagroup.com
Deerfield
Beach, FL – Karma Chow Creator and celebrity chef, Melissa Costello,
introduces her new cookbook, The Karma Chow Ultimate Cookbook: 125+
Plant-Based Vegan Recipes for a Fit, Happy, Healthy You (HCI Books) –
proof that planet-friendly fare is totally delicious as well as better
for you. The over 7 million vegetarians and 3 million vegans in the U.S.
already know this is what keeps them healthy and looking great! As the
personal chef to celebrity fitness guru Tony Horton, creator of the
bestselling P90X® fitness system, and many others, Melissa strives to
keep the food appealing and all of her clients fit, happy and energized.
Melissa’s
book offers a smorgasbord of simple but tasty dairy- and animal- free
appetizers, breakfasts, dinners, and specialty menus that range from Mac
& Cheeze, Karma Burgers, Lettuce Wraps, Soups, Tacos and
Casseroles, to die-for desserts like Strawberry Crème Mousse with
Pistachio Nut Topping, Carob Bread Pudding, Apple and Pear Crisp,
Brownie Bites, and Tony’s own favorite – Cardamom Chocolate Chippers. Is
your mouth watering yet?
The Karma Chow Ultimate Cookbook makes
healthy eating fun and provides the body with the fuel it needs to rock a
workout and get that sculpted sought-after physique! For more
information, please visit: www.karmachow.com.
About the Author:
Melissa
Costello, founder of Karma Chow and creator of The Vital Life Cleanse,
is the personal chef to celebrity fitness guru Tony Horton, creator of
the highly popular workout system, P90X®. Melissa, a certified
nutritionist and wellness coach, works one-on-one with clients as well
as leads thirty-day food-based cleanses with large groups, teaching them
how to implement changes in their diet that will last a lifetime.
Melissa was featured on TV Guide’s Secrets of the Hollywood Body as well
as CNBC’s How I Made My Millions with Tony Horton.
Sample Recipes:
Black Bean Brownie Bites
Brownies
are everyone’s favorite, so I wanted to come up with a healthier
version that was just as tasty. These bites are loaded with fiber yet
still maintain the chocolatey-goodness of a regular brownie! Your kids
will love them too!
I make them in a mini-muffin pan, but feel
free to use an 8×8 brownie pan. Just adjust the cooking time to longer
in the oven by about 10 minutes.
2 cups black beans (freshly cooked is best, but canned is ok- drain & rinse if canned) 1 ripe banana 1/3 cup of raw blue agave nectar or Grade B maple syrup ½ cup date paste* (see recipe below) *allow 1 hour soaking time for date paste 2 tablespoons coconut oil, melted ½ cup raw cacao powder 1 tablespoon vanilla extract 1 tablespoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon sea salt ¼ cup oat or almond flour 1 teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon baking soda ½ cup grain sweetened or vegan chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350. Grease mini muffin tins with coconut oil or coconut spray.
In
a food processor with S-blade, combine black beans, banana, agave
nectar, date paste, coconut oil, cacao powder, vanilla, cinnamon &
sea salt until combined well and smooth. Transfer mixture to a large
bowl. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Fill mini muffin tins about 2/3
full and bake 25-30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Remove
from oven and let cool in pan for 10 minutes and transfer to a wire
rack.
To make Date Paste: Pour 2/3 cup of hot water over 1 cup
pitted dates and then soak for about an hour. Throw all ingredients into
a blender and process until a smooth, thick paste is formed.
Yield: Makes about 30 mini muffins
Dreamy Roasted Butternut Squash Soup
I
love the fall because squash is in season, and butternut is one of my
faves! This soup is so good you will want to eat the whole pot —that’s
why I termed it “dreamy.” Top with some lightly toasted pumpkin seeds
right before serving for presentation, crunch, and a little extra
calcium and magnesium.
6-8 servings
1 large butternut squash, roasted (this can be done a day before serving) 2 tablespoons olive oil or coconut oil 1 large shallot, diced small ½ large yellow sweet onion, diced 1-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled and grated 1 large garnet yam or sweet potato, peeled and cubed 2 stalks celery, diced 5 carrots, peeled and chopped ½ teaspoon cumin powder 4 cups vegetable broth 2 tablespoons agave nectar or maple syrup Sea salt and pepper, to taste 1 teaspoon cinnamon ¼ teaspoon nutmeg Pinch of cloves 1½ cups unsweetened almond milk or coconut milk Toasted pumpkin seeds (for garnish)
Heat
the oven to 400 degrees F. Cut squash in half lengthwise. Line a baking
dish or cookie sheet with parchment paper and lightly coat with cooking
spray (olive oil or coconut). Place the squash cut side down on the
baking dish or sheet and poke holes in it with a sharp knife or fork,
then spray squash with cooking spray. Bake for about 45-minutes or until
the squash can be easily pierced with a fork. Take out of the oven and
let it cool.
Heat the oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add
the shallot, onion, and ginger, and sauté for about 3 minutes until soft
and translucent. Add the yam, celery, and carrots. Sauté for a few
minutes and then add the cumin powder, stirring to incorporate. Add the
broth. Cover the pot and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat and simmer
until the vegetables are tender, about 20 minutes.
While the soup
is cooking, remove the seeds from the squash and discard. Scoop out the
flesh from the skin and add to the pot, stirring to incorporate the
squash with the other vegetables. Add a bit more broth if necessary.
Cook for about 5 more minutes, then remove from the heat and add the
agave nectar, salt and pepper, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and the almond
milk. Puree the soup using a hand blender or in batches in a regular
blender. Serve garnished with toasted pumpkin seeds.
Did You
Know? Maple syrup is chock-full of vitamins and minerals. Make sure to
buy grade B, which is the most nutritious and least processed. It’s a
low-glycemic sweetener, so it won’t spike your blood sugar as fast as
some other sweeteners.
Per Serving: Calories 170, Total Fat 4.5g,
Saturated Fat 0.5g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 260mg, Carbohydrate 32g,
Fiber 5g, Protein 3g
Trish Stevens
Jillian M. Sachtleben Ascot Media Group, Inc. Office: (281) 333-3507 team@ascotmediagroup.com www.ascotmediagroup.com
New York, NY –
Published three years after Haiti’s catastrophic earthquake, an event
that plays a pivotal role in Josh Farrar’s latest book, A Song for Bijou
(Walker Books/Bloomsbury) is a touching, inspiring chronicle of young
love in the multicultural setting of a contemporary middle school. Minus
today’s reality-show hype, this effervescent story acts as an excellent
tool for parents and teachers alike to help kids determine right from
wrong as they come of age in our diverse, increasingly complex society.
Josh
Farrar has written a story of middle-school first crushes in which a
white boy from Brooklyn and a Haitian girl who has recently survived
that country’s devastating earthquake struggle mightily to spend time
together in a social environment that seems determined to keep them
apart. Despite the seriousness of its themes, the book is a fun, breezy
read punctuated by scenes of celebratory music and dancing. A Song for
Bijou heartwarmingly depicts the efforts of a multicultural group of
friends in Brooklyn, New York to understand the mysteries of the
opposite sex, and the complexities of the world they live in. Told in
alternating viewpoints against the vibrant backdrop of Haitian-American
culture, the author’s lead characters, Alex Schrader and Bijou Doucet,
take their first tender steps toward love in this affecting story.
Life
for Alex has never involved girls. Attending an all-boys prep school,
most of his time is spent clowning around with his friends. But that all
changes the first time he sets eyes on Bijou, a beautiful Haitian girl
who relocated to Brooklyn after the earthquake, and he is determined to win
her heart. Bijou, on the other hand, is surprised daily by how
different life is in America. After Alex asks her out, he quickly learns
there are rules when it comes to girls, both in Haitian culture and
with his own friends. And Bijou discovers she doesn’t have to let go of
her roots to find joy in her new life.
A Song for Bijou is a
realistic depiction of a group of regular, good kids negotiating the
complex business of growing up. The second novel by author Josh Farrar,
it has been praised as an “…enjoyable, seriocomic tale of new love,
culture clash, adolescent social stratification and friendship…a
solid, timely effort,” by Kirkus Reviews. Farrar’s first book, Rules to
Rock By, was called by School Library Journal a “spirited, never-say-die
story about a girl and her dream…Farrar’s first novel hits home about
tween life, especially among the creative set, and for anyone who has
ever been bullied.”
Surviving puberty has never been easy, but
the infringement of technology––YouTube, Twitter, and a phone in the
hand of nearly every child – has made the navigation of adolescence
positively baffling. Devoid of sex, drugs, or profanity, Farrar’s new
book is a welcome breath of fresh air: a moving tale of friendships,
first love, and the issues of growing up in a different culture.
Josh Farrar understands kids. Whether writing fiction or designing educational software
for companies such as LeapFrog and Scholastic, his goal is to give
children the tools to become better readers, and maybe, better people.
Music
plays a prominent role in Farrar’s books. The author has played in
bands, composed music for plays and films and, when he’s not reading or
writing, he can usually be found with a stringed instrument in his
hands. He is a strong believer in the combined power of literature and
music to powerfully affect children’s lives, and promotional events for A
Song for Bijou will feature performances by a cast of West Indian
musicians. A graduate of Wesleyan University, Josh lives with his family
in Brooklyn, New York.
For more information on this talented writer, please visit: www.farrarbooks.com.
Available at fine bookstores, online or at author’s website A Song for Bijou by Josh Farrar Publisher: Walker Books ISBN-10: 0802733948 ISBN-13: 978-0802733948 Release Date: February 12, 2013
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Trish Stevens
Jillian M. Sachtleben Ascot Media Group, Inc. Office: (281) 333-3507 team@ascotmediagroup.com www.ascotmediagroup.com
Deerfield Beach, FL – You know her as Liz Chandler on ‘Days of Our Lives’ but actress Gloria Loring will tell you that life has not always been good to her – as evidenced recently on Dr. Drew when she revealed agonizing details of abuse from her father. Mother of singer/songwriter Robin Thicke, this talented singer, actress and author shares the intimate journey of her life in her profound autobiography, Coincidence is God’s Way of Remaining Anonymous: Reflections on Daytime Dramas and Divine Intervention (HCI — $14.95).
Gloria’s celebrity autobiography details a series of extraordinary coincidences that transformed her life. Not accidental – more a coinciding of meaningful events trying to get her attention! She would also quote Albert Einstein’s words that title her new book, “Coincidence is God’s way of remaining anonymous.” In her book, Gloria shows readers how to put Einstein’s wisdom to use with a fresh perspective born of three decades of experience, practice and revelation.
Have you ever struggled with something in life and then, just when you needed it most, someone or something stepped in to save the day? This has happened many times in Gloria’s life. As an example: When her son was four she made a promise to him that she would work to end his diabetes. For some unknown reason, someone left a card titled “Expect a Miracle” in her ‘Days of our Lives’ dressing room. This event happened 24-hours before she met a man who helped her raise $1 million for research with the Days of Our Lives Celebrity Cookbook! In the same way, a question from a friend led to her #1 hit “Friends and Lovers,” and ‘coincidence’ arranged for a stranger to send her life-changing letters during her secret separation and eventual divorce from actor-writer Alan Thicke. Mere coincidence? You tell me…
Gloria’s book has the unique feature of its own original soundtrack co-written by her. Each chapter begins with a song lyric written out of the experiences and principles presented therein. These songs are featured on her CD “Turn the Page.”
Although coincidence appears to come out of the blue, Loring knows that it’s possible to experience divine intervention in our everyday lives. Combining scientific observation, spiritual wisdom, and what Loring calls “EBL,” evidence-based living, this memoir offers a prescriptive in-depth look at the spiritual dimension of coincidence: where it comes from, how we attract it, and how we use it for the betterment of ourselves and those we love.
Gloria Loring is the recording artist of the #1 hit “Friends and Lovers”; co-composer and singer of TV theme song “Facts of Life”; a “Days of Our Lives” audience favorite as “Liz Chandler”; the author of six books benefitting people living with diabetes, and is well-unknown these days as the mother of R&B singing sensation and “Duets” superstar Robin Thicke. For more information on this remarkably talented writer, singer and actress, please visit: www.hcibooks.com or (800) 441-5569 COINCIDENCE IS GOD’S WAY OF REMAINING ANONYMOUS Reflections on Daytime Dramas and Divine Intervention Publisher: HCI Books ISBN: 978-07573-1648-7 $14.95
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Trish Stevens
Jillian M. Sachtleben Ascot Media Group, Inc. Office: (281) 333-3507 team@ascotmediagroup.com www.ascotmediagroup.com
Hampton, VA –
If you were given a diagnosis of lung cancer and told you had six months
to live – that’s pretty much a death sentence, right? Wrong! When Dr.
Carl Helvie was given that very diagnosis 38 years ago he decided his
last months would be without the debilitating effects of traditional
medicine. Now, at age 80, he is not only free of chronic illnesses and
prescribed medications but is the longest living lung cancer survivor!
His new book, You Can Beat Lung Cancer: Using Alternative/Integrative
Interventions (Ayni Books), is one of the most comprehensive books on
alternative treatment for lung cancer available today.
We
have been conditioned to believe that surgery, chemotherapy and
radiation are the only way to fight cancer but, according to Helvie,
“this could not be more wrong!” Interestingly, a team of researchers in
Washington state recently discovered by ‘accident’ that chemotherapy
does not treat or cure cancer at all but rather fuels the growth of
cancer cells, making it even more difficult to destroy the second time
around.
Using holistic natural interventions of supplements,
herbs, enzymes, diet, prayer, meditation, visualization and more, Dr.
Helvie not only overcame his cancer but prevented a recurrence. So,
considering only 11% of Americans over age 65 are free of chronic
illnesses, and by age 75 the average is three chronic illnesses and five
prescribed medications, following the steps outlined in his book is
like being given back 20+ years of life!
Dr. Helvie’s book is
based on his 60-year background in medicine and research, and input from
some of the leading medical and health practitioners currently in the
field today. By shedding light on the alternatives to traditional harsh
treatments, he is arming us with the necessary information to make a
rational decision should we ever be faced with this diagnosis.
Dr. Carl Helvie is a registered nurse with two masters and a doctorate in public health
and wellness. He has 60 years experience as a nurse practitioner,
educator, author and researcher and is the recipient of numerous awards
and has listings in Who’s Who In American Nursing, Men of Achievement,
American Men and Women of Science, just to name a few. He has eight
published books, has contributed to others, and has published or
presented internationally over 100 papers and articles. He developed and
published a nursing theory that is used worldwide and has established a
nursing center that provides primary care for homeless and low-income
individuals and families.
Dr. Helvie currently writes for a
magazine and is the host of a radio show on natural holistic health. For
more information, please visit: www.BeatLungCancer.net.
Available at fine bookstores or online outlets You Can Beat Lung Cancer: Using Alternative/Integrative Interventions By Dr. Carl O. Helvie Publisher: Ayni Books Released: November 16, 2012 ISBN-10: 1780992831 ISBN-13: 978-1780992839
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Trish Stevens
Jillian M. Sachtleben Ascot Media Group, Inc. Office: (281) 333-3507 team@ascotmediagroup.com www.ascotmediagroup.com
by 