Dr. Alan Beck is a practicing physician and the author of A Faithful Proposal (IGI Publishing), a hilarious read from beginning to end that exemplifies his personal frustration over the lack of common sense in our world today. It is a fast and fun read, laced with dark humor, that is a much-needed tonic for the general public who need to ‘take a break’ from the harsh reality of unemployment, healthcare, corrupt elected officials, global warming – any one of the issues facing them in this complex world we live in.
The star of A Faithful Proposal is Brooks McRump, ex-CEO of Bonanza insurance companies, who sets his sights on taking over all religions. He joins forces with retired psychiatrist and his former COO, Steve Kopfklopper, and they use the internet in a bid to revolutionize religions in order to acquire them all. They go so far as to hold Religious Idol contents and tackily advertise the number of prayers transmitted on gleaming white arches of a sports stadium. At Faith Mountain guests get an education and a ‘virtual tour’ of religious history that comes compete with a parachute ride down the mountain to Heaven and Hell, where they meet founders of all religions and witness historical moments in religious history.
Luring high profile religious leaders to their ranks with ‘executive perks’ increases the number of new centers and attracts media attention, that results in a live interview with Larry King. Along the way, they recruit Rifle Rae Virgin as a new leader, who succeeds in uniting the newer faith counselors in testing the souls of the founding fathers of Faith America. When the founders become obsessed with their own success and this causes envy to surface among the counselors, they get wined and dined in Florida as a means to placate them and bring everyone back together. While in Florida they meet a fascinating old Indian Chief named Big Bear who shares many surprising visions with them. Impervious to the corporate giants, fate ultimately descends to restrain the greed and ambitions of the Faith America Board who undergo a revival, and true faith and family values emerge at the end to save the day!
Dr. Beck’s novel blends compelling messages with comical wit, and his description of his novel as ‘A manic ride through the irritable bowels of our healthcare system, with a darkly funny descent into the sclerotic heart of contemporary religions, and a Prozac-induced mock homage to corporate and individual greed’ says it perfectly! Please visit this creative writer’s website at www.afaithfulproposal.com.
###
TIP SHEET:
Charles Ashbacher wrote a five star review for Amazon entitled “Subtle, intelligent satire of a great many things:’ “If you can think of an incongruity of modern life not lampooned in this book then you probably were not paying close enough attention… Using puns, wordplay and slightly veiled references, the author has created a very amusing story. The premise is that Brooks McRump, a disgraced former CEO of an insurance company, is looking for other green pastures…he decides to create a massive corporate organization that will enfold all the major religions. With his associates, McRump plans to create a giant religious theme park where his organization can merge and acquire all religions. There is the segment where J. C., an old pro from Plains, Georgia appears…hears them in Heaven and yells back at them with a Southern twang to follow the yellow slick road…eating peanuts constantly, continuously passing heavenly wind, and quotes loudly from the Bible. J. C. is of course former American president Jimmy Carter…and when a ship with passengers runs aground…two rescue boats, Bailout #1 and the Stimulus Package, rush out to help the passengers…This is great stuff, although there will be many people that would take offense at some aspect of the satire, at least the parts that refer to what they believe.”
People prefer to hear from those who have actually ‘walked the talk’ and proven themselves to represent long-standing success. It’s apparent that Frank McKinney fits this prerequisite; having just sold his majestic masterpiece, Acqua Liana; a $23 million, 15,000 square-foot beachfront mansion in Florida that was built on speculation at a time when most “experts” said it couldn’t and wouldn’t be done.
Guess what? Frank McKinney did ‘walk the talk’ (again) and he put his money where his mouth is by selling this artistic triumph during one of the worst economic times in American history!
No small achievement by anyone’s standards. Obviously McKinney knows what he is doing – not a fluke, not luck, but a real system utilizing his own strategies that have brought him immeasurable success in his twenty-five years as a real estate artist.
McKinney’s innate business savvy and proven methods are outlined in his timely best-seller Burst This! Frank McKinney’s Bubble-Proof Real Estate Strategies (Health Communications, Inc.). He has done all the legwork for readers and shares priceless information on how to avoid problems and recognize opportunities in a simple process that literally goes against all the negative assumptions of the predictors of real estate bubbles.
It gives everyone, from first-time home buyers to seasoned real estate deal-makers, their best chance ever of succeeding by showing what he does versus what everyone else does. By riding the ups and downs of this highly volatile market and using his own financial and investment strategies, he shows how to avoid getting caught up in the roller-coaster of boom and bust times that are nothing more than recurring market cycles.
McKinney has been hailed by Donald Trump for his ‘groundbreaking deals and rock star look’ and dubbed the ‘real estate rock czar’ by the Wall Street Journal – marks of a personal style that continues to mystify the media who can’t quite figure out how this man constantly comes out on top by doing things that most believe should not work!
It’s all part of the magic and it’s shared in Burst This! – a must-have for anyone wanting to experience the same phenomenal success that McKinney has enjoyed for many years.
This one-of-a kind, real estate frontman has appeared on Oprah, 20/20, CBS Evening News and USA Today. Check out this amazingly intuitive and contrary businessman at: www.frank-mckinney.com or www.burst-this.com. Note: Book sale proceeds go to his Caring House Project Foundation.
###
TIP SHEET:
Rich DeVos, co-Founder of Amway and owner of the Orlando Magic: “A true real estate artist, McKinney continues to make markets where others don’t dare to tread. Now this visionary contrarian shows you how to prosper in any real estate market.”
Thomas A. Griffith:“Classic Frank McKinney. Frank tells it like it is. Real estate runs in cycles, booms and busts…relevant information for the real estate investor or anybody interested in becoming a real estate investor, or just thinking about purchasing property. Frank uses real-life experiences in real estate strategies not Ivory Tower or Television B.S. Frank is definitely a maverick but a contrarian? How about a realist with an ability to see the future by studying the past. Great book!”
John Assaraf, bestselling author of The Answer and former RE/MAX of Indiana CEO: “Dismiss what the so-called experts tell you to do and listen to Frank McKinney, who has taken more risk and has made it big regardless of market conditions for nearly 25 years. McKinney has the goods to help any real estate investor thrive anytime, anywhere. Read Burst This! now and stop the naysayers cold in their tracks.”
Today’s recession economy has made most people pessimistic about their financial prospects. With daily offers of get-rich-quick schemes and big pay for little work, people don’t know what to believe. But Americans have always believed in the founding fathers, which is why Jack Vincent’s rewrite of Benjamin Franklin’s 1758 Way to Wealth (Helpful Info Publishing) is a relevant and welcomed addition to anyone’s collection. This timeless guide to financial prosperity has been rewritten and adapted for modern readers and today’s economy. In these uncertain times, readers can apply Benjamin Franklin’s wisdom to their lives and financially prosper.
Jack Vincent is a loving father of four who married at 17 and quickly learned responsibility. He read Way to Wealth, and its message transformed him. His lifelong application of its principles has made him a multiple award-winning successful business, real estate, and insurance entrepreneur for a quarter of a century. He is now passing the keys to success to readers. Young people and adults ready to change their lives can benefit from this book’s transformative message of hope.
Each copy purchased provides the reader opportunities to directly ask Jack Vincent questions online; he handles his own email. His goal is to get a million copies of this life-changing book to the public. Just because Vincent rewrote a book about financial prosperity does not mean he is selfish; on the contrary, he has offered to donate copies to religious organizations, libraries, schools, and individuals unable to afford it. Those in need can click on “Request for Donation” on his website for more information.
Jack Vincent is living proof the wisdom in this book changes lives and leads to financial success. Fans can find and follow Jack Vincent on Facebook by his name and on Twitter as “AskBenFranklin.” The book is available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or upon request from local bookstores. Readers can even buy a limited number of signed copies for $12.95 and find other interesting information at Jack Vincent’s website at: www.TheWayToWealthBook.com.
###
TIP SHEET:
Mariusz Skonieczny, president of Classic Value Investors, LLC, and author of Why Are We So Clueless about the Stock Market?: “This short and simple book is amazing. I do not know of any other book that has so much wisdom packed into so few pages, and this special edition ‘translates’ Franklin’s Old English into a language that is comprehensible to today’s readers. Even though Franklin wrote this book in the 1700s, almost everything still applies. At that time, people had the same complaints: making ends meet, a weak economy, heavy taxes, and foreigners ‘stealing our jobs.’ Fast forward to 2010 – we are still talking about the exact same things. The majority of us still have not learned the lessons contained in this book. … The lessons in this book give us the power to take control of our destiny, build wealth, and lead happier lives. Franklin’s quotes are timeless and his lessons are straightforward. The choice is ours: we can read this book, forget about the lessons, and return to our old habits, or we can take this information to heart, apply it religiously, and make our lives as fulfilling as we have always dreamed for them to be.”
After collecting literally hundreds of vintage tales of Hollywood legends over the years, Stephen Schochet not only wrote a book that everyone could enjoy on the glamorous, and not so glamorous, stories of Hollywood icons, but also created audiobooks. As explained in an interview with Reuters, this entrepreneur told two kinds of stories on his tour bus; origin stories – telling how things we take for granted came to be, and funny anecdotes. He not only read a lot of books to find his material, but also tried to meet people who were connected to the famous – like housekeepers – that he could garner some tidbits from! His book is a special blend of biography, history and legends and covers scandalous yarns on some of Hollywood’s greatest characters – from Shirley Temple and Lucille Ball to Charlie Chaplin, Walt Disney and Michael Jackson.
Hollywood Stories: Short, Entertaining Anecdotes About the Stars and Legends of the Movies! (Hollywood Publishing) is packed with wild and wonderful short tales on many famous stars, movies and directors – anyone who has been a part of the world’s most fascinating and unpredictable industry!
Schochet is also the author and narrator of two audiobooks. The first is Tales of Hollywood which started as a way to highlight the origins of how famous things in Hollywood began, combined with humorous tales about the stars – for which he masterfully provided background music and sound effects to add realism. The second project, Fascinating Walt Disney, was a huge hit – telling stories of how Walt created Mickey Mouse, Disneyland, Snow White and all his endearing characters, causing the host of one radio show to dub Schochet ‘The best storyteller about Hollywood we have ever heard.’
The author covers the gamut when it comes to situational stories; from the one about a bus full of tourists at Universal Studies who were viewing the famous motel from the movie Psycho and who screamed in terror as a tall man, dressed in drag, carrying a large knife and looking remarkably like Norman Bates, charged the tram with a convincing maniacal expression– only to find out it was actor Jim Carrey having some fun – to the story of how Walt Disney overprotected his two daughters from the limelight in fear of their being kidnapped, to the point that when one daughter found out from a classmate that her father was THE Walt Disney, she went home and asked for his autograph!
Hollywood Stories truly has something for everyone. It is a thoroughly entertaining book that features a remarkable cast of Hollywood’s legendary characters and icons and is jam-packed with surprising and funny tales with often unpredictable endings. No matter which page the book is opened on, there will be some fascinating part of Hollywood history to be savored!
Stephen Schochet is willing to do in-studio interviews as well as on location at famous Hollywood sights, such as Grauman’s Chinese Theater, the Chateau Marmont Hotel, etc.; places that will serve as the perfect backdrop to some of his best stories.
###
TIP SHEET:
Jan Wahl, KRON TV San Francisco: “A wild, fun ride through Tinsel Town, past and present!”
The Midwest Book Review:“Hollywood Stories is packed from cover to cover with fascinating tales.”
Tim Sika, Host of the radio show Celluloid dreams on KSJS in San Jose: “The best storyteller about Hollywood we have ever heard.”
No one is immune to these rocky economic times. Innovative businesspeople all over the country are adapting their organizational structures to survive, profit, and compete in today’s unreliable market. The practical and relevant advice in Transformational Leadership: A Blueprint for Real Organizational Change (Parkhurst Brothers) by Randy Dobbs can be applied to major corporations and small businesses alike, as well as to non-profits, universities, hospitals, and other institutions.
Transformational Leadership differs from often dry and notoriously boring business books – it reads like a novel. In it, Dobbs provides a step-by-step guide to improving the internal structure of any organization. Effective and common sense how-to advice is supported with concrete examples of the principles at work. His leadership insights will help sharpen the skills of beginning entrepreneurs as well as veteran moguls.
His twenty-five years in leadership positions and extensive CEO experience at three companies makes Randy Dobbs a true leadership expert. As CEO of GE Capital, IT Solutions, he was awarded General Electric’s Turnaround Business of the Year Award. Now the secrets of a successful executive are compiled into a readable, practical guide for all types of leaders. Transformational Leadership is available at local bookstores, Amazon, and other online bookstores.
###
TIP SHEET:
Several of All 5-Star Reviews at Amazon:
Michael W. John:“I was working at USIS during much of Randy Dobbs’ time as CEO. AFTER reading the book, I can say that I learned a great deal more about the processes and procedures that Randy used to help move our corporation forward. I found his key points punctuated by real-world examples an excellent method to clarify his lessons and advice to leaders. And no doubt about it — anyone tapped to lead an organization, from the church council to the major corporation, will take away ideas from Randy’s book. From my perspective, I have seldom seen the critical role of communication in driving change explained in such a clear/concise way… along with plenty of examples from the real world to explain his points. I highly recommend this straight forward and well written guide to creating organizational success and lasting change.”
William ‘Bill’ Mixon: “Randy Dobbs’ book translates the challenging job of creating lasting, meaningful, focused change in organizations–transformational change that will drive positive results–in a way can be understood and replicated by readers at other organizations. His examples, drawn from a successful career at several major corporations, illuminate his main points and also makes the book a very interesting read. Nothing easy in Randy’s prescriptions for success–he tells us that it is a tough job for the strong at heart. But, he also tells us and shows us how we can succeed if we follow proven formulas and prescribed processes.”
John E. Moore: “Superior earnings results, the financial blood of all enterprise. Real life stories of total business transformations and leading by example…pure drive, determination and developing a matrix of success which the author learned through the ups and downs of developing and honing the components of transforming not only top global corporations, but himself along the way. An exciting read and a journey I was privileged to be along for much of the ride on 3 different occasions over 25 years. Once I opened the book, I could not put it down until suddenly I ran out of pages to read. Hopefully there will be a sequel.”
Religion versus Science: Where Both Sides go Wrong in The Great Evolution Debate (O-Books), by Ron Frost, is a comprehensive, unbiased view of evolution that bridges the apparently unbridgeable gap between creationism (an Intelligent Design) and the scientific view of evolution. Having studied and practiced Shambhala Buddhism for over twenty-five years, Frost became aware there were aspects of his mind that occurred from outside his ego. He realized that if one posits a transcendent aspect of consciousness it has a major implication on how one interprets the scientific evidence for evolution.
Ron Frost wrote his in-depth and well-researched book on the premise that the great debate over evolution is driven more by misconceptions held by proponents on both sides of the debate than by the actual facts of evolution itself. The basic facts of evolution – that the Earth is immensely old, that all life can be traced to one ancient progenitor, and that natural selection causes species to change – are indisputable. The error that materialistic scientists make is to assume that evolution is a random, pointless process and that the only value to human life is to act as a carrier for all-important genes. It is this interpretation of evolution, more than the actual facts themselves, which has long irritated Evangelical Christians.
Frost believes the mistake that Creationists and advocates of Intelligent Design make is in attacking the facts of evolution rather than the materialistic manner in which the facts are presented. Frost’s goal in writing Religion Versus Science is to present a view of evolution that is compatible with both the scientific evidence for evolution and with the core teachings of all but the most fundamentalist of the world’s religions. Science deals with the objective, material aspects of reality and religion deals with the subjective way we relate to the outer world – two different yet complementary ways of viewing the world.
Knowing that many Christians disagree with the atheistic lens through which evolution is presented yet also have misgivings about a solely Creationist’s view, the idea that evolution and Darwinism can be compatible with faith in a transcendent reality will be very appealing. For the secular, technical population this book will provide answers to why Creationists hate science. Because Frost’s book is not written from a purely Christian point of view, he can discuss the role of consciousness in evolution without having to worry about the problem of a Creator – resulting in a theory of evolution that is applicable to both theistic and non-theistic religious traditions.
Ron Frost has been an editor for two major scientific journals and a professor of Geology at the University of Wyoming for many years, and has studied the chemical composition of rocks, the minerals they contain, and what they tell us about ancient geologic processes. This, together with his twenty-five years as a practicing Buddhist, makes the perfect combination in a writer to find a common ground between science and religion.
Karl Giberson, Ph.D., author of Saving Darwin: How to be a Christian and Believe in Evolution, and Oracles of Science: Celebrity Scientists Versus God and Religion with Mariano Artigas: “Frost’s remarkably wide-ranging volume offers the reader a helpful survey of the troubled road that led to the current controversy over scientific theories of origins. More than just another book on creation versus evolution, Science vs. Spirituality locates the controversy in the inability of science to deal effectively with the realm of consciousness and mind, where our deepest needs and most profound experiences reside. Writing from an eastern, Buddhist perspective, Frost offers a fresh perspective on one of the deepest questions of our time.”
The idea for Executive Medicine of Texas, when it opened its doors in 2005, came from a select group of physicians who wanted to spend more time with their patients, getting to know them and treating them as they would their family. These physicians had spent decades on the HMO treadmill and wanted to do something that was professionally rewarding and good for the patient at the same time. Executive Medicine has definitely accomplished this, and more, by providing excellent one-on-one care for their patients. As an extension of that care, they wanted to do something that would benefit everyone, and Dr. Mark Anderson, Dr. Walter Gaman and Judith K. Gaman achieved that goal when they co-authored Stay Young: 10 Proven Steps to Ultimate Health (George House Publishing), a truly unique book that outlines a detailed plan for getting healthier and staying that way! It is the first-ever health journal of its kind that helps people take control of their own health and wellness.
So much of the current attention given to healthcare by the media focuses on cost rather than the inevitable rationing of care that will come with government-run programs – making it imperative that people become proactive in implementing lifestyle changes to live a healthier life. Health and wellness, while a different journey for each of us, is enabled by the help of our doctor, yet in all the hype over healthcare, rarely does anyone mention prevention and how this is essential to a long life. Instead, the authors of Stay Young often saw people who were trying to accomplish more than is humanly possible between their families and jobs and squeezing in attempts to stay healthy. They realized that between society putting pressure on us to stay beautiful and our putting pressure on ourselves by ‘trying to be everything to everyone,’ the result was two conflicting messages tugging at the body, spirit and mind.
In a straightforward and easy style, the authors provide clear and much-needed advice on how to get healthy – understanding that many of us feel overwhelmed because we just don’t know where to begin. While their book clearly outlines the necessary first steps, they also provide long-term tools to help us fight disease and the effects of aging. They help create a baseline that is determined by many factors, including family history, daily habits, and current health status, and make suggestions on how to modify eating habits, reduce stress, increase exercise and get enough sleep – all necessary for good health. While there are a total of ten steps to a healthier life, one section that seems to get more than its share of attention is the one that offers tips to improve libido, and where readers are encouraged to increase the level of intimacy with their partner as another step toward better health!
The credentials of these individuals read like a ‘who’s who’ in medicine and health science, authenticating their well-researched book. Dr. Anderson is Board Certified in Family Medicine and often appears in the media as an expert on proactive health and wellness; Dr. Gaman is Board Certified in Family Practice, is also heard as an expert in the media, was named one of America’s Top Family Doctors by the Consumer Research Council of America, and was also named one of their ‘healthcare heroes’ by The Fort Worth Business Press. Both Dr. Anderson and Dr. Gaman have been named ‘Best Doctors in Dallas’ by D Magazine and ‘Best Doctors in Texas’ by Newsweek Magazine 2010. Judy Gaman is an award-winning, published author and has been entertaining and educating audiences for years. She has a degree in health sciences, with a concentration in clinical research administration, from the prestigious George Washington University School of Medicine & Health Sciences.
Larry North, Leading Health and Fitness Expert, author of Living Lean: “A must read! If everyone followed these 10 steps, we would have a much healthier America.”
Craig (Junior) Miller, Sportsradio 1310 The Ticket: “Too many people take their health for granted, and this book is a great reminder not to do that. These guys really know what they’re talking about – great advice throughout!”
Michael Landauer, Dallas Morning News: “This book meets readers where they are. The authors have a rare talent for connecting with people and helping them improve their lives by giving them the tools to do so.”
Ruthie Bram, Miss Harris County 2010, Entertainer: “I believe in aspiring to be healthy in body, mind, and spirit. This book addresses them all.”
Lynne Palmeiro (spouse of former MLB Player): “These guys have been keeping me healthy for years. I am thrilled about this book!”
