Culture, beliefs and explanations absorbed during childhood form the preconceived notions of truth we carry with us on our life’s journey. However, understanding life requires letting go of misleading ideas that only mask life’s real flow. There are beliefs and understandings that have formed each and every one of our own views but these are merely mental creations to the conscious – they do not clarify, but rather distort, how reality works.
The Essence of Reality: A Clear Awareness of How Life Works (O-Books/John Hunt Publishing) exposes the inner cause and effect of real events; how each individual creates his or her own patterns in health, success, and relationships in life, often opposing fulfillment. This insightful book gives the reader the necessary tools to look inward through meditation, dream analysis, and self-hypnosis – all with the intent to draw vital information from the subconscious to regain power over life’s quality.
The Essence of Reality, by Thomas Daniel Nehrer, is a unique compilation of the author’s own experiences studying many great visionaries and philosophers from the Greeks into modern times, and objectively seeing their limitations vs. how life actually works. Nehrer has traveled over 24,000 miles to make seventy appearances across the United States, Canada, Britain and the Netherlands, and applies the revenue from sales of his books toward expenses in order to be able to present his perspective. People want to hear what he has to say – they want to open their minds and learn not to fear introspection.
Nehrer has never been one to take things at face value – he left a career in chemical engineering to travel widely and explore at a young age. He experienced many techniques along the way that prompted his inner journey to question superficiality of beliefs in a determined effort to find underlying inner elements to outer problems. It is well worth a visit to his website at www.nehrer.net, to learn from his talks and books how his low key approach to mind expansion helps open-minded seekers.
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Kim McCall ASCOT Media Group, Inc. 1120 Nasa Parkway, Suite 220 Nassau Bay, TX 77058 [email protected] Office: (281) 333-3507 www.AscotMedia.com
‘We’re in trouble. We need your help.’ A cryptic plea tucked into a Honolulu party invitation puzzles Hawaiian P.I. John Spyer. The note is from Hillary Haverhill, a woman he’s never met. She’s the new bride of Randy, John’s friend from childhood. Dr. Randolph Haverhill is now an economist of international renown. If Randy is in trouble, why didn’t he write the note himself? Suppose Randy’s second wife has figured out that her new husband is a world-class womanizer? If Hillary wants to enlist his services in a marital dispute, Spyer is not up for that. John’s not eager to spend time in Honolulu, either. This playful tropical city is also haunted, as any Hawaiian knows, and John ‘Oluhana Maalaea Spyer happens to be one haunted man. Too bad Spyer is only half Hawaiian and so pays only half attention when mercurial fire goddess Madam Pele warns him to stay off the Randolph Haverhill case. No decent Hawaiian ever says no to an old friend, however.
Despite Madam P’s warning, Spyer investigates the death of his childhood pal Randy Haverhill, which takes him home to Honolulu’s ancient Nuuanu Valley, opening his own psychic wounds in the process and putting to the test his love for Maya, his girl friend from the mainland. Spyer is soon privy to a frightening tale of obsessive love. Randy Haverhill was charisma on steroids, way too popular with the ladies for his own good. Though Hillary and Randy’s ex-wife Eva detest each other, they agree on one thing: Randy was stalked and shot to death by one of his crazed lovers. So why is it that the police persist in the notion that Haverhill was murdered by his own son?
One Big Itch (Arche Books), is the latest exciting thriller from Sara Williams; an author who has already demonstrated a distinct knack for writing breathtaking page-turners. She will not disappoint her readers in her latest character-driven novel with its hair-raising twists and turns. When the police uncover new evidence at the mansion and Spyer discovers an erotic manuscript on Randy’s laptop, there follows a cat and mouse game of chase with some undesirable characters involved in an erotic book club. The excitement builds when events take on new and unexpected twists, leaving the reader anxious to keep turning the pages of this brilliant “whodunit” – all the way to its suspense-filled climax.
Sara Williams and her husband lived in Hawaii for ten years, lending authenticity to her book through her own experience of this magical paradise. Her first novel, The Don Juan Con, was optioned in Hollywood by producer Robert Evans for Paramount Studios. Her second novel, The Serenoa Scandal, was the prequel to her latest novel, One Big Itch.
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Diana Donlon, Publisher of Women’s Outlook says, “..Williams crafts another riveting page-turner not to be missed. One Big Itch weaves fascinating Hawaiian culture with twists and turns spurred by obsessive love, a murder, and a John Spyer investigation.”
Prudy Taylor Board of Boca Raton News states: “The Big Itch is a page turner of a murder mystery….Spyer is an intriguing, fully-fleshed character. The well-crafted plot races toward a suspense-filled climax. The setting is the still beautiful Hawaii of haves and have nots that tourists seldom, if ever, see. A splendid read!”
One Big Itch is introduced in an innovative “zine” format that travels and packs well and while the story is fiction, the locations are real. A reader or visitor to Honolulu can follow the story on maps included in the book and even learn to speak a little Hawaiian or pidgin with the aid of the glossary in the back of the book.
Kim McCall ASCOT Media Group, Inc. 1120 Nasa Parkway, Suite 220 Nassau Bay, TX 77058 [email protected] Office: (281) 333-3507 www.AscotMedia.com
Imagine waking up on what you think will be a normal day except when you turn on the TV or radio to catch the news – nothing. You get ready for work only to find that your car will not start. You grab your cell phone – nothing…..not a single electronic in your house works. After checking with a neighbor you find the same scenario. This is starting to feel very uncomfortable …neighbors gather in the street feeling frightened and confused. What has just happened, only nobody realizes it yet, is that one of our enemies has detonated a nuclear bomb two hundred miles up, directly over America, and while it doesn’t hurt the people …yet… it emits gamma and x-rays that create an electrical disturbance known as EMP or Electro Magnetic Pulse that strikes wires, metal, antennas, power lines – anything electronic will be destroyed in its powerful path. In one second, the entire power grid, communications network and transportation system of the United States will come to a grinding halt.
One Second After (TOR/Forge Books), while written as fiction, is based on cold, solid facts. This is the story of what might transpire in the year after an EMP attack – an attack (according to one Congressional study) that could leave upwards of ninety percent of the American population dead from disease, starvation and civil break down. Dr. William R. Forstchen is the masterful author of One Second After. Devoting years of research to this topic, and drawing data from Congressional and Pentagon studies resulted in his book being cited before the House Armed Services Committee as a grim but realistic look at the outcome after an attack by EMP weapons.
One Second After is the story of Professor John Matherson; ex-military; single parent of two young daughters and a history professor at a small college in the mountains of western North Carolina when the attack occurs. With his military background, he knows immediately what has happened while his neighbors believe it is just another power failure. In the days to come, grim reality sets in as refugees from nearby cities flock to the country. There is still no form of communication; pharmacies, hospitals and nursing homes run out of supplies; supermarket shelves are bare, and law and order heads towards complete collapse as thousands die and survivors scramble to stay alive. When members of his small town band together under his leadership they are not sure how long they can hold out without supplies or against the armed gangs who are pouring out of ravaged cities, ready to loot and kill all in their path. With only a few short months of insulin left for his youngest daughter – for John and his family it becomes a descent into hell!
Dr. Forstchen, author of several NY Times best-sellers, was inspired to write this book after conversations with long-time friend and former Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich, who later introduced him to Congressman Roscoe Bartlett (R.,MD), head of the Congressional Investigative Committee on EMP and whose 2004 report declared an EMP attack presented the single biggest threat to America. Before the House Armed Services Committee, the Congressman endorsed Fortstchen’s book in hopes that its searing, emotional story will arouse the American public to action before time runs out.
As an editor with Aviation Week and Space Technology declared “it is not a question of if…it is only a question of when.” Check out this brilliant author and his action-packed thriller at www.onesecondafter.com.
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Stephen Coonts, author of The Assassin, says about the book: “Civilization slides into the abyss of a new dark age in his horrifying apocalyptic novel. Forstchen has put Bin Laden’s wet dream on paper and, in the process, taken civilization straight to the rack.”
Joel Rosenberg, author of The Sleeping Dragon, says: “Forstchen’s work has flair and power.”
David Hagberg, author of Dance with the Dragon, sums it up with: “Good storytelling consists very simply of creating characters so believable that the reader forms a deep bond. Forstchen did such a damned fine job with One Second After that shortly after the first page, I had been reeled in hook, line and sinker.”
Whitney Scott (Booklist) writes: “In a Norman Rockwell town in North Carolina ….ex-servicemen recall “Korea in ‘51” as military action by unlikely people becomes the norm in Forstchen’s sad, riveting, cautionary tale; the premise of which Newt Gingrich’s foreword says is completely possible.”
W.E.B. Griffin and Wm. E. Butterworth, IV add: “The only thing more terrifying than this masterfully crafted story is the possibility of it actually happening – and not a damn thing being done to protect us.”
The road to Judaism is not always easy, but infinitely more difficult for a lapsed Catholic from the Midwest. Sally Srok Friedes, married to an upper class Jewish man in Manhattan, thought that allowing her future children to be raised as Jews was really going the extra mile. Initially it was enough for her to try to adjust to the culture clash of marrying into a Jewish family. But with the dream of finding a meaningful religion, Sally did try to uncover the mystery of Judaism for herself – only to be left confused, disappointed and alienated at the many doors that were closed to her. Soon she wanted nothing to do with Judaism at all. No one was more surprised than Sally when she discovered the spirituality of Judaism and embraced the religion for herself. The New Jew: An Unexpected Conversion (O-Books Publishing) is a true, spiritual chronology of a ten year journey of conversion to Judaism for the author, told with an abundance of humor, candor, and warmth.
Sally was sure Bernice, her Jewish mother-in-law, had a vision of the ‘nice Jewish girl’ that her only son would marry someday – and Sally didn’t fit the mold! Sally loved Bernice, in part because Bernice had never made her feel like an outsider. Not once did Bernice make her feel she did not live up to her expectations, so when Bernice asked her to join them for High Holy Day services – how could she refuse? Sally hadn’t worried too much about Judaism before; she didn’t have to – her husband had made their interfaith marriage easy by thoroughly enjoying Christmas celebrations with their friends. Their biggest religious clash had been agreeing where to place the Christmas tree and the menorah! This was about to change. Since Sally would never insult Bernice, she accepted the invitation to attend synagogue. The New Jew is the story of a journey to Judaism, made bumpy at times through encounters with rabbis who left her feeling an outsider, but recompensed by the overwhelming acceptance and warmth she felt from Jewish friends and family. For Jews wondering how others see them, for non-Jews wondering what the mystery is all about, to those in an interfaith marriage, or anyone on a spiritual quest – this book is a must-read!
Sally Srok Friedes has been a guest speaker about the road to her conversion at temples on both coasts. She has written for parenting publications, appeared on television, hosted satellite tours, and worked as a panelist on a radio program. Sally’s love of writing began as a young child and blossomed out of the stories she shared with her grandparents. Visit her website at www.sallysrokfriedes.comfor more information.
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Praise from Rabbi Bernice Weiss, Founder and Director of the Washington Institute for Conversion and the Study of Judaism: “With heartfelt sincerity and eloquence, Sally Friedes very movingly captures the voice, hopes and fears of those who seek out Judaism.”
Karen Kushner, MSW; Director of Project Welcome (an outreach program welcoming interfaith families) wholeheartedly says, “With this inspirational story… Sally chronicles her journey from Catholic outsider to full member of the Jewish community ….revealing that there are comfortable seats at the family table of Judaism just waiting for seekers for other cultures and religions. The welcoming warmth of her husband’s family…the rabbi she studies with…uncover this truth for her and us in this extraordinary narrative….An important addition to the library of rabbis and interfaith outreach professionals.”
Rave Reviews from Andi Rosenthal, author and columnist, InterfaithFamily.com: “Sally has created a gem of a book…the countless sensitive and moving moments of her personal faith journey are truly universal…beautifully crafted prose evokes a sense of both timeless searching and deep personal revelation…brings her readers through an enlightening journey of an open and loving heart, a deeply inquisitive mind, and a relentlessly seeking soul….ultimately united in their quest for understanding and belonging. A must read for those considering converting to Judaism…and explorers of faith and ideas among those of all ages and backgrounds.”
“1964”…The Tribute will be performing at a fundraiser for the school lunch program at the Claire Gale Junior High School in Idaho Falls on March 13th, 2009 at 8:00pm.
In what Rolling Stone Magazine calls “The number one Beatles show on earth,” “1964”…The Tribute takes their audiences on a journey through a quintessential moment in music history that will live forever. Over 20 years of researching and performing have made “1964” masters of their craft. They are hailed by critics and fans alike as the most authentic and endearing Beatle tribute in the world. “1964” recreates an early ‘60s live Beatles concert with period instruments, clothing, hairstyles, and on-stage banter, with an accuracy that is simply unmatched.
“1964”…The Tribute has been featured on nationally televised programs such as Entertainment Tonight, PM Magazine, CNN, the USA Network and the Nashville Network. The band has toured around the world performing at major concert venues, stadiums, festivals, colleges, corporate events and conventions.
For more information please contact:
Claire Gale Junior High School
955 Garfield Street
Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401
208-525-7720
All dates, acts and ticket prices are subject to change without notice.
1964…The Tribute takes their audiences on a journey through a quintessential moment in music history that will live forever. Over 20 years of researching and performing have made “1964” masters of their craft. They are hailed by critics and fans alike as the most authentic and endearing Beatle tribute in the world. “1964” recreates an early ‘60s live Beatles concert with period instruments, clothing, hairstyles, and on-stage banter, with an accuracy that is simply unmatched.
1964…The Tribute has been featured on nationally televised programs such as Entertainment Tonight, PM Magazine, CNN, the USA Network and the Nashville Network. The band has toured around the world performing at major concert venues, stadiums, festivals, colleges, corporate events and conventions.
With Earth Day rapidly approaching on April 22nd, we are reminded that we need to honor this glorious world of ours by doing our part to improve it. A mistake in the past has been in not educating our children enough to think “green,” when, in fact, it should begin with them. We applaud schools that do their part to educate children on the environment, and it is encouraging to hear that around seven hundred elementary and secondary schools are taking part this spring in the first “National Green Week,” with one million children participating by bringing snacks and drinks in reusable containers. It was the late U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson who launched the first Earth Day on April 22, 1970, and his legacy continues through the work of his daughter, Tia Nelson. It just makes sense that environmentally educated children will grow up to be environmentally responsible adults!
One author, T. Katz, has taken the lead by writing a children’s book that has definite appeal to parents as an aid in educating their children on environmental issues. Children are resilient and will participate if the subject is fun, and it is obvious the author understands this in her story of two boys living in a coastal town who take the ocean and its inhabitants for granted – until they discover the magic of the sea through the unusual and mystifying eyes of their teacher. Miss L’eau (Orchard House Press) is a novel that will inspire children to want to do their part in protecting and preserving the oceans of the world for future generations. Ms. Katz’ star characters are David and James, friends in league when it comes to finding out their teacher’s secret and uncovering her double life. It was while David was the recipient of her special stare, as her glasses slipped down to the end of her nose, that he discovered her unusual eyes – eyes as blue-green as the ocean, that practically drew him in and made him believe that he could actually see the angel fish and sea anemones that exist under the surface of the sea. There follows a frightening yet wonderful experience that changes the boys’ lives forever as they learn the immense power and importance of the ocean and gain a true understanding of its frailty; motivating them enough to help clean up their local beaches.
The author’s work reflects her understanding of a child’s imagination through her many years in the children’s entertainment industry, as well as her work on hundreds of episodes of animated television. Miss L’eau piques the interest of young readers everywhere. For more information, visit the author’s entertaining and interactive website at www.tkatz.com.
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REVIEWS:
Serge Dedina, Ph.D., Executive Director of WILDCOAST writes: “T. Katz has written a wonderful book about how children can change the world and protect the ocean…. Recommend to anyone who believes the greatest gift we can leave for our children is a deep and inspiring connection to the natural world.”
From Neal Pargman, Founder of Save the Earth Foundation: “Miss L’eau, a contemporary fairy tale that will capture readers of all ages….brilliantly delivers an environmental message through a story of friendship, family, and giving back.”
Praise from Rob Moir, Ph.D., Director, Ocean River Institute: “Students discover how to turn ocean science to advocacy and stewardship for healthy seas when Miss L’eau floods her classroom with the wonder and awe of ocean life……ocean literacy at its finest……”
From Francesca N. Veitch, Ocean Conservancy: “Miss L’eau combines a fun mystery plot with an important message regarding care of the ocean….thank you for writing a book that will hopefully lead young people towards a love and stewardship of our world’s marine life.”
Capt. Paul Clark, President of Save Our Seas: “Miss L’eau is very captivating. I was inspired and it brought a tear at the end….nice work!….Inspiring and full of good plans and hope for future students…I wish I had a teacher like this when I was growing up – it would have gotten me on an eco-track a lot faster”
