Book Review - A Call to Love by Christian author Rebecca Sundberg

Title: A Call to Love
By: Rebecca Sundberg
ISBN#978-1449786618
Review Date: April 23, 2013
Christian Book Review
9.9 out of 10.0 stars

A Call to Love by multi-published Christian author, Rebecca Sundberg, is a heart-warming novel displaying God's mighty hand and the power of Isaiah 58 (giving to others in their need), while readily revealing the theme that, "…all things work out for good" (paraphrase of Romans 8:28) throughout. 

How many of us are so busy, we don't pay attention to anyone else's needs, but our own?  The author has written a poignant novel of a young woman named Maddy, whose life has not been so easy as a single mom.  Yet, through her trials, Maddy has trusted God and has prayed that the Lord's love might pour through her to others.  She has no idea how the Lord will answer this prayer, but realizes the magnitude of this prayer as she is called to not only minister love and support throughout her hurting community, but also when she is called to aid a woman named Isobelle.

You will not want to put down the pages of this fast-paced and intriguing novel of real life drama unfolding before your eyes.  This story is heart-warming and will touch the soul of everyone who reads it.  It's a story of triumph over trials and displays that the Lord is good.  The book invokes a sense of hope for putting your trust in God and encourages all to come into a relationship with the Lord. 

This is a wonderful, intriguing drama that will leave a smile on your face.

For more information about A Call to Love visit Author Rebecca Sundberg. You may get your copy of A Call to Love at Amazon and in Kindle Edition.

~ Christian authors sharing God's love through Christian books and Christian Book Marketing.

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Christian Book Marketing Press Releases are used by Christian authors to promote and market their books. A professionally written press release posted on various PR sites and up to 100 Christian author related sites can help you to get the exposure that you need. Author Press Releases further exposed your book to various premier social networks, additional networks, communities, directories and are picked up by powerful feeds. Plus as author, you get a copy of the press release with the right to use the press release in your media package (as written, cannot be altered).

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For further information about the above services and other great services come and find out about Christian Book Marketing and lets get your name and book up in lights.

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CBM Christian Book Marketing
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Earth Day Celebrated by Poets


Sublime Planet
Authors: Carolyn Howard-Johnson and Magdalena Ball
Authors' Web sites:
Carolyn:
http://howtodoitfrugally.com/poetry_books.htm
Magdalena: http://magdalenaball.com
Photos: Ann Howley
ISBN: 978-1482054705


Reviewed by Karen Cioffi

Gearing up for Earth Day, Carolyn Howard-Johnson and Magdalena Ball are releasing a brand new collection of poems titled Sublime Planet. The collection features relevant poems by Carolyn and Magdalena that demonstrate the interconnections of the world around us, including life, family, and love, along with the growing concern for the earth’s preservation.

This is a beautifully written collection that allows the reader to pause and take note of the world around her.

One of my favorite poems in the collection is one by Carolyn titled “The Giraffe:”


A tongue generous

as my head he reaches

for me, barriers no match

for his long neck, sniffs

my hair, kisses my face.

He unaware

he is endangered.

I unaware he might

be dangerous.


This poem is a powerful, yet simple tribute to a majestic creature that is now an endangered species. Can you imagine a planet without the giraffe?

Another poem in the collection that struck me is “Tipping Point” by Magdalena Ball: “[. . .] you eat and eat through four billion years of evolution now held loosely by one thread. [. . .] The future waits impatiently your decision.”

Again, powerful, and revealing.

Sublime Planetoffers moving insight into the world around us and into a world that is in need of attention, and it certainly honors Earth Day. I highly recommend it.

For those who aren’t aware of what Earth Day is, Senator Gaylord Nelson created this special day in the spring of 1970. The purpose behind it was to make everyone aware of all the toxins being spewed into the air and dumped in nearby streams or other waterways by manufacturing companies.

At that time, there were no regulatory or legal safety nets to protect our planet, our environment. Senator Nelson took a stand and his cause quickly caught on.

The earth is our planet, our home, our responsibility, and we’re not doing such a good job protecting it.

Sublime Planet celebrates Earth Day (April 22nd).

The poems "Giraffe" and “Tipping Point” are from Sublime Planet, a book of poetry in the Celebration Series coauthored by Carolyn Howard-Johnson and Magdalena Ball. It will be released before Earth Day. In the meantime learn more about Carolyn's poetry books (including that Celebration Series!) at http://howtodoitfrugally.com/poetry_books.htm. And, learn more about Magdalena’s poetry and fiction at http://magdalenaball.com

About the reviewer:

Karen Cioffi is a multi-award-winning author, freelance/ghostwriter, and author online presence instructor. Give your writing and marketing efforts a boost with The Writing World newsletter. Get weekly tips and guidance, plus updates on free webinars, and TWO ebooks! Go to http://thewritingworld.com and sign-up today.

Networking as Sharing and Caring Book Marketing

Those fans of Frugal Book Marketing needn't be convinced of the value of book promotion. Nevertheless, Magdalena Ball allowed us to recycle her interview of the photographer who contributed her talents to our collaborative poetry book that celebrates Earth Day. And today is that day. So I'm including this becayse the story of the two poets and the photographer s an example of what great marketing is. It's not about sales. It's about caring networking. Ann's cards were given to Carolyn Howard-Johnson  by a talented writer and leader of a critique group she belonged to and she remembered her work! The time came that aspect of networking--sharing and caring--found its perfect moment to benefit all of us and poet Magdalena Ball agree. We hope the rest will be history for those who want to celebrate our planet with us.   

An Interview with Ann Howley

Interview by Magdalena Ball


As some of you may already know, I've got a new book scheduled for release on Earth Day (April 22nd). There are a few aspects of this book that particularly excite me. One is that it's another poetry collaboration with talented poet Carolyn Howard-Johnson. Another is that it's a full-length poetry collection which is all environmentally themed, and we're partnering with a sustainability charity, using the profits to support a wonderful cause (more on that soon!). I'm also very excited about the amazing photographer we've partnered with: Ann Howley. Ann's work is so exquisite, inspired by her travels, her love of the natural world, and by what is clearly a very well-honed eye for the visual. Ann's work appears on the cover and inside the book and I've invited her to drop by the blog for a little chat.

Your images are so evocative - what inspires you?

I think I’m inspired by the moment. Since each moment is different and I am different in each moment, I am attracted to different things all the time. That makes it fun to look back at images from previous photo outings to relive what I was seeing at the time.

There's obviously a relationship between the looking, and the moment when you decide that what you're seeing has to be captured on camera - frozen in time or turned from perception into art. Talk to me about that and how you know when to take a photo.

My full dive into photography came just as digital cameras were coming popular. At the time, I was learning photography basics as well as dark room printing. The shift to digital allowed me to pursue photography in a big way because of the cost reduction. It used to cost me over $1,000 to get film processed after a trip. With digital, after the large cost investment in cameras, the cost is minimal. I don’t have fear of “wasting pixels.”

All that is to say that I don’t really think about when is the “right” moment any more. If I see something that intrigues me, I shoot. Sometimes it’s one shot and sometimes that starts me digging further into what I am seeing.


In 2009, you went on a pilgrimage. Tell me about the impact of that on your work.


Yes, I walked 500 miles on the Camino de Santiago across northern Spain. I think the pilgrimage expanded my ability to see, but also allowed me to not rely so much on my camera. About a third of the way into my pilgrimage, I damaged the borrowed camera I had brought (because my camera with accessories weighed seven pounds and was not conducive to backpacking!). While the camera sounded like it was capturing images, I had no way to be sure. I had to decide if the trip was about “the journey” or “capturing the journey”. I decided on the former and didn’t stop to get the camera repaired. With that, I packed the camera and only took it out for shots I really wanted. On shots I considered “must haves,” I set the camera on automatic, thinking it might compensate for the damage. Ironically, the camera was set up for very small files, so the images I wanted most, I didn’t get.

I will be going on my second pilgrimage this May to Portugal and Spain. It will be interesting to see how my answer to the question changes.


Much of your work is nature oriented. Has this always been the case for you? Why - what draws you to your subjects?

I think of my work as originally travel oriented, but I guess my travel choices are often nature oriented. I wanted to go to Africa ever since seeing the movie “Born Free” as a child. Once I visited Kenya and Tanzania in 1995, everything connected. What I love about shooting nature and wildlife is the peace of being in a beautiful setting, far away from everyday life. I love the quiet. I could sit watching a sunset or waiting for the perfect pose of a lion, bird or even butterfly for as long as the opportunity presents itself. It’s a meditation.
Do check out  Sublime Planet today. Consider giving a surprise gift to the one person who most exemplifies someone who loves the earth. An award of sorts. You'll find it on Amazon and other online bookstores as either a paperback or an e-book.


-----

Contributed by Carolyn Howard-Johnson, author of This Is the Place; Harkening: A Collection of Stories Remembered; Tracings, a chapbook of poetry; and how to books for writers including the award-winning second edition of, The Frugal Book Promoter: How to get nearly free publicity on your own or by partnering with your publisher; The Frugal Editor: Put Your Best Book Forward to Avoid Humiliation and Ensure Success; and Great Little Last Minute Editing Tips for Writers . The Great First Impression Book Proposal is her newest booklet for writers. She has three FRUGAL books for retailers including A Retailer’s Guide to Frugal In-Store Promotions: How To Increase Profits and Spit in the Eyes of Economic Downturns with Thrifty Events and Sales Techniques. Some of her other blogs are TheNewBookReview.blogspot.com, a blog where authors can recycle their favorite reviews. She also blogs at all things editing, grammar, formatting and more at The Frugal, Smart and Tuned-In Editor .

Professional Christian Book Editing

Christian Book Editing requires more than just a book editor. It requires a editing team with a Christian background with knowledge in the Word of God, Kingdom Principles and a list of other very important factors. Just imagine having a secular book editor edit your Christian book. While there is no doubt that your manuscript might minister to the editor, the results could be very unfavorable from a editing perspective.
 
They say that information is valuable. The word of God says to seek wisdom and as a author in the process of publishing a Christian book, doing your homework is a must. 
 
Oh, by the way. There is a editing error in the above. Can you find it?
 
Christian Book Editing providing professional book editing for the Christian author. 

Can Forgiveness Be A Sin?


A Must Read Christian Book

The Sin of Forgiveness
By: Edward F. Mrkvicka, Jr. with Kelly Helen Mrkvicka
ISBN#978-1936746354
Review Date: April 4, 2013
Christian Book Review
10.0 out of 10.0 stars

The Sin of Forgiveness by Christian authors Edward F. Mrkvicka, Jr. and daughter, Helen Kelly Mrkvicka, gives keen insight into the teachings of Christ on the subject of forgiveness.  The author adamantly states that, "…secular forgiveness does more harm than good.  The one forgiving is never made whole again, while the sinner is left in the same wretched condition."  Come and experience the freedom offered through true forgiveness with the author's biblical insight as to how, if and when we are to forgive.

 This book will encourage you to live in obedience to the Father in Heaven and teach you how to forgive in light of the Word.  This book is an exceptional and highly recommended read to all believers who want to come up higher in their walk with the Lord and understand the meaning of forgiveness from a firm biblical perspective.

By presenting a comprehensive list of all the scriptures on the different tenses of the word forgive, i.e. forgave and forgiven, the author assists readers in the understanding of the word "forgive" and the meaning, as related to Scripture.  The author offers Christ's teaching on forgiveness, and does not condone forgiveness when there has been no repentance.  In doing so, the book instructs believers to read their Bible in context, grasping the entire big picture presented by reading the entire Bible.  This is a highly recommended read for those that desire righteousness in light of the truth the Gospel.  This is a highly recommended and well-written teaching that reveals the absolute certainty of the truth of Scripture.   
 
You may get your copy of  The Sin of Forgiveness at Amazon. Be sure to visit the author's website at Edward F. Mrkvicka, Jr. for further information and some great ministry.

Sharing the redeeming passion of Christ through Christian Book Marketing.

Press Release - Fort Worth, Texas - Multi-published author Jennifer Peikert

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
A CBM Christian Book Marketing Author Press Release

Fort Worth, Texas - Multi-published author Jennifer Peikert (Daughters of God… Modesty Matters) releases Being a Proverbs 31 Woman…What Does That Mean? 

Written from a firm biblical foundation with the use of much Scripture, the author writes with familiarity as a wife, mother and grandmother.  Piece by piece the Scripture from Proverbs 31:10-31 is reviewed to reveal a woman's destiny in God.  Teaching women what a Proverbs 31 woman is, the author gives valuable insight as to how these actions and attitudes can be practically applied in all areas of a woman's life as they relate to their husbands, their children and the society in which they live.  If applied and read with a heart that desires to please and honor God, one will find their marriage and life radically changed as the Word of God is alive and active.  This book will not only impact marriages for the better, but women will also find much contentment in their God-given roles.  Come and find out what it means to be a Proverbs 31 woman and love it!

Jennifer Peikert writes and withholds no punches; she preaches the Word of God as it is written.  She adamantly confesses that there are blessings for obedience and encourages women to step into their God-given roles within their marriage.  She examines the natural and spiritual implications as well, giving women much knowledge of the Word of God.   This book will not only radically change your marriage, but will increase one's faith as the Word of God is spoken in spirit and truth into your life.

If you are tired of going around that mountain in your marriage and your life, try this book on for size and find out there is so much more to being a Proverbs 31 woman than you ever thought possible.  You will find out that these verses are as applicable in today's society as when they were written. 

Daughters of God .... Modesty Matters

In the book, Daughters of God .... Modesty Matters, you will come to understand that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. You will discover that you were created by the very hands of God, fashioned and formed by His hands and in His image. You are an original.

You will also learn about matters of the heart and how to be healed. Through the pages of this book you will see who you really are and how important you are to God.

The clothing we wear and the image we portray speaks volumes. I believe this book will change your thinking about who you are and what you wear. Scripture proves that we are important to God and so is how we dress. Modesty is a matter of the heart as well as appearance. In this book you will discover scriptures that back up these statements. There is truth in the pages of this book. May you see yourself in a new way as you read this book.

To find out more about Jennifer Peikert and her other books, please visit Declaring The Truth Ministries …You may also get your copy of Being a Proverbs 31 Woman…What Does That Mean? on Amazon, in Kindle Edition and at Barnes and Nobles. 


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Press Release - No Shame! Only Power by Val Newton-Knowles

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A CBM Christian Book Marketing Author Press Release

No Shame! Only Power- by Val Newton-Knowles

April 9, 2013-No Shame! Only Power - Tired of feeling defeated in your Christian walk?  Christian author Val Newton-Knowles writes to defeated Christians in her new book release, No Shame! Only Power. 

Written to encourage and instruct the Body of Christ to overcome any obstacle of life through the power of Jesus Christ and His Word, this book gives keen insight into the power that is available to us as Christians.  We were not meant to travel this path of life on Earth alone.  God gave us the Holy Spirit, "The Comforter" and "The Helper" to guide us through to eternal life.  If we understand the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives and learn to live guided by the Holy Spirit and the Word, there is no shame, only power!  Come and learn how to defeat every negative thought you have about yourself and your life while learning to overcome through the blood of Jesus Christ.  He has paid it all - all you have to do is accept your part as an active believer.

Val Newton-Knowles knows that life can be more than difficult at times.  But as a believer in Jesus Christ, we have an indescribable and awesome power that we can tap into.  She writes to help others understand their identity in Christ, giving those who have low-self esteem a huge boost by giving practical steps to understanding who they are in Christ.  Her instruction enables a powerful inner transformation through the Word of God and encourages daily communication with God and the Holy Spirit that will lead to nothing less than a victorious walk with Christ. 

This is a highly recommended read for those that are feeling defeated and overwhelmed by life's circumstances.  Come be refreshed and renewed to fight the good fight of faith again.  There is no shame, only power!   

For further information contact Val Newton-Knowles.  And you may also get your copy of No Shame, Only Power! on Amazon, in Kindle Edition and Barnes and Noble.

Christian author press releases sharing Christian authors and books in today's headlines.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Rhapsody of Realities - Giving Your Day a Lift!



Rhapsody of Realities -"Giving Your Day a Lift!"

With over 25 years in ministry as a Pastor, teacher, healing minister, television host and best-selling author, Pastor Chris Oyakhilome, along with his wife, Pastor Anita Oyakhilome, have written monthly devotionals called Rhapsody of Realities. Rhapsody of Realities is the No1 Daily devotional in the world available in over 180 languages and distributed in over 187 countries and still counting.

They have helped millions experience healing, victory and purpose through their worldwide ministry. Pastor Chris oversees and Pastors one of the largest congregations in Africa, with attendance for the teaching and healing crusades of over 3.5 million in one night.

He has written books such as How to Pray Effectively, None of These Diseases and How to Make Your Faith Work, and is also a host of the show "Atmosphere of Miracles," that brings the divine presence of the Lord right into people's homes.

Pastor Anita Oyakhilome who heads the International Ministry of Believers' LoveWorld Inc., teaches the Gospel in a communicative way, spreading the love of God into the world. As an author of many books, with a best seller, Don't Pack Your Bags Yet, she ministers along with her husband in their worldwide endeavors.

Designed as a daily devotional, Rhapsody of Realities will transform your life and faith into a renewed, victorious life in the Christ. The devotional features inspiring articles for study time, scripture confessions (recommended to be spoken audibly over your life), a daily topic with scripture references and a one / two year Bible reading plan.

The strategy is simple; yet, it will bring you into greater realms of intimacy and knowledge of the Word of God. As Jesus said, "Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God"; your time of study with the daily devotional will doubtless renew your mind and faith to walk in the miracles, healing and power of the abundant life in Christ.

Rhapsody of Realities is a must read for every Christian; it has sold over 150 million copies in over 180 different languages all over the world. You can make 3, 6, or 12 months subscription of Rhapsody of Realities each month.

Fill your day with manna from above; be blessed and may you experience abundant prosperity and grace in your life, family, work, business, health, and career as you come in contact with your copy of Rhapsody of Realities every month. Get acquainted with the No 1 Daily devotional in the world by downloading the Rhapsody Mobile Applications for your mobile devices here.

For more information about this anointed ministry visit Rhapsody of Realities and Christ Embassy or send an email to info@rhapsodyofrealities.org.

A Christian Author Press Release sharing Christ with the world.

When Evil Rises Up - The Oldest Enemy by Michael J. Webb

Title: The Oldest Enemy
By: Michael J. Webb
Christian Book Review
ISBN# 978-1-936835-12-6
10.0 out of 10.0 stars

Sparked by memories that haunt him, David Lighthouse's new life is seemingly hanging by a thread as his past boomerangs directly back into his face.  Confronted with accusations of murder, yet again, David embarks on an incredible, heart-pounding journey as an assistant Pastor that directly confronts the evil that has targeted him.  Once an investigative reporter for the Denver Post, David has learned that what lies beneath is not always the truth.  Being accused of murdering his fiancé in the past, he now discovers that not only is he a target from a sinister force, but the entire world is as well.  Even more frightening is that this evil is unknown to many and plans from a reclusive German billionaire threaten another holocaust. 

Gathering an entourage of a mix of friends and skeptics, David sets out to stop this evil that threatens to bring destruction upon the world.  Only he knows the truth.  He is the only one who can stop this conspiracy from this ancient evil that has risen yet again.  Readers will be thoroughly entertained and enthralled with this thriller involving exorcisms, demons and the fight against good and evil as David battles mankind's oldest arch enemy, evil itself. 

This novel is a highly recommend read for those that enjoy suspense, the supernatural, drama, and a well-written plot with believable characters.  The author writes with ease and readers will be kept on the edge of their seat with the author's use of descriptive imagery and dialogue that invites the reader into the scene and the very feelings of the characters.  There is a much deeper gospel message weaved throughout the story as well.  Eternal in nature, this message delves into who mankind's ancient enemy really is. 

For more information about the author and his books, visit Michael J. Webb. You may get your copy of The Oldest Enemy at Amazon, in Kindle Edition and at other fine online bookstore

Using the power of Christian Book Reviews to share Christian books with the world.

Realize the Power of Your Christian Identity


Realize the Power of Your Christian Identity by Julie Ngwabi

Realize the Power of Your Christian Identity is a compelling book that sheds light on who you are as a Christian and gives insight into living a victorious life in Christ.  Unveiling the power of who you are in Christ, author Julie Ngwabi, has written this book to instruct you to walk in the God-given purpose that you were created for.  Many, even Christians, experience identity crisis, not knowing who they are or what they were created for.  You have a rich inheritance in Christ, and you, as a Christian, are the temple of God.  Learn how to fulfill your potential to the fullest as you discover your purpose through this insightful biblical perspective on your identity as a Child of God.

In-depth and formed from personal experience, with rich teaching from Scripture, the author has developed this book to guide others into their destinies. 

As a young child growing up in Zimbabwe, Africa, the author grew up in poverty due to the death of her father at the age of eleven.  She assumed many responsibilities for the family as her mother struggled with different jobs to support the family.  She came to the Lord at a young age and has been transformed into a powerful ambassador for the Lord, ministering life in Christ to others.  The author's hopes are that you will access the keys to living a purposeful and satisfying life through her book, while developing a deeper intimacy with the Lord as the realization of your purpose comes to fruition.   

Reading this book will transition you into a deeper, meaningful and purpose filled life -leading to victory in Christ in all areas of your life.  Be lifted higher and be encouraged through this thought provoking and inspiring book.

You may get your copy of Realize the Power of Your Christian Identity on Amazon, at the author's website Christian Idenity and at the author's blog.

Another Christian Book Marketing authors article blast sharing God's Kingdom with the world.

On Marketing Books, First-Person Essays, and Homecoming Queens

I'm including this first person essay in this Frugal Book Marketing blog because when I teach marketing classes to authors at UCLA, my students often have trouble wrapping their minds around exactly what the first-person essay that should be included in their media kits is. And that difficulty is exacerbated when I tell them that it helps if the essay is associated with issues that are currently in the news. This one is related to current events at the most basic level--that is, it is a commentary on a news/feature story in a respected newspaper. But the issues are current, too. I hope it helps Frugal Book Marketing readers. I've also included the author credit, because that is a vital part of marketing media
Marketing, Continuing Education, and Homecoming Queens

By Carolyn Howard-Johnson

I admit it. A feature story in the New York Times Digest on...ahem...beauty queens struck a chord. On several levels.

The article by Tara Parker-Pope told the story of Heidi Hansen, a forty-two year old mother of teens who has gone back to school to study nursing. And if that weren’t nontraditional enough, she’s running for homecoming queen. Gasp!

Even more amazing she’s marketing her candidacy with the same vigor of her young competitors and she’s doing it without a shred of apology for her untraditional paths or (apparently) without an utterance of the word “shameless” connected with her marketing campaign (which I’ve always contended has a subtext that there is something to be ashamed of).

So, I should back up and tell you I have an agenda. I like to defend my own circuitous path to a degree from the University of Southern California (USC). I was graduated at the ripe old age of thirty-three with two young children, one of whom I once hauled to class with me and let him pretend to catch fish in the fountain outside my class window where I could keep an eye on him. By the time I received that degree on heavy, lineny paper, I had taken at least one class every semester (including summers) since I started seventeen years before. I always considered this approach to education a gigantic plus. One class at a time with plenty of time to focus on required (and optional!) study and research. I figured I was getting more from my education and would retain it longer.

That explains my personal interest in the late-bloomer aspect of this NY Times story. But I find Hansen’s proclivity for marketing just as satisfying. Not only did she decide to run for homecoming queen because“…it’s a continuing process of being engaged in the world around me, and right now a big part of my world is my life on campus,” but she isn’t dodging the issue of being, shall we say, a bit older than the other candidates even though the photograph in the Times looks to me as if she could easily pass. No. Her campaign slogan to attract votes is,“I’m not your mother, but I could be.”

Now, you should know that I began a lifelong interest in public relations very early when I worked in New York as a publicist and when I worked in several jobs as a journalist and writer. But it didn’t really congeal until my last semester at USC when I studied public relations under the head of the PR department, a former President of Western Airlines who believed that the way to find the best and brightest students for his department was to teach entry level classes and teach them as if he were teaching seasoned pros. And my awareness of the importance of marketing in all our lives only became more intense when I became a published novelist, poet, and author of how-to books on—you guessed it—marketing!

So you can imagine how I rooted for Ms. Hansen when I read that she enlisted the help of every demographic she had access to (other than her children who seem to be. . . well, oblivious to their mother’s schmaltziness). She found fellow students (not necessarily students in her age range) to contribute their skills—one writing a musical campaign ditty, another for producing a video. I call this cross-promotionin my Frugal Book Promoter, a how-to book on marketing for writers. Mr. Hansen's videographer and musician friends are both getting their share of marketing exposure by being part of her campaign. I mean, a mention in the New York Times? I sure hope these students use that information (and the example set by Ms. Hansen) in their resumes as they learn more and more that nontraditional paths and tried-and-true marketing work for everyone.

Regardless of their age.

Carolyn Howard-Johnson is a senior (not in the collegiate sense) who has always used her marketing skills in her professional life and found they gave her a special boost when she took on a new award-winning career in publishing at the age most are considering retirement. Learn more about her at http://howtodoitfrugally.com.  Find Carolyn's how-to book on marketing for authors at http://budurl.com/FrugalBkPromo

Life is an Amazing Song by John Raikkonen

Life is an Amazing Song by John Raikkonen is a triumphant life memoir of the author's journey as a young boy brought up in war-torn Finland during the Finnish-Russian War and his eventual experience being brought to America to find a better life. 

His story is unique, breathtaking, heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time.  The author utilizes descriptive imagery and scenes that give each account life, bringing the reader right into his world.  This is a must-read for those that enjoy true-life stories involving history, drama, while intertwining the workings of Almighty God.  Truly an epic adventure that you will not soon forget!

Although heartbreaking and disturbing at times, the author has added humor into his portrayal of himself as a young boy on many occasions as he gives an account of his rambunctious cousin, Rake, who leads him into finding good "smoke." This unforgettable story of him showing young John how to smoke a shoestring at the tender age of four; well, you will laugh right along with him. 

His journey is spent between years with his grandparents in Finland, then to Sweden, and then opportunity knocked.  He was offered a chance to go to America – and he took it with his family's blessings.  You will learn of his trip on the SS United States and experience first-hand what it was like to be an immigrant landing in New York.  What an amazing life this man has lived.  Eventually, the author became a successful businessman and his experience related that America really was, "the land of opportunity." 

This is book is a delightful read, one that will keep you interested.  The author keeps the reader's attention by his thoughtful penning of every scene in detail and you will know by the end of the book that every good gift that comes is from God.  Truly an enchanting and delightful journey that gives account of the tragedies and triumphs encountered through war and through a life well-lived.  One might think that this tale should be a movie in the making Lifes Amazing Song.  Any book ordered through the web site will be autographed.

You can get your copy of Life is an Amazing Song by John Raikkonen on Amazon, in Kindle Edition and at other fine online bookstores.

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