Writester.net

Hi All,

Just wanted to let you know that my anthology comes out October 31, 2006! The title is “Sugarplums & Scandals.” It’s a combination of six authors short stories. Pauline Sokol stars once again in a medical insurance fraud investigation in “All I Want for Christmas is My Two Front Teeth.”

Here’s a review:

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS MY TWO FRONT TEETH – Lori Avocato
When Pauline Sokol reads an article in the news paper about an elderly gentleman, Mr. Niski, getting swindled out of his dentures, so she sets out to investigate. Her friend Jagger volunteers himself to help out. Can Pauline concentrate on the investigation while watching the hunky Jagger? Can she get to the bottom of the mystery and have a Merry Christmas or will this be a Christmas she never forgets?

ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS MY TWO FRONT TEETH had me laughing and sitting on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen next.

SUGARPLUMS AND SCANDAL is the perfect read.

Shayla
Reviewer for Romance Junkie

The main theme of the Purpose-Driven Life focuses on, “What on earth am I here for?” This is a book that leads to thought and discussion, and Rick Warren book helps readers become the people that God wants them to be. To understand that you are a part of a much larger picture than you originally imagined can shape your life in wondrous ways.

The Purpose-Driven Life was written with Warren citing over 1000 scriptures in the Bible, which is the foundation of this book. It’s about using God’s word to drive our lives and shape our lives into his purpose for our life. Warren elaborates on five truths; we exist for the purposes of worship, ministry, evangelism, fellowship and discipleship and when we fulfill these roles it is only then that we find true purpose, peace and happiness in our lives. You should understand and is explained in the book, is that each of us is here for a different purpose and that purpose can only be found by turning to God and his word - not by looking at others.

There are 40 chapters in the book and laid out in a matter that each chapter is a day’s bible study for the day. Each chapter ends with a “Thinking about My Purpose” which includes a point to ponder, a bible verse to remember, and a question to consider. The chapters have bible verses that go with the study for the day along with real world examples too.

Warren suggests you read the chapter and study your bible early in the morning when we are in our best form, instead of giving God our second best - tired worn out and ready to drift off to sleep.

This book is an excellent tool for bible study and can be read over again and again and each time you will get something new to ponder on and help your life grow in God’s word thus affecting your everyday life.

The conclusion of the book addresses each person’s mission within the church and world. Warren adds an appendix of discussion questions, resources, and answering why he uses so many translations of the bible throughout his book. There is also notes at the end which allows you to match of the Bible verses in each chapter in order to read each of the complete Bible scriptures he uses for examples.

I would recommend this book to anyone - and find direction in your life. Excellent book!
Reviewed by Susan Hilliard Fusiarski

——

Dedication in the book:

This book is dedicated to you. Before you were born, God planned this moment in your life. It is no accident that you are holding this book. God longs for you to discover the life he created you to live - here on earth, and forever in eternity.

“It’s in Christ that we find our who we are and what we are living for: Long before we first heard of Christ, … he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.” Ephesians 1:11 (Msg)

I am grateful to the hundreds of writers and teachers, both classical and contemporary, who have shaped my life and helped me learn these truths. I thank God and you for the privilege of sharing them with you.

Publisher - Zondervan
Rick Warren’s Website: www.purposedrivelife.com

Dr. Phil’s book, Self Matters, makes you take a hard look or inventory of your life but not without supplying a working action plan or solution to help find the real you.    

This is one of those self-help books that will make you think and help you to work toward the goal of finding happiness within yourself. It will teach you how to stop sabotaging yourself by that negative self-talk we all have and change your inner self-talk to a positive reinforcing talk. 

He quotes Emerson: “What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us”

Self Matters helps you to get in touch with the real or authentic you. This book gives you real hope that it is possible to make the changes that will help improve your self-image. Dr. Phil teaches you that it’s never too late to make changes in your life.

You’ll just have to read this one! I believe everyone could benefit from reading this book and find at least one item that would be helpful in his or her life. 

Dr. Phil’s writing style is down-to-earth and every to read and understand. One of those books that can be read and reread - then read again. Great read! 
Review by Writester.net - Susan Hilliard Fusiarski

Publisher - Simon and Schuster
Dr. Phil - www.drphil.com

Book Jacket Description:

What if there is a you that has never seen the light of day, has never got to say, “Hey, what about me?”

What if there is a you that you have never even met and certainly never permitted to just be, without fear of judgment or condemnation?

What if you live your life on the sidelines in constant fear of failing to please those who forever seem to stand in judgment of you and your life?

What if you discovered that you had settled for what life has served up instead of what you really wanted and needed?

What if you really think and feel things you have never allowed to come out, and certainly never acted on?

What if your marriage is not at all what you really emotionally want and need, but you silently stay the course anyway, selling out your hope to be happy?

What if you are allowing days to turn into weeks and weeks to turn into months and months to turn into years, all adding up to a lifetime of being what some nameless, faceless world has assigned you to be?

If any of these “What ifs” are true in your life, then we need to talk, and through these pages, we will. First, I have some bad news, and I have some good news. The bad news is you are making the choices that have put you in this life circumstance; the good news is you are making the choices that have put you in this life circumstance. Now is the time to make the biggest choice of your life. Through Self Matters, I will help you do just that.

– Phil McGraw

“First I loved “The Southern Belle’s Handbook” notations at the beginning of each chapter! What a unique way to introduce each chapter and wet your appetite for what was coming up. 

I’ll say this book was a total surprise. From the jacket cover to the title of the book - this one left me totally surprise for the storyline with the pages as it unfolded. I love a good romance novel but this one I found exceptionally good and was really quite different than the normal run of the mill romance novel. As you delve further and further into this storyline - it’s incredible how she weaves between the past and present - telling a story of family secrets, lust, deceit, jealousy, murder, and much more! It left me wondering over and over if this was a true story and when an author can take a fiction and make you feel like the story is real while reading it - I’d say that’s pretty incredible. What a read!

Beware of the sometimes explicit sexual language - if that offends you, might not like this book… I loved the book and I’d recommend it!”
Book Review by Susan Hilliard Fusiarski - Writester.net

Book Jacket Description:

It’s a steamy June afternoon in Louisiana, circa 1956, and Sissy LeBlanc is sitting on her front porch, wondering — half seriously — if she could kill herself with aspirins and Coca-Cola. She’s been living in stifling old Gentry since the day she was born and trapped in a sham of a marriage to PeeWee LeBlanc since she was only seventeen. In short, she’s fed up, restless, and ready for an adventure.

Sissy just never imagined temptation would come into her life that breathless summer day as she sat smoking on her porch swing. For although she may have been fixated on the taut muscles of the lineman shimmying down the telephone pole across the street, she hadn’t allowed herself to imagine that he’d be none other than her high school sweetheart, Parker Davidson, who left town fourteen years before without so much as a wave good-bye. But suddenly, here he is, leaning in for a kiss that will stir up more excitement than Sissy could ever have imagined…

Publisher - HarperCollins Publishers
Loraine Despres’ Website: www.LoraineDespres.com
The Southern Belle’s Handbook by Loriane Despres At Amazon.com
The Scandalous Summer of Sissy LeBlanc by Loraine Despres

“This was the first book I had read by Kasey Michaels and it was well worth the purchase. The storyline delivered as promised - a nice sit on the sofa read until dawn romance! I loved the characters, especially the main one - Molly Applegate. I could feel her emotions throughout the book - almost like you were part of the action.  I love strong women characters who can stand alone or with a man and still make it. I put Molly Applegate in that category! Excellent Read!”
Reviewed by Susan Hilliard Fusiarski - Writester.net 

Book Jacket Description:

One Crazy Summer

If Molly Applegate marches to the beat of a different drummer, it’s probably a naked bongo player. Gorgeous and free-spirited, Molly’s set for life - provided she stays employed ten months of the year as stipulated in her parents’ will. To keep the inheritance flowing, she works as a lingerie model, a mansion-sitter, a singing-slash-roller-skating carhop…you name it, Molly’s done it. But a weekend gig babysitting her cousin Jane’s daycare business might just lead to something permanent with would-be client Dom Longstreet. He’s a Broadway producer who could make all her dreams come true… if only she’d let him…

Dom’s idea of “summer vacation” is hosting a working retreat for the cast of his upcoming musical spectacular. Sure, he’s also promised to babysit his niece and nephew for two weeks, but that’s what the local daycare center is for, right? Unfortunately, the place will be closed just when he needs it, according to the beautiful - and exasperating - woman he finds in charge. In exchange for room and board on his estate, Molly Applegate agrees to watch the kids. But Dom can’t stop watching Molly, who’s fast becoming the unlikeliest of muses… and maybe - just maybe - his perfect leading lady…

Publisher - Kensington Books
Kasey Michaels Website: www.KaseyMichaels.com