Lose the Diet by Kathy Balland

About the Author:

Kathy Balland, an expert in the mind-body-soul connection, teaches people how to tap into their own inner power for success. Clinically certified in hypnotherapy, her publications and seminars provide deep insights into the true causes and their remedies that prevent people from achieving their goals. Balland is a graduate of the University of Phoenix and the Southwest Institute of Healing Arts.

She is clinically certified by the American Council of Hypnotist Examiners and certified by the American Board of Hypnotherapy. As president of Blissful Publications and author of “Lose the Diet: Transform Your Body by Connecting with Your Soul,” Balland provides information to enrich and empower people to achieve happiness and success.

You can visit her website at www.losethediet.com or visit her at Twitter at www.twitter.com/losethediet


About the Book:

You’ll discover your power to achieve and maintain a healthy weight naturally without diets. Food deprivation is uncomfortable and ultimately causes weight gain. Instead, enjoy the good health and joy that you deserve. Lose the Diet shows you how.

• Drop the diets and the weight in a healthy and natural way.
• Find out why deprivation doesn’t work.
• Learn about the mind-body-soul connection’s effect on weight.
• Discover that happiness leads to a healthy weight rather than the other way around.
• Insightful tools and information that help you to find balance — from the inside out!

I was lucky enough to get the author to agree to an interview with me. This is what she had to say:

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

First, I would like to thank you for having me here. In my book Lose the Diet I explain why diets do not work (for both mental and physical reasons) and I provide tips and tools that will help you to achieve permanent weight loss – in a natural, healthy and much happier way.

Did something specific happen to prompt you to write this book?

I wrote the book because obesity has become a crisis in the US. More than one third of US adults – over 72 million people in addition to 16% of US children are obese. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, since 1980 obesity rates for adults have doubled and rates for children have tripled. And obesity has led to other health issues. Even though we know everything there is to know about calories, carbs, fats, proteins and how much we “should” weigh, the problem keeps getting worse. I wanted to talk about why that is, and what you can do about it.

Who or what is the inspiration behind this book?

My inspiration is all of the people that are riding the dieting “roller coaster”. I want to help them understand why diets do not work, and ultimately to help them achieve permanent weight management and the resulting happiness that comes from the inside out.

Who is your biggest supporter?

My biggest supporter is Deb Williams. She is featured at the top of the testimonials page at: http://www.losethediet.com/Testimonials.aspx. She is very happy with her weight loss experience, and is much happier in general, because she now understands the reason for the weight gain that she experienced. She has a new-found self-respect, and she is really enjoying that. As a result, she has been my biggest spokesperson.

Your biggest critic?

I had one blogger who criticized my About the Author page, saying that she thought there were grammatical errors on the page. Perhaps there are. But you know, I was not trying to win a writing contest when I wrote that page. I spoke from the heart, and am really trying to reach out to people with my message, which is: Stop dieting, and start loving yourself! You will achieve better results that way. (You can find the author page at: http://www.losethediet.com/AboutUs.aspx.)

What cause are you most passionate about and why?

I am most passionate about showing people the incredible power that they have within themselves to achieve their goals. The answer to the weight issue is not in a diet pill, diet food or fad diets. The power is within you! That’s a wonderful thing, isn’t it?

What is the most important thing in your life right now?

The most important thing is to get the message out, which is why I am doing this virtual book tour. I am also doing some radio interviews and speaking. (You will see me at the Ultimate Girls Getaway in Arizona in October: http://www.nadjaspajamaparty.com/Scottsdale%20Fall%202009.htm)

What do you feel sets this book apart from others in the same genre?

Of course most authors in this genre are simply coming up with a new type of diet. However, I am approaching it from the “root” cause, which is the only way to achieve permanent results. I also want the reader to understand that happiness leads to a healthy weight, rather than the other way around. Carol Hoyer, PhD reviewed Lose the Diet and said: “Although the subject matter is not new, the author approaches weight and happiness in a new way.” You can see the full review here: http://www.readerviews.com/ReviewBallandLosetheDiet.html.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Yes. My book discusses the power of the subconscious mind, and how you can use it to achieve your goals. (The subconscious is 88% of your mind, which is where your habits, emotions and imagination are.) You can tap into that power within yourself by relaxing, and using guided meditations. For a FREE half hour guided meditation audio to help you relax and reconnect, sign up at: www.LosetheDiet.com. Also, check out the book trailer at: www.DietFreeMovie.com (To enlarge the video, click on the lower right corner of the picture.) You can follow me on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/LosetheDiet where I like to post inspirational quotes and Lose the Diet updates. Thank you!

Understanding Learning Disabilities by Etta Brown

About the Book:

This work, while written by an academician, is an uncomplicated resource of information addressed to parents who have been introduced to the concept of Special Education for the first time. Overall, this work is a road map of how-to activities which will be of assistance from the beginning to end of the special education process.

Part I is an introduction to the environmental influences since World War II, that are believed to be contributing to the incidence of learning disabilities that is increasing at a rate of 20% every 10 years.

Part II includes a definition and history of special education and its intended role and function in the effort to educate all children. The reader is introduced to the process of determining eligibility for Special Education, and Federal and State Legislation are explored in terms of the parent's rights in the process.

Part III is an exploration of processing disorders as required for a designation of learning disability. Behaviors exhibited in the classroom, a rationale for the behavior, along with modifications and accommodations for the general education classroom are listed. These interventions are applied to the elementary, middle school, and high school environments as an aid in developing the individualized education plan (IEP).

For more information about the author and book please visit: http://www.understanding-learning-disabilities.com/index.html

The author agreed to doing an interview with me. This is what she had to say:

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

Learning Disabilities, the book, is a manual for parents of children with learning disabilities, and is written in three parts. Part I addresses the incidence learning disabilities in our culture, and identifies factors in the environment which contribute to the development of neurological defects which manifest as an inability to learn. Part II introduces parents to how learning disabilities are manifested in the classroom, and how children are identified as eligible for special education. Included are legislation governing special education, tests and testing in the identification process, and the parents role in the special education process. Part II I of the book identifies methods and techniques for helping the child at home and in the classroom.

Did something specific happen to prompt you to write this book?

I began the book after retirement following 30 years as a School Psychologist. Many friends after listening to my stories would tell me that I should write a book. One morning I got up and decided “I think I’ll start writing that book”.
During the first year of writing I vented all my anger at the system and the failure of education to fully meet the needs of learning disabled children. During the second year, I edited out all my anger and frustrations, and during the third year I settled in to write a manual which would really be helpful to parents.

Who or what is the inspiration behind this book?

My inspiration has been the suffering children and their helpless parents during the thousands of IEP meetings and assessments of children. I really seek to make a difference with the book. It is written as a road map of what to do, how to do it, what to say, when to say it, questions to ask, answers to expect, and what to do if you don’t get the right answer. Purchasers of the book are assisted through the process free of charge.

Who is your biggest supporter?

My older sister who is also retired, taught special education, and she is my greatest supporter and critic, a continuing role throughout my life.

What cause are you most passionate about and why?

The plight of the elderly in our society is that of neglect and exploitation. My passion now is the plight of the elderly, and making preparations to protect my own future as a senior citizen. Holding on to ones assets and remaining independent has become a necessity for me, and it has extended to the intention to help others. Growing up, I remember the founding of the Grey Panthers who fought for the rights of seniors. Now, I am involved in the process.

In the last year have you learned or improved on any skills?

I have found since retirement that it is a great time self-introspection, deciding what one is really all about. I have found it a time for achieving personal potential. Total spiritual transformation occurs, I believe, at the end of one’s life, and is, therefore, the most important time in the life cycle. An older brother was taken into a very negligent guardianship. While fighting that process I became a rather competent paralegal. I have received excellent reviews from my attorneys, first “very good” and then “excellent.” A book is planned about the paralegal experience, and my attorney has offered to collaborate.

During this process, I found that I could compose very persuasive communications. During the past year these skills have magnified, and I have a second and third book planned. Hope I get them done in the time I have left. Fortunately, I believe that life extends itself to accommodate the accomplishment of the goals we are passionate about.

What is the most important thing in your life right now?

Staying independent as a senior citizen, and remaining free to complete my transformation into the spiritual dimensions of the female elder. The stages of female evolution are child-mother-crone. The crone is depicted incompletely as the worthless female who can no longer bare children. Unfortunately, the beauty of spiritual completion, transformation, and insights learned are not valued or portrayed when describing the crone. Generally, her new skills are portrayed as those of a witch. I can recognize some of my skills as being consistent with those attributed to the witch, but there is so much more that is not communicated to women entering menopause. I am far from the appearance generally recognized as that of a crone. Here I am at age 67. Sounds like the makings of another book doesn’t it.

What are you currently working on?

I am working on an expose’ of the probate system which allows guardians to rape the estate of senior citizens who are forced into unwanted guardianships. The problem is universal in this country. Elderly people and their insurance companies, and medicare are manipulated in ways that constitute fraud, and it is all done under the auspices of the probate court.

What do you feel has been your greatest achievement as an author?

Completing this three year project at age 70 was a long delayed gratification. I researched, learned writing strategies, and did it as a learn as you go project.

What do you feel is your biggest strength?

Over the years, I have matured, emotionally and psychologically. Now I am happy to be alive with all the problems of living well under control. I experienced menopause as a rite of passage into a developmental stage which has been on-going. This is the most exciting time of my life. My greatest strength now is balancing my desires against the demands of social involvement, and I have learned to do it most effectively. I only work with those whom stumble across my path and indicate a need for help. It is such an honor to be part of the growth process of another human being. I have been successful with everyone who has come across my path.

Biggest weakness?

I now have to search for weaknesses in the way that I once searched to find strengths. I would say that my greatest weakness is Lindt chocolate.

What do you feel sets this book apart from others in the same genre?

In studying, No Child Left Behind, the latest federal legislation regarding the education of special children, I found that the federal government has abdicated it’s responsibility by empowering parents with rights that supersede those of the school. My book addresses the fact that parents are not prepared to assume this responsibility, and my book became a manual that provides the information and insights into the special education process that parents need to be successful in their new role as guarantors of an appropriate education for their children.

I researched this question and found that there are no other books on learning disabilities which share the truth about schools, children and learning as this one does. I assumed the role of child advocate and revealed the information which parents need in order to guarantee an appropriate education for their child. Many authors prepare parents for a subordinate role in working with special education. My book prepares them for a role as collaborator with equal or greater rights in the process. Parents are empowered with information which the school would rather parents did not know. There is a great discrepancy between what the law says schools should do, and the limited funding with which they attempt to do it. The way Special Education is designed, the professional education team is forced to make decisions that are not in the best interest of the child. Children often receive whatever is available in their school. Consideration is seldom given to what is needed by the child with learning disabilities. This is particularly true of learning disabilities because they are so diverse, and the needs of each child are unique. My book empowers parent to claim the right to an appropriate education even if it is not available in their local school. If it is not available in their school district, the child can be transferred to a location where it is available at no cost to the parent.

The factors in our environment which contribute to the development of learning disabilities is missing from most books. The role of parenting and its impact upon development during the first three months is completely missing.

Are you a different person now than you were 5 years ago? In what way/s?

Time has mellowed me into a more subtle activist than I was in the 60’s. Hindsight is an effective tutor if one sees life as a learning experience. Wonderful transformation occurs when one becomes involved with the business of living and experiencing. This book is the culmination of all that I would have told parents during my years in public education. I was trained as a child advocate, but the actual role of the School Psychologist in public education is that of tester. There is very little time to become involved in the actual business of helping children to learn. It was very frustrating to have the skill and not be able to use it. Now I can share that information with parents without being disloyal to employers.

What is the most important lesson you have learned from life so far?

I have come to believe that life is predetermined. Yet, I also believe that what we choose for ourselves, changes the predetermined out come. We are indeed masters of our fate, and captains of our souls.

Is there anything you regret doing/not doing?

No regrets. All the experience taken together have resulted in an acceptable outcome.

What is your favorite past-time?

Studying the meta-physical philosophies of the world’s major religions has become an exciting past-time. The more I study the more I find that they all have the same underlying philosophy, the differences are in language and cultural interpretation, and practice. This assures me that I am on the right track with my belief system and consequent lifestyle practices.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

You can fine me on the web at www.understanding-learning-disabilities.com, there you will find some articles of interest to parents, as well as a link to purchase the book. Purchasers of the book may contact me via the site for a gratuity of professional advice while they navigate the process of special education. No problem is too big I will give the very best of my professional advice.

About the Author:


Etta K. Brown received her undergraduate degree from the Ohio State University with a major in Dental Hygiene Education and the Masters in Education degree from South Carolina State University with a major in Special Education. The Educational Specialist Degree was conferred at Kent State University with studies in School Administration, and a major in School Psychology.

Through her graduate programs, and internships, the author acquired skills with speech and language, visual-motor training, auditory training, and the teaching of reading and handwriting.

During twenty years of professional experience in the public schools in Ohio, Iowa and California she has worked as a special education teacher, a school social worker and as a school psychologist. At no time, in either of those positions did she feel that she was able to apply any of her acquired knowledge to help children to learn.

Instead, while she didn't always agree, much was learned about what not to tell parents about their children. She also learned how school systems function, why they function the way that they do, why there were some things that it was not in the best interest of the school district for parents to know and why they should not be told.

Those were long, frustrating years watching children being placed in Special education because that was all that the School District had to offer. On the other hand were the frustrated parents who agonized over what to do about their child’s learning problems and the stigma of being placed in Special Education.

Having recently retired from public education and started a practice as a Licensed Educational Psychologist, the author is now free to discuss Special education and share information believed to be in the best interest of parents without being unprofessional or disloyal to employers.

She continues to reach out to parents and children through her writing. Her current book is a summary of all that she would have told parents during her career had she been permitted to do so.

Ms Brown may be reached at www.understanding-learning-disabilities.com

Living Like You Mean It by Ronald J. Frederick, Ph.D.

About the Author:

Ronald J. Frederick, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist and life coach, with over 15 years of experience helping people get the life they really want.

A long-time proponent of the transforming power of emotion, he co-founded the Center for Courageous Living, which offers innovative therapy, coaching and consulting. Noted for his warmth, humor, and engaging presentation style, he lectures and facilitates workshops nationally.

Frederick is a senior faculty member of the Accelerated Experiential Dynamic Psychotherapy (AEDP) Institute, as well as the Clinical Supervisor of Park House, an outpatient program at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis.

About the Book:

So many of us long to feel more alive, connected, and secure in our lives, particularly now, in these challenging and difficult times. Why is it so hard? Part of the problem, says Dr. Ronald J. Frederick, has to do with a fear of our feelings—a feelings‐phobia—and the consequences of expressing our feelings to others. It's this fear that keeps us stuck, detached from the wisdom inside us and distanced from the people around us.

And yet positive emotional experiences can actually “rewire” our brain and free us up to experience ourselves and our lives more fully. LIVING LIKE YOU MEAN IT: Use the Wisdom and Power of Your Emotions to Get the Life You Really Want by Ronald J. Frederick, shows how we can overcome our feelings phobia in order to enjoy more satisfying lives.

Drawing on cutting edge science, many years as a psychotherapist and his own personal experiences, Dr. Frederick advocates that we understand and express the broad range of our emotions so that our feelings actually become allies in our search for fulfillment. His proven four-step process for tapping into the hidden power of our emotions includes:

*Recognizing the signs of fears in ourselves, and the defenses we unknowingly use to cut ourselves off from our potential power.
*Understanding how to tame our fear and exercise control.
*Learning how to experience our true emotions and make use of their many resources.
*Developing effective, measured ways to express and share our feelings.

A master story‐teller, Frederick interlaces therapeutic techniques with stories from people who have learned to recognize and deal constructively with the emotions that have kept them from living their best lives. The trick, Dr. Frederick shows, is in being able to navigate and diminish the fear that is so entangled with our feelings, so we can progress in a healthier, less encumbered direction, and get the life we really want.

I was fortunate enough to get the author to agree to an interview. This is what he had to say:

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

Living Like You Mean It: Use the Wisdom and Power of Your Emotions to Get the Life You Really Want is a self-help book published by Jossey-Bass, a division of Wiley. Based on cutting-edge science, it shares my proven four-step approach to overcoming fear and becoming more emotionally present in one's life and relationships.

Did something specific happen to prompt you to write this book?

I was inspired to write Living Like You Mean It by my own life-changing experience. I was in my early thirties, had just finished my doctoral studies, and despite having everything going for me, I hit a wall. I was in relationship I frequently questioned and found myself filled with trepidation and fear about moving forward. I ended up in therapy and discovered, rather surprisingly, that the anxiety I was experiencing at the time had so much to do with being uncomfortable with what I really felt deep down inside. I had become so afraid of my emotions, of listening to and trusting my true feelings, that I couldn’t hear the voice of my deepest self buried somewhere inside me—the voice that knew what I wanted, knew what I longed for, knew what felt right to me and what felt wrong. I might have gone on doubting myself forever had I not gotten the help I needed to recognize what, in fact, I really was afraid of and to learn how to overcome my fears, accept and embrace my emotional self, and really connect with others. The experience changed my life. My anxiety decreased, I stopped doubting myself and felt much more confident and in touch with my personal truth. I found it much easier to be emotionally present and felt closer to the people in my life. Ultimately, I found the courage to listen to and trust my heart and move forward, to leave the relationship I was in, and to realize the kind of relationship and life I had dreamed of having.

When you have an experience like that, when your life is changed in such a dramatic way, you want to spread the good stuff around. The more people I’ve been able to help, and the more I witness the dramatic changes that can take place when we develop the ability to be with and share our feelings, the more I have felt compelled to spread the word. I guess you can say that it’s become a mission for me: to help people to wake up to their feelings and get the lives they really want. I wrote this book to help people do just that.

Who is your biggest supporter?

My biggest supporter is my life partner Tim. As I say in the acknowledgements section of my book, “a better partner I couldn’t have imagined if I tried.”

Your biggest critic?

My biggest critic is probably myself. I have pretty high standards which I challenge myself to meet. It’s probably why I ever give up!

What cause are you most passionate about and why?

I’m most passionate about helping people be more accepting of their feelings and more emotionally present in their lives. Why? It’s our feelings that make us feel alive and vital, that bridge the gap between ourselves and others and help us to feel close. We get only once chance at this life; shouldn’t we give it our best shot?

What are you currently working on?

Currently, I’m working on promoting Living Like You Mean It which is pretty much a full-time job. I’m also beginning to develop an audio series based on concepts in the book that will help people experience more joy in their lives.

What do you feel sets this book apart from others in the same genre?

The approach I share in Living Like You Mean It is solidly based on cutting-edge findings from the fields of affective neuroscience, brain development, and attachment studies. Consequently, the program I offer, while easy to understand and implement, is not the kind of anecdotal, “quick fix” found in so many self-help books. Instead, it offers tools that have the potential to fundamentally change the way our brain works and truly transform our lives.

What is the most important lesson you have learned from life so far?

What I share in my book: To not be afraid to take risks and try to connect more deeply with others.

What is your favorite past-time?

My favorite past-time is being with my partner Tim (even though sometimes he drives me a little crazy!). Add in our two dogs and I’m pretty much good to go.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Getting a book published has so much to do with being tenacious. For me, it was four years from start to finish, with many road blocks along the way. I’m so glad that I persevered despite all the rejection, all the hurdles, all the down times. That I reached out to others for help and that I stuck with it as long as I did. I can hardly believe it sometimes when I’m holding the book in my hands that it’s actually come to fruition. It’s been quite a ride. So, don’t despair. Hang in there and keep at it!

And, to learn more about me and Living Like You Mean It, please visit: http://www.livinglikeyoumeanit.com/index.html

The Genie in Your Genes by Dawson Church, Ph.D.

About the Author:

Dawson Church has edited or authored many books in the fields of health, psychology, and spirituality. He has collaborated on articles with many of the leading voices of our time, including Larry Dossey, Bernie Siegel, Caroline Myss, Barry Sears, and John Gray. He earned his doctorate in Integrative Healthcare at Holos University under the mentorship of distinguished neurosurgeon Norman Shealy, M.D., Ph.D., founder of the American Holistic Medical Association. He went on to receive a postgraduate Ph.D. in Natural Medicine.

Church and Shealy coauthored a compendious survey of spiritual healing throughout history called Soul Medicine. Church founded Soul Medicine Institute (SMI), a nonprofit dedicated to education and research into science-based medical interventions which use consciousness and energy as primary modalities. He is the author of several studies published in peer-reviewed journals, and lectures at many medical and psychology conferences each year.

He presents workshops on peak performance for athletes and organizations through EFT Power Training. He performed the first randomized blind trial of EFT (Emotional Freedom Techniques) for athletes, the first study of EFTs effects on healthcare workers, and a large nationwide study of PTSD in war veterans as part of the Iraq Vets Stress Project.

His research summarizes the biomedical evidence for consciousness-based treatments. The Genie in Your Genes outlines the latest studies on the effects of psychospiritual experiences on gene expression, and predicts that consciousness will reach the front line of medicine in the coming decade. It has been hailed as a brilliant contribution to the literature by many reviewers.

You can visit his website at The Genie in Your Genes.

About the Book:

The Genie in Your Genes is a breakthrough book linking consciousness to genetic change. For the first time, a single book summarizes a chain of remarkable scientific discoveries that are revolutionizing the ways we think about health.Author Dawson Church applies the insights of the new field of Epigenetics (epi=above, i.e. control above the level of the gene) to healing. Citing hundreds of scientific studies, he shows how beliefs and emotions can trigger the expression of DNA strands.He focuses on a class of genes called Immediate Early Genes or IEGs. These genes turn on within a few seconds of a stimulus. They can be triggered by thoughts or emotions ("I loved that unexpected gift of roses Bill gave me" or "I'm so mad about what Uncle John said at the Christmas party"). Many IEGs are regulatory genes turn on other genes that affect specific aspects of our immune system, such as the production of white blood cells that destroy attacking bacteria and viruses. Epigenetics thus influences our health every day.

He coins the new term "Epigenetic Medicine" to describe healing techniques with epigenetic effects. He also summarizes the science behind the infant fields of Energy Psychology and Energy Medicine, both of which offer promising epigenetic medical therapies, and describes a few of the thousands of powerful personal breakthroughs that are being achieved by therapists, doctors and lay people practicing these techniques.

The Genie in Your Genes shows that there is a sound theoretical framework, based on credible experiments, for understanding these astonishing results, and predicts that the insights of Epigenetic Medicine will dramatically advance the fields of both medicine and psychology in the coming decade.Best of all, The Genie in Your Genes demonstrates that, by taking control of our consciousness and using it to influence our genetic expression, we can sometimes bypass years of therapy, as well as harmful drugs and invasive surgeries, to, in effect, do continuous genetic engineering on our own bodies. This can produce both immediate relief from long-standing anxieties and neuroses, as well as "miraculous" healing of persistent physical conditions, especially autoimmune diseases.Among a new crop of books that chart the way to a positive health future, The Genie in Your Genes stands out as a solidly grounded and exciting pointer to the future possibilities of a medicine that links soul to body and mind.

I was fortunate enough to be able to ask this author some questions pertaining to his life and work. Here is what he had to say:


Could you please tell us a little about your book?

It’s called The Genie in Your Genes: Epigenetic Medicine and the New Biology of Intention. It describes the new science of epigenetics, the control of DNA from outside the genes. The book’s web site is www.GenieBestSeller.com.

Did something specific happen to prompt you to write this book?

I coauthored an earlier book in electromagnetism in medicine, and I began to realize how pervasive these fields are in the development of life.

Who or what is the inspiration behind this book?

The realization that one of the biggest epigenetic influences on our body’s gene expression is our consciousness. These invisible influences like energy, awareness, meditation and attitude are producing epigenetic effects in our cells daily.

Who is your biggest supporter?

I am indebted to colleagues and friends like Christiane Northrup, MD, Larry Dossey, MD, Bruce Lipton, PhD, Jean Houston, PhD, Joan Borysenko, PhD, Norm Shealy, MD, PhD, and the many others who have encouraged me.

What cause are you most passionate about and why?

The role of consciousness in healing, particularly the health effects of releasing old emotional trauma. There are massive studies linking unhealed emotional trauma to cancer, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension, and heptatitis. If we can help people resolve old emotional wounds, they become healthier. I am committed to getting energy psychology, which reduces those traumas, into primary care. I present at many medical and psychology conferences each year in pursuit of this goal.

What are you currently working on?

I plan to draft two books in the coming year. One applies energy psychology to love relationships. I’m teaching a new class called The Energies of Love (schedule on www.DawsonChurch.com). I find that even though these methods were developed to heal emotional trauma, they can also be used to change the energy field of a marriage. The second is on the link between specific genes and happiness.

What are some of your long term goals?

I would like to see energy psychology used with war veterans. I have completed two studies of PTSD in veterans, showing huge healing effects. I want to see energy psychology in Veterans Administration hospitals, and I’ve helped organize a web site that connects veterans with about 70 therapists and coaches all over the world, www.StressProject.org.

Are you a different person now than you were 5 years ago?† In what way/s?

I have done a great deal of personal inner healing work, starting in my teenage years. But I discovered energy psychology five years ago, and the growth curve accelerated. Since cleaning up lifetimes of emotional trauma, I’ve found an exuberant creativity that exceeds my wildest dreams.

Keys to Living Joyfully by Sheri Kaye Hoff

About the Author:

Sheri Kaye Hoff resides in Parker, CO with her husband and three children. She is a Life Coach and owner of the Sheri K Hoff International Coaching Company. She teaches college classes as an adjunct faculty member and has earned her Master of Arts in Organizational Management. Her new book, Keys to Living Joyfully,offers a way of living a meaningful, successful and joy filled life.Ms. Hoff is a personal and executive life coach.

Spirituality is a vital part of her life’s work. Prayer and meditation are integral pieces of her daily ritual, which enables her to pursue her life’s passions and live a truly joyful life.Her words on faith are derived from her own Christian walk and spiritual self-discoveries. Her action steps mix faith and years of leadership training, mentoring, and management. Sheri Kaye Hoff suffered the tragic death of her younger brother when she was a teenager and struggled for years to rediscover the capacity to feel joy and to enjoy her successes. She has a heart felt desire to pass on her knowledge and discoveries that have led to a truly transformational life.

Ms. Hoff publishes a free weekly inspiration newsletter, Coach Sheri’s Weekly Inspiration Tips. The Sheri K Hoff International Coaching Company also offers:
* Teleclasses
.* Webinars
* In person small and large group Coaching
* Corporate Training
* Keynote speaking
* Seminars
* Individual Career and Life Coaching (For a limited time- receive a free introductory one hour life coaching session)

You can visit her website at http://www.lifeisjoyful.org/.

About the Book:

Keys to Living Joyfully is an inspirational book on experiencing joy, peace, passion, and energy in daily life. It is designed to demonstrate the powerful roles of thoughts, action, and faith. The book is a merging of Sheri Kaye Hoff's spiritual life and lifelong interests in leadership and motivation. The ideas presented in the book are techniques and processes that have worked for the author and clients. Foreword is written by Michele Caron, creator of MyLIfeCoach.com

The book, Keys to Living Joyfully, was born out of a heartfelt desire to share the keys that lead to living a transformational life. Ms. Hoff is a personal and executive coach working with individuals, small businesses, and corporations. Her words on faith are derived from her own Christian walk and spiritual self-discoveries. Her action steps are a mix of faith. love, leadership skills, and management experience.

Chapters include topics such as: Is your heart thinking right? And how to tap into intrinsic motivation. This book, Keys to Living Joyfully, offers the techniques and insights that move people towards more peace, joy, energy, and passion in everyday life.

I had the chance to interview the author. Here is what she had to say:

In the last year have you learned or improved on any skills?

In the last year, I have learned a lot about social networking, blogging, and internet marketing. I thought I knew a lot, until I started promoting my book and my knowledge and skills in this area have jumped. I now have facebook, twitter, myspace, LinkedIn, and other account. I have also become friends with people on almost every continent. I became part of a very promising exclusive mastermind group. My world has expanded exponentially.

Do you have any rituals you follow when finishing a piece of work?

When I finish a piece of work, I celebrate with cake and champagne. I make a big deal about it. I use to just quickly move on to the next project or task, now I relish and revel in the celebration.

Who has influenced you throughout your career as a writer?

I have been reflecting on my writing process and inspiration. My mother was always enrolling me in creative writing classes even as a young child. I think I always thought of myself as somewhat of a writer. I enrolled in Mr. Peterson's Creative Writing class when I was in 10th grade and I felt very confident about it. My mother was even one of his students when she was in high school and he was her favorite teacher. I was excited. I was one of those-mostly "A" students and knew that this would be my fun class-compared to Trig.

On the first day, we were told the we would spend the first fifteen to twenty minutes of every class free flow writing in our journals. We would also hand in our journals. I thought, I can handle that. Then Mr. Peterson announced that he didn't grade work-he either wrote VG for very good, G for good, and nothing if it was less than good. My whole "working for my grade" became a confusing process for me.

We had different types of creative writing assignments. Soon, I had the frustrating experience of pouring my heart into my work and receiving only a "G". I kept working harder, but felt disappointed inside. I thought, maybe I am not a writer. I remember the most difficult assignment for me was to write a sonnet. I love poetry-but write in free verse. Now, I had to follow the rules of the sonnet. I was afraid that I could not do it. I created my one and only sonnet of my life and it is called Mountain Paradise. And I received my first "VG". I glowed with pride. Mr. Peterson was helping all of us learn discipline.

I went on to work with Mr. Peterson on the school paper. In one of my articles, I had some facts that were incorrect. When I walked in the door at school, he almost tackled me and said that some of my facts were wrong. I then, said, "Well, I assumed". Then his face turned beat red and he hollered-"You assumed? You assumed? a journalist never assumes anything." I learned my lesson about checking facts.

He was a demanding, brilliant teacher and he loved writing. I am a better person because I experienced working with him. I even suspected, afer awhile, that he did believe in me. By the way, I did earn an "A" in that class.

To all the Mr. Peterson's out there-Thank you for caring so much.

What do you feel sets this book apart from others in the same genre?

My readers tell me that they feel that I am writing directly to them in my book, Keys to Living Joyfully. They feel that I am speaking to their hearts and know their stories. When I wrote the book, I had a deep desire that people could feel my heart and feel like they were one of my personal friends when reading. I wrote with gentleness and truth. When you hold the book in your hands, I think people can feel this and feel the spirit of the book.

You know the scenario – you’re stuck on an island. What book would you bring with you and why?

This is a hard question because I love books and books from many genres.
I would probably bring Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits. There is a section that talks about how Sadat felt more free when he was in prison because he realized his mind was free. I read this book the first time when I was on bedrest for 11 weeks when I was pregnant with my oldest daughter. I could only get up for three minutes every hour and the medication that I was taking made me shake. I felt trapped in my own body. My mother gave me the book and it was one of the best experiences of my life. I thought if a prisoner could feel free, so could I. This is when I began to study the importance of thoughts in terms of a person’s reality. So, if I were stranded on an island, I might need Covey’s words to remind me that my mind was still free-so I was essentially free.

Is there anything you regret doing/not doing?

I think there will always be a part of me that wishes that I could have somehow prevented my brother’s death. This experience has, of course, added a level of deep sadness to my life and spurred my pursuit of finding a way to live a joyful life in spite of life events. Now, even though I do experience joy on a daily basis, I still have times when I cry over him. I think that my thoughts about loosing my brother hover slightly around the poetry that I write. I also have a deep compassion for characters in real life and in fiction with lost souls. I want to soothe them and make them better. For instance, I wish I could heal the Phantom of the Opera’s loneliness.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Sure, you can find me at http://www.lifeisjoyful.org and my book is available on Amazon.


WIN PRIZES!!!
KEYS TO LIVING JOYFULLY VIRTUAL BLOG TOUR '09 will officially begin on March 2 and end on March 27. You can visit Sheri's blog stops at http://www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com/ in March to find out more about this talented author!As a special promotion for all our authors, Pump Up Your Book Promotion is giving away a FREE virtual book tour to a published author or a $50 Amazon gift certificate to those not published who comments on our authors' blog stops. More prizes will be announced as they become available.

No Experts Needed by Louise Lewis

About the Book:

Losing a job always delivers a hard blow, but it was especially hard for forty-something author Louise Lewis, one of many victims of the technology industry's dot-com implosion. No Experts Needed: The Meaning of Life According to You! tells the story of how she pulled herself together and discovered a new life of meaning.

Just minutes after being "set free", Lewis, a single woman with a mortgage to pay, sits in the San Jose, California, airport panicking over her future. While toying with the option of giving into depression, she receives a powerful message from God that instantly releases the weight of her worries. "This is just a new chapter in your life. You hold the pen, I'll guide your hand, and together we'll write one hell of a chapter." Through Spirit's continued involvement, Lewis is inspired to ask normal, everyday people to answer Spirit's question: what is the meaning of life?

No Experts Needed: The Meaning of Life According to You! weaves through a vast collection of spontaneous, thought-provoking answers and inspirational stories that demonstrate how the simple act of listening to Spirit can add meaning to every moment of your life.

I had the opportunity to interview Louise - this is what she had to say:

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

I narrate the amazing story of my Spirit-led adventure that began just minutes after getting "set free" (also known as getting laid off) from my cushy job in high tech. After an inspiring collaboration between Spirit and Oprah (yes, Oprah Winfrey), I began traveling the world asking folks to answer the question: What is the meaning of life? The book is light-hearted and entertaining, given the topic. And weaving through the book is a vast collection of spontaneous,thought-provoking answers and inspirational stories that demonstrate how the simple act of listening to Spirit can add meaning to every moment of your life ... especially through the tough times.

Did something specific happen to prompt you to write this book?

Minutes after losing my job, I sat in the San Jose, California, airport, panicking about the bleak prospects of future employment. While toying with the option of giving into depression, I received a powerful message from God that instantly released the weight of my worries. He said: "This is just a new chapter in your life. You hold the pen, I'll guide your hand, and together we'll write one hell of a chapter." From that day on, I walked through life with his Words in my heart and my journal and pen in my hand.

Who or what is the inspiration behind this book?

Once again I have to give credit to Spirit and to Oprah. Throughout my journey, I continued to receive 'messages' from Spirit that inspired me to move forward, trust, and live out my adventure. I got really good at shutting down my Ego so that Spirit's words can through loud and clear. As for the theme of the book, I have to thank Oprah and one of her shows for giving me the life-changing ah-ha idea.

Who is your biggest supporter?

That's easy...my Mom. I always have to giggle at my Mom's response after she read my book. Looking at me with a sense of amazement in her eyes, she said: "I never knew you were this smart."

Your biggest critic?

Another easy one...myself. I hold myself up to very high standards. But fortunately, now that I'm in my 'wisdom' years, I've learned how to accept and forgive my shortcomings.

What cause are you most passionate about and why?

Helping kids. I've volunteered with kids for over a decade. Right now I volunteer at a local children's hospital. A certain experience that I had at the hospital has inspired me to put my books to work to help raise money for kids' charities. That's why for my second book of the "No Experts Needed" will be on"bikers" -- the motorcycle kind -- and the meaning of life. There's wonderful story behind this book. And I also have many celebrity bikers involved with the project. At the end of the day, I will donate net proceeds to children's charities. It's all about helping the kids...

About the Author:

Louise has two decades of experience in marketing and advertising, having held senior-level positions on the client, advertising agency, and ad sales sides of the business.

She considers herself a self-growth junkie, continuing to seek light, love, and wisdom in her daily life.

With an innate passion for spiritual growth, she has a strong desire to give back to the world. Along with the inspiration and direction received from Spirit, Louise continues to touch the lives of all she meets.

She volunteers at Children’s Hospital of Orange County.

Louise earned a bachelor’s degree in Communications at California State University in Fullerton.

Born and raised in Louisiana, she resides in Southern California.

To learn more visit http://www.noexpertsneeded.com/

WIN PRIZES!!!

NO EXPERTS NEEDED VIRTUAL BLOG TOUR '09 will officially begin on January 5 and end on January 30. You can visit Louise's blog stops at http://www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com/ in January to find out more about this talented lady!

As a special promotion for all our authors, Pump Up Your Book Promotion is giving away a FREE virtual book tour to a published author or a $50 Amazon gift certificate to those not published who comments on our authors' blog stops. More prizes will be announced as they become available

Amazing Grays by Maggie Rose Crane

About the book:

Balanced somewhere between a memoir and a how-to, AMAZING GRAYS is a uniquely refreshing and candid look at midlife for those unwilling to become feeble old women with boobs in their laps, dreams on the shelf, and Memory Lane their only destination. As a leading edge boomer, Maggie uses her own journey through midlife to shatter stereotypes about aging. At the core of her message, she exposes the fears and anxieties that often haunt maturing women and reveals how to mindfully navigate the turbulence with wisdom, perspective and practice. She encourages women to relish their roles as Amazing Grays and not waste time and energy trying to hang on to the past.

For women who are entertaining the possibility of life without hair dye, Maggie shares her story of going gray. She outlines several strategies to take you from colored to natural and includes photos and stories of women who have taken the plunge.

Hers is not an anti-aging message. This book is a little about going gray and a lot about aging mindfully and joyously (with a healthy dose of kicking and screaming) from an everyday womans perspective.

I was lucky enough to be able to ask Maggie some questions. This is what she had to say:

Could you please tell us a little about your book?

Amazing Grays is written for baby boomer women. It’s about aging mindfully, no matter what ones hair color may be. Balanced somewhere between a how-to and a memoir, I share my story of deciding to live without hair dye – and the ensuing battle with all my fears and expectations about getting old! Rather than allow my fears to run my life, I decided to face them head on. I explored the social, physical, psychological and spiritual dimensions of aging, and finally came to appreciate that I could age with grace, gratitude and gusto – or take the journey kicking and screaming while hanging on to the past. Either way – I was still getting older! I chose the first option, but I admit I did some kicking and screaming, too!

I’ve come to understand that life is not lived by regretting or hanging on to the past, or worrying about the future. Life is lived in the NOW, moment by moment. By taking it a step at a time and engaging with the people, activities and events that bring a smile to my lips and a song to my heart – I can guarantee I will create a life that reflects the woman I am today. It’s actually the key to living longer. You don’t really add years to your life – you just live those years so fully grounded in the present moment that it feels like a very loooong time.

Did something specific happen to prompt you to write this book?

I had a life changing epiphany in a hair salon where it became clear I would never color my hair again. Little did I know it was the start of a very bumpy journey? Going gray was the precipitating event that threw me up against all my expectations about aging. While not every woman decides to go gray – the effects of aging show up for everyone. Children leave home, careers wind down, bodies change, relationships evolve, values mature and the seeds of unrest begin to bloom.

After wrestling with my fears, compiling stacks of research and going on a 3-month spiritual retreat, it "came" to me. I realized that as a leading edge boomer, it might be helpful to chronicle my experience and share what I had learned so that women who were just starting their journey into midlife might have a guidebook as they began to traverse these waters. I wanted to extend a hand to help them not only go through it, but also mindfully explore these purposeful changes in a woman’s life and better appreciate the circle of life.

What cause are you most passionate about and why?

I am most passionate about encouraging women to embrace the second half of life as a fresh start. By becoming an Amazing Gray (again, it has nothing to do with hair color!) I’m hoping that the gigantic pool of talent and experience that lies in the sweaty palms of baby boomer women can help to remedy many of the key issues facing our society today.

So many of us have put our personal dreams on the backburner for any number of valid reasons. ALL of us have wisdom and experience we can bring to the table. Now is the time to reawaken slumbering dreams and uncover what we value. We can take steps to heal old wounds, forgive, and let go of the parts of ourselves that we’ve outgrown, summon our courage and move on to live mindfully and authentically as the amazing woman we’ve become.

In the last year have you learned or improved on any skills?

YES! In an effort to challenge my own fears and expectations about aging I’m trying new things. I had forgotten how much I love to dance, so I took a dance class. My teacher encouraged me to try out for my cities ‘Senior Follies’, a variety show featuring folks over 50. I was petrified, but tried out anyway and was offered a role as a dancer and…get ready for this – a showgirl! At 60! It was great fun and I learned some things about myself.

I also went to a spa that provides a challenge course and walked unaided across a 30-foot telephone pole suspended 40 feet in the air. (Yes, I had a belay line so if I fell I wouldn’t die!) It was terrifying - but so empowering. I was also harnessed and hoisted 40 feet into the air holding on to a small rope, which, once I let go, allowed me to freefall and swing in huge arcs. I got to see how hanging on with fear was hard work – and just keeps me stuck in a standstill. Things tend to open up when you let go.

I also took an online course in Social Marketing – so I can communicate with 21st Century tools. Frankly, I’d rather walk across the telephone pole!

What is the most important thing in your life right now?

Connecting with midlife women and opening up the conversation about what’s going on with our bodies, our emotions, and the unrest many of us are feeling. I want to explore how we can reclaim our vitality, reawaken slumbering dreams and support one another in making decisions that allow us to live with grace, gratitude and gusto!

Do you have any advice for writers or readers?

I would encourage readers to take the time to answer the questions scattered throughout my book. They have been crafted to facilitate awakening the unconscious mind and help us look beyond the norm. Hopefully, they inspire contemplation and awareness - which is necessary for change.

What do you feel sets this book apart from others in the same genre?

There are several books about aging and midlife written by celebrities. While they are wonderful women, most of them live very privileged lives. They have notoriety, personal stylists, hairdressers, drivers, cooks, personal trainers and the money to purchase any product or treatment they desire. While I see no problem with that – most of us can’t relate.

Amazing Grays focuses on my experience as an everyday baby boomer woman maturing in a youth obsessed society. I’ve been married, divorced, a single parent, fired, remarried, dealt with a blended family, and survived several careers. I drive my own car, do my own hair and makeup, cook my own meals, pick out my own clothes and go to the gym. I believe that many women will be able to relate to my journey and find insights and strategies on how to age mindfully, with style and grace - (and a little kicking and screaming!)

If you could go back and change one day, what would it be?

Funny, I thought about this long and hard – for 5 seconds! I would not change a thing, because everything that "was" had led me to what "is" – and I like what "is".

What is the most important lesson you have learned from life so far?

That changes in ones life are purposeful. It takes more time and energy to resist life than to simply let go and live it.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Visit http://www.maggiecrane.com/. I’m currently offering a free bookmark with purchase of Amazing Grays. It features a wonderful quote for midlife women, affirming how powerful and amazing we truly are. After all, we become what we think about most!

About the author:

Maggie Crane was born on the leading edge of the Baby Boom generation, and has had the quintessential boomer experience: she worked her way through college, married, had a child, divorced, thrived in a few careers, survived as a single mom, remarried and struggled with blended family issues.

After traveling the country for nearly a decade delivering leadership and life skills workshops for women, the demands of her travel schedule and the onset of menopause collided with the big 5-0. She was moved to press the pause button on her life and reassess her priorities. She watched in astonishment as her skin began to lose its elasticity, and was mildly horrified when her tummy morphed into a permanent flotation device. Smile lines etched in deeper and she found it necessary to color her hair more often. When she made the decision to stop dyeing her hair, she came face-to-face with her fears about aging in a youth oriented culture. And so began her not-so-graceful quest to age mindfully.

Gradually, Maggie learned that her frustrations, fears and anxieties about aging grew quiet when she faced them directly. She learned to refocus her energies on the people, things and activities that brought a smile to her face and a song to her heart. By letting go of old identities and rediscovering new passions, she has gradually (but not always gracefully) hitched her rope to a growing movement of Amazing Grays.

WIN PRIZES!!!

AMAZING GRAYS VIRTUAL BLOG TOUR '09 will officially begin on January 5 and end on January 30. You can visit Maggie's blog stops at http://www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com/ in January to find out more about this talented lady!

As a special promotion for all our authors, Pump Up Your Book Promotion is giving away a FREE virtual book tour to a published author or a $50 Amazon gift certificate to those not published who comments on our authors' blog stops. More prizes will be announced as they become available.

Full Body Orgasm by Oscar Naval

Hardcover: 260 pages
Publisher: Lifesuccess Publishing (August 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1599302004
ISBN-13: 978-1599302003



About the book:



This book takes a holistic view of the meaning and the function of the orgasm in the broader sense of the word as it relates not only to sexuality (the body) but in the mind and spirit as well. Living in a physical world where you may commute to work, buy groceries, cook the meals, pay the bills, raise your children, clean the house and go on vacations, you can balance and live a life of peak experiences in everything you do.


The full body orgasm (FBO) is continuous joy and pleasure that opens the doors of peak experiences in all aspects of life. In other words, if you can fully experience that energy of an FBO, then you will experience joy and pleasure in everything you do in life.



I was lucky enough to be able to ask the author some questions. Here are his answers:



You know I have to ask – how did you come up with the name "Full Body Orgasm" for your book?



I knew that I was going to write a personal growth book based on being a Body-centered Psychotherapist. When I first approached possible publishers and marketing people about the book concept, I started talking about personal growth and body-mind-spirit. I pitched a few titles at them and basically they all yawned. They said to ‘brainstorm’ several titles for the book. I started with “Balancing Wisdom and Energy” and one book title had a picture of my then 2 year old son with the title “Finding Your Inner Child”. When I brainstormed over 25 titles, I started to think about the core information that my book was to based on and remembered one of the required readings was “Function of the Orgasm” by Wilhelm Reich and my book is about harnessing life’s joyous energy. One of the dictionary definitions for orgasm (beyond the sexual reference) is ‘unrestrained joy and pleasure.’ Suddenly “Full Body Orgasm” as a title made sense.



Were you afraid of offending potential buyers by choosing a name like this?



No, I was not afraid at all. It’s a catchy title that will draw attention and if a person is open to read further than they will receive a further distinction of the definition for orgasm. It is all about discovering unrestrained joy and pleasure in every aspect of life. I know that some might be thinking… “Oh no, another book on sex” but this is far, far more diverse than the physical act of sex. It delves into the spiritual essence and energy of an FBO (Full Body Orgasm) and shows how to adapt that blissful energy into every moment of your life.



Could you give us some insight on to what prompted you to pursue a Diploma of Body-centered Psychotherapy from the Institute of Core Energetics ?



I became a Body-Centered Psychotherapist because of unhappiness (bordering on depression), wanting meaning, and understanding my own life. In other words, I was a client in need of therapy before becoming a therapist. I grew up in the Mission District of San Francisco, California. We lived 3 blocks from San Francisco General Hospital with the sound of sirens every night. It was the turbulent sixties in San Francisco and the hospital was running a full business. The local corner store owner was nicknamed by the SF television media as “Yosemite Sam” because he would legally shoot would-be robbers on a regular basis. He was considered a local hero. Gunfire was not unusual in the Mission District. My next door neighbor was a few years older than I and was well respected among the neighborhood kids because he seemed the most confident, calm, and cool kid who’d play street football with all of us. When I was about 10 years old, he shot himself. At about the same time I became acquainted with a family friend who ended up in San Quentin prison on Death Row. Ambulance and police sirens, gunfire, a hero who shot people, good people who killed themselves and a murderer as a family friend - I figured all this was normal. At home, my father suffered several strokes and was institutionalized when I was about 9 years old. What I do remember of him growing up was he had a violent temper. My mother was left with the bill and supporting 3 kids. I was pretty much left to grow up on my own in this environment. However, perhaps in spite of these beginnings, or perhaps because of them, my whole life has been a quest for true happiness and joy. It has been a bumpy ride becoming a Body-Centered Psychotherapist and a published Personal Growth author because I had to take responsibility and face my own painful childhood and grow personally. So, what prompted me? “Doctor heal thy self.”



Could you explain what you use your education for?



I use my education to better myself and share with others the knowledge I’ve accumulated. But, I feel from the question that it is not about book learning as much as experiencing and applying the knowledge.



I see you have had some very different careers. What did you always want to be when you were growing up?



Happy. As I talked about earlier, I became a therapist because of my own need to understand my own life. As a child I did not cognitively understand that what I really wanted to be when I grew up was “happy” but I have come to that conclusion today. Growing up with in a poor neighborhood, with violence, and a lack of adult guidance made it challenging to pinpoint what “I wanted be when I grew up” but I have always felt deeply a need to travel, explore, and express myself in a creative way.



Who is the biggest influence on your writing?



If you are asking for a specific “one” person then I cannot say. In writing “Full Body Orgasm” my writing was influenced by several of my teachers in Core Energetics. Specifically, the late Dr. John Pierrakos, M.D., Robert Kirby, Karyne Wilner, Walid Daw, Stuart Black and Ruth Fuller. The writings of Wilhelm Reich and Alexander Lowen also influenced my writing. If I had to name any “one” influence then it would have to be my 3 year old son because he is a constant inspiration of the meaning of unrestrained joy and pleasure in every aspect of life.



Who can you turn to when you need someone to critique your work with brutal honesty?



Because of the trust and the depth of what we had to shared in our training and personal therapy, I would turn to my fellow therapists who worked and studied with me for their “brutal honesty”. In the personal growth that we have gone through we have been “brutally honest” about our own lives with each other and I am open to whatever feedback they would give me. I am grateful for the feedback that 2 of the therapists I trained with (Mary Goslett and Bill Power) gave me feed back for this book.



What is one thing you would change about your life if you could?



Nothing. Everything. I would not change a thing. I would not be the person I am today and have written this book if I did. Life is so short so if I could change everything it would be like having another life to live. As in the question earlier you mentioned the very different careers I have had. I feel in some ways I have lived in this life at least 4 lives (so far).



Are you currently working on a new book? If so, could you tell us a little about it?



Nothing specific but I am outlining several ideas to follow “Full Body Orgasm – Your Energy to Love, Health, Wealth, and Happiness” book based on the feedback I’m getting. There would be a Full Body Orgasm or an “FBO Series” for specific aspects of life. For example, “Full Body Orgasm – From the Bedroom to the Boardroom” would be another title. Some have asked me about expanding on a turning point in my life that is mentioned in the FBO book when I got lost in “The Valley of Fire” desert in Nevada . In that book I would describe the inner journey of discovering that life had meant “nothing” if I died in the desert that day.



What is one piece of advice you would give struggling authors?



The only caveat to ‘Just Do It!’ is to do it with passion and fun. Passion and fun is what the FBO is about continually attaining and it is what I continue to learn and re-learn.



About the author:



"Finding balance in all aspects of life has given me the happiness that has eluded me for most of my life. It has given me a life that was once only dreamt potential. By taking responsibility and owning my problems I have been able to find peace within myself. And, by honoring truth with humility I have found a new lease on life. Real friendships, love, and companionship are what I had hoped for, dreamt, and have found."



Oscar Naval's path of awakening to the full body orgasm of life began during his engineering consulting career. He successfully consulted with high-tech computer clients from Apple Computer to Xilinx. Although he had career and financial success, he was overweight, a workaholic and failed at a 10-year marriage. This was his wake-up call to discover what really is important in life.



He traveled the world from the land-lines in the British Isles to the Oracle at Delphi, from the red earth of Utah to the spiritual spots of Sedona, Arizona, and scuba diving the depths of oceans. He has worked remodeling vacation units, selling holiday activities, and as well as an Open Water PADI Scuba Diving Instructor in Hawaii. Over time and experiences, he grew to find more clarity, balance and spirit.



Before moving to Australia, Oscar lived on the island of Maui and on the Big Island of Hawaii where he discovered the depth and richness of native Hawaiian spirituality. On the Kona coast on the island of Hawaii, he studied to be a Hawaiian Lomilomi Massage therapist.



After arriving in Australia, he found his spiritual family, close friendships, and a loving relationship. Oscar married his lovely wife, Lisa, in 2003 and their son, Mikey, was born in February 2005.



Oscar Naval holds a Diploma of Body-Centred Psychotherapy from the Institute of Core Energetics, Australia. He is also a Hawaiian Lomi-lomi massage therapist. You can visit his website at http://www.fbo-book.com/



FULL BODY ORGASM VIRTUAL BOOK TOUR '08 will officially begin on September 2, '08 and end on September 26, '08. You can visit Oscar's tour stops at http://www.virtualbooktours.wordpress.com/ in September to find out more about him and his new book!


As a special promotion for all our authors, Pump Up Your Book Promotion is giving away a FREE virtual book tour to a published author with a recent release or a $50 Amazon gift certificate to those not published who comments on our authors' blog stops. More prizes will be announced as they become available. The winner will be announced on our main blog at http://www.pumpupyourbookpromotion.wordpress.com/ on September 26!



Oscar's virtual book tour is being brought to you by Pump Up Your Book Promotion and choreographed by Dorothy Thompson