Please RSVP to Patricia L. Brooks, president/founder patricia@plbrooks.com

Ø  AUG 14^th WRITING CONFERENCE:  Write Now 2010, Wrigley Mansion, Phoenix, all day, register at  www.desertsleuths.com

Ø  SEPT 24-26^th WRITING CONFERENCE/CONTESTS:  Members Betty Webb and Patricia L. Brooks will be speaking at the Wrangling with Writing - Tucson Radisson Hotel, register with the Society of South West Authors www.ssa-az.org or Donna J. Young, Wrangling with Writers Facebook page.

Ø  OCT 2^nd – SEDONA BOOK FESTIVAL www.wellredcoyote.com

Ø  SCOTTSDALE LIBRARY – seeking locals authors for the library shelves – submit your books to www.scottsdalelibrary.org 

 Ø  CONTEST/AZ Authors Association: www.azauthors.com

Ø  MEMBER THANK YOU and CONGRATULATIONS:  art donation w/book:  Cay Randall May donated a piece of her art for the AZ Book Publishers May 1 Awards dinner - WIN award for books:  Dawn Fleming and Marcia Fine won Glyph Awards in their categories – congratulations!

Ø  MEMBER NEWS: Congratulations Marilyn Frazer and Joanne Deck are finalists/recipients of the Indie Excellence Award www.indieexcellence.com

Ø  MEMBERS speaking w/books - Sedona:  Two Members will be speaking at the Well Red Coyote Bookstore in Sedona - Kebba Buckley Button speaks: June 25, Fri. @7:00 p.m. with her book www.discoverthesecretenergizedyou.com and Patricia L. Brooks speaks on Sept. 18^th Sat. with her book www.plbrooks.com on the topic of Memorable Memoirs.

6:45 – SPEAKER:   DR. MARCIA REYNOLDS

SPEAKER:  June 30th - Wed. 2010    

My Journey from Publishing to Marketing my Books

I will share what I’ve learned on my publishing and marketing journey and what I am planning for the future. Come hear lessons learned to help make your journey more enjoyable.

Dr. Marcia Reynolds is currently marketing her new book called Wander Woman, on how today’s strong, restless women can find contentment and direction.  It was just published by Berrett-Koehler in June, 2010.       

Marcia is considered an expert on the brain, helping people to understand “why they do what they do.” Excerpts from Marcia’s book, Outsmart Your Brain, have appeared in major publications around the world.

She travels around the world speaking, training and coaching leaders and rising stars in major corporations. Excerpts from her books have appeared in many publications, including Fortune Magazine, Harvard Communications Newsletter, Cosmopolitan, The Los Angeles Times and The New York Times, and she has appeared on ABC World News and National Public Radio.

In addition to her doctorate in organizational psychology, she is also a Master Certified Coach and Certified Speaking Professional.  

·         JUNE 30^th            Dr. Marcia Reynolds www.marciareynolds.com speaker, award winning author of several books shares her expertise

·         JULY  28^th            Donis Casey – Historical Fiction Writer – published author - shares her success, ideas and habits www.doniscasey.com

·         AUG 25^th              Laura Tohe is Dine (Navajo) l.tohe@asu.edu ASU professor of English, award winning author and poet

·         SEPT 29^th              5^th Anniversary – be ready to celebrate!   Stella Pope Duarte www.stellapopeduarte.com author of several award winning fiction books, speaker, advocate, educator,

·         OCT 27^th              Vickie Mullins www.MullinsCreative.com author, speaker, creative consultant

·         NOV 17^th special holiday date

·         DEC 15^th special holiday date

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

7:30 NETWORKING – meeting ends by 8:00 – thank you for coming!

Goals of the Group

• Value all the professional women writers seeking to share their expertise
• Honor all genres and all forms of professional writing
• Attend monthly meetings  to move the group and its members forward
• Learn and share in the experiences of monthly professional speakers
• Grow the group to a membership of active and contributing women
• Encourage participation by members as presenters, mentors, judges and volunteers
• Support and challenge each other to always be writing
• Help members to stretch as writers and reach lofty personal goals
• Have fun, meet trustworthy women writers, share dreams

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Patricia L. Brooks, president, founder  

SCOTTSDALE SOCIETY OF WOMEN WRITERS

480-250-5556 or patricia@plbrooks.com

SCOTTSDALE SOCIETY OF

WOMEN WRITERS

WHAT:          Scottsdale Society of Women Writers Monthly Meeting

WHERE:       The Marriott Old Town, 7325 E. Third Ave. and Scottsdale Rd., So of Camelback, turn E at the light, parking near hotel

WHEN:          5:30 to 7:30, Wed. APRIL 28^th Please RSVP*

WHY:             The Scottsdale Society of Women Writers gives members access to events of interest, a format for exchanging ideas, an opportunity to network with other women writers and authors, an alliance with businesses relating to writing and publishing, and camaraderie and support.  

HOW:             *RSVP now to Patricia at 480-250-5556 or patricia@plbrooks.com

SPEAKER:     Robin Reynolds will present Marketing to the MAX: What My Dogs Taught Me about Marketing My Book.  Packed with information on branding, developing marketing messages and marketing tools from press kits to Twitter, this presentation will discuss some of the things that have worked and not worked for Robin in marketing her book. Whether you’re promoting your book, publishing company or you as an author, you’re sure to find Robin’s insights funny, inspiring and heartfelt.

Robin Reynolds is a creative advertising and marketing professional who has helped brand and position the products and services of Fortune 500 companies and sole entrepreneurs alike. Her creative work has earned international recognition with Clios, Addys and New York Art Directors—Gold & Silver Awards. Currently, she is President and Head Noodler of her own creative marketing agency, NICE Creative.  In addition to developing marketing campaigns for her clients, she published her first book, Life to the MAX:  Maxims for a Great Life by a Dog named Max. 

ERNEST HEMINGWAY

? “There is no friend as loyal as a book.”

? Why do you want to write?

? Why do you want to publish?

REVISIONS are the Charm!

? CHECK - Do you inform, entertain or engage?

? CHECK - Do allow your voice to shine?

? CHECK – Is there flow to your work with a story line?

STAGES OF EDITING or Bust!

? Developmental stage – Organization and Structure

? Content Stage – Shape it up – needs/purpose

? Copy Stage – proof – grammar – punctuation

? “Book Shepherd” - collaborator – Ghostwriter – peer reviewer?

EDITORS make great partners!

? Bring the “eagle  eye” to MATURE the work

? Honor compelling, CLEAR copy

? Cultivate a MUST read book

? Craft your copy to stand as ART

The “HOTTEST” Selling Point

? TITLE - Succinct to Sell – 7 to 10 words - SIZZLE

? Dress it up - CLEAR and Curious – 6 feet away

? Make it Count - be Memorable  - COLORS

? What is your book about?  HOOK

?  The BACK Cover is Tops!

? Short testimonials – NO Bragging

? GENRE – Price – 10 Seconds to Sell

? Benefits – BUY on emotion – advocacy

? Your photo and Message - READ

?  INTERIOR Design and Layout

? Creatively ENHANCE your work

? Deliver a DELIGHT to Read

? Photos and illustrations  - HARMONY

? Play by the RULES – Guidelines

?  PRINTING Particulars

? Digital Printing  vs. Offset Printing

? Physical vs. Electronic books – or both

? Size, page count, paper weight, colors

? Soft cover or hard cover or both

?  MARKETING – You and Your Book – The Plan

? Social networking – Facebook, Twitter, Linked In

? Websites  and blogs, online articles and media

? Bookmarks - Biz cards – Fact sheet

? Posters and Banners for events – General Media

?  BOOK LAUNCH – You and Them

? Warehousing and storage - wholesale to retail

? Distributors  - to the wholesaler or bookstores

? Homework -Reputation - Strategy - Cost effective

? Catalogs – online – your inventory

?  TRADITIONAL – Publishing Plan

? Book Proposals for niche markets

? Agents to the publisher  - Prestige – Some advances

? Marketing and media control – Author’s Platform

? Rights – contracts - attorney

?  SELF-PUBLISHING – Independent Perspective

? In Control – keep RIGHTS

? Make MORE per book – your expenses

? Process much Quicker – out to market timely

? COSTS for book production/marketing

?  CHOICES – Physical – Electronic or Both

? FAD or profound change?  Unique Opportunities

? COMBINATION – print and electronic – FUTURE

? EMOTION – comfort – target new realities

? FREE – e-book trends – Marketing shifts in the industry

?  To E-BOOK or not to E-book

? GAME changing force  - book store closings

? Direct-to-Customer MODEL

? MORE good and bad books get published

? SPLITS – for author/publisher partnerships

?  Suggested Favorite READING for Writers

? Writing Down the Bones – Natalie Goldberg

? Your Life as Story – Tristine Rainer

? The Power to Write – Caroline Joy Adams

? The Right to Write – Julia Cameron

? Lessons of a Lifetime of Writing – David Morrell

Scottsdale Author launched by

Scottsdale Publishing Firm

in time for your Holiday Reading List

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Patricia L. Brooks, president/founder

Brooks Goldmann Publishing, LLC

info@brooksgoldmannpublishing.com cell 480-250-5556

December, 2009 - You may not know the name Kiki Swanson, but chances are her books have been in your midst.  Right where the lump in your throat meets the place in your heart, she gives us hope that retirement living in Scottsdale can be rewarding with her new book Remnants – ready for new life.

WHO:  Kiki Swanson, author www.kikiswansonbooks.com discovers for us five women coming together in Scottsdale after a life time of joy and heartbreak to rekindle their lifelong friendships in their senior years with her new fiction release. 

WHAT: Swanson writes about these unsung heroines in her new book Remnants – ready for new life.  Those humble types who live ordinary lives until circumstances such as divorce, death widowhood or alcoholism force them to rise above the grief and pain to discover greater truths such as “life is for the living to the end.”

WHEN:  Remnants - ready for new life, recently released by Brooks Goldmann Publishing, LLC of Scottsdale, AZ, is being launched now in time for your holiday reading list.

WHERE:  www.kikiswansonbooks.com Kiki Swanson, Scottsdale, AZ author kikiswan@cox.net

ISBN#     978-0-981-7881-4-2

WHY:  People are yearning for earnest heartfelt stories they can relate to and learn from and Swanson delivers.  Our society discounts the importance of the senior community in our society, while other cultures admire and honor them.   Swanson kikiswan@cox.net aims to change all that with the 2010 launching of her book Remnants – ready for new life.

HOW: Swanson seeks to find the extraordinary in what appears to be ordinary lives.  Her lead character has gentle courage, a spunky and funny demeanor, while quietly doing the “right thing”, to make us smile.

Her readers will see themselves in her subjects; their strength, love and courage too.  Swanson understands it is people’s lives she is dealing with and that they are important to the storyline.  She peaks our interest often in short chapters that tie together nicely.

AUTHOR INFORMATION:  As a minister in senior issues at her church, Swanson was an “advice source” for many.  Now her advice is on paper in a loving and humorous fashion.  She never forgets that even in this fiction work, she is writing about real people in some way. 

Many told Swanson about their stories of loss and grief in her church ministry with seniors.  She heard hundreds of stories – probably thousands – over the years.  It was almost a relief to write Remnants so people would come up to her and talk more about friendships.

Swanson did not want to write a personal “tell all” and feels honored by those people in her life who trusted her to use their stories.  She knew she had to be sensitive, a trait she honed during her many years as a practicing minister.

This is a book about women with friendships that span a half century, says Swanson, because these women have too much to offer at this age: love, friendship and wisdom.

She fills in critical details and emotions needed as she weaves the lives of Daisy and her friends together like Remnants onto a warm winter quilt.  With the permission of her friends to embellish their stories and change names to produce a “new fiction” work, Swanson is cautious but strong in her pursuit of a good read.

PUBLISHERS COMMENTS:  Swanson’s goals were met.  She is emphatic, sensitive and touching in her portrayal of the women and their connections to each other.  She’s both girlish and womanly in her revelations of these women and their issues later in life.

Are Swanson’s books good? (See www.kikiswansonbooks.com for others) Yes, some are dramatic, or inspirational, some spin a life into an engaging narrative, and another is oddly entertaining.  Her books reflect our hopes of the world we want to know latter in life; filled with love and friendship, happiness and “busyness.”

With our country in two wars, a floundering economy and horrible stories on the evening news, we can get inside Remnants for 60 short chapters about women who have stayed friends forever, men who love and support them and a dog named Curly who teaches them the importance of loyalty one more time.

It is with earnestness that Daisy bonds with her friends at La Ventura and reminds us to stick to our convictions in laughter and in tears.  Thank you Kiki Swanson for a fine read.

This captivating volume will appeal to lovers of warm climates, active retirement communities, volunteerism, paying it forward and living life to the fullest in retirement.

In early 2004, Daisy Mac Duff moved into the active and well-appointed retirement community of La Ventura located in Scottsdale, AZ.  She left behind many friends over the years when she moved with her husband on many transfers, eventually moving to the desert of AZ.

Her children also live in AZ and, on occasion, keep her busy with their lives.  But Daisy needs the camaraderie of “soul” mates, friends her age who share happy memories of her past and her current pursuit of happiness.

Her grief for her husband had consumed several years of her life and now it is time to share her future with friends, new and old.  She seeks the companionship of her women friends from all parts of the country by writing and asking them to join her in Scottsdale. 

Soon a strong and steady flow of letters begin to appear in her mailbox.  Both the flamboyant red-head pianist Clarissa and the demure preacher’s wife Beth write immediately.  Others come in as quickly as you can say “out west”, such as Martha, the one seeking a new AA recovery group.

Daisy accumulates the letters, which often stretch into reminiscing of old places that bring back memories, such as with Mary Ann, Martha’s sister.  While some were meant to just read and smile or listen to what was really being said.  Beth is one of those with her quiet tone and gentle way.

From the window of Daisy’s retirement life at La Ventura you sense her yearning for the friendships she knew in the past with each of these women responding.  You will visualize Daisy with her friends enjoying their later years being productive in community while dealing with what life gives out. Practicing her mother’s philosophy, Daisy learns again how to accept life without losing her own character as some say yes and some say no to her suggestion to community life with her and the others.

You imagine the startling effects of a group of women coming together by one woman’s will to make them a family.  This joining of creative, active, senior women together in a new life with a fresh start from a divorce or widowhood, retirement alone or loneliness of any kind, gives them “wind at their backs”.  They go into the unknown of “later in life” friendships in a commune environment.  With Daisy behind them, pushing them with a force in the direction of giving back, serving God and enjoying every moment as if it were their destiny is their new life.

This is the story of a community formed and developed by a bunch of well educated, interesting, creative and productive caring women who with no real plans for their later years take a “leap of faith” and let a long time friend bring them together.  Because of this, they later will write their recipes for success, their ideas for mentoring, their last wishes, their obituaries and their insights and feelings about things they hold dear in their Tuesdays at Three writing group.

Some still have strong feelings and reservations about the success of the idea, such as the couple of men Daisy befriends early in the story.  But at the onset, the five of nine women who say yes “let’s just do it” are more than happy to reach out to others and not isolate elsewhere.  The men in turn become vital to the women’s friendships.

Here you will learn about many things, from loss and grief (incurred by all of them) to alcoholism (the elements of AA) to the medical issues too familiar to all of us.  The spring writing group for life’s philosophies gives many insights into all of them, and surely in to you too.

It is a satisfying and rewarding read and you get the feeling they are having a really wonderful time living out their lives together in a “village.” Being grateful for everyday, their mantra is to rise above the past, adjust to change and hear the music.  If humor and good taste can be a contradiction in terms, Remnants defies the idea and makes you smile as you look for the sunshine in life.

Kiki Swanson is fearless as she addresses real issues for all seniors (Baby Boomer types too) such as divorce, widowhood, alcoholism, dating, health restraints and life’s disappointments while believing resiliency is the key.  There is a lot of good old fashioned fun here that anyone considering a retirement community or living in one now can relate to on many levels.  Maybe the putting of these things in writing, including their last wishes, is more entertainment than any part of sadness and is what endears them to us.

One of my favorite parts of the story is the thread that weaves their leader Daisy and her perseverance in making things happen, sharing conversation with her dog Curly and learning late in life of her husband’s “secret life” and her son’s need for “care and understanding.” The mystery and unveiling is part of the intrigue.

Remnants-ready for new life acknowledges that it is not above the fray of recognizing the human frailty in all of us.  Everyone has moments of despair and sadness, coupled with anger.  Realizing in this read that it is in fact the ride of taking us “home” to our friends and faith in our “golden years” that sustains us, Kiki Swanson shows us it is possible to succeed to the end.

We have all spiraled out of the darkness of grief and divorce or alcoholism or life’s disappointments and up into something beautiful because someone listened.  We have all known love because someone cared, someone was there when we prayed about it and God answered.

Surely Remnants-ready for new life will be that kind of eye opening, heartwarming book you want with the memory of your life.  This work and these stories will help you put the past right where it belongs and your life ready for the surprises that lay ahead.

Respectfully submitted,

Patricia L. Brooks, MAOM

Publishing Consultant, Author, Speaker

BROOKS GOLDMANN PUBLISHING, LLC

 www.blog.brooksgoldmannpublishing.com

Cell 480-250-5556

BROOKS GOLDMANN PUBLISHING, LLC – features their authors:

·       Kebba Buckley Button – book signing: Sat. 10-12 noon

o   Discover the Secret Energized You

·       Cay Randall May – book signing:  Sat. 1-3 p.m.

o   Healing and the Creative Response

·       Michael J. Lyding – book signing: Sun. 10-12 noon

o   Gratitude a Verb

·       Mia Pratt – book signing: Sun 1-3 p.m.

o   The 100 Golden Keys

SATURDAY and SUNDAY

NOV. 21^ST and 22^ND

For more information on the event:       www.bookstreetaz.com  

FREE – ONE HOUR CONSULTATION w/attendance at this event – just pick up a card from Patricia L. Brooks.

For more information about publishing consultation and book shepherds see:             www.brooksgoldmannpublishing.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Patricia L. Brooks, president, founder

SCOTTSDALE SOCIETY OF WOMEN WRITERS

RSVP - 480-250-5556 – patricia@plbrooks.com or  info@brooksgoldmannpublishing.com

WHAT:           Scottsdale Society of Women Writers Monthly Meeting

WHERE:        Meeting Location: The Marriott Old Town, 7325 E. Third Ave.

 at Scottsdale Rd., So of Camelback, turn E at the light

WHEN:           5:30 to 7:30, Wed. November 18^h    Please RSVP*

WHY:             The Scottsdale Society of Women Writers gives members access to events of interest, a format for exchanging ideas, an opportunity to network with other women authors, an alliance with businesses relating to writing and publishing and camaraderie and support.  

HOW:             *RSVP now to Patricia at 480-250-5556 or patricia@plbrooks.com  

HOLIDAY DONATION:  Please bring a new adult book to the meeting on the 18^th to be donated to the Crossroads for Women half-way house for their new library.   The Scottsdale Society of Women Writers holiday charitable donation for 2009 offers the books in time for the Holidays.  Thank you in advance for your contribution to the women.

VandeVrede has been in high-tech public relations for more than 25 years, working for startups such as KnowledgeNet, iMemories and Sequencia, mid-size companies such as Viasoft, and large multinational corporations such as Honeywell and Data General. Many of the strategies and concepts she uses to help increase brand awareness and reputation are described in her book, Press Releases Are Not a PR Strategy, which won the Arizona Book Publishing Association Glyph award in 2008.

Public relations and press releases have evolved significantly over the last few years because of social media.   The days of creating and mailing one press release to the masses are over.   Instead, these are the days of creating “social media releases” and reaching diversified and segmented communities in the manner in which they choose to be reached.   This presentation provides an introduction to what constitutes “press releases” and tips on what to write, when to write, and various ways to distribute in order to get the maximum benefit of book publicity.      

Contact:          Brooks Goldmann Publishing Company, LLC

Address:          7970 E. Camelback Rd., 710, Scottsdale, AZ  85251

Cell                  (480-250-5556)

Email:              egoldmann@cox.net or patricia@plbrooks.com

Web Site:        www.brooksgoldmannpublishing.com

Blog:               http://blog.brooksgoldmannpublishing.com

Brooks Goldmann Publishing Company, LLC

 launches Healing and the Creative Response

SCOTTSDALE, Arizona, September 28, 2009 –To find healing in our creativity is the ultimate satisfaction on our quest for peace and harmony.  That was accomplished this past week by author Rev. Cay Randall May, PhD as Brooks Goldmann Publishing Company, LLC of Scottsdale, AZ enhanced the launch of her high quality self-help production Healing and the Creative Response.  This new book de-mystifies natural healing

            In today’s political firestorm over health care alternative forms of medicine are overlooked.   “Healing and the Creative Response:  Four Key Steps Shared by Healers and Artists explains how to use prayer, laying-on-of-hands, Therapeutic Touch, Reiki and Energy Medicine to promote well-being.  In addition to reducing the emotional and physical distress of illness and injury, Randall-May asserts that applying the steps in her book can enhance self-expression through a process she calls the Creative Response.

Randall-May, who represents prayer healing and medical intuition on the national Council for Healing and serves on the American Board of Scientific Medical Intuition, is a faculty member of the Energy Medicine University where she teaches natural approaches to healing.  Readers who sample this richly illustrated book and CD online by visiting www.HealingCreativeResponse.com will be opened to the possibility of achieving greater well-being while engaging more than the usual senses. 

As a published author herself, Scottsdale business woman, Patricia L. Brooks, MAOM of Brooks Goldmann Publishing Company, LLC endorses this book on what she considers “the ultimate subject for all of us.”  Patricia knows the author is a spiritual soul having worked with her on the publishing process.  Brooks also contributed her own experience to its content.  She assures us the work’s examples are thought provoking.    

The Brooks Goldmann Publishing website www.brooksgoldmannpublishing.com provides more information on this publication, as well as detailed information on their publishing services available to you.  Patricia can help you as your “book shepherd” while you travel the writing and publishing maze.  You can also visit her many posts on writing and publishing on their blog http://blog.brooksgoldmannpublishing.com

Contact Patricia at 480-250-5556 or patricia@plbrooks.com to set a date for your FREE one hour consultation and coffee meeting.  Begin to take the path of your writing passion.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Patricia L. Brooks, President, Founder

SCOTTSDALE SOCIETY OF WOMEN WRITERS

RSVP - 480-250-5556 – patricia@plbrooks.com

WHAT:           Scottsdale Society of Women Writers Monthly Meeting

WHERE:        NEW MEETING LOCATION: The Marriott Old Town, 7325 E. Third

Avenue, off Scottsdale Rd., South of Camelback – turn at the light - parking near hotel

WHEN:           5:30 to 7:30, Wed. April 29^th, Please RSVP

WHY:             The Scottsdale Society of Women Writers gives members access to events of interest, a format for exchanging ideas, an opportunity to network with other women authors, an alliance with businesses relating to writing and publishing and camaraderie and support.  

HOW:             RSVP now to Patricia at 480-250-5556 or patricia@plbrooks.com  

BIO:  Pam Swartz, nationally recognized author of the award-winning Arizona Getaways for the Incurably Romantic: 45 Sensational Destinations for Lovers and Dine Out Phoenix: Where to Eat from Chic to Unique, is widely recognized as an expert on Arizona’s dining scene and getaways for the romance-minded traveler. The founder of Cloud Nine Press, LLC, a publisher of travel books and dining guides, Swartz is also a contributing writer for a number of publications both locally and regionally.  As the creator of Dine Out with the Chefs: A Celebration of the Culinary Arts, an annual benefit for the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, Swartz celebrates the Valley’s exciting dining scene, attracting the top chefs in town. As the Cultural Arts Director for Lon’s at the Hermosa, she directs the inn’s popular “Artist in Residence” series, with guests that have included Jane Seymour, Diane Ladd, Aaron Elkins, Tito Puente Jr. and more.  Swartz brings her marketing expertise to clients nationwide on select projects that include developing an initial concept to drafting and executing the strategic plan, to advising on the promotional campaign.  Swartz was named as a ‘Women in Business 2007 Honoree’ by The Business Journal and the 2005 recipient of the Korwin Award for Visionary Leadership, an award given in recognition of an act or service by the Arizona Book Publishing Association. She is a past board director for AZ Book Publishing Association and a current member.

Robin Reynolds is hardly the first woman to write the self-help, feel good book for adults or children on life’s lessons, but this creative soul chose an unusual route to what appears to be publishing success.  She has taken the “traditional” self-help, life lessons concept and written it from the voice of her late pet Max who has personality to “the max” and keeps you turning pages.

By passing clichés she writes clear and concise messages with one-liners on lessons for all ages along with the story and experience of this lovable dog that could have only been in Robin’s household.  She has taken the children’s book genre to a new level by including the “big kids” like you and me.  With the reminders we love to remember and the lessons we hold dear, Life to the Max is a journey back in time and you should not miss it.

Originally awarded the “gift award” by the AZ Book Publishers Association this past year, this book has transcended that arena and catapulted itself into self-help.  By gently taking us on a path only a well-bred, sophisticated pooch like Max could take us, we travel all the way to his most critical lessons in life.

Many books about dogs are sappy, and I like dogs, many books for children are not educational, and I am a demanding teacher.  Many books in the self-help genre are insulting and I read about one a month, but this book Robin has written takes all of that to task and shines through a different view – that of a lovable family pet.

Robin has found her niche in children’s books by utilizing the voice of an animal to tell “big kids” and children about life.  Her work should be lauded for its fine writing, graceful lessons, good humor, beautiful illustrations, and fun photos and of course the philosophy behind it all.

I commend Robin and Max for doing an outstanding job, along with the other characters she developed to make this a family we would want to know and have as neighbors.   I recommend this book to any of you as a gift giving idea for any “big kid” or smaller child on your list – self-help genre is a natural for gift giving. 

We are in challenging times and many are seeking quiet and spiritual moments.  I was moved to tears while reading this beautiful book and all the issues it addresses and all the lessons it reminded me were possible to revisit and love again. 

Thank you Robin www.nicecreative.blogspot.com for rolling the dice and taking a shot at a new type of writing for you, we are all the better for it.  We appreciate your courage in telling this very personal and heartfelt story that needed to be out there to be useful to many readers young and “forever young.”