The Bounce Back Book by Karen Salmansohn

The full name of the book is The Bounce Back Book how to thrive in the face of adversity, setbacks and losses. How is that for a mouthful? Karen Salmansohn has 29 books in print and has sold over 1,000,000 books. I figure there must be something special in her books, so I read The Bounce Back Book. The first thing you notice is the red rubber cover. That’s right, it’s just like a red rubber ball. When you open the cover, you see colorful pages with vivid graphics.

Karen Salmansohn claims that her books are written for people who wouldn’t be caught dead reading self help books. This book is packed with information to help people “bounce back” from all sorts of adversities, setbacks and losses. Entrepreneurs know that major problems in our personal lives can impact our day to day work. As entrepreneurs, we need to be focused on our business and one way to do that, is to learn how to deal with those problems life hands us – personal or business problems. That’s why I think this book is beneficial for business people.

Each person has their own way of dealing with problems. Some people ignore them and pretend they will simply go away. I don’t know about you, but my problems never just disappear. So, I had to learn to face these problems head on and to learn how to get past them. That can be incredibly difficult, depending on your situation and the problem, but it is possible.

In the Bounce Back Book, Karen Salmansohn shares 75 tips on how to face problems. Some are very easy, others require more thought and effort. I put a paper clip on every tip that I thought was really beneficial – there are a lot of paper clips in the book. But, don’t’ skip the introduction, she gets to the heart of the matter in the opening pages. A couple of thoughts in the introduction include:

· In life, you always have a choice. Be weak or be strong.

· Who you are as a person is best revealed by who you are during times of conflict and crisis.

Those are two powerful and true statements. I contend that people can be a victim or a survivor – that’s another way of saying we can be weak or we can be strong.

Throughout the book, she presents a tip and then gives further information about that particular tip. Some of the details are simple common sense and other areas include examples or a bit of philosophy to support her suggestions. Below are some examples of the tips in the book.

Tip # 4 - We’ve all heard of the stages of grief – these steps show we are beginning to heal and beginning to deal with a crisis or a problem. At the end of this section, she gives 4 assignments for people to begin the healing process.

Tip # 9 – “It’s not only the event itself, but the way we explain the event to ourselves that causes depression.” That is so true. Our perception of an event can make it easier or harder for us to get past the problem. How do you view problems or troublesome events in your life?

Tip # 10 – “Happiness is a choice, not just a matter of genes or good luck.” Will you make the choice to be happy?

Tip # 16 – “Write a complaint letter. Then answer it.” Make a list of each thing that is a problem, fear, concern for you and then write a reply. If someone else came to you with the problem, how would you try to help them?

Tip # 35 – “Don’t just write a ‘To Do’ list. Write a ‘To Be’ list.”

Tip # 39 – “Shrink negativity into nuggetivity.” Think about whatever it is that is bothering you and let yourself think about it for 3 minutes. At the end of 3 minutes, you cannot think about it any more.

These are just a few of the bits of wisdom that Karen Salmansohn shares with us. What problems do you need to deal with and to handle? I feel pretty sure that there is a nugget in the book to help you with the problem. This book is a quick read and it is entertaining. If you wouldn’t be caught dead reading a self help book – this book was written for you.

For more information about Karen and her virtual book tour -

Karen Salmansohn - The Bounce Back Book (May 27th to June 30th, 2008)

Author and Book Information - http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/05/upcoming-virtual-book-tours.html

Tour Schedule -
http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/05/bounce-back-book-tour-schedule.html

Bounce Back Book - Spa Giveaway
http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2008/05/bounce-back-giveaway-your-turn-to-share.html

The Abbott & The Acolyte in Death and Taxes

Abbott Rutilius is assigned to travel to various monasteries to balance their accounts in 13th century France. Does that sound serious and boring? You might think so, but you would be wrong. This story includes, robbery, temptation, two murders, tempting women, afternoon romps, food theft, and much more.

The Abbott brings a young man to work with him in his travels and these two get into all sorts of situations. The Abbott seems to often be on the hunt for a decent meal and you can tell that he doesn't feel that he must deny himself of some comforts of life. There's an interesting group of characters in this story and they each play important roles. You will have to read to the end to see who is really innocent and who is really guilty. And, who is that beautiful young woman who seems to pray a lot?

I've seen episodes of the BBC show Cadfael and this reminded me of that series although there is more humor. The Abbott thoroughly enjoys a rich meal. He makes it clearly known when he isn't happy with the food that is prepared. He meets a mysterious woman from a nearby village and is very pleased when she invites him to dinner parties. Abbott Rutilius also has some personal problems that offer some very humorous episodes within the story.

An interesting setting, fascinating characters, suspense, intrigue, misappropriation of church funds and much more await for you in this tale of death and taxes.

http://www.amazon.com/Abbot-Acolyte-Death-Taxes/dp/1905988184/nikkileighauth-20

Three Feet Under: Journal of a Midlife Crisis

Three Feet Under: A Journal of a Midlife Crisis by Christie Gabour Atwood

Christie Gabour Atwood gives an enlightening and hilarious view into midlife and the humor. This book is written as a one year journal and gives the reader many insights into a normal life and the struggles to get through daily life.

Christie shows us what to do with gym equipment that isn't being used. She has "decorating" advise for ceiling fans, and much much more.

Passages in the book are side splitting and funny, while others will tug at your heart strings. As you read, how many of these things have you done? How many of these things have you seen others do? Does it help you understand what others are going through?

Whether you are going through midlife or are heading toward midlife and for people who have been through these turbulent years, you should pick up this book. Midlife isn't the end - it is a humorous interlude. Every one goes through this time - how will you face midlife?

http://www.amazon.com/Three-Feet-Under-Journal-Midlife/dp/1580421792/nikkileighauth-20

Deal A Story by Sue VIders

Deal A Story A Brain Storming CARD GAME

for individuals or groups:
fiction genre writers,
screen and play authors,
writing classes/groups,
comediennes,
improv actors,
cartoonists, etc

Usually I post reviews about books - but this product is for writers, so I feel its appropriate. Sue Viders has developed a "card game" that can be used to create and plot stories. There are a variety of cards, including: hero, heroine, villain, flaw, plot and genre cards. There are even wild cards to shake things up. The idea is to use various combinations of the cards to create your story. It is a way to get the creative juices flowing and to help you learn to think "outside the box". The deck includes 101 different cards and the box says there are 1,000,001 story ideas.

For much more information - http://www.dealastory.blogspot.com/

http://www.rdrpublishers.com/catalog/item/5440601/5384818.htm

Money and Manifesting by Dyan Garris

For many years, I've believed that people have the "power" to make their lives better. I'm a big fan of alternative health and thinking. So, when Dyan Garris approached me about a virtual book tour for her book Money and Manifesting, I was intrigued.

I admit that I'm one of the few people who didn't read The Secret. Too much hype and too many expectations... I avoid books that have that much hype behind them. The laws of attraction are a principle that I had heard about, but I didn't know a lot of detail.

I began to read Money and Manifesting and there are many points that just made so much sense from the beginning. For years, I've always said that actions speak much louder than words. That idea fits into manifesting. Just thinking about what you want to accomplish isn't enough- action is needed. Many people have disagreed with me that ACTION is needed - many of these were people who didn't want to believe they had to do something to make these things happen for them. It was validating to see those words in print and to have that ideal substantiated in such a logical way.

Money and Manifesting covers so many wonderful topics including: chakra balancing, detailed explanations about each chakra and what it affects, entitlement, poverty consciousness, fear, how people measure success, grounding, centering, integrating, taking responsibility, making choices and much more.

In addition to all of this information, Dyan Garris also includes sections which include fictional people. These sections are great ways to give us more depth of understanding about how this information applies to people and how it can impact their lives.

This is a small book, but there is a wealth of valuable information packed in these pages. I highly recommend it for people who want to go past the laws of attraction and who need additional information to make things happen in their lives.

http://www.amazon.com/Money-Manifesting-Dyan-Garris/dp/0977614069/nikkileighauth-20

Beyond Booked Solid by Michael Port

Recently I was contacted to read and review Beyond Booked Solid by Michael Port. Earlier he released Book Yourself Solid and this latest book is about the next steps in running and owning a business.

I've written a number of books and have been running a variety of businesses for twenty years. I've had many experiences of my own and I've read many books on the topic of business management. So, I went into the book with the expectation that it would be similar to all those other business books I'd read. My expectations were way off base.

I really enjoyed the book and found many points that I had experienced myself. There were many things mentioned in the book that I know for a fact - work. There were some places in the book where Michael Port was very clear that if the reader didn't follow his instructions, they simply would not move their business forward.

I had to smile as I remembered the number of times I told that to business owners I worked with or business partners who refused to make necessary changes. The author showed a good sense of humor throughout the book and the style was very conversational, which I prefer. I like the writing style to speak to me, not preach at me.

Some of my favorite topics included: preparing for the future, being creative (my favorite section), building blocks for business, measure your objectives, how to get things done, how to develop business systems (one of the best pieces I've read on this topic), how to hire and outsource, building alliances and partnerships, and creating balance in your life.

In the last chapter, Michael Port included personal experiences from a variety of business people that showed what is possible and how to take a simple business idea and then build it into something much bigger and more successful.

I highly recommend this book for a business owner and/or manager who is working in a busy business, but wants to take it to the next level. Its very easy to be overwhelmed in business and in real life when a business grows. But, apply the many invaluable tips and suggestions that the author shares with you and the business and your life should improve. I'll keep my eyes open for the next book by Michael Port.

Nikki Leigh
Award Winning Author and Publicist
www.nikkileigh.com

Frankie the Walk 'n Roll Dog by Barbara Techel

I have to start by saying this book is absolutely adorable. Don't get me wrong, that doesn't mean its filled with fluff. But, the "heroine" is a sweet little weiner dog. We learn about Frankie and how she came to live with her humans. Wouldn't we all like to hear what our pets think about the first time they met us? Frankie is a friendly dog who loves her humans and makes friends at a variety of places, including the local farmer's market.

The author, Barbara Gail Techel, shows us how the relationship between Frankie and her humans develops and one day, they leave town on a vacation. While they are out of town, Frankie and Kylie stay at the kennel and even though they miss the rest of their family, they are doing all right. One evening, Frankie gets a little rambunctious and she lands hard on the cement floor. She can't feel her back legs, but she feels stabbing pains in her back. The caretaker at the kennel takes Frankie to the vet and her family come back from their vacation when they hear about the accident.

Frankie has surgery, recovery and rehabilitation to get her back legs moving again. Even though Frankie feels better and gets back to being herself, but her back legs are not moving. Her mother finds a cart with wheels that allows Frankie to get around.

The later portion of the book is inspiring and deals with perceptions and concerns for anyone who is disabled. This is written in a simple fashion and contains beautiful pictures, but the points being made will benefit a reader and animal lover of any age. Any pet owner with a disabled pet should definitely check into the cart mentioned in this book. It is a wonderful way for an animal without the use of their hind legs to get around.

I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to meet an inspiring and unique heroine and who loves animals.

For more information, visit www.joyfulpaws.com
For information about the cart used by Frankie - visit www.eddieswheels.com


Nikki Leigh
www.nikkileigh.com/promo.htm