My Buy Essay

Archive for September, 2009

I had the satisfaction the other day of having finished a book. Yes, you would think that those of us who write for a living would be great readers. Some of us are, some of us aren’t. I probably am fairly well read overall, but that covers magazines, newspapers, articles, and the like for the most part…especially if they can be found online!

My wife picked up a book for me this past Christmas and she hit it right on the mark &ndash Condi: The Condoleeza Rice Story. Written by Antonia Felix, the book traces the remarkable life of now Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice from her days living in highly segregated Birmingham, Alabama during the 1950s and 1960s through her years as an academic scholar, college professor, and university provost, all the way up to her present work with the Bush Administration. Written in 2003, the book still has Condi as National Security Advisor to the president, but in 2004 Condi replaced Colin Powell as the Secretary of State.

The book delves into Condi’s life and doesn’t hold back on much. No, not much to criticize about this consummate overachiever, rather plenty of praise for a role model who has triumphed in the face of overwhelming odds, let alone overwhelming adversity.

Condi is not just a leading scholar, but she is an expert in Soviet {Russian} affairs, an accomplished pianist, and an avid football fan. Driven? Oh, yes! But, not in the “possessed” or “obsessed” sense of the word. As a black woman working in a mostly white male environment Condi has established herself on her terms and not on someone else’s. “Twice as good” was the mantra passed down to Condi by her parents who believed that black children had to do everything twice as well as white children in order to be considered equal in a segregated society.

I won’t give all the details of the book away, but there are some highly interesting aspects about Condi that some people probably just don’t know. Personally, I don’t think Condi will run for president on the Republican ticket in 2008 as some desire &ndash instead, she aspires to be president of the NFL &ndash but whatever Condi chooses to do beyond her time working with President Bush will more than likely include breaking new ground and setting the trend for all who come behind her.

This is certainly an unusual tale. Here we have Caleb, a child from a single and destitute mother, who is taken in by a trusted friend of the family. The father figure for Caleb has never been a father; he is not married and has little experience with children. Despite all of this, the two blend well together and create their own version of “family” – with just the two of them.

Issues from raising a child as a single father, without a mother’s presence and tackling stereotyped views that a man cannot adopt a child by himself were raised in a compelling manor right from the start. Difficulties in handling corrupt and ruined systems in some medical and childcare arenas are also raised with strong emotion. The author brings up the fact that schools who teach children as a generic mass rather than focusing on the individual, leave too many children on their own. Careless doctors, thoughtless education systems, unreasonable and unbending childcare rules… All of these are addressed in Caleb’s Branch.

Young Caleb is a gifted and abused child that is overdosed with prescription drugs, strung out and hyper active when he arrives at his new home. He has a secret ability to see things that others cannot. The author uses this to slip back in time to the family who lived on the same piece land generations ago, where we are shown another kind of a father-son relationship.

Often justifiable, but tiring and emotional rants were used to relay the rage and frustration felt by the new father in this story. The writing style was definitely descriptive – sometimes a little over descriptive for my tastes. The way the author concluded Caleb’s Branch had me wondering if I had missed some pages, because it didn’t really conclude. It is painfully obvious that there will be a book two on the slate, which might provide the explanations and closure that are missing in this book.

Caleb’s Branch, a relatively large book with over 400 pages, is difficult to classify. It is a family non-fiction with mysterious and paranormal occurrences that involves two families separated by generations, yet connected through a little boy named Caleb and the land they have all called “home”. I thought it was particularly interesting that the author showed how having children can sometimes bring a new understanding of our upbringing and our parents &ndash and therefore, of our selves.

Jocelyn has an excellent knowledge and understanding of the writing craft. The author interweaves multiple, strong, leading characters and two completely different time frames masterfully. Crest of Eagles reminds me of some of the great works of Wilbur Smith. This book certainly ranks with some of the best that I have reviewed to date and I would not hesitate to give Crest of Eagles the highest rating available.

Mandhla is taken prisoner by terrorists during an attack of a mission run by white people with generous hearts for children who had no one to turn to. Everyone was mercilessly killed except those who could not be turned into soldiers or whores.

Peter Kennedy, leader of the top military team, set out to save the children, but in fouling the job, Peter earned the revenge of one very mixed-up boy. Kuru joins Peter in the war against the terrorists with the hope of saving his brother &ndash never dreaming that when he did meet Mandhla again, it would be as enemies.

Ancient tribal religion works its way into present day. The lives of Tcana, a high priestess, and Rebecca, a bombshell journalist, are connected in some kind of cosmic manor – though they live centuries apart.

Romance, adventure, suspense, ancient tribal history and modern day action &ndash this book has it all! Crest of Eagles is destined to be one of the most dog-eared fiction books in my collection.

ISBN#: 0976773252

Author: Jocelyn Howe

Publisher: A Better Be Write Publisher

This true account of domestic sexual abuse does not horrify the reader with graphic details of incest &ndash rather it shares the repercussions of it. C.J.Wilke’s personal reactions, her recovery and interactions with family members are well documented here.

In the beginning, the survivor is counseled into finding something healthy to hold on to their sanity. For some, like the author, this crutch becomes religion; many find a passion for task, craft or artistic endeavor &ndash for others, their hate and anger are the only things that keep them alive.

Her experiences show us that it is most important for the survivor to gain the right kind of friends. To a survivor with a desire to resist succumbing to the incredible haunting emotional and physical distresses, a good friend can help them make the first steps to recovery. A friend that shows the survivor as a valuable person worthy of friendship can be a huge healing step. Rather than friends that bring further harm and insult which only increase the victims suffering. The difficulty is having the skills to recognize the friend who really cares, as opposed to the one who ‘cares’ to the extent as what you do (or might do) for them. Recognition is only one part of it, however. One must also have the skills to deal with the situation and take on the terrifying aspect of change.

For C.J., getting married and changing her name was part of her healing process. She married a good, loving man who was also her best friend. By shedding the family name and taking her husbands’, she felt like she was refreshed, no longer the victim. Her difficult task was only beginning as she tried to learn to forgive herself. Once she had done this, she could deal with her family, as long as her strong husband was by her side.

If I was to say one thing about this book it would be that it is a very moving tale, because of its authenticity.

Publisher: Publish America, Inc.

ISBN#: 1413712282

Author: CJ Wilkes

Now this could definitely be a movie! Dark Autumn is fantastic action-packed futuristic thriller that had me riveted for days. The energy was kept very high throughout the book. Occasionally Clint Dunshee’s characters performed seemingly super-human tasks, similar to James Bond or Dirk Pitt. However, the reader is also shown their flaws and the strength of intimate friendships &ndash bonds that are so deep they are willing to risk their lives for them. The abilities of these characters are made more believable because of the incredibly difficult training scenarios the author leads the reader through.

The theme is set in the future when space travel and space science is a part of life. Earth is contacted from another planet when one of the science probes is picked up by alien humans. As it turns out Earth is only one of hundreds of planets with intelligent life, only some were human. Many planets in the universe helped bring Earth’s technology up to par in exchange for the planet’s rich agriculture and minerals. Most planets worked on a good trade relation in relative peace, but the trouble-making Marvonians were on the edge of acceptance. This planet took it upon themselves to steal from Earth and attack their ships within a few light years of Marvon.

The main characters of the book, Alan, Bill, Carrie, Julie and Angela are all highly intelligent youth that are singled out for highly trained positions. Despite their youth and inexperience, they were considered Earth’s only chance to avoid a war with a technologically superior race. Bounty hunters and sabotage plays a part in a deadly scavenger hunt while plans are laid to rescue the hostages held by Marvonians. Earth has a chance to destroy their image of being a young planet and elevate into more sophisticated, honorable one that the other planets can respect and hold trade with more readily.

In order to do this, Earth must play the game carefully and honorably – at the same time the team must eliminate the dangerous problems with Marvon and free the Earthling prisoners before it is too late.

I believe this book deserves the highest ratings and I would recommend it to anyone, anytime, anywhere.

Publisher: Publish America, Inc.

ISBN#: 1413750923

When I first read the basic theme of the book, I thought seemed far-fetched. I couldn’t have been more wrong. In fact, the last 30 pages were so spell-binding everything else in my life had to wait until I finished the book. Author Margaret Lenois takes on a difficult task with this serial killer story line. Deadly Duplicates is a fiction novel about super-natural identical Siamese twins that would fit in with the genres of suspense and psychological thriller.

Separated Siamese twins Deborah and Doreen Price were the subjects of gossip for hospital staff from the moment they were born &ndash and it was not being identical or their scars that set them apart. As young children, their mother’s mind snapped after several frightening and horrifying events including witnessing her own parents being burning alive in her childhood home. Yet she must rein over her self-imposed comatose state in time to save her girls.

Has their mother been absent so long that she cannot make a difference? Can the love of two detectives &ndash the very men who adore them at home, but investigate the murders by day – save them? Read the book and find out!

ISBN#: 0976773244

Author: Margaret LeNois

Publisher: A Better Be Write Publisher

This 284-page mystery thriller has twists and turns that will keep readers guessing right until the end. I was thinking about the book for days after I completed this review project. I knew it had to be read again from the moment I finished the last page.

Handsome, well-built Michael Bannagan is CEO and founder of a successful computer company &ndash he’s also a womanizer. Unaccustomed to hardship or a messy life, Michael is having a difficult time with his cold and beautiful wife. He’s been caught cheating, again (but he’s not the only one), and she wants a divorce. Out of the blue, he finds he is arrested for a murder he did not commit. All the clues point to Michael and he knows he is being set up &ndash but by whom, and by how many? Are they working together? And WHY?! After all, Michael has never done anything evil in his life.

Don’t Go Alone is a story of high-society – of limousines, kept wives and fancy homes. It is a story of passion and shame, of regrets and betrayal, mistakes and love… hate and revenge.

This is the third book by Margaret Lenois that I have had the pleasure of reviewing. She may very well be the next female author that we see on the best selling list!

ISBN#: 0-9771971-3-1

Author: Margaret Lenois

Publisher: Better Be Write Publishing

Druxel Manor is a stimulating thriller-mystery-romance novel that keeps the reader guessing. Who do you trust? Everyone seems to know a little something but no one is willing to explain &ndash or rather, what is revealed only creates more confusion.

There are three main characters here. Trevor and Angel are adopted siblings who were raised in a life of the privileged &ndash growing up in a mansion and attending only the best of schools. Angel is a dedicated and driven journalist, while her brother is obsessed with his quest to find their biological parents. Their adopted parents’ insistent warnings to never try to find their real parents and other small clues drove Trevor to find out the truth. In his bones, he knew something was out of place and what he found out put both of their lives at stake.

Suddenly, Angel finds herself thrown into the midst of a mysterious and dangerous adventure &ndash and she has no idea why. Then James arrives, her rescuer and protector &ndash whether she likes it or not – and her undeniable animal attraction to him turns her world upside down. She must decide who to trust and find out the reason for all the things left unexplained.

Tarra Young performed a difficult task in keeping the pace fast and momentum high in this novel. I never knew what was going to happen next &ndash and all my suspicions were wrong in the end. I thought this book was a fun and interesting read and is an excellent choice for readers who enjoy a good mystery.”

Publisher: Publish America, Inc.

ISBN#: 1413766242

Author: Tarra Young

EBOOK DETAILS

File Size: 455kb Zipped, 513kb Unzipped.

Number of Pages: 36

Format: Adobe Acrobat (.pdf)

Subject: Interview Ebook with Sara Brown (see about the author for more details)

Other Information: Also comes with “Internet Marketing Success: Off the Record” – An interview with Tony Shepherd” who is author of ‘The One Month Magnate.’ This interview ebook is 18 pages long.

ABOUT SARA BROWN

Sara Brown is one of the UK’s top internet marketers she sells on eBay at stores.ebay.co.uk/The-Jobhaters-Marketplace and also runs a variety of websites which can all be accessed from .sara-brown.com/choices/. If you want to know more read her About Me page on eBay or subscribe to her newsletter through her websites.

ABOUT THE EBOOK

The title of the ebook pretty much explains what this ebook is; An Interview with Sara Brown. Inside Sara divulges a lot of key information which many an Internet Marketer would find useful.

In the ebook Sara discusses:

• Her best discovery about the Internet!

• The best discovery of her Life!

• Her previous Jobs!

• The formula she uses to launch a New Product!

• Where she gets her Ideas!

• How easy it is to set up an Income Stream!

• Her first major success in Internet Marketing!

• The most important money making skill a person can have as an Internet Marketer!

• Why some people aren’t successful Online!

• Some of the real life income streams she has used in the past and uses Today!

I found this ebook an interesting read. Although it is not the most in depth Internet Marketing ebook out there it gave me some useful ideas to consider. The ebook starts with general questions about Sara’s past achievements, jobs, and income streams. Towards the middle of the ebook and until the end Sara talks in detail about some of the income streams she has set up in the past.

The most interesting parts of the ebook I found were about Sara’s offline income streams. These are a classic example of an idea that involved ‘Thinking Outside the Box’ and ones that get your mind rolling for similar ideas. One of them was an ingenious idea involving a car boot sale and the other involving winches. She also talks about one of her online income streams involving getting babies to sleep, a subject that Sara again had very little knowledge of before she started up the income stream. Other interesting things covered in this ebook include the rumour that Sara Brown is in fact Tony Shepherd.

GOOD POINTS

• Provides real life examples of income streams Sara has used both on and offline to generate an income.

• An additional interview ebook with Tony Shepherd is provided absolutely FREE.

• Relatively low priced in comparison to similar ebooks.

BAD POINTS

• Since it is an interview ebook it does not provide you with actual systems you can implement.

• Relatively short when compared to other ebooks (only 36 pages).

HOW I HAVE GAINED FROM AN INTERVIEW WITH SARA BROWN

The main thing I gained from An Interview with Sara Brown is from her offline income streams. This got me thinking about ways that I could make money offline. This in turn led me to research ways I could make money offline in an area that I had expertise. A quick search of the forums helped me formulate a simple idea which was initially spawned from reading this interview.

EBOOK DETAILS

File Size: 1,071kb Zipped, 1,122b Unzipped.

Number of Pages: 45

Format: Adobe Acrobat (.pdf)

Subject: A guide to using eBay traffic to create a lifetime customer base for virtually any business.

Other Information: Can be bought with Jim Cockrum’s other ebook “The Silent Sales Machine Hiding on eBay” as a discounted, package deal.

ABOUT JIM COCKRUM (AUTHOR OF HOW TO TURN AUCTION TRAFFIC INTO CASH)

The author Jim Cockrum, is a self confessed eBay freak. He also runs “Creative Ebay Selling,” the Internets largest eBay success newsletter with over 90,000 subscribers and growing by the day. Jim has helped launch multiple internet businesses and has used the internet as his sole source of income since 2002.

ABOUT THE EBOOK

How to turn Auction Traffic into Cash is Jim Cockrum’s followup to the hugely successful “Silent Sales Machine Hiding on eBay.” Just like it’s predecessor, How to turn Auction Traffic into Cash is a guide to gaining massively from eBay’s huge amounts of traffic. This time instead of using this traffic to promote Silent Sales Machines, Jim shows you how to use this traffic to build up your mailing list. eBay gets 1.5 billion page views per month, there are over 100 million members, and 80,000 people sign up every day, so it is one of the best but also most underutilised sources of traffic available to any seller. The topics covered in How to turn Auction Traffic into Cash include:

• The real power of eBay!!

• The rules of the eBay game!!

• Tapping into the power step by step!!

• A step by step guide to setting up your newsletter and subscription forms on eBay whilst complying with eBay policy!!

Like with “The Silent Sales Machine Hiding on eBay” the main selling point of this ebook is that you can utilise the huge amounts of traffic on eBay to build up a mailing list. This amount of traffic would take a huge amount of time, effort, and money to gain using other means. If you are not currently building up a subscriber list then you are missing out on lots of benefits including repeat sales, increased trust in you as a seller, and a highly targeted source of traffic. However, like with Jim’s last ebook, to implement the ideas in How to turn Auction Traffic into Cash means you will have to invest quite a lot of time and effort initially. It will also create additional expense for your business (in paying the autoresponder fees). Like I said in my review of “The Silent Sales Machine Hiding on eBay” if you are willing to put the time and effort in, then you will find this ebook useful. If you are not willing or ready to expand your eBay business in a creative and new dimension then this ebook is not for you.

GOOD POINTS

• If you are currently only selling on eBay and not following up on auction visitors, How to turn Auction Traffic into Cash lays wide open the huge opportunities you are missing out on.

• How to turn Auction Traffic into Cash tells you utilise eBay’s huge levels of traffic, and build up a mailing list, (which in turn provides you with many benefits), whilst sticking to eBay policy.

• The ebook provides a step-by-step guide to setting up a newsletter system in your eBay auctions complete with screen shots. Even if you are completely unfamiliar with webforms you will find this guide easy to follow.

• Building up a mailing list of subscribers provides you with many benefits including customer loyalty, customer trust, a highly targeted source of traffic, and the ability to sell products outside of eBay (meaning no eBay fees).

• Once the webforms and followup messages are in place, building your mailing list is virtually automated. All you have to do is write the broadcast messages when you want to do a mass-mailing to your list.

BAD POINTS

• To build a mailing list requires additional monthly expenditure on an autoresponder service.

• If you are running lots of auctions they will all need to be edited to implement these ideas, which can be very time consuming.

• The growth rate of your mailing list when using these methods is slightly exaggerated in this ebook.

HOW I HAVE GAINED FROM HOW TO TURN AUCTION TRAFFIC INTO CASH

How to turn Auction Traffic into Cash is the ebook that ked to me setting up my own mailing list. Prior to this I had been using eBay’s basic Shop Newsletter tool which really cannot compete with a proper autoresponder service. Since I now run multiple websites as well as an eBay store, a newsletter is really the best way to communicate to all my visitors. Using the ideas in How to turn Auction Traffic into Cash I have been able to place web sign up forms on all my eBay pages as well as all my website pages, which has allowed me to maximise my subscription rate.