We have all heard stories about the mother-in-law, daughter-in-law dynamics.  Not all are favorable.   And as some of you know, my youngest son is getting married in November, which means, I officially will add that title to my name.  So when Rebecca, from The Cadence Group emailed me about today’s guest, I responded immediately.  I do have to say that my husband and I are blessed, our future daughter-in-law, Jess, is beautiful both inside and out.  We already consider her our “own” daughter.  Please help me in welcoming Dr. Deanna Brann.

DR. DEANNA BRANN

Deanna Brann, Ph.D., is a leading expert in the field of mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationships. She has more than 25 years experience as a clinical psychotherapist and ran her own private practice for more than 18 years. Based in Knoxville, TN, Dr. Brann is a sought after speaker, author and seminar leader. She is the two-time author of Reluctantly Related: Secrets To Getting Along With Your Mother-in-Law or Daughter-in-Law and Mothers-in-Law and Daughters-in-Law Say the Darndest Things. 

Connect with Dr.. Brann at these sites:

GUEST POST

Five Reasons Why You Struggle with Your In-Laws

Put a group of women together, bring up the subject of mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law, and you can almost hear the electricity start to crackle in the air. Whether they can’t stand one another, don’t “get” one another, or just feel at a loss about how to deal with one another, one thing is certain—women who struggle with this relationship have a story to tell:

• “She did it again! No matter what I say, she completely ignores me and does whatever she wants, whenever she wants.”

• “My son and I used to be so close until he married her. Now he barely speaks to me!”

• “Why does she have to be so intrusive, so controlling?”

• “She won’t let me see my grandchildren!”

The mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship is surely one of the most confusing and difficult relationships one can experience—no matter what side of it you’re on. You don’t yet feel like family, and you aren’t really friends, but you’re definitely more than casual acquaintances. To get a handle on how to approach this tricky relationship, it helps to understand these five reasons why it’s such a struggle in the first place:

1. The artificial element: Let’s face it, you didn’t choose to be in each other’s lives. You and your in-law are thrown together because you both love this one man—your husband or your son. Even though you don’t really know each other as individuals, you have to create a relationship (rather quickly, I might add) because you are now “family.”
2. Different stages, different emotional places: You and your in-law are at different stages in your lives. The mother-in-law has already made a home and life of her own. And the daughter-in-law is just getting started on these aspects of her life (and understandably wants to do it her way). The two of you are also in different emotional places. So much of what a mother-in-law focuses on is based on what she’s learned in her past experiences, while a daughter-in-law is focusing more on the future that she wants to create.
1. Personal history and carry-on baggage: Each of you came into this relationship with your own history and emotional baggage, so each of you has different personal issues. Those issues greatly impact how you perceive and react to what the other says and does.
1. Perception is reality (or is it?): Because of these different issues, each of you also has her own perception of reality. So what one sees as a helpful, positive suggestion or offer, the other may well see as clear evidence of meddling and controlling (or vice versa). It’s the same situation seen through differently tinted glasses.
1. There’s reacting, and then there’s reacting! Just as your perception can be skewed, so can your reaction to what you see. When your in-law reacts to something you said or did, that reaction is based on her perception, which is likely to be very different from yours. If her perception is off, you can easily think her reaction is coming out of left field, even if it makes perfect sense to her.

Given all these challenges, you may well feel that your in-law relationship is certainly doomed, but trust me—there is hope! As you understand these factors and their impact on the mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship, you will gain a greater understanding of the situation. And then you’ll be much better equipped to sidestep the land mines along the way.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Change your struggling in-law relationship today! Through humor, compassion and focus, I’ll show you how, step-by-step. In my book, Reluctantly Related I give you the understanding and the tools to make positive, lasting changes in your mother-in-law or daughter-in-law relationship. You don’t have to feel powerless or hopeless in your relationship!
· Learn the secrets to making change possible.
· Learn practical yet effective tools and skills that build your confidence and empower you with both your in-law and others.
· Learn how to transform your relationship without having to confront your in-law.

There has never been such an entertaining yet helpful resource on the specific problems between mothers-in-law and daughters-in-law. Reluctantly Related provides unique, straightforward help to any “MIL/DIL challenged” family, and should be required reading for newlyweds and their mothers!

BOOK DETAILS:

ISBN-13: 9780988810006
Publisher: New Shelves Publishing Services
Publication date: 2/25/2013
Pages: 186

PURCHASE LINKS:

THANKS TO REBECCA AT THE CADENCE GROUP,
I HAVE ONE (1) COPY TO GIVE AWAY.
OPEN TO U.S. RESIDENTS

FILL OUT RAFFLECOPTER ENTRY FORM BELOW

GIVEAWAY ENDS JUNE 18th AT 6PM EST

a Rafflecopter giveaway

YOUR JAVA SCRIPT MAY NEED TO BE UPDATED
IF YOU AR EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY
USING THE RAFFLECOPTER ENTRY FORM

Our good friend, Rebecca from The Cadence Group, is here to introduce us to another amazing author, Linda Crill.  Please help me in welcoming them to CMash Reads.  Friends……..Ms. Linda Crill

LINDA CRILL

Linda Crill is a sought-after executive, consultant, and speaker who has worked with Citigroup, Cadbury-Mott’s, Goldman Sachs, and Marriott International Inc., as well as many other Fortune 100 companies, universities, non-profits, and government departments and agencies. Crill lectures and writes on how to manage change and reinvent yourself, your life, and your business.

She is the mother of three grown women who whole-heartedly support her non-traditional path to rediscovering zest for life.

Crill lives in the Washington, DC, area, and travels regularly to Philadelphia, New York, Toronto, and San Diego.

Connect with Linda at these sites:

GUEST POST

We all have times in our life when the unknown, unwanted and undeserved happens. Blind Curves is a travel memoir about such a time in my life.

As a 57-year-old new widow, I followed one-size-fits-all advice from experts as I began to reframe my life. I exercised, read, made endless to-do lists, put others’ needs first and pampered myself. Eighteen months later, I was miserable and asking: “What now?”

Fed up with conventional wisdom that didn’t work, I threatened to do the most opposite thing I could imagine. In a moment of rebellion, I traded my corporate suits for motorcycle leathers and signed up for a 2,500-mile road trip on a Harley. The problem? I didn’t know how to ride and had only thirty days to learn.

Four short weeks later, I flew from Washington, DC, to Vancouver, Canada to join three others for a 10-day, white-knuckled and exhilarating road trip along America’s Pacific Northwest Coast from Victoria Island, Canada, to the wine country of Mendocino, California.

Blind Curves tells the story of how we encountered washed-out mountain roads, small-town hospitality, humming redwoods, and acceptance from gentle souls who happened to have tattoos and piercings.

This radical departure showed me how opening doors labeled “not me” is better than doing more of the same and hoping for different results. By erasing old boundaries formerly used to define myself and heading into the unknown—the blind curve—I discovered not only a broader horizon of possibilities to use in building the next phase of my life, but also the fuel to make it happen.

Blind Curves is the perfect book for readers looking for ways to reinvent themselves any one asking: “What now?”

ABOUT THE BOOK

Blind Curves tells the story of how we encountered washed-out mountain roads, small-town hospitality, humming redwoods, and acceptance from gentle souls who happened to have tattoos and piercings.

This radical departure showed me how opening doors labeled “not me” is better than doing more of the same and hoping for different results. By erasing old boundaries formerly used to define myself and heading into the unknown—the blind curve—I discovered not only a broader horizon of possibilities to use in building the next phase of my life, but also the fuel to make it happen.

Blind Curves is the perfect book for readers looking for ways to reinvent themselves any one asking: “What now?”

BOOK DETAILS:

Paperback: 266 pages
Publisher: Opus Intl. (March 1, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 098589850X
ISBN-13: 978-0985898502

PURCHASE LINKS:

READ AN EXCERPT

THANKS TO REBECCA AT THE CADENCE GROUP,
I HAVE ONE (1) COPY TO GIVE AWAY.
OPEN TO U.S. RESIDENTS

FILL OUT RAFFLECOPTER ENTRY FORM BELOW

GIVEAWAY ENDS JUNE 5th AT 6PM EST

a Rafflecopter giveaway

YOUR JAVA SCRIPT MAY NEED TO BE UPDATED
IF YOU AR EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY
USING THE RAFFLECOPTER ENTRY FORM

Today’s economy has affected us all in one way or another.  And for those that are looking for employment,  in a job market that has few openings but many applicants, this time can be very stressful.  I remember when my sons were in that position, not that long ago, and can  remember the anxiety of and waiting for the phone call after their interviews.  Thankfully, they both found employment with good companies and in their field, but many haven’t been so lucky.  So when Rebecca, from The Cadence Group,  contacted me about today’s guest, I jumped at the opportunity, in hopes this may help someone you know.  Please help me welcome Mr. Paul Freiberger!

PAUL FREIBERGER

Paul Freiberger is the author of When Can You Start? How to Ace the Interview and Win the Job (Career Upshift Productions, 2013). He is also the President of Shimmering Resumes, a career counseling and professional resume writing company in Northern California.

Connect with Paul at these sites:

GUEST POST

Never Underestimate the Power of Body Language

Your words, whether they are the words that make up your professional resume or the words that make up your side of the job-interview conversation, certainly speak volumes. They are not, however, the only way that you communicate, especially in that interview, and they may not even be the most important part of your interview presentation. Some experts maintain that nonverbal cues account for 93 percent of human communication. Others dispute this, arguing that body language is worth “as little” as 60 percent.

Even if the lower estimate is more accurate, it’s no exaggeration at all to say that an applicant’s body language can sabotage a presentation that would otherwise have been a resounding success.

The problem for applicants is that body language is, above all, an unconscious means of communication in ordinary interactions. We do not tend to be aware of the signals we are giving out. When we receive those signals, we may not be able to articulate what gave us a negative impression of another person, but, even though we can’t put the problem into words, we know there was definitely something that turned us off. The interviewee’s job is to become conscious of the unconscious gestures and mannerisms that have a profound effect on the other person in the room.

Given the unconscious nature of all this nonverbal communication, what can an applicant do?

One option is to record your performance in a practice interview. The camera’s eye is, if nothing else, objective, and video evidence can give you all the clues you need to observe that your body language is not hurting your cause. If that’s not an option, there are a number of general rules that should be part of your very conscious approach to effective interviewing.

Do:

• Be aware that your interview performance begins before you even open your mouth. If your tie needs adjustment or a shoelace is untied, pull everything together before you reach the interview location.
• Avoid excessive makeup or fragrance. They may not count as body language per se, but they do make an impression.
• Stand up when greeting people and offer a smile, along with a handshake that strikes a middle ground between the extremes of dead fish and crusher of bones.
• Sit up straight or lean forward slightly.
• Look alert and interested. Nod when appropriate, but try to avoid constant head-bobbing.
• If given the option, avoid sitting or standing too close to the interviewer. As a general rule, anything closer than 20 inches starts to feel like an invasion of personal space.
• Keep the position of your body in line with that of the interviewer. If your position is facing away from the interviewer, it gives the sense that you are not engaged with the process.
• Say your good-byes with the same confidence and positivity that you displayed when you arrived, even if you are convinced that this was the worst of all possible interviews.

Don’t:

• Slouch in your chair or lean toward the door. Neither posture makes you look like you’re interested in the proceedings.
• Touch your face and hair. Some mannerisms can make you look distracted or unforthcoming.
• Fold your arms across your chest, another posture that gives the impression that you’re disengaged or that you’re not open to what’s happening in front of you. It’s a very defensive position.
• Respond with complete neutrality. A blank stare is not just a failure to show interest. It can actually come across as a means of distancing yourself, actually adding a touch of hostility to the conversation.

Of course it’s easier to come across as a positive, interested and engaged candidate when those feelings are genuine. Sometimes, though, our unconscious habits betray us in ways we would not have imagined. Be aware, then, that body language can speak louder than words, and make sure that your nonverbal communication is doing all it can to get you on the payroll.

ABOUT THE BOOK

From Amazon:
In a tough job market, only a select few succeed at the interview process. How can you do it? The interview is a key step in the job search process. It is a make-or-break moment that can change your life. In this book, Los Angeles Times award-winning author, Paul Freiberger offers a clear, entertaining guide through interview preparation and proven tools to ace the interview and win the job.

You will learn about:
• The Only Question You Must Be Able to Answer
• Not Telling the Interviewer About Your Weaknesses
• Answering Trick and Oddball Questions
• Devising the Best Questions
• Gaining Confidence in Job Interviews
• Avoiding Interview Mistakes
• Negotiate the Salary You Deserve

BOOK DETAILS:

Paperback: 248 pages
Publisher: Career Upshift Productions (January 25, 2013)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0988702800
ISBN-13: 978-0988702806

PURCHASE LINKS:

THANKS TO REBECCA AT THE CADENCE GROUP,
I HAVE ONE (1) COPY TO GIVE AWAY.
OPEN TO U.S. RESIDENTS

FILL OUT RAFFLECOPTER ENTRY FORM BELOW

GIVEAWAY ENDS MAY 30th AT 6PM EST

a Rafflecopter giveaway

YOUR JAVA SCRIPT MAY NEED TO BE UPDATED
IF YOU AR EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY
USING THE RAFFLECOPTER ENTRY FORM

WOW!!  How time flies.  It has been quite a while since today’s guest was here, back in July of 2010, but am delighted that she is visiting again today.  A very warm welcome back to Ms. Jackie Fullerton!

JACKIE FULLERTON

Jackie Fullerton is a successful businesswoman and attorney who grew up in rural Ohio.

A mother of five, Fullerton returned to college when her last child was in grade school. She graduated summa cum laude from both Franklin University, where she earned her BS degree in business, and Dayton University, where she earned her MBA. Fullerton later attended Capital Law School, where she graduated cum laude. She was admitted to the Ohio Bar in 1993, the U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio, in 1995, and the Supreme Court of the United States in 1996. Although she is not in active practice, Fullerton volunteers her legal services at a local homeless shelter.

An active member of the Columbus, Ohio, community, Fullerton has served on several boards and commissions, including the Ohio Department of Alcohol and Drug Abuse; Franklin County ADAMH (Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health) Board; Community Shelter Board; Habitat for Humanity Board; and Court Appointed Special Advocates of Franklin County, Ohio (CASA).

Fullerton divides her time between Ohio and Florida, with her husband, Tom, and their dog, Flash.

Connect with Jackie at these sites:

GUEST POST

Creating Anne Marshall

For me, creating my characters is the easiest part, or at least the most fun.  Since I write fiction, I can be as creative and outlandish as I want.  However, my basic characters do tend to come from personal experiences. People I know, either intimately such as friends and family, or casually like the lunatic who works in the pod next to me. I might change the color of hair, or even the sex, but the basic personality is the same.

My protagonist, Anne Marshall, is me—or my alter ego. Alright, Anne is young and I’m in my 60s; Anne is slim and in shape while I am overweight and find exercise hazardous to my health; Anne has dark hair and dark eyes where I am a blond with blue eyes. Other than those minor differences, we are one in the same. We shared the same experiences of balancing work, school and relationships while attending law school at night. We have the same deep friendships with study group members, and the same need to continually fix other people’s problems.  And, most importantly, neither of us has the good sense to avoid danger.

For Anne’s trusty sidekick, it made sense that it should be her father. Their relationship was unique and extraordinary; I just didn’t realize he was dead until I was halfway through the first book, Piercing the Veil. This was one of those 3:00 in the morning realizations I seem to have more often than not. By making Anne’s father a ghost, I was able to give Anne the superhuman qualities an amateur sleuth needs, while exploring the father-daughter relationship in a way I could not if he were alive.  I could also pull on my relationship with my own father. Many of the conversations between Anne and James are ones I know my father and I would have.

During the writing of my second Anne Marshall book, Revenge Served Cold, I realized I had the wrong killer. In fact the real killer had not even been introduced yet. So I had to create a woman from the suspect’s past. A sultry and vengeful woman who would stop at nothing to get what she wanted. That was fun. Then I had to create and weave in the back story. Don’t be afraid to go back and rewrite your book, no matter how far you are in the process.

Since Anne Marshall is the same character throughout my books, the most challenging aspect was to continually create Anne. Readers expect to see growth in the characters, otherwise they will become stale. Conflict is a good way to show growth, so I introduced a handsome sexy detective in Ring Around the Rosy to test Anne’s relationship with Jason. That was more fun than it should have been.

Don’t be afraid to characters. You will find if you just jump in, they have a way of developing on their own.

Jackie Fullerton is now retired and living in Florida with her husband, Tom, and dog, Flash. Flash makes his debut in Ring Around the Rosy, the third book in the Anne Marshall mysteries.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Law student and amateur sleuth Anne Marshall and her attorney fiance Jason Perry leave their Midwestern town for a Florida vacation at the home of Jason’s parents. When they land in Florida, they find that Jason’s father has discovered the murdered body of his wife’s best friend, Maude. The only clue left behind is a note pinned to her that is the second verse of the nursery rhyme Ring Around the Rosy.

Unable to pass up the opportunity to investigate a juicy murder, Anne soon discovers that Maude’s brother was killed in a hit-and run accident several months before. The first verse of Ring Around the Rosy was pinned to his chest. Anne thinks the perp is a serial killer who will strike again.

When Maude’s son, Ron, is brutally attacked and left for dead, Anne knows his work is just beginning. Racing against the clock, Anne soon finds herself in a serial killer’s crosshairs while battling an untimely attraction to homicide detective Don Reynolds.

Ring Around the Rosy takes you on an adventure from present to past and back again as Anne and her crime-solving partners shift in to high gear to stop a killer before he strikes again!

BOOK DETAILS:

Paperback: 288 pages
Publisher: Thomas House Publishing (December 14, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 098438152X
ISBN-13: 978-0984381524

PURCHASE LINKS:

THANKS TO REBECCA AT THE CADENCE GROUP,
I HAVE ONE (1) COPY TO GIVE AWAY.
OPEN TO U.S. RESIDENTS

FILL OUT RAFFLECOPTER ENTRY FORM BELOW

GIVEAWAY ENDS MAY 21st AT 6PM EST

a Rafflecopter giveaway

YOUR JAVA SCRIPT MAY NEED TO BE UPDATED
IF YOU AR EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY
USING THE RAFFLECOPTER ENTRY FORM

I think you are really going to enjoy today’s guest. Rebecca, from The Cadence Group is stopping by with the esteemed cardiac surgeon and author, Dr. Ismael Nuño!!  Let’s give him a very warm welcome to our group!

Dr. Ismael Nuño

Dr. Nuño was born in Mexico.  He received his MD in 1976.  He received training in General Surgery and subsequently in Cardio-Thoracic Surgery at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, DC.  Dr. Nuño was in the Army for a period of ten Years.  He was Deputy commander for 5^th Mash during the Gulf War.  The last 15 years of his career were as Chief of Cardiac Surgery at LAC+USC Medical Center in Los Angeles, California.  He is now retired and lives in Marina del Rey, California.
Connect with Dr. Nuño at his website here.

GUEST POST

What I learned from writing a book

The process of writing a book is not only dynamic but very insightful as well.  The opinion of the author is changed multiple times as his or her opinion changes depending on what he wants the perception of his reader to be.  I chose multiple short stories for the reader to be quickly moved by the topic that I was developing for them.  The introduction deals with my giving CPR (cardio pulmonary resuscitation) to my older sister at 35 thousand feet while flying from Los Angeles to Paris.  In the chapter Catharine, I describe how my 18 year old daughter succumbs to Anorexia Nervosa after four years, and because of changes in her heart from the anorexia, I found her one morning, lifeless, no breaths, no pulses and I had to give her CPR.  I remember that terrible morning when I found her how I did not know what to do first,  Begin CPR or call the paramedics.  Each had a sequence and each had an implication.  If I call first the paramedics on 911 I will get help but it will keep me from beginning the resuscitation.  If I give her CPR, I delay help from getting to her.  Now it is a simple sequence that I would choose, at that moment, it was an eternity and the implication was that no matter what I did, would carry consequences from that point on.

My opinions about my chapters are now different in how I perceive them.  As I lived moments when I saved someone’s life or lost it, I had a quick opinion about them.  I did not stop to ponder all of the implications about each accomplishment or loss.  Now I do.  I find in retrospect, honor, and respect about each life that I was able to keep.  I celebrate life now.  I remember and honor death.  I am able to mix all of those emotions with the honor and respect I have for my family as well.  Of all of the times I missed my children’s birthday parties, I can now stop and honor each one of them.  Perhaps not to my children’s satisfaction but I can justify what I did and why I did it.

My thoughts are dynamic.  My emotions are varied and my respect is solid.  I matured and developed sophistication as I wrote each chapter.  Each chapter was written with a purpose.  Each chapter was given a legacy, and a place in time.  History will chronologically put it in its proper place.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Borrowed from Amazon:
As one of America’s former leading cardiac surgeons, Dr. Nuño healed patients’ hearts. Fixing “broken” hearts gave him a unique and intimate view into the power of the heart. Even coming face to face with death and losing patients, there is a beauty that can exist even in loss. The Spirit of the Heart is a collection of heart-warming stories that resonate at the core of our humanness. He graciously offers the insights he has gained from occupying a front-row seat at some of life’s most real and raw moments. These tender stories teach us about what it means to be human, to be connected to others, to love, to live, to forgive.

BOOK DETAILS:

Hardcover: 202 pages
Publisher: Lighthouse Publishing (October 12, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0985906103
ISBN-13: 978-0985906108

PURCHASE LINKS:

THANKS TO REBECCA AT THE CADENCE GROUP,
I HAVE ONE (1) COPY TO GIVE AWAY.
OPEN TO U.S. RESIDENTS

FILL OUT RAFFLECOPTER ENTRY FORM BELOW

GIVEAWAY ENDS APRIL 30th AT 6PM EST

a Rafflecopter giveaway

YOUR JAVA SCRIPT MAY NEED TO BE UPDATED
IF YOU AR EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY
USING THE RAFFLECOPTER ENTRY FORM

Rebecca, from The Cadence Group is stopping by to introduce us to today’s guest author, Mr. Joe Keller.  Welcome to CMash Reads!!!

JOE KELLER

Joe Keller is a father of two, an entrepreneur at heart, and a lifelong learner. His personal quest is to live a fulfilling, awesomely happy life and to help others do the same.

Single Effort grew out of Joe’s learning curve following a painful divorce. Through trial and a healthy dose of error, Joe learned to approach single life – and life in general – with smarts and heart, leading to newfound confidence and exciting new adventures.

Equally at home cooking a meal for his kids, crooning karaoke on a night on the town, deciphering the world of dating for his readers, or traveling the globe, Joe believes that it’s what’s inside that counts – that happiness comes from following your passion, loving and being loved, and ultimately, finding peace within yourself.

Joe shares his passion for helping others through volunteer work in the U.S. and abroad, via his writing, and through public speaking. Joe makes his home in Auburn Hills, Michigan.
Connect with Joe here:   

GUEST POST

Learning to Cook as a Single Guy – Why It’s Important

When you’re thinking about dating, it’s important to develop “date-friendly” skills that will help you stand out as an attractive and worthy mate. All the better if those same skills will also serve you on your own as a single guy and father (if you have kids). Cooking fits the bill.

A nice way to impress a date is to tell her you know how to cook. A better way to impress a date is to show her that you can cook. Once you’ve learned the ropes, Single Effort your date night by offering to cook a meal at your home. You’ll be able to impress your date with your cooking skills while at the same time providing both of you with a relaxing evening she’ll truly appreciate. You’ll definitely stand out in her mind after the date is over!

If you don’t know how to cook, don’t worry. I didn’t cook well either when I was married – and if I can pick it up (a guy who didn’t know how to cook a decent grilled cheese sandwich before becoming single) then anyone can. Cooking is really quite simple. Read on for some “sage” cooking advice.

First and foremost, if you don’t know how to cook, start by getting familiar with the basics by visiting cooking websites and tuning in to cooking shows. Did you know they have an entire network on TV devoted to food and cooking? It’s called the Food Network and most cable and dish broadcasters carry it on their standard channel list. You can find a plethora of cooking tips and recipes on the Food Network. Pick a show that interests you and start watching to gain some insight into cooking lingo and to pick up tips and tricks.

Another great way to learn about cooking is to attend cooking classes. A quick search on the Internet should help you find many businesses offering cooking classes near you– sites like Local Cooking Classes and Local Cooking Class are wonderful references for classes local to you (and yes, they’re two distinct websites).

Community colleges and adult education courses are a great way to learn about the basics of cooking as well, and many speciality grocery stores, such as Whole Foods, offer affordable cooking classes to help you learn how to use the ingredients they offer in their stores.

Cooking classes are also a great Single Effort opportunity – they’re an excellent way to learn a new skill while meeting like-minded single women at the same time.

But the best way to learn to cook is simply by “doing” – find a recipe that sounds interesting and devote an evening to learning how to cook it well. If you can’t find a recipe that inspires you, try visiting Allrecipes.com for some great ideas!

I enjoy using Allrecipes because they allow me to save recipes found on their site into my own virtual recipe box. I can look up a recipe I previously saved with just a couple clicks of the mouse.

Allrecipes also allows you to print your recipes in a variety of sizes so you have the recipe in front of you, in an easy-to-read format, while in the kitchen preparing your meal. In addition, the recipes are well organized into food categories, easily searchable, and include pictures of the finished meal along with user ratings.

Allrecipes is truly unique – I rely on them for fantastic meal suggestions and cooking ideas on a regular basis. I consider Allrecipes.com to be to cooking what Amazon.com is to shopping.

For single guys trying to stand out from the sea of other guys their date has met, learning to cook is a skill that will give you that added boost. It’s the “secret sauce” that just might help you find and keep the girl of your dreams!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Single Effort is the best guide to be­ing single – but not necessarily staying single – that you’ll ever read! From food to fun, and finance to romance, Single Effort delivers clear, real-world advice to help you live a dynamic, successful life as a single guy.

You’ll discover how to:

• · Approach with confidence and attract not just any woman — but the right woman
• · Thrive in the online dating world and the competitive dating scene
• · Prepare tasty home-cooked meals and master the befuddling world of wine
• · Save time and money with proven product recommendations and advice on everything from daily living, to dating, to personal comfort (even cleaning!)

Single Effort isn’t just for men. Ladies, you’ll benefit too! From ideas to spice up your relationship to a revealing look at a guy’s perspective on dating – it’s all here! Destined to become a classic, this indispensable guide will change how you think about being single and help you find the life and love you seek.

For more information, please visit www.SingleEffort.com. There are five free downloads which include tips and helpful advice on dating, items to buy for your home when striking out on your own, cooking, divorce, and hiring a housekeeper.

THANKS TO REBECCA AT THE CADENCE GROUP, I
HAVE ONE (1) COPY TO GIVE AWAY.
OPEN TO U.S.  RESIDENTS

FILL OUT RAFFLECOPTER ENTRY FORM BELOW

GIVEAWAY ENDS APRIL 20th AT 6PM EST

a Rafflecopter giveaway

YOUR JAVA SCRIPT MAY NEED TO BE UPDATED
IF YOU AR EXPERIENCING DIFFICULTY
USING THE RAFFLECOPTER ENTRY FORM

DISCLAIMER
No items that I receive are ever sold…they are kept by me, or given to family and/or friends.

I was excited when Rebecca, from The Cadence Group, contacted me about today’s guest.  This is the 3rd visit here at CMash Reads, which as you know means, there is another book for us to hear about.  You can see his previous stops here for Redemption Day and  Bullet Work.    So without further ado, Mr. Steve O’Brien!!

STEVE O’BRIEN

Steve O Brien is an attorney, author, and former thoroughbred owner. Dead Money is his third novel. It follows Bullet Work and the critically acclaimed Elijah s Coin, recipient of nine literary awards, including Best Young Adult Fiction, National Best Books Awards, and Best Novella, Next Generation Indie Book Awards. He lives in Washington, D.C.

GUEST POST

Where’d you get that idea?

 The most common question I receive is where did I get the idea for my book? Ideas for storylines, at least for me, don’t magically appear. I don’t necessarily look for ideas either. It could be something I read many years before that suddenly jumps onto the page.

That’s what happened with Dead Money.

It came from a short news story. That caused me to investigate further. The story goes like this:

On July 16, 1981 a middle aged man in a gabardine suit walked up to the betting window at Pimlico racetrack three minutes to post for the third race. He wagered $5000 to show on a horse named Mister’s Mistress. Then he made a similar bets on long shots in the sixth and seventh races.

The man in the gabardine suit had a bad day. He did not cash a single bet that day. But the real betting wasn’t in Maryland, it was in Las Vegas.  At that time Las Vegas did not commingle bets with US racetracks. That meant that bets in Las Vegas did not affect the pari-mutuel payout. Bets made in Las Vegas were paid at track odds. Friends of the gabardine suited man had a very good day in Las Vegas, cashing bets on heavy favorites that paid more to show than they did to win.

In the third race, favorite My Edelweiss paid 3.40 to win, 2.40 to place and 4.40 to show.

The seventh race was where they made their biggest strike. Noble Side won paying 3.60 to win, 3.40 to place and 9.40 to show.

The man in Maryland manipulated the show pools, his friends in Las Vegas bet and cashed at track odds. Their bets were outside the commingled pool and therefore did not lower the odds on their chosen horse.

     Although casinos executives are loath to talk about losses and betting scams, Hank Heffron, manager of the sports book at Barbary Coast Casino said, “They got us. They made a bunch of bets and probably hit every book in town.” When asked if the casino honored the wagers, Heffron said, “Yeah, we cashed them. But it won’t happen again.”

     Really?

     As long as there are non-commingled betting services that pay track odds, there will be the risk of a pari-mutuel betting scam.

So where did my story idea come from? That news article was the genesis. Then I asked “what if?” What if someone pulled this betting scam in one of the biggest races in the country—-The Kentucky Oaks?

That’s where Dead Money was born.

As any good reader of fiction, you still might be suspicious. You may think technology has changed, that speed of information forecloses scams like this. Las Vegas bets are now part of the commingled pools. Digital fingerprints make illicit bets harder to pull off.

You would be right.

But if you’re convinced that such a scam won’t work in today’s environment, check out the fifth race at Thistledown Racetrack on May 21, 2012.

ABOUT THE BOOK

The stranger’s menacing, dismissive laughter echoed in attorney Dan Morgan’s head. In the heart of thoroughbred country–Churchill Downs–a major con was about to be pulled. Despite Dan’s efforts, his filly, Aly Dancer, was somehow part of the scheme.

You Can’t Stop It.
Dan’s dream as a thoroughbred owner was to run in a Grade I race—a televised stakes race. That opportunity had finally appeared. So far it had only resulted in threats, violence and death.

You Can’t Stop It.

What was the scam? Who was involved? Who could he turn to?
Post time was nearing.
The man’s sinister voice would not leave him.

You Can’t Stop It.

THANKS TO REBECCA, FROM THE CADENCE GROUP,
I HAVE ONE (1) BOOK TO GIVE AWAY
U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY

CLICK HERE FOR THE ENTRY PAGE

DISCLAIMER
No items that I receive
are ever sold…they are kept by me,
or given to family and/or friends.

Who needs a good mystery, to curl up with, during this very cold winter?  Our friend Rebecca, from The Cadence Group is stopping by to introduce us to today’s guest.  Please help me in welcoming Rebecca and author, Duncan Whitehead!!

DUNCAN WHITEHEAD

Duncan Whitehead was born in England in 1967. After a successful career in the Royal Navy where he served in British Embassies throughout South America and saw service in the Gulf War he joined the world of super yachts as a Purser onboard some of the world’s largest private vessels, working for many high profile individuals, being fortunate enough to visit some of the world’s most luxurious and exotic places.

Eventually retiring to Savannah, Georgia, he began to partake of his greatest passion, writing. Initially writing short stories he finally put pen to paper and wrote The Gordonston Ladies Dog Walking Club, inspired by the quirky characters and eeriness of his new environment. The book, a thriller, which boasts an assortment of characters and plot twists, is set in the leafy neighborhood where he lived.

His passion for comedy saw submissions to many online satire news sites and a stint performing as a stand- up comedian.

He is a former boxer, representing the Royal Navy and an English under 19 team as an amateur and is a qualified teacher of English as a foreign language as well as a former accomplished children’s soccer coach.

In 2011 Duncan returned to South America, spending six months in Brazil and a few months in Paraguay before travelling to the Middle-East and Europe before returning to the United States to settle in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

He is fluent in Spanish and Portuguese and lists his hobbies and passions as cooking, the Israeli self defense art of Krav Maga and the pressure point martial art Dim- Mak.

Duncan has written over 2,000 spoof and comedy news articles, under various aliases, for an assortment of web sites both in the US and UK.

As well as his other activities he performs volunteer work, as a hospice volunteer visitor and teaches English to refugees arriving in South Florida.

He has penned a further novel; a comedy set in Manhattan, The Reluctant Jesus, which is set to be published early 2013 and is working on the script for a potential sit-com.

Duncan has one daughter, Keira, and lives alone.
Visit the author at his website here and Facebook.

GUEST POST

Character Development

The development of the characters for my book – The Gordonston Ladies Dog Walking Club – came about very interestingly.  I had written a number of years ago, two unpublished short stories that had twists at the end.  I used these two separate and standalone stories as the basis of some of the plot and developed certain characters from the original short stories.  The character of Elliot was always going to be a former children’s writer and I needed him to have a pretty plausible back-story so I loosely based him on a real life alderman who lived in my neighborhood. I then rewrote my original short story and used the character of Elliot as the main protagonist.

The character Kurtze I wanted to come across as a nice old man, a sort of Grandfather type figure.  My aim was to make him as approachable, kind and decent as possible…which (and not to spoil the plot) is to  shock the readers when his true (or possibly true) identity is revealed……..

Kelly was a fun character to work with; she is attractive and kind of dumb but deep down is a caring person.  In my mind she kind of resembled Britney Spears, pretty but vulnerable.  She is of course not based on any real person.

The development of The Gordonston Ladies Dog Walking Club characters, the actual women who form the club was also very fun.  I decided to have three characters who though friends, had entirely different backgrounds and conflicting moral standards.

Heidi I saw as a stern looking woman, fierce and kind of a natural leader, her character developed into something abhorrently evil and sinister though it was fun to kind of progress her from a nice, harmless old lady into (and no spoilers) something or someone with a very checkered past.

Carla, who is portrayed on the cover of the book, is an attractive woman to whom the years have been kind.  I based her character on women who pamper themselves and pay a lot of money to retain their figures and partake of plastic surgery.  Her secrets befitted her character, a man hunter, a cougar and a woman who could manipulate thanks to her looks.

Many of the characters have traits of people I know and I used those traits to help me develop each individual character, there is part of someone I know in every character of the book and sometimes in more than one character.

The great thing I feel about the characters in my book is that I can develop them further, especially in the sequel and for those that survive this book there will be more secrets and back-stories that will let readers get to know them even more!

ABOUT THE BOOK

Something is not quite right in the leafy Savannah neighborhood of Gordonston.

As friends and fellow members of her afternoon cocktail club gather to mourn the death and lament the life of Thelma Miller, not all is what it seems.

As old friends vie for the attention of widower, Alderman and mayoral candidate Elliott, jealousies surface and friendships are strained. An old woman with a dark secret and an infamous uncle plots her revenge for a perceived wrong done over thirty years before, a once successful children’s writer with his own secret is haunted by memories of the past and aspiring model Kelly Hudd has just won the trip of a lifetime.

As secrets are revealed and history, both old and recent, unravel and an intertwined web of deceits and lies surfaces in the middle class neighborhood a killer lurks and is anyone really who they seem to be?

A mysterious European gentleman in South America, a young Italian count parading the streets of Paris and a charitable and kind hearted nephew recently arrived from India add to the remarkable assortment of characters in this story of intrigue, deceit and revenge. What is the secret a recently retired accountant is trying to hide and just why did the former showgirl and attractive sixty two year old widow Carla Zipp really have plastic surgery?

As the plot thickens and the Georgia summer temperature rises we discover who is destined for an early-unmarked grave in the wooded park that centers the tree-lined avenues of Gordonston.

A mysterious organization with links to organized crime, a handsome fire fighter who can do no wrong and a trio of widows with deep hidden agendas compound a story of simplistic complexity.

As twists and turns lead the reader to a conclusion that they will not see coming and a sucker punch ending that will leave readers breathless, The Gordonston Ladies Dog Walking Club’s top priority remains the need to chastise the culprit who refuses to ‘scoop’ after his dog walking sessions in their treasured park.
Purchase links:   Amazon     B&N     IndieBound

Fun fact:  February 22 is National Dog Walking Day.
THE GORDONSTON LADIES DOG WALKING CLUB eBook will be on $ .99 promo from February 14 through February 22.

THANKS TO REBECCA, FROM THE CADENCE GROUP,
I HAVE ONE (1) PRINT COPY TO GIVE AWAY.
U.S. RESIDENTS ONLY

CLICK HERE FOR THE ENTRY PAGE

DISCLAIMER
I received a copy of this book, at no charge to me,
in exchange for my honest review.
No items that I receive
are ever sold…they are kept by me,
or given to family and/or friends.
ADDENDUM
I do not have any affiliation with Amazon.com or
Barnes & Noble. I am an IndieBound affiliate.
I am providing link(s) solely for visitors
that may be interested in purchasing this Book/EBook.