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New Poetry Book Release by Author Gary Beck

12/15/2015

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Displays
A Collection of Poetry by Gary Beck
 
For Immediate Release


With religion, terror, and politics as closely related as ever, is it possible to live in our world without fear? With the obvious threat of extremists willing to kill for their god, we also endure domestic terrorism driven by similar motives, and the politicians who seek to use it all to their advantage for power. Poet Gary Beck explores many of the practical, emotional, and irrational responses to acts of terror with Displays, a collection of poetry that honestly examines the state of human reaction.

“We are impressed with your vibrant writing, emotionally impacted by your vivid imagery and awed by your superior craft.” – EM Literary Magazine
 
“The works you produce are unique and superbly written.” – Blackmail Press
 
“We really enjoy your use of imagery, descriptive language and insight.” – Avocet Magazine



Displays is a 140 page poetry volume. Available in paperback with a retail price of $11.99, and eBook with a retail price of $5.99. ISBN: 1941058361 Published through Winter Goose Publishing and available now through all major retailers. For more information or to request a review copy, contact Winter Goose Publishing at info@wintergoosepublishing. 
 


http://www.amazon.com/Displays-Gary-Beck/dp/1941058361/ref=sr_1_1?s=fiona-hardware&ie=UTF8&qid=1449702115&sr=8-1&keywords=Gary+beck

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Gary Beck has spent most of his adult life as a theater director, and as an art dealer when he couldn’t make a living in theater. He has 11 published chapbooks. His poetry collections include: Days of Destruction (Skive Press), Expectations (Rogue Scholars Press). Dawn in Cities, Assault on Nature, Songs of a Clerk, Civilized Ways, Displays (Winter Goose Publishing). Perceptions, Fault Lines and Tremors will be published by Winter Goose Publishing. Conditioned Response (Nazar Look). Blossoms of Decay will be published by Nazar Look.  Resonance will be published by Dreaming Big Press. His novels include: Extreme Change (Cogwheel Press) Acts of Defiance (Artema Press). Flawed Connections (Black Rose Writing). His short story collection, A Glimpse of Youth (Sweatshoppe Publications). His original plays and translations of Moliere, Aristophanes and Sophocles have been produced Off Broadway. His poetry, fiction and essays have appeared in hundreds of literary magazines. He currently lives in New York City.

Gary has a poetry book with Dreaming Big Publications set to release this Spring.

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Nonfiction Book Review for ‘’Stem Cell Battles Proposition 71 and Beyond: How Ordinary People Can Fight Back against the Crushing Burden of Chronic Disease – with a Posthumous Foreword by Christopher Reeve)

12/15/2015

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About the Book:  “This is a one-of-a-kind book: combining easy-to-understand science, in-the-trenches political warfare, and inspirational stories. It aims to give hope to individuals and families who suffer from chronic disease or disability; to point out how ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference in the battle to ease suffering and save lives through supporting medical research; to share in "people talk" some of the amazing progress already achieved in the new field of stem cell research; to show how even such a magnificent success as the California stem cell program is under constant attack from ideological groups; to offer medical research as a force for international cooperation; to suggest how cure research lessens the need for the mountainous costs of endless care.
Unparalleled background: the author has been involved in virtually every important stem cell battle (state, national, and international) since embryonic stem cell research began. The author works closely with Robert N. Klein, sponsor of the California stem cell program, the largest source of such stem cell research funding in the world. In addition, the author is an award-winning teacher as well as writer, and seeks to entertain as well as educate. His book is not only substantive, but also fun.

The book would be a treasured gift: for anyone suffering an "incurable" illness or who is a caregiver for a loved one; for a college student considering a rewarding career in biomedicine; for scientists who want to protect and enhance their research funding; and for anyone who wants to see government respond to the needs of its citizenry. Chronic disease and disability are a prison: cure is the triumphant escape — wheelchairs should be for temporary occupancy only.
Readership: General readers, caregivers of someone with chronic disease, patient advocates, students in biomedical science, policy makers in government, stem cell researchers.”

Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: World Scientific Publishing Co; 1 edition (October 27, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 9814618276
ISBN-13: 978-9814618274
Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 7.5 x 0.8 inches
 
About the Author: Don C. Reed has been called the "Grandfather of Stem Cell Research Advocacy", for his decades of commitment, beginning with his citizen sponsorship of California's Roman Reed Spinal Cord Injury Research Act of 1999, named after his paralyzed son. "Roman's Law" raised $17 million in state funding, while attracting an additional $85 million from the National Institutes of Health and other sources. Don was grassroots organizer for America's first pro- stem cell research legislation, Senate Bill 253 (Ortiz) and others.
Don Reed served on the Board of Directors for Proposition 71, the citizens' initiative which led to the $3 billion California stem cell agency, and has supported it vigorously ever since. As David Jensen of the CALIFORNIA STEM CELL REPORT remarked, "Don has probably attended more meetings of the CIRM than anyone else, including staff".
Reed has been involved with state, national, and international efforts to preserve scientific freedom: opposing the Bush Administration's attempt to ban advanced stem cell research via the United Nations; supporting the Stem Cell Research Enhancement Acts of 2003 and 2007, twice passed by Congress and the Senate, but vetoed by former President George W. Bush; supporting the successful Missouri's Stem Cell Research Amendment 2, and Michigan's Proposal 2. Don's testimony for the Kennedy Committee on stem cell research is recorded in the Congressional Record, and he took great joy in cheering for Barack Obama, as the President signed the reversal of the onerous Bush restrictions.

Author of the forthcoming book, *STEM CELL BATTLES: Proposition 71 and Beyond*, from World Scientific Publishing, Inc., Reed is a prolific writer, with roughly 200 articles published by the Huffington Post alone. He has written five books and numerous magazine articles for such publications as THE LANCET.
Reed has won numerous awards for his advocacy efforts, and has served on the Board of Americans for Cures Foundation and its predecessors since startup.
 
MY REVIEW:  If you are looking for a book that advocates for stem cell research, this is it.  If you are looking for a book that fairly discusses both sides of the argument in a “for or against” debate, this is not it.  The author is a strong advocate for stem cell use and it is clear throughout the book that this is the case. The book is full of stories of people living with chronic illnesses that will definitely tug at the heart strings.  There are color pictures throughout as well, which add to the heart-string tug.  For anyone who is wanting to know more about Proposition 71, I would highly recommend this book. It is in language easy enough for a non-scientist to understand, and is full of examples of the chronic diseases and injuries that are debilitating many people that stem cell research could possibly help. Stem cell research is being done in California, and this book talks of the progress that has been made in peoples’ lives already. The book also discusses the “ideological groups” that continue to attack stem cell research, i.e. religious groups.

I give it a 4 Star rating only because I feel it didn’t take into a fair consideration the “ideological groups’” viewpoints or feelings on this matter, but rather attacked them as being wrong or even ignorant.  If the point is to win over those who oppose it, I don’t think attacking them and putting them on the defensive is going to help change their mind.  Other than that one small issue I have with it, the rest of the book is superb and highly informative.

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
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Artwork by 14-year-old Dakota G

12/14/2015

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Dakota Greer, age 14, daughter of Amos & PollyAnn Greer. Is very creative when it comes to writing, drawing, and sewing. She can spend hours reading books and then drawing what she thinks the characters look like if there is no pictures of them in the book.
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'A Christmas Haiku' by Donal Mahoney

12/10/2015

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A Christmas Haiku


All lives matter now
unless they're inconvenient.
No room in the womb.


Donal Mahoney


————————————————————————--
Donal Mahoney, a native of Chicago, lives in St. Louis, Missouri. His fiction and poetry have appeared in various publications, including The Wisconsin Review, The Kansas Quarterly, The South Carolina Review, The Christian Science Monitor, The Chicago Tribune and  Commonweal.  Some of his work can be found at http://eyeonlifemag.com/the-poetry-locksmith/donal-mahoney-poet.html#sthash.OSYzpgmQ.dpbs=
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'Into the Battle of the Addicted Soul' by Nick Alexander

12/7/2015

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In a far off land lives a young man who lives with the weight of the world on his shoulders. He has lived a life of debauchery, yet still holds much solitude.

Losing five close friends to drug overdoses, he becomes mentally spent, and feels like he is dying from the inside out. He is filled with so much rage, heartache, and venom. There is a gloomy feel to his everyday life.

Often slipping in and out of reality, he feels abandoned by those he loves, and disconnected from life in general.  Constant flickers of false hope fills his heart with raw unwanted emotions.

This young man is not the only one living this way. Every single day there are people like this with problems like money, addiction, family, etc. Many dreams are fading away into the far off land of addiction, jealousy and greed.
There are those countless souls who do their best to help those in need. The world we live in is full of darkness, but the helpers strive to make this world a more suitable place to rest our heads each night.
 
by Nick Alexander


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'A Series of Choices, Book 3, Friend of Foe', by Sharryn Dotson

12/5/2015

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My Review: Again, a 5 star rating for the final book in this series. It's not often a book grabs my attention, but this is one that I couldn't put down. The characters in this series finally get some of their issues worked out, and may even be looking at a happy ending.  Lots of twists and turns, real life choices, and relatable characters.  Fun, easy read.

About the Book: Travis is stuck working behind the desk ever since he got shot. Being away from the action is negatively affecting his relationship with Val and pushing him closer to beautiful coworker, Lauren. Can they keep the sexual tension at bay to solve the case? Lana is out of jail and all alone. She begins dancing to survive and meets a slick-talking businessman, Shawn, who seems to have deep pockets. Lana falls hard and loves being a kept woman, but she soon finds that not all that glitters is gold. Shawn and his business partner ask Lana to begin delivering mysterious packages for them, but they seem to bring her more troubles. Lana reaches out to the one person she knows can help, Travis. That decision may lead to the end of her life.

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'A Series of Choices: Book 2, Money or Mayhem', by Sharryn Dotson

12/5/2015

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My Review:  Book 2 in this series. I give it a 5 stars as well!  The characters are dealing with serious real life issues, and the author keeps you on your toes guess what comes next!  Leo messes up and loses his job, and has to deal with custody issues with his children. He has to face some hard choices when offered a quick, but illegal, way to make case. Is it worth the chance?  A really good read.

About the Book: After his affair with Lana goes public, Leo is broke, unemployed, and battling his estranged wife to see his two children. His lover suggests a job that makes quick cash, but it has deadly consequences. When Lana's trial begins, Leo crosses paths with Travis, who is in the midst of a big investigation into a dangerous gang that he must keep hidden from Val. Travis and Leo's paths eventually cross, and they work together to try and solve the case. However, they learn not everyone involved is who they say they are. Can Travis keep Leo -- and himself -- alive long enough to solve the case?

About the Author: Sharryn Dotson was born and raised in Southfield, Michigan. She graduated from Wayne State University with a BA in journalism and has written for a newspaper, a TV station and an online magazine. Sharryn is married with two children and lives in Tulsa, OK.

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'A Series of Choices, Book 1, Closure or Ammo', by Sharryn Dotson

12/5/2015

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I give this a 5 stars all the way!

My Review: In the first book of this three-part series, the author introduces you to best friends Lana and Val.  The characters are relatable. They go through everyday things and have to make choices that are tough.  They work, take care of family, look for love, and sometimes make the wrong choices. Ms. Dotson has created down-to-earth characters that you can't help but fall in love with, triumph in their successes, and even relate to their hardships. It is an easy read, and is one of the rare books I have gotten my hands on lately that I didn't want to put down. I highly recommend!

About the Book: Lana and Val are best friends who both have bad luck with men, until they finally meet someone. For Lana, it's her hot new boss, Leo. For single mother Val, she meets sexy detective, Travis, through an unfortunate situation. When Leo suddenly ends the affair, Lana plays a dangerous game of cat and mouse to find out why. Val must decide whether to stand by her friend or follow the law. Will Lana's actions tear them apart or can their relationship survive?

About the Author: Sharryn Dotson was born in Detroit and raised in Southfield, Michigan. She earned her bachelor's in journalism from Wayne State University in Detroit and has worked as a newspaper reporter, TV associate producer and magazine editor. Sharryn now lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma, with her husband and two children.

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Lies

12/1/2015

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By: Abigail Beene

I remember on that brisk summer night.

Do you?

The one where we talked about lies and lying?

The one where we lied.

You told me that once, six years ago, you broke your mother’s favorite vase.

You said it was beautiful and blue

Like my eyes, you told me.

You went on about how when your mom asked you, you pretended not to have a clue.

And I asked you “Have you ever lied to me” and you said “No. Not even pure white lie.” And I smirked and said “There are no white lies. One lie is just as bad as any other” and you laughed. And I pretended to laugh.

Then you asked me “Have you ever lied to me?” And my face burned and I looked away, but you knew.

I knew you could tell that I had lied (and I had lied a few times) and then you asked when.

Metaphorically I was drowning in the pressure that was filling my lungs like water and burning my lungs like smoke as I tried to decide what I was going to tell you.

Instantly I thought of all the times you texted me asking if I was okay and I frantically typed “I’m fine” with rivers flowing down my face, making sure to include a silly emoji so you knew what I had said was “true”.

I thought of all the times I talked about the future when I didn’t think I would make it that far. Which in a way is kind of a lie. I think.

You repeated yourself after minutes had gone by bringing me back to reality. I plastered on a smile, looked at you

And said,

“Just White Lies.”

About The Author:

I am 15 years old and I live in Georgia. I've always had a knack for writing but I never thought I was talented or anything like that. Last semester I took Journalism at school and as an assignment we had to write some sort of poem or short story for a writing competition. I wasn't even going to do it so I began to draw. I drew a tattered and torn up heart and suddenly I was scribbling down words about how chaotic my heart can be. The finished product was a poem. I ended up turning that poem in. It was good. The way my teacher read it and gave it back to me with tears in her eyes told me that. I reread it over and over trying to figure out where it had come from because surely, I couldn't do that. Yet, I did. Something inside of me just took over and I had created something that someone liked. The best part of the whole ordeal was that I had found an escape. When I write I don't feel anything. I don't hear the world. I’m not stressed. When I write I drown all of my worries in ink. That's why I write.

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Nonfiction Book Review for 'If These Fields Could Talk: The Untold Story from Leatha Jackson, Queen of BBQ' with Matthew Jordan

12/1/2015

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About the Book:
If These Fields Could Talk is the inspiring and heartwarming true story of Leatha Jackson's rise from abject poverty in the pre-Civil Rights South to beloved matriarch and "barbeque queen" of Mississippi. Leatha's journey stands as a powerful example of what an unshakable faith in God, love, and family can create. After many years of sweat, toil, and dreaming, with the unwavering support of her devoted husband and children, Leatha made magic in the heart of the South. Her legacy, Leatha's BBQ Inn, has become a Mississippi landmark, a family institution, a featured restaurant on national television shows, and a favorite of locals, traveling "foodies," and celebrity regulars...and the story of how it all came to be is as remarkable as a plate of Leatha's delicious barbeque. As Leatha would say, "It's all about love."

Leatha Jackson was born in Meadville, Mississippi in 1923, and in 1955, she moved to Foxworth, Mississippi. Jackson opened Leatha’s Bar-B-Que Inn in 1976 with the intention of bringing folks old-fashioned barbeque, and since then it has become nationally famous. Though she passed away in 2013, her family continues her legacy of love for the community and barbeque done right.

My Review:  5 Stars!
A must-read inspiration story of hope, faith, courage, and resilience.  Leatha Jackson had that spark of whatever it is inside some people that spur them on to achieve great things despite their circumstances in life.  Her restaurant, Leatha's Bar-be-que, is a well-known fixture in Hattiesburg, Ms. It is known outside the boundaries of this little town as well, and is the stopping place for anyone passing through.  I highly recommend this book.  If anyone makes excuses for why they can't do anything with their life, they won't have any more excuses left after reading the real-life story of this woman's rise out of poverty due to her hard work and desire to make a difference in her life and for her children.

I live in Hattiesburg and was in Leatha's to pick up an order and saw this book for sale at the counter.  I made an impulse buy and purchased it, and I'm glad I did. As a reviewer, I don't purchase books often because I get many books in exchange for writing reviews.  In order for one to be interesting enough for me to want to purchase it these days is rare.

It can be purchased here on Amazon by clicking this link:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0986049336?keywords=if%20these%20fields%20could%20talk&qid=1448971052&ref_=sr_1_1&s=books&sr=1-1
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