Tuesday, January 26, 2010

How Obama Governed: The Year of Crisis and Challenge

 

President Obama’s popularity rating in December polls has plummeted faster than former President Bush’s at the same juncture of their presidency. In his new book How Obama Governed: The Year of Crisis and Challenge, author and political analyst Earl Ofari Hutchinson predicted that Obama’s popularity ratings would drop fast. “The war, the economy, and health care reform were important in Obama’s popularity plunge, Hutchinson argues, “they aren’t the only reason for the drop.”


"Obama is a victim of his own rhetoric of hope and change," says Hutchinson in How Obama Won. Obama revved up people’s expectations of immediate change on everything from the economy to the wars. "The performance could never match the rhetoric," says Hutchinson

“The problem is that Obama tapped into the public’s deep seated frustration and disgust with politics and politicians,” says Hutchinson. “Once the tap was made, the public expected Obama to be different and act different than other politicians. The reality is that he’s no different and that’s a prescription for personal and political failure.”

Hutchinson further predicts that Obama’s popularity numbers will continue to plunge in 2010 and that the Democrats will be mortally hurt in the year’s mid term elections.


In How Obama Won, Hutchinson gives a no holds barred assessment of the make and break issues that confront Obama in 2010. These are the issues that will determine whether Obama can really deliver on his lofty promise of hope and change.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson is an author and political analyst. 

 

 

 

 

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Sunday, November 15, 2009

The Muse by Fred Warren

Imagine you’re a writer searching desperately for inspiration.

Imagine that one day, you find it, but in a way that seems impossible, that challenges all your assumptions about reality.

Imagine if inspiration could be fatal.

The Muse

by

Fred Warren

Stan Marino needs a muse. He’s written himself into a corner…again.

A shot of inspiration is all he needs to finish his story…where will he find it?

Stan doesn’t realize that inspiration has found him, and it’s about to take over his life. Ripped from reality, he must lead a band of lost souls into a life-or-death battle with a merciless enemy.

Stan has found his muse, but will he survive it?

Read the First Chapter Here

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

A Source of Hope, Courage and Inspiration


Overcomers, Inc: True stories of hope, courage, and inspiration will give readers the knowledge and emotional resilience to face the most difficult times of life by sharing inspiring stories of triumph.

You will find this a book of diversity. There are many authors, from many walks of life. However, they all share a common bond. They triumphed over tragedy and gleaned wisdom in this process. While this is not a religious book, there are stories full of faith, of many kinds and flavors. It is funny how in your darkest times, faith often becomes your brightest light.

All of the contributors to this book want to encourage you to hold tight to your belief that a better day will come. It is their sincere desire to pass along what they’ve learned through their own trials, to make your journey easier.

To get your own copy and receive dozens of bonus gifts go tohttp://www.overcomersbook.com/booklaunch

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Enjoy a peek inside the book with this excerpt.

Listen to What Your Heart Already Knows
Lauren P. Salamone

The good news: Finally, I knew the cause of my muscle disorder... and the tumor was benign.

The bad news: While my symptoms wouldn’t get worse, I would not regain full use of my muscles. I just had to hope for some improvement.

From Overcomers, Inc.; True Stories of Hope, Courage and Inspiration. To get your own copy and receive dozens of bonus gifts go to http://www.overcomersbook.com/booklaunch

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Dreams Come True

It has been an amazing journey. Stepping out from this place of belief has resulted in success for me – and for so many college students – with much more to come. The feedback I receive from students, parents, and deans is abundantly gratifying. I am a guest speaker, a mentor and a coach. I belong to mastermind groups that help keep me inspired and in top form. And I am living well with my muscle disorder, which is pretty much undetectable to those around me at this point.

To top it off, I came home one day to a message from an editor who wanted to know whether my book was still available to be published! (It’s coming out in 2010!)

Had I not experienced my challenging medical year, I never would have allowed myself to realize my dream. Misfortune can actually lead us to a place of joy we wouldn’t otherwise know. Whatever challenge you face, I hope you will allow yourself to recognize a meaningful opportunity that may arise as a result. Play soothing music, light a candle, mentally exhale, and listen to your heart. You will be delighted by what you hear.

From Overcomers, Inc.; True Stories of Hope, Courage and Inspiration. To get your own copy and receive dozens of bonus gifts go to http://www.overcomersbook.com/booklaunch

Monday, September 28, 2009

Widow's Walk -- Caught Between Faith and Desire

If you've wondered if Widow's Walk by Kenneth Weene is a book to add to your bookshelf, don't miss Steven Clark Bradley's penetrating review of the book at Stories that Read You http://stevenbradley.blogspot.com/2009/09/widows-walk-by-ken-weene-story-that.html . Bradley says, "In Widow’s Walk, Ken Weene uses a lot of excellent descriptions to paint some very deep-seated feelings […]."

While you're there learn more about the author Ken Weene in the in-depth interview, and take a moment to leave a comment. Those who do will be added to a random drawing for a chance to win a copy of Widow's Walk or Ken's book of poetry.


If you haven't already read Widow's Walk, be sure to pick your copy up at Kenneth Weene’s Author Website - http://widows-walk.webs.com/ or at Amazon http://tiny.cc/M5TjW.


You can also connect with him on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/kenneth.weene or Twitter - https://twitter.com/Ken_Weene.


For more information about Kenneth Weene and his virtual tour, check the schedule at http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2009/08/widows-walk-blog-tour.html

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Set Goals and Save Time

Nicolas Soergel, is the author of Happy About An Extra Hour Every Day. As the CEO of a multi-national corporation, had the opportunity to interview successful executives all over the world about how they manage their time. His book help readers save time negotiating various aspects of their lives, including working, traveling, and housekeeping. Buy the book on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Happy-About-Extra-Hour-Every/dp/1600051405
or visit his blog at http://www.anextrahoureveryday.com.


Set Goals and Save Time
by Nicolas Soergel

On major step on the way to improving your time management skills, is to be clear as to why you want more time to begin with. The better you get at defining your goals, the more motivation you will have to manage your time. Here’s how:

1) Set goals with short timeframes
Watch out for goals that are set too far in the future since it’s likely that you won’t start working on them right away. Instead, break your longer-term goals down into smaller, more immediate sub-targets necessary to achieve the bigger goal. This way, you will start managing your time to work on the goal immediately and you’ll be motivated because you can measure you progress. These sub-targets also give you a realistic idea of how long it may take you to achieve the big goal.

2) Translate your goals into actionable items
Although you might have spent considerable time defining your goals, you still have to translate them into action items that can be tracked and executed. A good approach is to think of each goal as a project and break it down accordingly:

a) Write down all tasks necessary to achieve a goal
b) Set a sequence for the tasks
c) Define an approximate duration for each task
d) Set a deadline for each task
e) Define who is responsible and who has to contribute to each task

After doing this, you not only have a clearer idea of what you want to achieve in your life but also on what you need to do to make it happen.

3) Make your goals and action items public
If you face difficulties pursuing your goals over a long period of time you can use other people to create public pressure. Announcing your goal makes it more difficult to give up or procrastinate on:

 Tell your coworkers you’re going to achieve a goal and report on your progress from time to time.
 Tell your family and friends about your goal and ask them to keep you motivated. Keep them updated and report on the progress of your action items.
 Write about your goal on a blog and post regular updates.
 Register on 43things (www.43things.com) and exchange with people who are pursuing the same goal as well as people who achieved it.
 Print out your goals and display them in a prominent place in your house or office.

Following these three simple steps will help you manage your time better. Not because of the recommendation of some time-management guru – but because they represent a step forward in creating the extra time necessary to achieve your goals in life. What could be more motivating!

Nicolas Soergel, is the author of Happy About An Extra Hour Every Day. As the CEO of a multi-national corporation, had the opportunity to interview successful executives all over the world about how they manage their time. His book help readers save time negotiating various aspects of their lives, including working, traveling, and housekeeping. Buy the book on Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Happy-About-Extra-Hour-Every/dp/1600051405
or visit his blog at http://www.anextrahoureveryday.com.

The Heart Behind the Novel Widow's Walk


Don't miss the interview with author Kenneth Weene at Books and Authors http://joyce-anthony.blogspot.com/2009/09/talking-with-kenneth-weene.html where you'll learn more of the heart behind the novel Widow's Walk. See why he writes and learn more about the passions that drive him. While you're there, be sure to leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of Widow's Walk or his book of poetry. Winners will be chosen at random from among those who leave comments at any stop along the blog tour.


If you haven't already read Widow's Walk, be sure to pick your copy up at Kenneth Weene’s Author Website - http://widows-walk.webs.com/ or at Amazon http://tiny.cc/M5TjW.


You can also connect with him on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/kenneth.weene or Twitter - https://twitter.com/Ken_Weene.


For more information about Kenneth Weene and his virtual tour, check the schedule at http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2009/08/widows-walk-blog-tour.html

Friday, September 18, 2009

Author Kenneth Weene About Faith

You don't want to miss author Kenneth Weene's guest post at The Nurse Mommy Blog http://www.thenursemommy.com/2009/09/guest-posting-about-faith-from-author.html today as he makes thes next stop along his online tour devoted to his novel Widow's Walk. He talks about his main character, Mary, and questions whether or not she is really a woman of faith or merely a follower of religion. Interesting and thought provoking you don't want to miss this one. Be sure to stop by and leave a comment. If you do, you put yourself in the running to win a copy of Widow's Walk or Ken's poetry book. Winners will be drawn at random.


If you haven't already read Widow's Walk, be sure to pick your copy up at Kenneth Weene’s Author Website - http://widows-walk.webs.com/ or at Amazon http://tiny.cc/M5TjW.


You can also connect with him on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/kenneth.weene or Twitter - https://twitter.com/Ken_Weene.


For more information about Kenneth Weene and his virtual tour, check the schedule at http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2009/08/widows-walk-blog-tour.html

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Widow's Walk Reviewed


Check out the latest review of Widow's Walk by author Kenneth Weene as Marilyn's Musings http://marilynmeredith.blogspot.com/2009/09/widows-walk-by-ken-weene.html joins the blog tour. Marilyn says, "This is a love story, a tales about religion and faith, marriage, life and death. It's not a particularly happy story, but it is a true slice of life, wonderful at times and heart-wrenching at others." Widow's Walk reflects how family, friendship, love, faith, and character affect that struggle.


When you stop by be sure to leave a comment. Ken is offering a couple of giveaways to those who leave comments along the Widow's Walk tour stops. Winners will be drawn at random and have a couple of chances to win. Prizes include a copy of Widow's Walk for one lucky winner, and he's also giving away a few copies of his poetry book.


If you haven't already read Widow's Walk, be sure to pick your copy up at Kenneth Weene’s Author Website - http://widows-walk.webs.com/ or at Amazon http://tiny.cc/M5TjW.


You can also connect with him on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/kenneth.weene or Twitter - https://twitter.com/Ken_Weene.


For more information about Kenneth Weene and his virtual tour, check the schedule at http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2009/08/widows-walk-blog-tour.html

Monday, September 14, 2009

Widow's Walk a Story of Lives Turned Upside Down


Drop by Xanga.com http://cce613.xanga.com/711963936/book-promo-widows-walk-by-ken-weene/ today to catch the latest peek inside author Kenneth Weene's Widow's Walk. Host Chelle Cordero shares an excerpt from this riveting book in which you'll meet Mary Flanagan, a woman caught between her sense of religion and obligation on one hand and her very human desire for love and life on the other.


Widow's Walk is a story of good people who struggle – sometimes successfully and often not – to deal with the challenges in their lives. The novel reflects how family, friendship, love, faith, and character affect that struggle. For the Widow's Walk blog tour, Ken Weene is offering a couple of giveaways to those who visit tour stops and leave comments. Winners will be drawn at random and have a couple of chances to win. Prizes include a copy of Widow's Walk for one lucky winner, and he's also giving away a few copies of his poetry book.


If you haven't already read Widow's Walk, be sure to pick your copy up at Kenneth Weene’s Author Website - http://widows-walk.webs.com/ or at Amazon http://tiny.cc/M5TjW.


You can also connect with him on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/kenneth.weene or Twitter - https://twitter.com/Ken_Weene.


For more information about Kenneth Weene and his virtual tour, check the schedule at http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2009/08/widows-walk-blog-tour.html

Friday, September 11, 2009

Meet Christian Author Kenneth Weene

Katie Hines – Walking on Water http://katiehines.blogspot.com/2009/09/meet-christian-author-kenneth-weene.html introduces Christian author, Kenneth Weene and talks with him about his first novel Widow's Walk.


Widow's Walk is a story of good people who struggle – sometimes successfully and often not – to deal with the challenges in their lives. The novel reflects how family, friendship, love, faith, and character affect that struggle. Throughout Weene's diverse career which included teaching, pastoral care and psychology, he has also been devoted to writing. For the Widow's Walk blog tour, he is offering a couple of giveaways to those who visit tour stops and leave comments. Winners will be drawn at random and have a couple of chances to win. Prizes include a copy of Widow's Walk for one lucky winner, and he's also giving away a few copies of his poetry book.


If you haven't already read Widow's Walk, be sure to pick your copy up at Kenneth Weene’s Author Website - http://widows-walk.webs.com/ or at Amazon http://tiny.cc/M5TjW.


You can also connect with him on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/kenneth.weene or Twitter - https://twitter.com/Ken_Weene.


For more information about Kenneth Weene and his virtual tour, check the schedule at http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2009/08/widows-walk-blog-tour.html

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Widow's Walk Peels Back the Layers of a Good Family


According to the latest review at Astrology for Everyday – One Writer's Passion http://gooddaysnodays.blogspot.com/2009/09/blog-review-widows-walk.html Widow's Walk by Kenneth Weene "peels back the layers of a good family torn apart emotionally, spiritually and physically." Be sure to stop by and read the entire review and while you're there leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of the book, or possibly a copy of Weene's book of poetry. The chance to win will be available to people who visit any or all of his stops along the tour route and leave comments. Winners will be drawn at random.


If you haven't already read Widow's Walk, be sure to pick your copy up at Kenneth Weene’s Author Website - http://widows-walk.webs.com/ or at Amazon http://tiny.cc/M5TjW.


You can also connect with him on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/kenneth.weene or Twitter - https://twitter.com/Ken_Weene.


For more information about Kenneth Weene and his virtual tour, check the schedule at http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2009/08/widows-walk-blog-tour.html

Friday, September 4, 2009

Widow's Walk and the Irish Experience in WWII


Stop by Ascroft, eh? today http://dianneascroft.wordpress.com/2009/09/04/widows-walk-by-kenneth-weene/ to get a taste of Kenneth Weene's new novel Widow's Walk. Kenneth sets up introduction to an excerpt you don't want to miss. It offers a glimpse into the Irish experience in WWII.

Widow's Walk is a story of good people who struggle – sometimes successfully and often not – to deal with the challenges in their lives. The novel reflects how family, friendship, love, faith, and character affect that struggle.


Throughout Weene's diverse career which included teaching, pastoral care and psychology, he has also been devoted to writing. For the Widow's Walk blog tour, he is offering a couple of giveaways to those who visit tour stops and leave comments. Winners will be drawn at random and have a couple of chances to win. Prizes include a copy of Widow's Walk for one lucky winner, and he's also giving away a few copies of his poetry book.


If you haven't already read Widow's Walk, be sure to pick your copy up at Kenneth Weene’s Author Website - http://widows-walk.webs.com/ or at Amazon http://tiny.cc/M5TjW.


You can also connect with him on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/kenneth.weene or Twitter - https://twitter.com/Ken_Weene.


For more information about Kenneth Weene and his virtual tour, check the schedule at http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2009/08/widows-walk-blog-tour.html

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Blog Tour with Author Ken Weene Kicks Off Today


Author Kenneth Weene kicks off his virtual blog tour with a stop by Writer's In the Sky http://yvonneperry.blogspot.com/2009/09/widows-walk-by-kenneth-weene.html where Yvonne Perry delves into Kenneth the person and the author with an in-depth interview.


Kenneth's novel, Widow's Walk, is for women who are trying to decide what to do with their lives. It's a book for people who like to experience emotions and at the same time think about life’s meaning. Kenneth's career – primarily in New York – has included teaching, pastoral care, and psychology. Throughout his career Ken has also been devoted to writing, and he is offering a couple of giveaways to people who visit his stops along the tour route and leave comments. Winners will be drawn at random and have a couple of chances to win. Prizes include a copy of Widow's Walk for on lucky winner, and he's also giving away a few copies of his poetry book.


If you haven't already read Widow's Walk, be sure to pick your copy up at Kenneth Weene’s Author Website - http://widows-walk.webs.com/ or at Amazon http://tiny.cc/M5TjW.


You can also connect with him on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/kenneth.weene or Twitter - https://twitter.com/Ken_Weene.


For more information about Kenneth Weene and his virtual tour, check the schedule at http://virtualblogtour.blogspot.com/2009/08/widows-walk-blog-tour.html