Monday, December 26, 2011

REVIEW - Just One Thing by Rick Hanson PhD

Date:                     November 27, 2012
Title:                     Just One Thing
Author:                  Rick Hanson
ISBN 13:                 978-1608820313
Pages:                   117
Publisher:              Smith Publicity – New Harbinger Publications
Cover:                   Electronic Galley
Reviewer:              Yolanda M. Johnson-Bryant – Literary Wonders!  
Rating:                  4 Stars


           Just One Thing by Rick Hanson is a non-fiction, self-help selection that suggests strategies to retrain your brain and your thought process to live a more positive and fulfilling life. I’ve followed Rick for a short time now and I believe that his practices will work for anyone looking to improve their life.
          Rick uses scientific facts and studies of the brain and its different sectors. He shows ways that one can re-train their brain to capture more positive thoughts than negative ones.
          Reading Just One Thing has repositioned my thought process and I have implemented positive life choices that I intend to exemplify in the coming New Year. Unlike many books of this genre and topic, Just One Thing is one of those books that you will find yourself referring back to on a regular basis.
          There are fifty-two principles to follow in this book—that’s one principle per week. The principles rang from relaxation and sleep, to smiling and being generous. This book review is based on an electronic galley; however, I will be purchasing the book for my self-improvement library as I feel is a book that will be used frequently.

Sunday, December 25, 2011

On the 12th Day of Christmas - Sha Lognion and Fancy Your Place LLC

(Click here to listen to Sha's interview) Also on iTunes.



Sha Lognion is Executive Chef and Owner of Fancy Your Plate. Fancy Your Plate is an online gourmet frozen food company that delivers to the United States, and if you are in the Maumelle, Little Rock, North Little Rock, AR area she also offers catering services. With a passion for cooking exquisite foods for anyone to enjoy, she founded Fancy Your Plate because she noticed that the need for personal chefs was decreasing due to the economic times. She feels everyone should be able to enjoy a gourmet meal without having to pay gourmet prices.

Sha started cooking at the age of seven, and as she got older, and with a more elegant palate, she expanded her repertoire and her recipe catalogue. She is a traditional Southern cook and also specializes in Creole and French cuisine, and can cater to any dietary need. And, when she is not in the kitchen, she likes to compete in cooking competitions and travel with her family to different food festivals.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year


On the 11th Day of Christmas - Chisa "LadyBizness" Pennix-Brown


If you’re not familiar with Chisa Pennix-Brown’s name, you certainly know her brand. LadyBizness was incorporated in March of 2010 as an effort to aid women owned businesses. The motto is Women Helping Women; this is achieved through events and instructional series. Their anthem is Show Up & Show Out; this is achieved through their Mobile Boutique & Shopping Parties we sponsor.

Check out www.LadyBizness.Issuu.com if you're interested in booking the Lady Bizness Mobile Boutique.

Chisa is also a Social Media Concierge. She sponsors business development classes such as, Advertising on a Budget, and will teach Social Media How-to Classes.

LadyBizness also maintains the website www.LadyBizness.com providing a marketing platform for members, organizations, and events. Lady Bizness sponsors several small businesses through the website. In addition, the brand facilitates several Face book groups; including Bizness Ladiez and contributions to Women of Color Making Changes. They manage www.LadyBizness.Meetup.com, and writes for www.LadyBizness.wordpress.com.

Contact Chisa D Pennix-Brown, MBA at LadyBiznessOnline@Yahooo.com or search at either www.Facebook.com.RealLadyBizness or www.Facebook.com/OfficialLadyBizess.

Friday, December 23, 2011

On the 10th Day of Christmas - Tee C. Royal

Tee C. Royal is the founder, owner and operator of RAWSISTAZ Literary Group. RAWSISTAZ, Reading And Writing SISTAZ was founded September 2000 by this literary belle.  RAWSISTAZ is a permanent and constant fixture in the African-American literary community. 

RAWSISTAZ features African-American authors, reviews books by African-American authors and supports literary works of African American Authors. RAWSISTAZ has a team of reviews and various chapters across the United States.

Tee C. Royal is also a freelance reviewer, editor, literary agent and web designer. She is a wife and mother of two beautiful children.

Mrs. Royal is a graduate of Grambling State University and a former Captain with the United States Air Force. When it comes to web design and African-American literacy, Tee C. is a true Royal!

Thursday, December 22, 2011

On the 9th Day of Christmas - Algenon Cash

(Click here to listen to Algenon's interview) Also on iTunes


Algenon (Al-ja-non) is managing director of Wharton Gladden, a boutique real estate investment banking firm  headquartered in North Carolina.  In 2003, Algenon and a group of private investors created Wharton Gladden to provide small and middle market business owners, real estate developers, and investors with commercial mortgage banking, private equity, and capital markets advisory.  Today, Wharton Gladden has strategically advised clients on over $1 Billion in whole loan acquisitions and liquidations, and the firm has been engaged in 119 multifamily and commercial real estate transactions that have totaled over $250 Million. 

Algenon launched the Wharton Gladden Foundation in 2009 to honor the lifelong contributions of Irene Wharton and Franklin Gladden.  The foundation supports local charities that provide services to victims of homelessness, substance abuse, and domestic violence.  Algenon serves as chairman of the Wharton Gladden Foundation.

Algenon served on the board of directors of TREBIC, an association that is dedicated to promoting economic development, balanced growth, and protecting private property rights.  He is a past member of NAIOP / Commercial Real Estate Development Association board of directors, an association that is committed to providing commercial real estate developers with innovative strategies, education, and networking.  He was appointed to NAIOP National Young Professionals Forum and met with peers from around the country to tackle issues concerning young executives in the commercial real estate industry.   In addition, NAIOP appointed Algenon to their National Membership Committee to help  create and implement strategies  that will lead  to effective recruitment and retention of members.   Lastly, Algenon serves on the advisory board for local small business – Efird Sutphin & Pearce, and Bennett College’s Students in Free Enterprise.

In 2007, Algenon organized a variety of real estate associations in the Piedmont to host the Triad Dealmakers Symposium, an event that promoted regional networking and education to over 200 attendees.  In the same year, he created and led the implementation of the Piedmont Real Estate Council to provide highly valued programming to members of the regional real estate community.

In 2010, the North Carolina Council on Economic Education appointed Algenon to their board of directors, and subsequently to the executive committee.  Algenon serves as the Governmental Affairs Chair and he co-chairs the Marketing /Public Relations Committee.  In 2011, the Piedmont Club, which is a premier business club in the Piedmont Triad, appointed Algenon to chair the Membership Council and serve on their Board of Governors.  Algenon is responsible for developing and leading the Piedmont Club’s inaugural membership campaign.

Algenon has received a variety of prestigious awards and recognitions.  In 2006, he was named a Paul Harris Fellow with Rotary International.  In 2007, he was named one of the Triad Business Journal’s “40 Leaders under Forty”.  In the same year, he was one of 15 recipients and the only one selected in the Southeast to receive a National Developing Leaders Award.  In 2008, Business Leader Media named Algenon one of 30 “Triad Movers & Shakers” and one of 24 “Impact Leaders” in the real estate industry.  In 2009 and 2010, Business Leader Media named Wharton Gladden one of North Carolina’s “Top 100 Small Businesses”.  In 2011, Business Leader Media named Wharton Gladden one of the “Top 300 Small Businesses in the Southeast”. 

Algenon is growing to become a speaker in great demand and he now speaks to a variety of businesses and professional groups about real estate, capital markets, wealth building, success, and leadership.  Algenon has been profiled in a variety of publications such as the Triad Business Journal, Business Leader Magazine, and Development Magazine.   He writes a regular blog at AlgenonCash.com.  He is a guru on personal finance and appeared regularly on 97.1 QMG with radio personality Busta Brown, and he was the co-host of Community Focus with Renee Vaughn.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

On the 8th Day of Christmas William "Bill" Brown

William “Bill” Brown is the creator and owner of Ideas for AV. Bill specializes in Audio Visual and Information Technology solutions for small businesses and corporations.
He is committed to excellence in customer service and is very intuitive regarding customer needs. His professionalism, approachability, and knowledge make him credible and trusted. His follow-thru and follow-up, which insures client satisfaction, sets him apart from others in his industry.
Ideas for AV provide professional services covering every phase of a project life cycle, from situational assessments and technology audits to implementation project management and transition to sustaining operations. We offer consulting services through on-site and virtual meetings, workshops and speaking engagements in areas of Technology Needs Assessment, AV/IT Consulting, Managed Services, Technology Staffing and R4 Programs.

In addition to his AV and IT expertise, Bill is also a member of Toastmasters International, having achieved his Advanced Communicator Bronze and his Competent Communicator Awards.  His other memberships and certifications include InfoComm International, Project Management Institute and National Systems Contractors Association.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

On the 7th Day of Christmas - Sondra Wright

(Click here to listen to Sondra's interview) Also on iTunes
Sondra Wright radiates a warm energy that connects with women everywhere the moment she walks into a room. With a truly dynamic presence, she is a powerful leader in coaching and mentorship and has served to inspire thousands of women on to life transformational journeys.

Involved in the health and wellness industry for more than a decade, Sondra has dedicated her life’s work to empowering women through her speaking, writing and mentoring programs. An inductee into the Phi Kappa Phi National Honor Society, she is an honors graduate of the Master’s degree program in Counseling and Human Resources and B.A. degree program in Psychology from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She is a member of various professional societies including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, and operates a thriving commercial landscape construction company in the Piedmont region of central North Carolina.

Midway into her career Sondra turned her professional focus to making a significant contribution in two important areas for women; entrepreneurship and natural healthcare and alternative therapies. A prolific speaker, Sondra has led hundreds of seminars and workshops on topics such as, “Rethink Your Inc: Incorporating Savvy for Women,’” “Thriving in The New Economy,” “The Heart Smart Woman,” “Why Cure it For $3 When We Can Treat it For $20? And Other Things Your MD Won’t Say.” Upon discovering the universal challenges many women face in midlife and how faulty midlife mindsets tests a woman’s confidence, self-esteem and ability to move forward, Sondra chose to focus her life’s work on helping women live FEARLESSLY in midlife and beyond. As a result Sondra was forced to examine her own life and make sure she was not just talking the talk, but walking the walk; living authentically and completely aligned with all she was teaching about reinvention and transformation in midlife. Within a year of founding Forty Plus and Fabulous, LLC, Sondra fulfilled a childhood dream and published the first book in her series, ‘40+ and Fabulous: Moving Forward Fierce, Focused and Full of Life!”

Committed to community service, Sondra has served on the Board of Directors for Seniors Solutions of North Carolina and Beauty4Ashes International and as a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters of America and the Youth Focus Teen Crisis Hotline.  Continuing her dedicated service to youth and the aging she currently serves on the Steering Committee for the Kinship Care Coalition and Advocacy Group of North Carolina; the Board of Directors for KinGap Services of North Carolina, and as a volunteer Guardian ad Litem.

Monday, December 19, 2011

On the 6th Day of Christmas - Kristen Eckstein

(Click here to listen to Kristen's interview) Also on iTunes
Other people call me “The Ultimate Book Coach”. You can call me Kristen. I’m a book-loving, chocolate-eating, stuffed animal-hugging, people-craving gal who cannot imagine a life without books. I started writing when I was five years old, read my first “adult” level novel when I was nine and now I’m the author of six books with two more scheduled for release before the end of 2011. My need for books is as great as my need for food.

In 2003 I served as the Marketing Director for a vanity publishing company that featured a traditional publishing arm. I learned the ins and outs of vanity, subsidy and traditional publishing – what to look for, what to avoid and how to make sure authors don’t get ripped off. I also published two of my own books in less than a year.

When I left that company, my husband and I co-founded Imagine! Studios, LLC, an art and media production company. We soon began publishing authors’ books again under our own label, and I published another book of my own. A relocation caused us to hand that portion of our business off to another capable publisher and I began my next role as a publishing consultant.


Sunday, December 18, 2011

On the 5th Day of Christmas - Tammy Holyfield

(Click here to listen to Tammy's Interview) Also on iTunes
Tammy Holyfield is an accomplished professional speaker, leadership expert, author and consultant, on a mission to teach and inspire people to improve their everyday life! 

Using the methods and principles she teaches, Tammy has overcome great obstacles. Her message is dynamic, encouraging people to succeed and inspiring them to act! 

Holyfield began her professional career in marketing and served as the Director of Marketing for Summit Pet Product Distributors, the IAMs Pet Food (Proctor and Gamble) regional distribution center. Today, she is the founder and CEO of Holyfield Consulting, a personal and business development company. Holyfield Consulting specializes in organizational development, strategic planning, communication, building trust, strengthening teams, leadership development, increasing accountability and executing results. Each week she writes a column entitled “Ask the Coach”® which provides readers a fresh perspective on current challenges facing the business world. 

Tammy addresses thousands of people each year from diverse Fortune 500 companies and has consulted, and trained entrepreneurs, CEO’s, professionals and individuals from all walks of life. Her ideas are proven, practical and get results. And clients say that working with Tammy created an increase in moral, solidified corporate culture, and bridged the communication gap from vision to results. Her audiences and clients agree, Tammy teaches techniques and strategies that are easy to understand and put to use immediately to achieve greater results in their lives and careers. Tammy and her family make their home in High Point, NC.

www.tammyholyfield.com

Saturday, December 17, 2011

On the 4th Day of Christmas - Simply Sue Falcone

(Click here to listen to Sue's interview) - Also on iTunes


Illegitimate and not expected to live, Sue Falcone, known as "Simply" Sue is an expert in the art of overcoming adversity.

"Simply" Sue has climbed over life's obstacles thrown in her path: fear, insecurity, physical and emotional abuse, doubt, obesity (weighing over 300 lbs) and financial meltdown (overe 160k in debt). In spite of the trials, she overcame them to become a successful AT&T executive, and direct sales and service business owner.

Using this varied background and growth from life experiences, "Simply" Sue has transformed these principles and used them as a dynamic international motivational Speaker, Trainer, Life Coach, and Published Author.

"Simply" Sue dared to live her dreams through her faith in God and developed tools for success, in spite of many adversities. She uses these proven strategies and equips companies, groups, and individuals who want to achieve their full potential now.

How? "Simply" Sue outlines compelling and empowering keynotes, leads break-out sessions, creates workshops, and designs seminars & retreats to reveal simple change-agents for organizations and individuals.

"Simply" Sue is well equipped to speak in a variety of settings, and is available to partner with other speakers.  

www.simplysuespeaks.com


Friday, December 16, 2011

On the 3rd Day of Christmas - Shelia Goss


Shelia M. Goss writes in multiple genres. She is the author of the Essence Magazine, Dallas Morning News and Black Expressions Bestseller My Invisible Husband andRoses are thorns, Violets are true, Paige’s Web,Double Platinum, His Invisible Wife, Hollywood Deception, Delilah, Savannah’s Curse, and Ruthless (Dec. 2011). She’s also the author of the young adult book series The Lip Gloss Chronicles: The Ultimate Test, Splitsville, Paper Thin, Secrets Untold and Secrets Undone (2012).

Her books are available in stores or from any of the online retailers or order direct from www.kensingtonbooks.com.
Shelia also writes young adult fiction. Be sure to share the news of her books with a teen in your life. The website iswww.thelipglosschronicles.com. The Ultimate Test, Splitsville, Paper Thin, and Secrets Untold are the books in the Lip Gloss Chronicles series.

Although Shelia has a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, her passion for writing has always been there. Shelia decided to pursue her life-long dream after being down-sized from a fortune 500 company.
www.sheliamgoss.com

Thursday, December 15, 2011

On the 2nd Day of Christmas - John T. Wills

(Click here to listen to John's interview)  Also on iTunes


John T. Wills is an author, speaker, past professor, teacher, publisher, contributor to newspapers and online magazines. Executive Producer of the most dynamic and exciting literary radio show on the air; “The Book Tree Radio Show” is a designed to promote literacy, showcase authors, writers, wordsmiths, poets and other relevant content to empower the minds of a broad base community. 

Mr. Wills has earned a Master’s and Bachelors Degree in Business Administration. He's been a professor at Sojourner-Douglass College (HBC), Past Board Member of the Bowie State University Foundation, President of JT Wills Consulting, Past Vice President of the MD/DC Minority Supplier Development Council, one of the hosts of the Black Empowered Men Radio Show, author of “Just a Season” and "Legacy - A New Season", a Journalist by way of the Washington Examiner and a blogging, supporter of several community organizations, a volunteer, a strong advocate for literacy empowerment and friend to many. 

Any accolades attributed to his spirit are the result of the solid foundation provided by a loving grandfather. This great man assertively implanted the concept that knowledge is power, which developed into the understanding that education is the single most important ingredient necessary to neutralize those forces that breed poverty and despair. This philosophy planted the seeds that cultivated a life, which is “Just a Season".

www.johntwills.com
www.justaseason.com

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

On the 1st Day of Christmas Bonnie Calhoun


(Click here to listen to Bonnie's interview) Also on iTunes
Bonnie Calhoun is the Owner/Director of the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance (CFBA) where she has 250+ book reviewer blogs that twice weekly do blog tours for the latest in Christian fiction. She is also the Owner/Publisher of Christian Fiction Online Magazine (CFOM), a three-year-old, 50+ page Ezine with columns and articles by the best and brightest authors and professionals in Christian fiction. Bonnie Services as the President of the Christian Author's Network (CAN), and Northeast Zone Director of America Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW). 
Bonnie's debut novel, Cooking the Books is due to be released in April 2012. 

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas!

Hello America! I’m that Literary Lady and I’d like to welcome you to the 12 Days of Christmas presented by Literary Wonders! Media Group and Bryant Consulting. As you know, Bryant Consulting features entrepreneurs making a difference in their businesses and their communities and Literary Wonders! features authors, their written works, and their contributions to their communities.  

Starting tomorrow, December 14th through Christmas day, we will bring you the 12 Days of Christmas podcast. We will highlight a combination of literary geniuses and entrepreneurial giants.  We will feature real estate moguls to published authors to chefs to IT/AV geeks.

In addition to these iTunes podcasts, you will be able to catch these feature pods on our websites at www.literarywonders.com, lwtheauthorshideaway.blogspot.com, thatliterarylady.com and all our social media profiles. You will be able to learn more about our guest, learn how to interact with them and find out how to get in touch with them.

I hand selected our guests personally because I feel that each one of them add value to the lives of others and they deserve to be recognized. I know each of these very important people, and in addition to their careers, they give back to their communities in a big way.

These special people yield from Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, New York, North Carolina and other places across the country.  

So, from all of us at Literary Wonders! Media Group and Bryant Consulting, that Literary Lady would like to wish every single one of you a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Kwanza, Feliz Navidad and  a 4P Kind of New Year!

The 12 Days of Christmas

 

Monday, October 24, 2011

REVIEW - Cooking the Books by Bonnie Calhoun

Date:                     8/10/11
Title:                     Cooking the Books
Author:                 Bonnie S. Calhoun
ISBN 13:                978-1-4267-3388-8
Pages:                   320
Publisher:              Abingdon Press
Cover:                   Electronic ARC
Reviewer:              Yolanda M. Johnson-Bryant – Literary Wonders!  
Rating:                  4 Stars



           Cooking the Books is by debut author Bonnie S. Calhoun and is part of the Sloan Templeton Series. Sloan Templeton inherited Beckman’s Books and Brew from her late mother. Sloan can think of a hundred other things she would rather be doing, but she wants to honor her mother and keep the bookstore alive.

          Sloan in a kind and caring soul and attempts to help those in need. This rings true when she finds young woman sleeping in her car and soon finds out the woman is a victim of abuse. Sloan befriends the woman but makes sure she keeps her distance. The last thing she needs in her life is drama. She is already dealing with a crazy, stalking ex, who can’t take no for an answer.

          Sloan is on high alert when people become very interested in one particular book—so much that they are willing to kill for it.

          At first, the book appeared to start of slow and I was a bit confused at the beginning of the book. I still never figured out what the prologue had to do with the rest of the book. Perhaps that will be revealed in a later installment.

          When the book finally picked up, the action, and the laughs never stopped. Bonnie uses a cast of colorful and original characters that help make Cooking the Books and exciting read.

          Kudos to Mrs. Calhoun for her first novel. I look forward to more of the Sloan Templeton Series and more from this author.