This is definitely a fantasy novel. Being a Tolkien fan, I found many days of enjoyable reading here in J.S. Harrison’s world. This is a place that is crowded with Fairies, Leprechauns, friendly Trolls and Ogres, Wizards, Knights, Dragons, Vampire assassins, large evil black rabbits and ghouls along with Men, Dwarves, Elves and Trofkins.
With an anti-racist sentimism, the author places many different races together to embark on a journey that may bring hope to the people of Werdanbabadood and to save their world from the Evil Wizard, Sardego. This strange mixture of people go through many trials and adventures to find the Knights, only to arrive at a time when so few were able to come to their aide. Regardless of the odds, they carry on and work together in a desperate effort to break the magic staff of Sardego and end his war mongering.
Though everyone plays a very important part in the interwoven web of events, it is the Trofkins, a tree-dwelling people of writers and lovers of food and mischief, who are the heroes of the world. This race was thought unlikely to produce heroes, being a people of many social constraints and clear definitions of what is proper or not. Yet with war on their doorstep, they had little choice but place their only hope in their young chieftain-to-be, the one Trofkin who seemed the least likely to be responsible enough to accomplish this dangerous task. Young Willowby goes far beyond any expectation the Trofkin could have had for even the greatest of their kind. He proves his worth to himself and his people and gains the necessary confidence to rule with a fair, yet just hand.
I very much enjoyed J.S. Harrison’s writing style. It was like being drawn into a big sitting room with a large fireplace, where a deep grandfatherly voice tells the story of Willowby Went. Then without realizing it, I felt sucked into the scenery and it was if I had become the cameraperson at a real, live historical event. It was an effort to put aside the book to carry on with my own tasks!
Keep an eye out for future work by J.S. Harrison folks! I have a feeling he’s going to be one of the ‘great’ writers of our era."
Jumat, 10 Februari 2012
The 7 Rules of Businnes
For years, I have tried to answer this one question: What do small businesses that achieve sustained growth do differently from those that do not grow?
As a senior consultant for Inc. magazine, I speak to thousands of business owners each year. I've learned that there are no silver bullets or 17-point checklists that will lead to guaranteed growth. There are, however, seven specific areas in which growth companies concentrate their efforts.
1. Strong sense of purpose. Most leaders of companies that have achieved growth discover that it takes more than the promise of increasing financial reward to fuel their aspirations and ambitions. They find a higher calling than simply the pursuit of "more money."
2. Outstanding market intelligence. This is an organization's ability to first recognize, then adapt, to fundamental changes in the marketplace. Many times, small-business owners become too myopic, seeing only a limited view of the markets in which they compete. Growth leaders see the bigger picture.
3. Effective growth planning. This is the best predictor of whether or not a business will grow. To be effective, a plan for growth does not need to be overly formal or complicated. However, it does need to be written, well-communicated and regularly updated.
4. Customer-driven processes. These days, every company I talk to believes it is customer-driven, when actually very few really are. Take a look at all of the business processes from a customer's perspective. Are they in place to make it easier for the company, or to help deliver on the promise of faster, cheaper and better for the customer?
5. The power of technology. Successful leaders don't let the boom and bust of technology cycles give them the excuse to ignore that we live in an information age. If a company is in business, it is in the technology business.
6. The best and brightest people. Growth leaders recognize that they are only as good as the people with whom they work. The ability to hire, train and retain the best and the brightest people is often the difference between success and failure.
7. Seeing the future. Few organizations take the time to regularly consider the future. Growth leaders learn how to diligently monitor and interpret the macro forces of change affecting the world in which they live.
As a senior consultant for Inc. magazine, I speak to thousands of business owners each year. I've learned that there are no silver bullets or 17-point checklists that will lead to guaranteed growth. There are, however, seven specific areas in which growth companies concentrate their efforts.
1. Strong sense of purpose. Most leaders of companies that have achieved growth discover that it takes more than the promise of increasing financial reward to fuel their aspirations and ambitions. They find a higher calling than simply the pursuit of "more money."
2. Outstanding market intelligence. This is an organization's ability to first recognize, then adapt, to fundamental changes in the marketplace. Many times, small-business owners become too myopic, seeing only a limited view of the markets in which they compete. Growth leaders see the bigger picture.
3. Effective growth planning. This is the best predictor of whether or not a business will grow. To be effective, a plan for growth does not need to be overly formal or complicated. However, it does need to be written, well-communicated and regularly updated.
4. Customer-driven processes. These days, every company I talk to believes it is customer-driven, when actually very few really are. Take a look at all of the business processes from a customer's perspective. Are they in place to make it easier for the company, or to help deliver on the promise of faster, cheaper and better for the customer?
5. The power of technology. Successful leaders don't let the boom and bust of technology cycles give them the excuse to ignore that we live in an information age. If a company is in business, it is in the technology business.
6. The best and brightest people. Growth leaders recognize that they are only as good as the people with whom they work. The ability to hire, train and retain the best and the brightest people is often the difference between success and failure.
7. Seeing the future. Few organizations take the time to regularly consider the future. Growth leaders learn how to diligently monitor and interpret the macro forces of change affecting the world in which they live.
Ten Times Guilty
Brenda Hill’s passion for the world of writing and her experiences as an editor, proofreader and educator have definitely worked exceptionally well together to develop her book - Ten Times Guilty. This suspense thriller is truly an outstanding novel. I do not mean to sound cliché when I say that I had difficulty setting aside this review project. In fact, for two days I had forgotten about lunch entirely!
Sergeant Reese and his partner, Captain Cooper, are on the case of a serial rapist and stalker. Tracy Micheals, a young single mother from a neglected childhood, is struggling to make a better life when she is brutally assaulted and terrorized by a stalker. Sergeant Reese suspects Tracy’s attacker is the same man he is hunting for – but so far, none of the surviving victims are willing to break through their terror and help the police bring the mad-man in. Tracy knows in her heart that Reese is the only one who can save her life and lovable Suzy Banning is the one person who can save her mind. But does she dare to let them help her?
The author displays her skill right from the first few sentences, which really grabbed hold of me, dragged me into the story and would not let me go. The novel has incredible insight to the daily troubles that rape victims endure. From medical procedures and healing – both physically and mentally – all were well done without being too technical. Historical and present-day societal views of rape are discussed with clarity and understanding. I loved how she portrayed the support systems and enjoyed following along with the police who chased clues along the trail. The level of suspense was consistent throughout the book and each character’s inner battles were clearly portrayed. Brenda Hill certainly deserves to sit among the ranks of best-selling writers like Nora Roberts (Carolina Moon), William Diehl (Thai Horse) and Trevanian (Shibumi)!
Sergeant Reese and his partner, Captain Cooper, are on the case of a serial rapist and stalker. Tracy Micheals, a young single mother from a neglected childhood, is struggling to make a better life when she is brutally assaulted and terrorized by a stalker. Sergeant Reese suspects Tracy’s attacker is the same man he is hunting for – but so far, none of the surviving victims are willing to break through their terror and help the police bring the mad-man in. Tracy knows in her heart that Reese is the only one who can save her life and lovable Suzy Banning is the one person who can save her mind. But does she dare to let them help her?
The author displays her skill right from the first few sentences, which really grabbed hold of me, dragged me into the story and would not let me go. The novel has incredible insight to the daily troubles that rape victims endure. From medical procedures and healing – both physically and mentally – all were well done without being too technical. Historical and present-day societal views of rape are discussed with clarity and understanding. I loved how she portrayed the support systems and enjoyed following along with the police who chased clues along the trail. The level of suspense was consistent throughout the book and each character’s inner battles were clearly portrayed. Brenda Hill certainly deserves to sit among the ranks of best-selling writers like Nora Roberts (Carolina Moon), William Diehl (Thai Horse) and Trevanian (Shibumi)!
Sweet News
The road to a healthy heart runs through the kitchen. Just ask Joe Piscatella, who had coronary bypass surgery at the early age of 32. Told that he wouldn't live to see his two young children graduate from high school, Joe decided to take a crash course in heart-healthy eating and learned a few things along the way.
Thirty years later, Joe is now the President of the Institute for Fitness and Health and best-selling author of "The Road to a Healthy Heart Runs Through the Kitchen." Full of facts and sound advice, this book is an easy-to-follow lifestyle plan that combines the newest guidelines from the USDA with 300 easy and delicious recipes.
Joe knows the importance of eating foods that you love and explains how to include them in a heart-healthy diet. Take America's favorite fruit: the Strawberry. Strawberries are a superfood that Joe recommends to increase levels of folate, a B vitamin important for heart health. Studies have shown a reduction in artery-damaging inflammation and lower blood pressure after eating a serving of strawberries every day for eight weeks. Luckily for your heart, fresh, sweet strawberries are available year-round from California!
According to Joe, "This book is easy to follow and will engage your head along with your stomach in the quest for a lifestyle that will really make a difference."
Spinach, Strawberry and Walnut Salad
4 servings
4 cups of fresh baby spinach leaves
1/4 cup wine vinaigrette
1 cup thickly sliced California strawberries
1/2 cup blueberries
1/4 cup walnut halves, chopped
Toss spinach with vinaigrette. Add berries and walnuts. Toss again.
Nutrition Note: The antioxidants in strawberries and the omega-3 fatty acids in the walnuts help keep artery walls healthy.
You can include the food you love in a heart-healthy diet.
Thirty years later, Joe is now the President of the Institute for Fitness and Health and best-selling author of "The Road to a Healthy Heart Runs Through the Kitchen." Full of facts and sound advice, this book is an easy-to-follow lifestyle plan that combines the newest guidelines from the USDA with 300 easy and delicious recipes.
Joe knows the importance of eating foods that you love and explains how to include them in a heart-healthy diet. Take America's favorite fruit: the Strawberry. Strawberries are a superfood that Joe recommends to increase levels of folate, a B vitamin important for heart health. Studies have shown a reduction in artery-damaging inflammation and lower blood pressure after eating a serving of strawberries every day for eight weeks. Luckily for your heart, fresh, sweet strawberries are available year-round from California!
According to Joe, "This book is easy to follow and will engage your head along with your stomach in the quest for a lifestyle that will really make a difference."
Spinach, Strawberry and Walnut Salad
4 servings
4 cups of fresh baby spinach leaves
1/4 cup wine vinaigrette
1 cup thickly sliced California strawberries
1/2 cup blueberries
1/4 cup walnut halves, chopped
Toss spinach with vinaigrette. Add berries and walnuts. Toss again.
Nutrition Note: The antioxidants in strawberries and the omega-3 fatty acids in the walnuts help keep artery walls healthy.
You can include the food you love in a heart-healthy diet.
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