Teddy Rose Book Reviews Plus More


Giveaway: Truth in Advertising by John Kenney

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on January 23, 2013
Posted in My Past Giveaways  | 9 Comments

Thanks to Kaitlyn McCrystal of Touchstone Publicity/Simon & Schuster, Inc I am giving away 2 print copies of the Truth in Advertising.


Book Description:


Finbar Dolan  has escaped his blue-collar Boston upbringing to carve out a mildly successful career at Madison Avenue ad agency Lauderbeck, Kline & Vanderhosen.  Fin is happy.  Or so he tells himself.   He feels fulfilled by his work and content in his relationships—at least to the extent that most of his waking hours revolve around a diaper account and that he keeps everyone around him at a careful distance (other than “work wife” Phoebe and Ian, the “gay brother he never had”—except for Kevin, the gay brother Fin does have). 


 Actually, Fin is a bit of a mess.  He recently called off a wedding and now, a few days before Christmas, he’s forced to cancel a long-postponed vacation in order to write, produce, and edit a Super Bowl commercial in record time (Now, with new Snugglies Planet-Changers, the world’s first disposable, bio-degradable diapers, every time you change a diaper, you can help change the world).  Fortunately, it gets worse.  Fin learns that his once-abusive father—who left the family 25 years ago—is dying and alone.  And that neither his brothers nor his sister intend to visit (some families grow closer; others are Irish).  It’s a wake-up call to re-evaluate the choices he has made regarding romantic relationships (thirty-nine and single), marriage (see the aforementioned cancelation of wedding), children (enjoys holding and smelling them, fears being responsible role model for them), and more.


 In hilarious, insightful, and at times sardonic fashion, Fin gradually finds the courage to admit that he’s falling for Phoebe, question whether diapers are really that important, and finally tell the truth about his life and his past.


 BOOKLIST-STARRED REVIEW: “A masterful blend of wit and seriousness, stunning in its honesty.  A novel sure to appeal to fans of Nick Hornby.”

KIRKUS REVIEWS-STARRED REVIEW: “With wry humor, always on point, Kenney guides us through the maze of work, family, love (elusive) and friendship (a lifesaver). This is an outstanding debut.”


 LIBRARY JOURNAL-STARRED REVIEW: “With wry wit, excellent pacing, and pitch-perfect, often hilarious, dialog, Kenney has created something remarkable: a surprisingly funny novel about an adult American male finally becoming a man. Highly recommended.”


About John Kenney:


Kenney has worked in the ad industry for over seventeen years and that experience drives this smart, funny (the opening scene involves Gwyneth Paltrow and diapers), honest novel about (among other things) the absurdity of corporate life, the complications of love, the meaning of family, and the challenge of FINALLY finding your way in life. 

This giveaway is open to Canada and the U.S. and ends on February 5, 2013.  Please use Rafflecopter to enter.

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Copyright 2007-2010: All the posts within this blog were originally posted by Teddy Rose and should not be reproduced without express written permission.

Are you a senior or do you have loved ones who are seniors?  If so, Scammed by Art Maines is a must read for you.  Today I am honored to welcome Art Maines to So Many Precious Books, So Little Time. 


Hi Art, thanks so much for joining us today!


Can you please tell us a bit about yourself ?


Sure! I’m a licensed clinical social worker, and I spend the biggest part of my days doing psychotherapy and counseling with clients for a variety of issues. On my days off I love bicycling (I rode over 1200 miles last year), cooking, and trying new restaurants, among other interests. I love anything that makes me laugh, too.


What compelled you to write a book about protecting seniors from getting Scammed?


My stepfather, Bill, was a scam victim to the tune of $70,000 in 2009. He’s been a part of my life since I was 6, and I saw first-hand the devastation this kind of crime can bring. I realized I had an opportunity to share with others what I was learning about scam recovery and prevention, so I decided to write the book to help others avoid getting ripped off.


When I heard about your book Scammed, I immediately thought of my mother in-law.  Although what I call a scam is actually legal.  A guy went around her apartment building knocking on doors.  For the low price of $4000 he will refinish your dining room table.  She bought into it because it was low monthly payments.  Her table would have been better off in a land fill, it was certainly not worth it to refinish for any price.  LOL!  Is there anything we can do to protect our loved ones from getting scammed by situations that are scummy but legal?


There are so many of these types of things! The main points I want family members to remember is to pay attention and stay connected to their elder. Scams frequently happen in isolation, and I recommend that concerned younger adults talk to their elder regularly about any situations like this and remind them to always ask someone they know and trust for their opinion on an unusual expense. This is part of what I call conducting a regular “scam drill,” like a fire drill, with a senior. 


You made a lot of very important points in Scammed, what do you think the most important thing that those of us with elderly parents should take away from it and remember?


Teach and reinforce with your parent the basic philosophy for scam prevention, which can be summed up as “Never let yourself be chosen, always do the choosing.”


What is next for you?  Will you write another book, do speaking engagements, etc.


I have been very busy with speaking engagements with seniors, their families, and professionals. I love doing talks and training, so I intend to do more of those. I’d like to begin offering teleseminars to reach more people as well. I’ve also started gathering notes for what I’m thinking will be an e-book I’ve tentatively titled “Brain Hijackers,” about the neuroscience of scamming and what that implies for effective scam prevention. I have plenty of enthusiasm and curiosity to keep me going!


About Art Maines:


Art Maines, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker in private practice, speaker, and expert in elderly fraud recovery and prevention.  He earned his Master’s Degree in social work from Washington University in St. Louis, MO.  Art and his stepfather Bill live in St. Louis.


Please read my thoughts on Scammed here.


Thanks to Art, I am giving away one copy of Scammed. It is available in Print or Kindle.  Those in the U.S. or Canada, will have their choice.  An international winner will receive the Kindle version.  This giveaway ends on February 27, 2013. Please use Rafflecopter to enter.

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Tour Stops:

So Many Precious Books Jan  21 Review
So Many Precious Books  Jan 21 Interview & Giveaway
My Life  Jan 22 Feature & Excerpt
I Feel So Unnecessary  Jan 23 Review
I Feel So Unnecessary Jan 24 Guest Post
Teena In Toronto  Jan 25 Review
Sweeps 4 Bloggers Jan 28 Review & Giveaway
Thoughts in Progress Jan 29 Guest Post
JoyStory Jan 30 Review
Writing Daze Feb 5th  Guest Post
A Book Lover’s Library  Feb 6  Guest Post
Melissa’s Midnight Musings Feb 7 Review
Melissa’s Midnight Musings Feb 8 Guest Post
She Treads Softly Feb 11 Review
She Treads Softly  Feb 12 Guest Post
My Devotional Thoughts Feb 15 Guest Post
MN Girl in LA Feb 25 Review
MN Girl in LA Feb 26 Interview

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Copyright 2007-2010: All the posts within this blog were originally posted by Teddy Rose and should not be reproduced without express written permission.

Review: Scammed by Art Maines

Posted by Teddyrose@1 on January 21, 2013
Posted in Book ToursBooks Read in 2013  | 3 Comments

Book Description:


Publisher : Love Your Life Publishing,  October  12, 2012
Category: Non-Fiction
Tour Dates: January & February, 2013
Available in: Print and ebook, 210 pages

One in Five US Seniors are Scam Victims, Learn How to Prevent and Recover from this Crime:


When author Art Maines’ beloved stepfather Bill was cheated out of thousands of dollars, Art went on a mission to ensure no other family experiences this tragic crime.

In Scammed, Art provides a three step scam prevention and recovery program, based on his training as a social worker, therapist, and his extensive research.  Suitable for seniors or children of elderly parents, Scammed will help you:

§  Understand the most common types of scams

§  Learn the psychological ploys used by scammers so that you can spot a scammer immediately

§  Create a scam prevention plan

§  Recover from a scam with your dignity intact

§  Use the resources in your community if you suspect a scam

My Thoughts:


When I was asked to review this book I jumped at the chance.  My mother-in-law was a scam victim.  She wasn’t taken for as much money as some of the examples in this book but it made me wonder how we could better protect her and my mother from being scammed. 


Art Maine’s book was just the book to answer my questions.  He not only gave me ideas for protecting those I love but also some of the people I work with as a social worker.  He wrote this book in such a way that I was engaged in his writing as well as I was able to easily understand his points.  This book needed to be written and I’m glad that Maines took it on in to his very capable hands.


This book is a must for those who have elderly loved ones, who are elderly, and for those who work with vulnerable people!


5/5


I received this book from the author for my honest opinion.


About Art Maines:


Art Maines, LCSW, is a licensed clinical social worker in private practice, speaker, and expert in elderly fraud recovery and prevention.  He earned his Master’s Degree in social work from Washington University in St. Louis, MO.  Art and his stepfather Bill live in St. Louis.

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Copyright 2007-2010: All the posts within this blog were originally posted by Teddy Rose and should not be reproduced without express written permission.