When I looked up the meaning of the word “Mojo”, there was only one definition that resonated with me out of several provided, and that was “self-confidence, self-assured,  as in basis for belief in ones self in a situation…” and that’s the perspective I’d like to focus on as I introduce a book that I was asked to review entitled “#MOJOTweet - 140 Bite Sized Ideas on How to Get and Keep You Mojo” by Marshall Goldsmith.

My favorite “praise” for the book was offered by a John Hammergren, CEO, McKesson Corp., and winner of the Warren Bennis Award for Leadership.  He states: “The insights in ‘MOJO’ are certain to help people at all stages of their career tap their full potential and live more fulfilling lives.”  The introduction states that “Mojo happens the moment that we do something purposeful, powerful and positive and the rest of the world recognizes it….”

The author shares why the book was written this way: “Why Did I Write This Book? I wrote this THINKaha book to share what I know with as many people as I can. I wrote this book to help my readers have happier and more meaningful lives.”  You can follow the author, or send a tweet or direct message to Marshall Goldsmith on Twitter using @coachgoldsmith.

The book would not be if it weren’t for Twitter, by that I mean we wouldn’t have words such as “Tweet” and we wouldn’t know how to express ourselves in a meaningful way in 140 characters or less.  This book is a collection of wonderful, uplifting, positive phrases that bring a smile to the face, or motivate you to take action, or cause you to think again about how you might be viewing a particular situation you find yourself in.  You may find yourself sharing some of these “tweets” on Twitter and mentioning where you found them….in 140 characters or less:-).

Take, for example, this tweet “A man who takes more delight in doing his job well, even at the expense of some easy profit, is rich in Mojo. He will never starve.”  It reminds me that it is more important to do a job well than it is to focus on what I’ll receive for it…that there is a satisfaction in a job well done that transcends money.

This is just one example of many a wonderful “Tweet” that can be found in this book.  For more information about this book,  visit this link at the “THINKaha” website, or purchase from Amazon through the image above in this post.

Many are busy trying to purchase their first home before the Home Buyer’s Tax Credit expires…it was due to expire this month, but it looks like it will be extended, and there will be a credit as well for those who are moving from one home to another.

This is one way to save money in our challenging economy. But what about those who want to build new homes? Especially if you are fortunate enough to be able to afford a luxury home and are looking for luxury home plans. I was browsing a site today, and thought it fit here, because not only do they offer a nice selection of books for the person considering building a home, or having a home built, but they also have a great selection of luxury house plans that you can purchase online and print.

If you are interested in viewing home plans, or books about home plans, visit any of the live links on this site. The site is extremely well organized and easy to use. You can plan and dream and plan some more…the list of archetectural styles is extensive, as well as other home projects.

The books available are outstanding, here is a list of some titles for you:

• 750 Inviting Home Plans
• Best-Selling Home Plans
• Build Your Own Deck Manual
• Build Your Own Garage Manual
• Casual Country Home Plans

This is just a small taste of the many books offered by this company with 25 years of experience in the business. 

Have you written a book, and is it available on Amazon?  Are you hoping someone will take the time to write a review for your book after they’ve read it?  Many authors have people review their books in advance who are willing to to a review for them on Amazon.  Others may still be waiting for those reviews to show up.  Here’s a tip that I found in a newsletter that I receive occasionally that might help you:

If your Amazon page looks a little empty, then perhaps you need to add a review or two to your profile page? Here’s a quick and easy way to get reviews on Amazon:

First, check out other books listed on Amazon.com that are in your genre, then read all of the reviews they’ve gotten. Pick some reviewers that offered good reviews, not just those who said “Great book!” This will help you to weed out friends and family of the author.

Generally, professional reviewers will spend a bit more time going over the book in detail, whereas friends will keep their reviews short and sweet. Next, click on the review and go to their About Me section on Amazon and see if you can contact them. If there’s no contact information on the About Me section, try Googling the reviewer to get more info.

Most of them will have a web site and you can contact them there. Then send them a short note offering a copy of your book for review; be sure to tell them what your book is about in a paragraph or less.

Reprinted from “The Book Marketing Expert newsletter,” a free ezine offering book promotion and publicity tips and techniques. http://www.amarketingexpert.com

I have the pleasure of introducing you to a very special book written by a very special woman.  Pam Archer has written a book that is so timely, as many are planning their Spring and Summer weddings, or if you are an advance planner, fall or winter weddings!   I was planning my daughter’s wedding 5 years ago at this time, and know that anything that you can get your hands on to help is a blessing, and this book would have been on the top of my list.

The book is “99 Things You Wish You Knew Before You Planned Your Wedding“, part of the all new “99 Series”, many future books are in the works. The “99 Series” is a brain-child of Michael Wells and Helen Georgakalis.  But the focus of this post is on Pam’s wonderful book…it is available for download in eBook form for under $8.00 at the link provided, and will soon be available in book form through the author and on Amazon

Pam Archer’s sites include:

http://www.pamelaseventdesign.com and http://www.idoweddings.wordpress.com

I never missed the opportunity to watch this adventurous French diver when one of his many documentaries would be on television.  He enjoyed his life and his work to the fullest.  Cousteau spent enough time in the oceans to be well aware, back in the 1970’s and 1980’s, of the damage being done to our ecosystem and made each of us watching aware of the damage that we were doing to our oceans.  But he also let us see into a spectacular and beautiful world that most of us never would have seen without his help.  Today is the anniversary of the publication of one of his classic books, “Silent World“, published in 1953, which later was made into a film.

John Grisham, one of my favorite authors, is on MSNBC’s Morning Joe site answering questions live right now…I’m hopping back and forth between blogging and viewing.

If you’re interested in being a part, click here and chat with John Grisham.  Take a look at the information about his newest book, “The Associate”.

Some interesting questions are being asked….I wonder if he will answer them all?

A few days ago I received a beautiful cookbook, sent to me from one of my favorite States in the Northeast, Massachusetts. My dear grandparents lived there and we visited and vacationed in MA many, many times.  The cover of the book is warm and inviting, a family gathered together and enjoying each other, and good food outside in a beautiful New England setting.

The title of this yummy book is “Table Talk; Food, Family, Love” and it is written by Carol McManus, the proprietor of “Espresso Love” a cafe and gathering place in Edgartown, Massachusetts.  As a mother of 5 grown children, she knows a lot about bringing family together in a world where jobs and activities seem to be pulling families apart.

This cookbook is really a work or art, the photography is beautiful, the pictures of food are simply mouth-watering.  Other heart-warming pictures embrace the authors life in her New England island home in Martha’s Vineyard.  The look and feel of the book says “quality” from page to page, cover to cover.

The Cookbook contains 80 recipes, ideas for organizing simple meals, cooking with your children, and inspires the desire to come together as family to enjoy food, love, conversation, and story-telling.

This would make a wonderful gift for yourself, or someone you care about.

Click here to visit Carol McManus’ blog, and here for book purchase information.

Title: Table Talk; Food, Family, Love…a Cookbook
Author: Carol McManus
Publisher: Vineyard Stories
Copyright: 2008

A book entitled “Nice Average Guy” is written by a more-than-average guy named Ned Mansour. He’s a “more than average” guy because he donates the profit from his books to charities, I’ll tell you more about that at the end of this post.

The book is about a man living an every day life with his everyday wife, and widowed mother.  He is settled into an accounting position, until he is challenged to face up to what has the potential of being a mundane life, with the help of a therapist. He begins an introspective journey that leads him to face up to the basic fears that adults face, and to a life less mundane than he expected.

I suppose all of us have fears in common and different ways that we might deal with them. Things like what does the future hold? What will happen with my children? Things about relationships, our mortality, and more can be the beginning of a journey if we chose to approach these fears by looking inside..personally, I count on my faith and my God to make the way straight, but it will be interesting to see how our 43 year old accountant, Fitz, finds his way.

This is a story of redemption, lessons in self-worth, and meaningful relationships. Oh, and don’t worry, this isn’t all serious…it’s balanced with fun.  The profits from the sale of the book are donated to the TrinityKids Hospice Care, so when you buy this book, you’re not only receiving, but giving.