Reunion, J.L. Penn’s first novel, was inspired by reconnecting with her childhood crush on the Facebook social media site. It got her thinking. How many people reconnect with old flames through social media sites? How many end up having an affair through the reconnections?

The infatuation never created any sort of union at school or in adulthood, and both the author and the crush are now happily married – to other partners, and with children. But the line of thinking brought back all the torment and angst suffered as a teenager: the unrequited passion distraction that obsesses teenage years. This helped shape some of the anxiety that Jess, the protagonist in Reunion, finds herself navigating through as she evaluates her marriage and daydreams about a life with the fascination of her high school years.

Who does Jess end up choosing? This uber-contemporary novel has all the addictive qualities of Facebook. Read Reunion here and listen to Jenn discussing her book here.

Reunion is available on www.bookhabit.com  ==================================================
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DIY Father The choice for a new generation of fathers. Are you a brand new dad, experienced dad or have just found out that you are going to be a dad? Then, the International Dad channel is the show you want to listen to. Hosted by the 3 directors of diyfather.com, Scott, Stefan and Eric, International Dad presents information, experiences and news for fathers by fathers. Each week the team discusses parenting related topics from a male perspective or interview activists in the field. Our common goal: help men to become better fathers by sharing insights, tips and stories. Coffee groups for mums have been around for a long time and women have been sharing their experiences for decades. Why not fathers? We think it’s about time fathers take a more active role in the upbringing of our children. Visit our website at www.diyfather.com

Adopting a child from a foreign country is for the big hearted, not for the fainthearted. Cathy Bonnstetter and her family adopted four and a half year old Alex from Romania after a long process dealing with agencies and bureaucracy. More than once they thought about giving up on the idea Cathy had had since she was in her teens. That the family did not give up is in some part due to the welcoming and generous nature of her 3 biological children, who convinced her that they had to keep on fighting to bring Alex to the United States and become a part of their loving family.

Cathy, a journalist and also a teacher with special education training, wrote this five part book based on the stories of her family and four other families who adopted children from foreign countries. The book focuses  on the journey of bringing the children to the United States, and then their first year with their new families. It tells of the joys and the struggles, the wins and the tantrums, and also for one family, the acknowledgment that no amount of love could make the new home the right place for the child.

Cathy says “[W]ithout those people who completely understood why you would do something like this, I may have given up. That is why I wrote the book. I think their stories are wonderful and need to be told. I think it is a book for anybody who is contemplating an adoption or knows someone who is. It is also a book for anyone who wants to know what can happen when people step outside their comfort zones to do something a little unusual.”

Share the story of Cathy’s family and the stories of other four families who have adopted children from other countries here in the podcast interview.

Learning to Love a Stranger is available on www.bookhabit.com
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We would like to thank our sponsor:

DIY Father The choice for a new generation of fathers. Are you a brand new dad, experienced dad or have just found out that you are going to be a dad? Then, the International Dad channel is the show you want to listen to. Hosted by the 3 directors of diyfather.com, Scott, Stefan and Eric, International Dad presents information, experiences and news for fathers by fathers. Each week the team discusses parenting related topics from a male perspective or interview activists in the field. Our common goal: help men to become better fathers by sharing insights, tips and stories. Coffee groups for mums have been around for a long time and women have been sharing their experiences for decades. Why not fathers? We think it’s about time fathers take a more active role in the upbringing of our children. Visit our website at www.diyfather.com

Yaktivate.com is pleased to present the 12 Podcasts of Christmas- an eclectic mix of holiday themed podcasts by many of our podcast show hosts. Listen in here as our very own Mrs. Claus, aka Bernadette Dimitrov, interviews each of the hosts participating in this special event.
The hosts tell a little bit about their own holiday podcast , a little bit about themselves, and how to listen in to their unique Christmas podcast.

Here are the shows and hosts that are taking part:

Community and Business with Russell Cox

Say Cheese with Christina Moyer

Conscious Living Radio with Barbie Edwards and Anna Kajawa

Web of Light with Dr. Kevin Ross Emery

Divorce 101 with Carolyn Ellis

Women’s Poker Yak with Dianna Donofrio

Chillin’ with Bobby Joe with Bobby Joe Holman

Red Hot Living with Lynn Ward

KarmaDharma Radio with Suzanne with Suzanne Toro

Conversations with Mrs. Claus with Bernadette Dimitrov

What better way to spread some holiday cheer and sparkle than to check out the 12 Podcasts of Christmas! (And go to Yaktivate.com to see the overall schedule for these exceptional shows.)

Malcolm Aitken in his essay, Hitler, the Jews and the Ballot Box, provides an analysis of the campaign by the Nazis leading up to the 1932 Reichstag election. Aitken says, The consensus varies about when and to what extent the Germans started supporting Nazi anti-Semitic persecution and murder of Jews, but it was widely accepted that the Nazis did not come into power in a country that was as viciously anti-Semitic as they were. Daniel J Goldhagen, in his 1996 book “Hitler’s Willing Executioners” instead said this hatred of Jews existed pre Hitler’s ascent and that the holocaust was ultimately an expression of popular anti Semitism among  ordinary Germans.

Goldhagen reasserted racist type bigotry as just as important a reasons as the others for Germans supporting Hitler from early on. In ‘Hitler, the Jews and the Ballot Box,’ Aitken uses an analysis of the build up to the July 1932 Reichstag election six months before Hitler came into power to show that Goldhagen’s inference that the  vast majority of Germans would have supported the persecution and murder of European Jews even before Hitler came into power simply doesn’t stand up.

Aitken is a communications manager and Hitler’s campaign was an interesting study in Public Relations and campaigning after only receiving a fraction of the votes in previous elections. Aitken has also worked as a freelance journalist in London for a number of years on environment, politics, health sector and entertainment work, as well as writing a number of travel articles.

‘Hitler, the Jews and the Ballot Box’ is available on www.bookhabit.com

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Good Politics Radio is an internet, non-partisan radio show. The broadcast you will hear have been produced by their source. Good Politics Radio has not and will not edited the content of the broadcast.

At Good Politics Radio we believe in ‘No Spin’. You, the listener, will determine what is being said without any influence from Good Politics Radio.

Visit our site at www.goodpoliticsradio.com

Jason Cook’s descent into a world of hard core drugs began at age 12. By 19 he was in prison, having started supplying drugs in order to finance his drug dependency which included Ecstasy, Cocaine and Marijuana.

When Jason was a boy his parents moved from London to Hertfordshire, with the idea of removing him from the life that he ended up living. When Jason overdosed his family finally understood that all his “friends” coming and going from the house were not visiting to spend quality time with their son. By that time it was almost a cause without hope, but miraculously, Jason found the strength and character to stick to the drug-free program that he undertook while in prison and is now living a clean life and working with the community to ensure more people don’t end up in the circus that became his life.

Jason ended up writing a fictional novel of this period of this life entitled “There’s No Room For Jugglers In My Circus”. At one point he was outselling Dan Brown’s Da Vinci code in his local WH Smith bookstore. What makes his book an even greater achievement is that Jason has dyslexia, but this hasn’t stopped him from writing the first and now second book, The Gangster’s Runner.

It seems there’s no stopping Jason on the creative front as he has also started work on a film based on There’s No Room For Jugglers In My Circus.

Listen to Jason on the podcast here.

There’s No Room For Jugglers In My Circus is available on www.bookhabit.com

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This kit provides all the tools a parent needs to create a pair of credit card sized cd-rom disks that contain all the essential information for their child. The disks are designed to be carried by a parent or caretaker in the wallet and come in their own sturdy plastic case. The disk contains important information if your child is injured, missing or lost. The kit contains other useful items to help keep your child safe. For more information visit KSEG

A conversation with John Francis is interspersed with relevant rhyme in a delightfully silly and engaging way. Some of John’s poetry is of the more serious and dark persuasion, but it is the more childish rhymes that bring him most joy. John talks with Clare Tanner on the Bookhabit Show and divulges that he talks to his cat and rabbit for invaluable editorial advice!

John has three illustrated books currently available on Bookhabit: A little book of stupid people, A-Z of silly animals, and Stupid people at work. He also has had several short stories and poems published in literary magazines in USA,UK, and France (2007-08), but it is a newer experience for him to be illustrating his books. He doesn’t hold himself out as an artist, however the illustrations ably stand on their own, as well as complementing the words on the page, finding appeal with children, as well as adults.

John’s love of words extends to him teaching literacy to both adults and children. He’s also constantly thinking of new ways to engage with his audience, and the online world gives him a whole new sphere to dream in. When he’s not dreaming about the online possibilities, he is sitting on the bus creating silly poems on his mobile phone, or jotting down his latest inspirations.

Share John’s humor in the podcast and readings in the podcast interview.
John Francis’ books are available on www.bookhabit.com
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We would like to thank our sponsor:

DIY Father The choice for a new generation of fathers. Are you a brand new dad, experienced dad or have just found out that you are going to be a dad? Then, the International Dad channel is the show you want to listen to. Hosted by the 3 directors of diyfather.com, Scott, Stefan and Eric, International Dad presents information, experiences and news for fathers by fathers. Each week the team discusses parenting related topics from a male perspective or interview activists in the field. Our common goal: help men to become better fathers by sharing insights, tips and stories. Coffee groups for mums have been around for a long time and women have been sharing their experiences for decades. Why not fathers? We think it’s about time fathers take a more active role in the upbringing of our children. Visit our website at www.diyfather.com

Michael Timothy’s wife said her husband didn’t come home that day. That day was September 11, 2001. Gladly, Michael wasn’t a victim in the World Trade Center collapse, but the man who returned home was as permanently changed as the New York skyline.

Michael worked 5 blocks away at the New York Stock Exchange and went to investigate the collision of the first plane. What he didn’t realize as he stood next to the first tower was that the second tower was about to be hit. In amongst the dust and the debris he saw many things: death, heartache, fear, terror, but he also saw bravery, courage, kindness, love and tenderness. He remembers “running as fast as I could, hoping I would survive. But at the same time all I thought was, Lord if I am to die now please take care of my family and let them know how much I truly love them. There was no thought of worldly possessions, bills to pay, money in the bank. It was only love and a feeling of peace.”

After much soul searching he has changed the direction of his life and has written a book where he shares his experiences since 9/11. Of his book, Healing Reflections for the Soul, Michael says, “This book will hopefully open your heart and mind to traveling on a better path that will lead to a more enjoyable and peaceful life. I think the knowledge I found is within all of us…., but we can’t tap into that because we’ve allowed life to build a barricade within us. If we can tear down those walls…..”

Share Michael’s incredible journey by listening to the podcast and reading Healing Reflections for the Soul, available on www.bookhabit.com

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Create a world of perfect health by providing the most advanced health education. Total Health Mastery was founded by Arnoux (are-know) Goran, author of the Total Health Mastery a series of books, CD’s and seminars, cured himself of several “incurable” diseases in a few short months and has successfully changed the lives of thousands of people who have used his nutritional information to overcome addictions, weight problems and health issues. For more details about Arnoux visit www.THMastery.com.

Christopher Horan has seen the criminal system from many angles, having worked with criminals, neglected, abused and out-of-control children, and their families, for more than 30 years. Still he finds the energy to write about a career that takes so much of you, and often with little reward or thanks.

Christopher’s has two books on Bookhabit. The first is a memoir, entitled “Nurturing Kiwi Criminals”, with his observations and insights, and stories about the people he worked with. He intertwines these with aspects of his own family background and his older brother’s criminal lifestyle. In Christopher’s words, “My voice is not that of the Sensible Sentencing Trust or the Prisoner’s Aid Society.  It is a new voice in the debate on child protection, drugs and drug addicts, prisons and the treatment of inmates. It is the authentic voice of many gagged public servants.”

“When the Crying Stopped”, a fictional novel, draws upon Christopher’s experiences as a prison officer. Duncan Weaver is a prison officer, who loses his family in hit and run car crash, and his life is reduced to unrelenting grief. Until he discovers the killer’s identity and then grief gives way to violence as Duncan plans revenge.

Share Christopher’s experiences by listening to the podcast and reading his books.

Christopher Horan’s books are available on www.bookhabit.com
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We would like to thank our sponsor:

Create a world of perfect health by providing the most advanced health education. Total Health Mastery was founded by Arnoux (are-know) Goran, author of the Total Health Mastery a series of books, CD’s and seminars, cured himself of several “incurable” diseases in a few short months and has successfully changed the lives of thousands of people who have used his nutritional information to overcome addictions, weight problems and health issues. For more details about Arnoux visit www.THMastery.com.

Every culture has tales of hidden or mythical creatures, legends that grow beyond the size of the creatures they portray. Bigfoot, The Loch Ness Monster – stories are passed down through the generations, and youngsters grow up with imaginings of darkness cloaking monsters ready to pounce at any moment.

Crypto Zoology is the study of these “hidden” or undiscovered animals. It’s not a recognized, degree-granting field of study, such as its respectable relatives: zoology, anthropology or paleontology. “Indeed, dabbling in it can wreck a career,” said Dallas Tanner, a CryptoFiction writer based in South Carolina.

That’s because the tame part of it — such as discovering the long-thought-extinct coelacanth fish off the coast of South Africa — is overshadowed by the far-out part of it — searching for the Loch Ness Monster. Many adventurers and researchers have made it their mission to find these creatures.  The lure of a treasure hunt, the danger of the unknown, and the quest to discover the clues of existence – even Indiana Jones couldn’t devise a better plot. Like Indiana Jones, a Crypto Zoologist doesn’t just race out into the unknown. It can take years of research to carefully unearth the clues to solve the puzzle.

Dallas Tanner, has the distinction of being one of the first novelists in the genre of cryptofiction. Cryptofiction is a phrase coined in the last several years to describe stories written about cryptids, essentially animals out of place or time. Although Dallas writes novels, he is also a strong advocate of research and the application of the scientific method. In his novels he is striving to discover the origin of the species that account for native legends, from historical records and eyewitness reports. He goes into more detail about this process in his books, but suffice to say he does his homework before he devotes a year of his life to any project.

After speaking with Dallas, you can understand how the fascination grips the hunter as they set out on the trail of discovery. “It is often the other discoveries along the way that make it rewarding,” enthuses Dallas.

Uncover the adventure in Dallas’ three books available on Bookhabit: Shadow of the Thunderbird, Track Of The Bigfoot, Wake Of The Lake Monster. Dallas Tanner’s books are available on www.bookhabit.com

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New Paradigm Marketing

Water is integral to life and woven into our history through every tale ever told. Garry Law traces New Zealand history through his book, Abundance and Constraint: A Short History Of Water Use In New Zealand. As a water engineer, he has worked in most aspects of the modern dilemmas around water; ownership, allocation, supply, treatment, energy creation. Garry says it’s surprising how far back in history these conflicts go in our settlement, history, and law.

“Adding a little salt to the water”, says Garry is the background to his other book available on Bookhabit. Entitled Auckland, August 1908: A Stop on the Great White Fleet World Cruise, the book places the visit of the Great White Fleet to Auckland in its New Zealand context and its geopolitical context – that of great power rivalry over prestige, territorial ambitions and projection of force by battleship lead fleets. It shows the society and the character of the city of Auckland 100 years ago.

Garry Law’s books are available on www.bookhabit.com
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For every shoe purchased, TOMS will give a pair of shoes to a child in need. For more information visit www.tomsshoes.com