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The Next Happy by Tracey Cleantis

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The Next Happy by Tracey Cleantis

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

“A bold, brave and incredibly relevant book.”
—Lee Woodruff, New York Times best-selling author of Perfectly Imperfect—A Life in Progress, with her husband, Bob Woodruff, and CBS “This Morning” contributor

We all have dreams that drive us, and our passion propels us toward them. For some, it’s playing in the NFL or hitting number one on the Billboard charts, while others dream of a successful marriage and to have children. We all imagine this life while sacrificing and sometimes suffering to make it a reality. But what do we do when the dream is actually holding us back or causing us pain? In today’s society, we are told to “Never, ever give up,” but what happens when it’s time to let it go? What do we do next?

THE NEXT HAPPY: Let Go of the Life You Planned and Find a New Way Forward (Hazelden; March 2015; $14.95; Original Trade Paperback) by Tracey Cleantis, a licensed psychotherapist, is the counterpoint to the adage, “Hang in there; it will happen if you just follow your dreams.” In THE NEXT HAPPY, Cleantis teaches us how to move onward when the life we planned does not come to fruition.

“Just as the day before, and for years before that, no one could have told me that my dream wasn’t going to come true; on that day, no one could tell me that it was.” After many unsuccessful attempts to get pregnant and over $100,000 later, Cleantis moved on with her life. She explains that when a dream dies, the grief process must begin. An individual will often experience sadness, anger, and shame during this time. A strong support system, and being able to look inward for the reasons why the dream didn’t happen, are just some of the tools needed for the healing process to take place so we can proceed in a new direction.

Perhaps just as important as letting go is recognizing the causes of holding on to the dream in the first place, as this can be unhealthy to the individual. “There was something in me that just wanted the literal interpretation and was a bit afraid of the why,” she says of her dream to have children. Holding onto a dream for too long not only impedes us from gravitating toward something that will make us happy but has physical, psychological, and financial costs as well.

THE NEXT HAPPY provides the guidance and support to explain:

  • Why giving up on a dream does not make us a quitter
  • The reasons we hold onto dreams and refuse to let them go
  • How to identify when to let go of a dream
  • The differences between acceptance and closure
  • How getting to the next happy works

With down-to-earth wisdom from Tracey Cleantis, who has worked with hundreds of patients who have dealt with the loss of a dream, THE NEXT HAPPY is the key to letting go of the life you may have wanted for yourself and finding a new path forward. A world of possibilities is waiting . . . Will you take the first step?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Tracey Cleantis holds a master’s degree in marriage and family counseling and has built a national reputation as an expert on healing losses through her popular blog, La Belette Rouge, Freudian Sips on PsychologyToday.com, and her writings for the Huffington Post. She also has had interviews and advice featured in articles in Psychologies Magazine, Redbook, and on Fox News Boston, among others. Check out more about Tracey at http://www.traceycleantis.com/

ABOUT HAZELDEN:
The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is a force of healing and hope for individuals, families and communities affected by addiction to alcohol and other drugs.  It is the nation’s largest nonprofit treatment provider, with a legacy that began in 1949 and includes the 1982 founding of the Betty Ford Center. With 15 sites in California, Minnesota, Oregon, Illinois, New York, Florida, Massachusetts, Colorado and Texas, the Foundation offers prevention and recovery solutions nationwide and across the entire continuum of care for youth and adults.

The Next Happy:
Let Go of the Life You Planned and Find a New Way Forward
By Tracey Cleantis
Hazelden Publishing
Publication Date: March 3, 2015
ISBN-13: 978-1616495725
eBook: 978-1-61649-576-3
Original Trade Paperback/eBook
Price: $14.95
Pages: 200 pp.

The Organ Takers by Richard Van Anderson

Posted on by CMPR

“Robin Cook fans will relish this taut and powerful medical thriller set in Manhattan…Van Anderson makes good use of his own medical training in the service of a superior page-turner.”
—Publishers Weekly Starred Review

“In this engaging novel, the author wields dynamic characters and intelligent prose like a skilled surgeon’s instruments.”
—Kirkus Reviews

The Organ Takers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

White Light Press Releases First in a Trilogy of Medical Thrillers

For more than three decades, Robin Cook has used his experience as a physician to bring authority to his novels of medical suspense, and now, former cardiac surgeon Richard Van Anderson has done the same. Using his knowledge of surgeons, surgical diseases, and the operating room, Anderson brings the sinister world of black market organ transplantation to life in his debut novel THE ORGAN TAKERS (White Light Press; November 2014). Storylines are drawn from current medical topics and include human organ trafficking, transplant waiting list abuse, human stem cell research, tissue engineering, and organ fabrication.

Set primarily in lower Manhattan, THE ORGAN TAKERS opens with former surgery resident Dr. David McBride in exile from the surgical community. While under the mentorship of transplant surgeon and biomedical researcher Dr. Andrew Turnbull, McBride was coerced into manipulating the liver transplant waiting list, then failed to bring such an egregious violation of moral and ethical standards to the attention of his superiors. Both men were eventually discovered, subsequently fired, and lost their licenses to practice medicine. Turnbull moved his lab to rural New Jersey, while McBride settled for operating on rats in a surgical research laboratory at an uptown university medical center.

Down but not out, McBride never gives up on his dream, and after applying to nearly every surgical residency in the country, he is rewarded with a second chance to complete his training and pursue a career in surgery. But, as David stands on the threshold of a new life, the malignant underside of his fellow man intervenes. Under the threat of violence to himself and his pregnant wife, David is forced to perform illegal organ harvests, in a makeshift operating room, hidden within a dilapidated meatpacking warehouse. Interfacing with a spook known only as Mr. White, McBride is unaware that Andrew Turnbull is behind his recruitment as black market organ harvester.

Unable to resolve the excruciating moral dilemma faced each time he invades the body of an unwilling victim, David fights to free himself from the situation and finds himself increasingly isolated as the dangers mount. As NYPD detective Kate D’Angelo closes the net around him, and the organ-snatching conspiracy takes his wife hostage, McBride must find help, and he turns to a most unlikely source: a drug dealer whose life David had saved while still a surgery resident.

THE ORGAN TAKERS is an exhilarating medical thriller that has both the good guys and the bad balancing precariously on the edge of good and evil. The story not only entertains, but ventures below the surface to explore how men of intelligence, drive, and compassion sometimes choose, or are forced, to venture down dark paths. Learn more about Anderson and his book at http://rvananderson.com/

THE ORGAN TAKERS: A Novel of Surgical Suspense
By Richard Van Anderson
White Light Press
Publication Date: November 2014
Hardcover ISBN: 978-0-9907597-0-6
Hardcover price: 25.99
292 pages
Trade Paperback & E-book also available

If You Work It, It Works! by Joseph Nowinski, Ph.D.

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If You Work It, It Works!

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The Twelve Step program of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) has been a long-standing and trusted method of drug and alcohol recovery for more than 75 years, yet there is a continuing debate as to its validity of success. Many outspoken critics argue that there is no actual data or scientific evidence to support claims that the program works. Dedicated “twelve-steppers,”on the other hand, stand by the familiar AA slogan “It works if you work it,”meaning if you follow the Steps, you will indeed find the path to recovery. To set the record straight, internationally recognized clinical psychologist Joseph Nowinski, Ph.D., author of Twelve Step Facilitation Therapy (TSF), which is listed on the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices (NREPP), reveals the studies and data that prove the Twelve Steps improve outcomes for those in recovery from the disease of addiction. 

In IF YOU WORK IT, IT WORKS!: The Science Behind 12-Step Recovery (Hazelden; February 2015; $14.95; Original Trade Paperback) Joseph Nowinski, Ph.D., provides hard scientific evidence based on multiple studies by researchers from major universities and addiction research institutes to not only support that Twelve Step recovery works but to explain how it works.

The most renown of these is Project MATCH, a major study by a research team at Yale University that sought to investigate the effectiveness of the Twelve Step model compared with cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational enhancement therapy, and motivational interviewing. The study involved nine separate treatment locations and nearly 2,000 patients. Nowinski was asked to be part of the study by creating the treatment protocol, Twelve Step Facilitation, for people with the diagnoses of alcohol abuse or dependence. After seven years, the first results were released, which showed that Twelve Step Facilitation is equally as effective, and in some ways more effective, than the other evidence-based practices in the reduction of drinking and improved abstinence following treatment.

Nowinski also covers the dynamics of how Twelve Step recovery works, specifically how social networks, spirituality, and sponsorship all contribute to the recovery process. He goes even further to discuss the relationship between alcohol, other drugs, and mental illness. 

IF YOU WORK IT, IT WORKS! equips readers with:

  • Hard evidence that the Twelve Steps really work
  • Chapter summaries and questions to help people evaluate their recovery progress
  • Reasons why fellowships such as AA and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) are regarded as natural community resources that are effective supplements to treatment
  • Neurological facts such as how recovery improves brain function

IF YOU WORK IT, IT WORKS! by Joseph Nowinski, Ph.D., is the premiere source for those seeking validation that the Twelve Steps actually work. It is a wonderful affirmation for people seeking a Twelve Step recovery program or who are already a member of one. 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Joseph Nowinski, Ph.D., is a clinical psychologist who has taught at the University of California–San Francisco and the University of Connecticut and has served as supervising psychologist at the University of Connecticut Health Center. He is the author of Twelve Step Facilitation Therapy (TSF), which is listed in the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Registry of Evidence-based Programs and Practices, and Almost Alcoholic: Is My (or My Loved One’s) Drinking a Problem?, with coauthor Robert Doyle. He blogs regularly for the Huffington Post and Psychology Today. Read more at his website: http://www.josephnowinski.com/

ABOUT HAZELDEN:
The Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation is a force of healing and hope for individuals, families and communities affected by addiction to alcohol and other drugs. It is the nation’s largest nonprofit treatment provider, with a legacy that began in 1949 and includes the 1982 founding of the Betty Ford Center. With 15 sites in California, Minnesota, Oregon, Illinois, New York, Florida, Massachusetts, Colorado and Texas, the Foundation offers prevention and recovery solutions nationwide and across the entire continuum of care for youth and adults.

If You Work It, It Works!: The Science Behind 12-Step Recovery
By Joseph Nowinski, Ph.D.
Hazelden Publishing
Publication Date: February 3, 2015
ISBN-13: 978-1616495718
eBook: 978-1-61649-574-9
Original Trade Paperback/eBook
Price: $14.95
Pages: 240 pp.

 

Linton Bergsen, author of Purposeful Vision

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602903HiRes[1]FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.”—Albert Einstein

We all have a vision in our minds of who we want to be and possess a purpose that drives us. Whether it be for business, relationships, and lifestyle, we all strive to be better than are we today. However, most of us simply do not know how to transport that vision into reality. Linton Bergsen has been a sought-after speaker and inspired communicator and strategist who has a successful record of enhancing performance for CEOs, thought leaders, and their endeavors of all sizes.

“You cannot create anything you want from life if you cannot see it as a possibility”, says Bergsen, and now he explains how to put this and other principles to work in his new book, PURPOSEFUL VISION: See Your Vision, Know Your Purpose (Balboa Press; $8.99) With profound guidance and easy-to-follow steps, the groundwork of how to harness your imagination and thus transform your visions into reality—both in your personal and professional life—can be achieved. 

Bergsen explains that the three facets of consciousness (the subconscious, conscious, and superconscious) all need to work harmoniously in order to bring a vision to reality, but that is just the beginning. Other factors, such as honing your intuition, maintaining a strong social structure, remaining active in your pursuit for excellence, and mastering self-discipline are just some of the cornerstones for reaching your potential. Important lessons are also explained, like utilizing courage to combat FEAR (false evidence appearing real) and accessing your own intuition for LUCK (living under correct knowledge), the importance of deep introspection, and how to implement strategic focus for accomplishing your goals.  

PURPOSEFUL VISION will teach you:

  • How the three facets of consciousness work together to help you reach your vision
  • Why effective communication is vital to living your life to the fullest
  • How your personal culture determines how your dreams and goals are manifested
  • What the differences are between your actual state and ideal state
  • Successful methods for maximizing your influence
  • Why learning to control your willpower equals true freedom

“Pursue your true purpose in life by listening to the inner voice. It’s there, and it’s trying to guide you,” Bergsen illustrates. All of the attributes correlate with each other for the ultimate destination. The power to see your vision, to know your purpose, and to turn your dreams into reality is already inside you. PURPOSEFUL VISION provides the knowledge and tools to help you unlock the greatest potential—in you.

About the Author
Linton Bergsen is a sought-after speaker, author, and champion of change. An inspired communicator and strategist, he has a record of enhancing performance for individuals and companies, including start-ups, privately held businesses, and Fortune 500 industry leaders. His expertise is in leadership, personal and professional, communicating across all levels of an organization, identifying problems, and providing effective solutions. He excels in both one-on-one settings and group seminars, helping people realize their full potential.

Art Suriano and The Ultimate Customer Experience

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Art SurianoWEBSITE1FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

There is a difference between providing good customer service and creating the ultimate customer experience for consumers.  Unfortunately, most retailers don’t know how comprehending this principle can be the key to greater sales, customer loyalty, and a stronger bottom line.  With over 30 years of experience offering business solutions to large companies like Kohl’s, Revlon, Petco, and Barnes & Noble to smaller independent retail operations, Art Suriano has created a program that starts with a simple formula:

Customer Service + Customer Satisfaction = The Ultimate Customer Experience™

UltimateBookCoverNow in his new book THE ULTIMATE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE™, Suriano explains how and why some retailers are losing customers.  He also provides key solutions from his patented methodology that will show CEOs and managers how best to train their employees to create customer loyalty and increase initial and residual sales.

 “THE ULTIMATE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE™ defines how a company can reach its full potential, and exposes common errors that are detrimental to any business type.  When a positive business culture is formulated and consistency is maintained, productivity and sales will increase, and disconnect will be eliminated.” —Art Suriano

According to Suriano, while most managers and CEOs think everything is going well on the retail floor, the bottom line is there is a host of problems such as:

  • Sales associates who show a lack of knowledge about the products sold in their departments.
  • Customers are often told to check online for a product not in stock in the store.
  • Free shipping is offered online, but not in store.
  • Discounts are offered online and not in store.
  • There are no associates available to help a customer in the store.
  • Employees and owners have lost sight of the most important thing in business—The Customer.

In THE ULTIMATE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE™ Suriano shares personal anecdotes of poor service experiences he has had, and what could have been done to promote customer satisfaction.  He also shares his strategy for identifying where the problems may be within an organization, by first surveying the employees.  After finding out where the issues are, managers can provide training; streamline their digital and traditional marketing and sales; create a supportive culture that encourages service; and introduce an effective internal communication system that will maintain and grow a trained work force that becomes invested in the company for which they work.

In turn, Suriano reports increased sales numbers not just in one-time visits to the stores, but in residual purchases.  These satisfied customers want to return to the places where they have had the best service and THE ULTIMATE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE™.  As Suriano points out, the marketplace is highly competitive in the wake of the Great Recession, and it is those businesses that are serious about how they interact with consumers who are going to be the long term winners in this economy.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Art Suriano is the CEO of The TSi Company. With 35 years of experience working and training major retailers and leaders in a wide variety of industries including retail, service, hospitality  and more. Mr. Suriano’s expertise and knowledge have resulted in clients’ large and small experiencing improvement in all aspects of their business. Mr. Suriano is a business executive, author, public speaker and an award-winning music composer.

For more information about THE ULTIMATE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE™ and Art Suriano, please visit www.thetsicompany.com or contact Claire McKinney at 908-955-7563 or claire@clairemckinneypr.com.

 

THE ULTIMATE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE™
By Art Suriano
Publication in 2014
ISBN: 978-1-4969-0929-9
Price: $15.95
Original Trade Paperback
148 pages

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