Books by Jack Phillips Lowe

Worried about getting sued? It's a legitimate fear, and you might think that your first line of defense is to own your assets in judgment-proof entities. That's a valid and recommended strategy, but even though ownership is an important element of an effective asset protection plan, the best way to avoid paying judgments, along with substantial legal fees, is to avoid disputes and the often-resulting lawsuits. Attorney Andrew A. Caffey offers step-by-step advice in Stay Out of Court! The Small Business Guide to Preventing Disputes and Avoiding Lawsuit Hell (Entrepreneur Press, 2005).

Caffey begins with a look at what he calls the civil lawsuit, sue-for-profit industry and its complex financial impact. He writes: "Business and professionals take the brunt of punishment in this out-of-control civil litigation game. The fear of being sued has invaded every aspect of our people's lives."

Of course, getting sued doesn't necessarily mean you'll end up in court—in fact, chances are you won't. According to Caffey: "Statistically, the vast majority of lawsuits never make it to trial. Estimates suggest that 90 to 95 percent of court filings are resolved, dismissed, abandoned, or settled without getting to a final judgment by the finder of fact (either the judge or a jury)." But you don't have to go to court to spend a bundle on legal fees and other costs.

Caffey blames the proliferation of lawsuits on what he calls victimhood and a culture that has shifted away from personal responsibility and accountability. It follows that if someone is a victim, then someone else should be punished and made to pay.

The solution, Caffey believes, begins with improving relationships through communication and conflict resolution. He says the first step in resolving a conflict is to take a "we" not "you vs. me" attitude. The next step is to put the conflict in perspective by reframing it in context with your overall relationship with the other person. Next, Caffey recommends gentle confrontation, which uses non-threatening questioning and active listening to enable the parties to share their views of the conflict. Identify the other side's needs and locate your overlapping shared needs. Then you are in a position to find mutually beneficial solutions, reach a settlement, and put that settlement in writing.

Caffey says you should never totally turn a dispute over to an attorney for handling: "The moment when one party to a dispute yields direct involvement and puts the dispute into the hands of the lawyers is the moment when the lawsuit happens." Stay personally involved in the dispute to make sure your best interests are being considered and protected.

The sound advice on negotiating Caffey offers can be used for more than avoiding litigation—the techniques can be applied to all relationships and situations. For example, he recommends saying "yes" whenever possible, but if necessary, qualify the "yes" with an "if." Caffey writes: "Using the big IF in negotiating is an important habit to develop. It allows you to say yes, but it is always qualified. It says, 'I am willing to give on this point, but I want you to give something back to me for it.'"

Caffey offers excellent advice on how to use contracts to stay out of court and explains various dispute resolution processes, along with suggestions on providing warnings, notices, and cautions. He also explains how to apologize without accepting liability.

Using layman's terms and sense of humor, Caffey has written a book that entertains while it delivers some of the most valuable asset protection and personal relationship advice you'll ever receive.

Now in audiobook form, George Orwell's classic novel can be heard on your ipod as you jog or on a CD as you commute to work. 1984 remains one of the classic dystopian novels and wrestles with issues that are still of critical importance even today. This novel centers around the protagonist Winston Smith, who is a low ranking member of the ruling party in Great Britain, where this novel takes place. The party is led by a seemingly all knowing, God-like figure simply named "Big Brother" who is never actually seen.

Winston works for the Ministry of Truth, an ironic yet politically appropriate name as his job is to rewrite history in order to fit the party's need. In other words, they turn propaganda into widely accepted "truth." Winston becomes disenchanted, and is afraid that he is committing "thought crimes" for which he will be caught and punished. He eventually begins an affair, using sex as a political act to challenge the status quo, even if in secret, before being caught and punished.

1984 is as relevant today as it was when written. One of the three greatest dystopian novels centered around political themes (A Brave New World and Fahrenheit 451 completing the trinity), Orwell's focus is on the danger of an overly conservative government that is granted far too much power to fight a war which may or may not even exist, and if it does, probably was produced. This book focuses on the danger of totalitarianism, on how psychological control can lead to physical control, how "truth" can be distorted into propaganda and enslave us all.

Although the prediction of the year 1984 was off, today's world seems inundated with the very things Orwell was warning against. From being able to watch news channels that tell you want you want to hear, not what's actually happening, to political strategies constantly using double speak and rewriting history, the world which Wells feared is one that every generation needs to be aware of, for that's the only way every generation will be able to maintain its freedom.

Along side the human race live vampires -- humanoids who became extinct during the Pleistocene era and have been resurrected by modern science. Their predatory habits are kept in check, but their special DNA and vast intelligence aids humanity as it ventures into space.

On February 13, 2082, a shower of lights fills Earth's sky. The media dubs them Fireflies. They prove to be a signal from an alien source. An exploratory ship is prepared and sent to search for its origin. A crew assembles and includes the story's narrator the synthesist Siri, a scientist decked out with extensions so grand he hardly looks human, Communications expert Susan James whose brain carries 4 personae, Major Bates the only military member, and the vampire Sarasti, commander of the mission. No one dares challenge his authority! Except for one at a crucial moment.

Their ship Theseus takes them past the edge of our solar system to meet up with a species both belligerent and smart. The crew is on their own. There is no contact with earth from this distance, But their is contact with the nightmarish alien ship which Siri, describes thusly,

Imagine a crown of thorns, twisted, dark and unreflective, grown too thickly tangled to ever rest on any Human head. Put it in orbit around a failed star whose own reflected half-light does little more than throw its satellites into silhouette. Occasional bloody highlights glinted like dim embers from its twist and crannies; they only emphasized the darkness everywhere else.

It is huge, and it is growing fueled by particles from the giant, dying sun it orbits.

Susan James uses her communication skills to ping the other ship. It quickly answers and dubs itself Rorschach. A friendly exchange turns ugly as Theseus approaches. Rorschach warns -- stay away! Sarasti ignores the warnings, and as soon as it is feasible he has the crew takes a shuttle down to Rorschach. The nightmare escalates.

Watts's descriptions of the most technical subjects is sheer poetry. Each character is fully formed and reacts believably to the most bizarre situations. Siri makes difficult but important adjustments within himself in order to survive ever changing scenarios. The author has crafted an imaginative first contact, space adventure all the while educating the reader with a fascinating blend of philosophy, psychology, evolution, quantum mechanics, astronomy, and so much more. Quite a feat, Mr. Watts!

Blindsight by Peter Watts. Tor, 2006.

Happily Married with Kids

By Carol Ummel Lindquist, Ph.D.

$14.00/trade paperback

Berkley Publishing Group

With 25 years of experience in marriage counseling, a husband and two children of her own under her belt, Dr. Carol Ummel Lindquist is an expert when it comes to making a marriage work—with or without kids. Her recent book, Happily Married with Kids is a step-by-step guide to transforming the fantasy of a perfect marriage into a reality.

"The current high standards for parenting lead to low standards for marriage," says Lindquist. "The irony of these contrasting standards is that having a healthy marriage is a great gift for your children and yourself." Her goal is to educate parents, happily married or otherwise, on how to develop and maintain relationships that will benefit their entire family.

In Happily Married with Kids, Lindquist teaches moms and dads to avoid "the real parent trap" of exhaustion and disruption, manage conflicts and improve communication with spouse and children, stay best friends with their spouses, balance work and family, enjoy their kids—and each other—at any age, revive their sex life, find humor in everyday difficulties and make time for themselves and their marriages.

Each of the book's four sections sections is divided into chapters that deal honestly and warmly with different aspects of marriage and parenting, such as developing a marriage support system in "Support Networks: It Takes a Village to Shelter Your Marriage," getting to know your spouse again after the birth of your children in "Who Is This Person I Married?" handling separation due to work or other stressors in "When One Parent Travels" and disagreeing without hurting each other in "Fight Like the Windows Are Open."

Summaries and bulleted lists in every section and boldface subject headings in each chapter break up the text into digestible chunks. A sprinkling of comic strips and personal stories from Lindquist's family and her counseling experiences make the book conversational and add some humor to a subject that makes many couples tense; you'll want to keep it on the bedside table or enjoy it in the morning over coffee—and engaging enough that it will draw in even the most reluctant reader.

Where most self-help books suggest major behavioral overhauls, Lindquist recommends small changes and goal-setting with your partner to reduce tension and increase communication over time. In the first chapters Lindquist says that one of the most important things you can do for your marriage is to make sure you and your spouse have 20 minutes of uninterrupted talk time or cuddling every day as well as some "date time" every week.

She also suggests that couples set aside separate "staff time" to work on family issues weekly, monthly and quarterly without cutting into your special time together. Lindquist even includes worksheets to help you and your spouse get started on confronting conflict and making family decisions.

In addition to sharing her own wisdom and experiences in every chapter, Lindquist refers to books she has read on marriage and parenting. After the last chapter, she includes a comprehensive list of books, articles, videos and websites she recommends, including the ones she mentioned in the text.

Lindquist's tone is light and entertaining which gives it a down-to-earth approach to marriage; Happily Married with Kids is a book that's never preachy and consistently encourages couples to try new things and seek other resources. A happy marriage doesn't have to be just a fairy tale anymore. Lindquist proves it's possible to make the transition from partnership to parenthood without losing the intimacy you and your spouse share—and shows couples how to regain closeness and repair relationship damage at any level.

Sidebar

In Happily Married with Kids, Dr. Carol Ummel Lindquist highly recommends these books:

The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families: Building a Beautiful Family Culture in a Turbulent World by Stephen Covey and Sandra Merrill Covey

Seven Principles to Make Marriage Work: A Practical Guide from the Country's Foremost Relationship Expert by John Mordechai Gottman and Nan Silver

The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate by Gary Chapman

Getting the Love You Want: A Guide for Couples by Harville Hendrix

The Divorce Remedy: The Proven 7-Step Program for Saving Your Marriage by Michele Weiner Davis

When bartender Billy Wiles finds the note tucked under his windshield wiper asserting that the choice to act or not to act will lead to someone's death, he figures it for a prank. His friend, an off-duty police officer, agrees. But six hours later, someone has been brutally murdered. So begins Dean Koontz's novel Velocity, and Billy's search for a diabolical killer.

Once again, Koontz has written a fast-paced novel that keeps the reader glued to the pages. At first, Billy must choose whether to involve the police, for which he has a guarded mistrust, or not. In doing so, he determines the category of the next victim, for as one note states, a "young mother of two" will die if the police are involved. If Billy avoids the cops, however, the killer will target a "single, middle-aged man no one will miss much." As the murders progress, however, Billy becomes more and more involved. Ultimately, he learns that evidence linking him to each murder exists, and he winds up covering up for the killer to keep himself out of the hotseat.

At the same time, Billy seeks to protect his comatose fiancée from the insanity around him. Surprisingly, the murderer reveals details to him about his loved one that Billy had missed, opening up her world to him and making him more determined to hang on to her. Although he had been out of touch with the world around him, although he had no friends but only acquaintances, Billy learns to let others into his life. By the close of the novel, he has reattached himself to the world he had previously dismissed.

As the novel progresses, we learn more information about Billy and why he is so determined to keep out of the police radar. The killer – or "freak", as Billy terms him – plays sick games, even calling the cops from Billy's house, keeping the bartender on edge. Ultimately, the two confront each other in a standoff before the grisly remains of previous victims, and wind up chatting amiably. Koontz will always surprise his readers.

Koontz keeps the reader gripped to the novel in a ferocious page-turner that hooks from the beginning. His witty, off-beat sense of humor and ability to create tension draw you in and keep you reading. The characters are realistically created, if not somewhat scary to behold, and the details are vivid in intensity. Velocity is yet another Koontz must-read.

Whilst I was searching through the most popular fitness/fat-loss e-booksavailable online - I ran into a book by the name of - Burn the Fat Feed the Muscle. This book seemed to be getting a lot of reviews from others as the best fitness book available, a book by a natural bodybuilder by the name of Tom Venuto.

Burn the Fat Feed the Muscle is a fitness E-book created by a bodybuilding champion by the name of Tom Venuto. This book attempts to teach people all the aspects of losing weight, whilst gaining muscle. Burn the Fat Feed the Muscle has been called the greatest fitness book ever. With this kind of serious hype, I decided to look into it. I wanted to see if it really lived up to its amazing reputation. I have been bodybuilding for many years now as well as being a fitness freak, so I wanted to see what real information was in this book.

My Review on Burn the Fat Feed the Muscle --

The Book -

Burn the Fat Feed the Muscle is an impressive 340 page book. The book is full of informative writing and has some tables. Not even one picture. So there is a lot of reading to do if you want to read everything covered to use it tothe best of your advantage. I would advise printing it all out, as it would drive you crazy reading it all off your screen.

What does Burn the Fat Feed the Muscle contain?

Burn the Fat Feed the Muscle contains 17 chapters - a conclusion - and an appendix page.

Each of the sections are broken down into smaller sections, which makes it easier to read, although it is a very large book.

Here is an overview of the book -

First Section - Introduction -

In this section, the author stresses the importance of some particular principles such as - quick fixes, weight loss is not the same as fat loss and though the book is not just about loosing fat, but it is about making people healthier.

Second Section - Setting Goals, Strategies and Motivation -

Goal setting is of course one of the major important things in reaching what you want with your health and fitness. Tom Venuto has done a great job in expressing the art of setting a goal so that it will work so much better for almost anybody.

Third section: Body Types and how to identify what you need -

Tom Venuto breaks down how people have different body types. Most people assume that almost everyone's body will react the same, well its an easy assumption, since we're all human, this book however stops that idea right away.

Fourth Section - Meal Frequency and Macro Nutrients -

This section talks about how many meals to eat as well as the relationship between protein, carbohydrates and fats to have a good diet that you can live with for life.

I will not go into more details, but I hope this gives you a good picture of the type of information that this book conceals.

Tom lists 5 Bonus Materials:

BONUS #1: Foods That Burn Fat.

BONUS #2: Foods That Turn To Fat.

BONUS #3: The A food B food lecture: How to get good grades on your food choices.

BONUS #4: FREE Updates to the Burn the Fat, Feed the Muscle e-book. (Value: At LEAST $197.00).

BONUS #5: Free subscription to the Burn The Fat Clients-Only Newsletter and The Burn The Fat Weekly Fat Loss Tips E-Zine

Tom also offers you an 8-Week No Risk Money Back Guarantee, which convinces me that he is confident you'll benefit from his book.

You can read my full review and findings on http://www.the-ultimate-solution.net/burnthefatfeedthemuscle.html

Burn The Fat Feed the Muscle Review

Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer is probably the most well-known of the professional-quality home juicers available on the market today, certainly due in no small part to the ageless wonder himself, well into his ninties, Jack LaLanne. This product, which complements his well-known belief in juicing, is a smart product well worth a look. The benefits of juicing are well-known, including a fast and easy way to get your daily nutrients without having to sit down to a meal, as well as being able to get your full allotment of fruits and vegetables without having to choke down one more piece of raw celery! You can fashion yourself a tasty smoothie instead that combines some of your faves into a healthy, quick concoction! Let's look at some of the benefits of Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer.

Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer, known also as the original juicing machine, is well up to the task of providing you with daily juices and ease of operation as well as easy cleaning. make sure you don't delay too long in cleaning the unit after use, however, as the plastics in it can stain if left for a long time.

Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer features a smooth, quiet operation, delivering up to 30% more juice than other juicers on the market. The surgical quality stainless steel blades liquefy fruits and veggies in seconds, and the blades last for about one year given normal household use. If you do a little pre-cutting on your more tough-skinned foods, and making sure to remove hard pits and seeds, your blades will last even longer. Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer can do lots of heavy lifting, but it's not an industrial appliance. You wouldn't want to tow your trailer with your Corvette, now would you?

Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer comes with an extra large feeder which can accommodate most fruits and vegetables, with a very large detachable pulp collector, which is perfect for use in salsas, sauces and items such as zucchini breads and the like. It also comes with a 39 -page instruction/recipe book if you're short on ideas. Oh, the unit is also dishwasher safe! Jack LaLannne's Power Juicer will even shut itself down if overheating thus saving it's own motor and expense on your part.

Jack LaLanne's Power Juicer is a marvelous addition to a healthy, nutritious lifestyle that will serve you well for many moons. Look what it's done for Jack LaLanne!

Michele VanOrt Cozzens is a former journalist with a long history as a reporter, editor, and, newspaper columnist. She has two previous books released "I'm Living Your Dream Life: The Story of a Northwoods Resort Owner," and "The Things I Wish I'd Said." Michele, along with her husband, Mike, and two daughters ,Willow and Camille, owns and operates a family vacation resort in northern Wisconsin where they spend their summers. The family spends the remaining nine months in Tucson, Arizona.

Juanita: Welcome to Reader Views Michele, and thanks for the opportunity to talk with you about your compelling novel "A Line Between Friends." Michele, after writing two nonfiction books, why did you decide to write your first novel?

Michele: Hi Juanita. I appreciate your interest in my work. I'm often asked why I decided to cross over from non-fiction to fiction. The decision was simple. Working as a feature writer, a columnist and editor during my journalism career always required one consistent thing: getting to the truth. Writing fiction allowed me, for the first time, to just make things up! It was a like having a license to lie. And it was alarmingly easy.

Juanita: Why this particular story?

Michele: This story is based on something that happened to me. I had a male friend in college and we had the same major, so we studied together a lot. After graduation we went our separate ways, but stayed in touch mostly through Christmas cards and birthday phone calls. That was it. He got married, I got married, he sent a birth announcement or two, and then I sent a Christmas card when I was pregnant with my first child. And in response I received a really terse letter telling me to stay out of his life. I read it over and over trying to figure out why he wrote it, but it kept coming down to the same thing. He felt our continued correspondence, as innocent and inconsequential as it was (at least to me), was unfair to him and to his wife. Clearly this guy had a different idea about our relationship than I. When I showed the letter to my husband, he explained to me that "guys have a different way of looking at platonic friendships than girls," and that I should probably just let him go. So I did. But it bothered me. It made me feel like I was 'the other woman' or something, and I didn't like that label. This is why I decided to transfer all my feelings onto two made-up characters with different backgrounds yet similar circumstances. I thought if I could solve the puzzle for the two of them, I could answer a few of my own questions as well.

Juanita: Would you tell us about your two main characters Joel Rolland and Noelle Moncada?

Michele: First of all, I am NOT Noelle. She is far prettier (and taller) than I am, and I don't necessarily agree with the assessments she makes of her relationship with Joel. She also walk(ed) in the shadow of a brilliant older sister and lost her father when she was only eight years old. I grew up in a house filled with kids and my father died only recently, at the age of 86. As I was writing the characters I identified a lot more with Joel. Joel was the mystery to me, so I had to get to know him and like him. Ultimately, he's a lot like my best friend, the man who happens to be my husband. My husband was a wonderful consultant—not only because I made Joel a stockbroker and that was my husband's trade, but also, because each time I wrote a "Joel chapter" in first person, I'd read it aloud to my husband and often he'd stop me cold and say things like, "Michele, a guy would never say something like that!" Ultimately, I'd say that both Joel and Noelle are intelligent, yet typical products of a 1970s-80s Midwestern upbringing. I think they both love their spouses and their kids, yet hold a sentimental place for their friendship with one another, and ultimately learn that it's okay to live with those memories.

Juanita: Michele, your book poses the age-old question – Can a man and a woman remain friends after each marries someone else? What happens in "A Line Between Friends"?

Michele: As I've found through the now countless number of discussions I've had since this book was published, there isn't one, definitive answer to this question. This is what makes the topic so interesting to discuss. I believe there are as many answers to this question as there are relationships between men and women. I can say without the slightest doubt that I have a few very good friends who are married men. One of my closest friends in the world is a man, who isn't married, but he's my husband's best friend as well, and we, of course, have never 'crossed the line.' Joel and Noelle do cross the line, although it happened early in their relationship and years passed before Joel sent the letter cutting off all ties. He is ultimately the one who is conflicted about his feelings for Noelle, and has been all along. For these two, I don't think it's possible; however, I still leave it up to the reader to decide.

Juanita: The voices of your two main characters are heard strongly throughout your novel by each chapter alternating first-person accounts. What can you tell us about the strength of this context in revealing the differing male/female perspectives?

Michele: This is a very good question. Because this is the story of Joel and Noelle who each tell the same story of how they met and how their relationship develops, I felt it was important to give them equal time. Men and women tend to have different takes on relationships and I wanted to try and bring out both those takes—if you will—by putting the reader inside the heads of each. I bring in their friends (college roommates, for example) to show how much influence friends have upon our relationships as well.

Juanita: What seems to be the compelling force that has kept these two in contact for so many years?

Michele: I'd like to say it's simply because they like each other . . . but I think we learn that Noelle likes to cling to the one consistent male figure in her life who is more like a fun brother than a patriarchal father or critical boyfriend, and I believe Joel thinks of Noelle as some kind of goddess who is consistently out of his reach. He likes the idea of her more than the woman she actually is.

Juanita: The past plays a big part of your story as both Joel and Noelle reflect back on their relationship. Would you comment on the coming of age aspect of "A Line Between Friends" and the vivid manner in which you transport readers back in time?

Michele: Transporting readers back to the 1970s was a fun trip down memory lane for me. As an aspiring journalist back in high school, I kept journals on everything and was therefore able to not only tap into my memory of foil wall paper, peacock feather and Chianti bottle décor, but also replay the music of Led Zeppelin, and Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young, and I remember the apathetic nature many of us developed toward politics by coming of age during Watergate. My first interesting piece in the school newspaper was on Title IX and how the PE teachers felt about incorporating co-ed PE into the curriculum. The differing responses between the male and female teachers made an enormous impression upon me. Let's not forget this was the time when "the Battle of the Sexes" and the competition between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs was front and center in pop culture. I don't think it took intelligent members of our generation very long to figure out that the playing field was fairly equal. I think we learned to have friends of the opposite sex pretty easily.

Juanita: Michele, why do you think it can be so difficult for people to let go of past relationships?

Michele: I'm not sure that I do. When the man I married nearly 18 years ago came into my life, I didn't feel the need to hang onto any of my previous (sexual) relationships. Friendships, however, are another story. As with my male college friend who inspired this story, we had 20 years worth of fond memories, which I simply liked to bring to the front of my mind around the holidays with a greeting card. I wasn't dragging up the "relationship" or trying to make it anything more than it was, but apparently either he was . . . or his wife was . . . and when he asked me to stop all contact, I had to try and respect that.

Juanita: Who or what do you think ultimately defines the "line" between friends?

Michele: Sex. Sleep with someone and the relationship crosses over the line between friends and lovers.

Juanita: Do you think both women and men will enjoy reading "A Line Between Friends"?

Michele: When I work-shopped this book, I had far more male readers/commentators than women. Like my husband, the men enjoyed keeping me in line and helped empower my language and thoughts to be more authentically male. I think this is more Joel's story than Noelle's, and I actually agree more with his conclusions—if that's what you can call them—than I do with Noelle's. So to answer your question, I think both men and women will equally enjoy reading and relating to this story.

Juanita: What were some favorite moments that you experienced writing this story? Was it a different process for you than your other books?

Michele: Each time I finished a draft of a chapter, I called my husband into my office so I could read it aloud to him—especially Joel's chapters, as he was such a big help with the voice. There's one chapter in particular where I closed my eyes and typed while he talked to me. I interviewed him about his first day working at the Chicago Board of Trade. He had fantastic recall, describing sights and sounds, and I gave these all to Joel. Like Joel, his mother died of cancer and I liked hearing him talk about the last days he spent with her at her bedside and how she used to comment on Ryne Sandberg's 'nice ass.' It was difficult for him, but she died before we were married and it allowed me to get to know her and to know more about their relationship.

Writing this novel was a completely different experience than writing the first two books. The first two, a memoir and then a collection of columns/essays, came easily and felt like the kind of writing I'd trained to do and had done professionally for years. Writing fiction, on the other hand, was like spitting in the wind and entirely entertaining. I'm an avid reader of fiction and love to sink my teeth into a good story and get to know vivid characters. With this experience, I got to know Joel and Noelle so well, they became very real to me. Sometimes I'd even dream about them. It was a very powerful thing to be able to send them in various directions and determine their fate.

Juanita: Michele, do you find human nature and relationships a compelling subject? Can we expect more books from you in reflecting these themes?

Michele: Juanita, I find human nature, and relationships in particular, to be THE most compelling subject for writers. Stories about people and relationships between people arise everyday and are an endless source of fascination. Yes, expect more books from me reflecting these themes.

Juanita: How did you find writing in the genre of fiction, an area that hasn't been your professional focus?

Michele: I know my publisher would prefer that I focus on a sequel to my book about the innkeeping business, and I continually hear that non-fiction is easier to sell and to promote. But I need to feel passionate about a book to which I've turned over my life—and make no mistake—when I'm writing a book, I'm living a story inside my head. Even though my husband is very supportive when I'm working on a project (driving the car pool, doing the grocery shopping and making the kids' lunches, etc.), I still have to time it right so that I don't neglect my family completely. My girls (now 12 and 9) won't be these adorable, remarkable ages forever!

Juanita: What great ages! As a mom, and having had a similar experience you wrote about in "A Line Between Friends," what advice will you give to your girls when they get older?

Michele: My girls already know I believe they should be at least 30 years old before they get married (!) They are very lucky to have a dad who is such a wonderful example of what a "good husband" is. We are very affectionate in front of our children, and share all the household chores. We laugh together constantly and honestly, never fight. I think the best way to teach your children anything is through example rather than through advice. My older daughter, Willow, has already shown her ability to make friends with boys. Part of it is because she's very athletic, and can get past a lot of them on the soccer field. Most of her girlfriends are already a bit boy-crazy and they talk about who is "going out" with whom (which cracks me up—I mean, where do sixth graders 'go out?'), yet Willow has yet to have a crush on anyone. I don't think she's met anyone smart enough yet and is holding out for someone like her dad—and by that I mean, someone with the whole package. Camille, on the other hand, has a crush on the cutest boy in class and will turn as red as a Valentine's Day heart if you even mention his name.

Juanita: Do you have any other projects in the works?

Michele: Last year I wrote a rough draft of a novel about a group of women who play the dice game bunco. Did you know that over 750,000 American women play this game? I thought it might make for a ready audience. There's a lot of characters and it needs some polish—and this past year I didn't have time to focus on it. I would like to get back to it, however, because I really fell in love with the characters. They were funny.

I also have a story in the front of my brain that's been pestering me to come out for several years. It's called "Irish Twins," and it's based on two sisters who are less than a year a part. I have an Irish Twin and we are as much alike as we are different. We have each led very interesting lives. It might be a good format to alternate chapters between the two as I did with Joel and Noelle.

Juanita: I understand that you are the founder of a non-profit organization called HerBeware, and that you have donated proceeds from your book sales to this cause. Would you tell us more?

Michele: Yes, thank you for asking about this, as it's a subject close to my heart. HerBeware is a grassroots effort to help educate the public on the potential dangers of non-regulated herbs, particularly those found in dietary supplements. During the editing process of my first book, "I'm Living Your Dream Life," my 20 year old niece suffered a fatal heart attack, which was brought on by the herb ephedra (aka ma huang). I dedicated the book to her and held fund-raising events with book signings, and with the publicity I was required to do, to spread awareness of this subject. I promise you, it was an awkward and difficult thing going around promoting a book about my so-called "dream life," when poor niece had so needlessly just lost her's. I felt much better by using my opportunity in the public eye to help prevent even one more family from going through what we did because they didn't know that ephedra, for example, tests positive for amphetamines. This beautiful young girl thought she was taking a dietary supplement to help her shed a few pounds, and she may as well have been snorting cocaine for the effect it had on her heart! The FDA has since banned ephedra and yet there's still an effort to get it back on the market. I don't spend much time debating herb industry apologists these days (it took over my life for a while) but I do feel we made a valiant effort at getting out the information and cautioning people to not only check labels, but also check with their physicians before simply trusting a label that reads "all natural" and expecting it to mean that it's perfectly safe.

Juanita: Michele, how can readers find out more about you and your books?

Michele: Sandy Point Resort and Disc Golf Ranch, the business I own and operate along with my husband, Mike, has a wonderful website: www.sandypt.com. My author website, which details my books and provides purchasing information is: www.michelecozzens.com. I am represented by Sligo Literary Agency.

Juanita: Thanks for taking the time to talk with us today Michele. Your thought-provoking novel will certainly entertain readers, and we appreciate your candid responses. Before we depart, do you have any last thoughts?

Michele: Thanks, Juanita. I'd just like to say that each time I receive a good review, it feels like someone is complimenting one of my children. I'm so grateful to people who take the time to contact me with their comments about my books. But this is something I like to stress to aspiring authors . . . writing is actually the easy part. Selling your books is an entirely different and much more difficult experience. This is why I appreciate you allowing me the opportunity to promote my book. Even if one person reads this interview and finds the topic played out in A Line Between Friends compelling enough to switch over to Amazon.com and buy a copy, we've had time well spent. Now if you have any connections that can get me on Oprah, The Today Show, The View or even Dr. Phil, I'd be eternally grateful. Cheers!

Interview with Michele VanOrt Cozzens


author of A Line Between Friends


McKenna Publishing (2006)


ISBN 1932172262


Reviewed by Vicki Landes for Reader Views (4/07)


Today, Juanita Watson of Reader Views interviews award-winning author Michele VanOrt Cozzens about her new novel "A Line Between Friends."

Real Families is a sensible guide for teens and preteens! Living with (and getting along with!) your family isn't easy. And growing up isn't easy. Adolescent girls today face many new challenges, which their parents did not have to deal with. Real Families helps girls understand their important role as a family member and learn the many great benefits of having a good relationship with the people in their home!

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