New Book Encourages Men to Speak Out about Childhood Sexual Abuse

Jan L Frayne wants men to know there is no shame in admitting they suffered abuse.

According to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, 17,727 sexual crimes against children under 16 were recorded in England and Wales in 2010-11. Timed to coincide with the U.S Child Abuse and Awareness month in April, author Jan L Frayne offers readers his poetic memoir Beyond Survivor – Rising from the Ashes of Childhood Sexual Abuse: A Collection of Writings (published by AuthorHouse).

In Beyond Survivor Frayne, who boasts Welsh Poet Dylan Thomas in his ancestry, offers his own history, hoping to help other victims of abuse find the courage and strength to seek help to triumph over it, and to increase awareness and education among the general public. “Child abuse is in the headlines almost every week,” he says.

“Very few men are prepared to come forward and be counted. I hope this shows them there is no shame in doing so.”

An excerpt from Beyond Survivor, the poem “A New Dawn”:

My heart’s empty hallways echo forlornly.
My eyes but broken windows to my soul.
Blinded by my own fractured self,
So that I would be ignorant to truth,

My flesh aching and writhing in remembrance,
Spirit disfigured and grounded with clipped wings,
Silent tears fall for innocence long dead.
But beneath the chaos a light flickers dimly.

From the all-consuming madness comes hope,
A new tomorrow, a new dawn, a new hope.
Out of the ashes of a childhood destroyed,
I will rise, stand firm, and be strong.

Author Patricia A. McKnight, in her review of the book, says, “This expertly written book shows the path of standing strong and achieving what all mankind desires; retrieving the happiness once destroyed by the wicked. This collection of outstanding poetry and prose is a must read for all as inspiration to prevail against the challenges put forth in the battle to obtain our own freedom.”

About the Author
Mr Jan L Frayne is a 44-year-old male survivor of childhood sexual abuse. An advocte for survivors of childhood sexual abuse worldwide, he has written both prose and poetry since he was 11 years old.

First Preserves: Marmalades Now Available On iBook®

Vivien Lloyd, the country's leading authority on preserves, has released First Preserves: Marmalades as an iBook®, featuring recipes that can be made throughout the year. It combines the interactive nature of the iPad® with elements of Vivien's acclaimed first book, also entitled First Preserves.

This multi-touch iBook offers detailed explanations of each stage of the preserving process, from the preparation to how to fill and seal the jars, with galleries of informative colour photographs and embedded video demonstrations from Vivien.

A helpful "Define, Highlight, Note and Search" facility allows the reader to obtain definitions, explore further information online and set up a personal notebook to record all their thoughts during the preserving process, and all the equipment needed for successful marmalade-making is described, with direct links to suppliers' websites.

First Preserves: Marmalades also features the original book's popular chapter on competitions, utilising Vivien's extensive judging experience by providing anyone planning to enter a preserves competition with that crucial edge. Vivien offers advice on preparing for the competition, divulges the key elements that judges are looking for and reveals the common faults in unsuccessful entries. 

All the recipes in the book advocate Vivien's strong belief that preserve-making is a simple science. She says: 'Follow a few straightforward rules and you have an inexpensive and rewarding activity you can enjoy over and over.'

With First Preserves: Marmalades, Vivien aims to bring the tradition of marmalade-making to a new audience, informing and inspiring beginners and enthusiasts alike to get into the kitchen to make the popular preserve, and to perhaps even experience the excitement of entering a competition.

FACTFILE:

• Vivien Lloyd has 25 years' worth of experience of making and demonstrating award-winning preserves
• Vivien won 'Best of the Best' at the 2008 World's Original Marmalade Festival
• First Preserves: Marmalade is available to download from the Apple iBookstore in 32 countries, priced £5.49 http://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/first-preserves-marmalades/id513881112?mt=11
• First Preserves, the original book, covering jams and chutneys as well as marmalades is on sale now, priced at £14.99 and available from amazon and www.vivienlloydpreserves.com
• Twitter: @Vivienlloyd and Facebook.

New from author Lee Baldwin

Author Lee Baldwin, writer of Angle of Attack reports that his book Angle of Attack has now come out in a special second edition, with a rewrite on the last two chapters.

Lee Baldwin has launched a new website Baldwin Books to promote Angle of Attack and his other books.

The Diary Of A Student Midwife

"Journal of a Student Midwife" by Ellie Ryan

Candid diary documenting the reality of being a student midwife

Ever since she had her own children in her early twenties, Ellie Ryan was determined to become a midwife - 'the best job in the world'! After her children started school, Ellie began the demanding training she needed to achieve her ambition.

Ellie kept a blog-style journal throughout her training; the result combines laughter and friendship with poignant reminders that life is never as simple as we would like it to be. There are high points as Ellie takes steps towards reaching her goal; gaining confidence in her profession and helping women bring their babies into the world.

On the other hand, Ellie worries that she will never have what it takes to become 'a proper midwife' and feels terrible guilt about the detrimental effect her pursuit of this career could be having on her family. This real-life story provides an intimate and candid account of the author's journey towards becoming a midwife and the struggle to balance her professional and family life.

After being made redundant from her job in a call-centre, Ellie Ryan decided she would return to college to train as a nurse. After working as a nurse for a year she returned to university in order to achieve her dream of becoming a midwife. Ellie is now a practising midwife.

31st May 2012.  £12.99 Paperback.  ISBN 978-1-84624-708-8

• This real-life blog-style journal will appeal to student midwives and the midwifery and nursing professions, plus women in general who will identify with the pressures of combining work and home life
• Candid account of midwifery training and the workings of the profession
• Working wife and mother balancing the demands of her career with those of her young family

The Oracle of Life: a sci-fi book for children of all ages, bringing together extraordinary powers of the mind, a holographic playground and the return of long sworn enemies in one explosive adventure story.

Thirteen-year-old Julius McCoy is about to start his second year at Tijara Academy, in the Zed Lunar Perimeter. With the threat of the Arneshians averted for the moment, he can get on with the important part of his school life: developing his rare mind-skills.

Of course, what any student on Zed looks forward to most is competing in games in the Hologram Palace. But who is the mysterious lady hidden in one of the games? 

An encounter with her will set in motion an exciting and dangerous treasure hunt that will give him a whole new perspective on the real history of Zed, and ultimately beyond to a shocking truth that could jeopardise the safety of everyone he holds dear.
 

When an old enemy returns, it becomes clear that the Arneshians are back with a new plan for taking over Zed and seizing control of Earth. As the pieces of the puzzle fall into place, and he is drawn towards a climactic showdown, it will take all of Julius’s mind-skills as he is forced into a deadly final confrontation.

The Tijaran Tales series brings the complex genre of science fiction easily within grasp for readers of all ages. The books look at the trials of growing up, the joy of friendship and the need to stand up for what's right, as seen through the eyes of a particularly unique group of children.

A sample chapter from Tijaran Tales: The Oracle of Life is available to read at: www.authorsonline.co.uk

FACTFILE:
Francesca Tristan Barbini was born in 1976 and raised in Rome, Italy. After years of volunteer work around the world, she completed an MA Honours in Religious Studies, focusing on the Ancient Near East and the Dead Sea Scrolls. She currently teaches R.E. in a Scottish high school.

Her free time is divided between family and writing children's novels. An active member of the Tolkien Society, she also runs a kinship on Lord of the Rings Online. Barbini is currently working on the third instalment of her Tijaran Talesseries.

Visit: www.ftbarbini.com

Imprint: Bright Pen
Published: 02/04/12
ISBN (Paperback editions): 978-0-7552-1440-2
eBook Download Price: £3.95
PaperBack Purchase Price: £7.99

Is employment red tape preventing growth? HR expert thinks not

Happy Working Relationships

In recent months, there have been calls from ministers and influential MPs to reduce employees’ legal protection and create a “Hire and Fire” culture as a way to boost economic growth.

But experienced HR consultant and businessman Simon Jones believes the real issue for many businesses, charities and social enterprises is a lack of knowledge of employment regulations and an incorrect assumption that the law prevents them from running their business effectively.

In his recently published book, Happy Working Relationships – the small business guide to managing people and employment law he argues that employers who behave in a positive manner will achieve greater staff motivation and business success.

Simon says: ‘There are plenty of business owners and managers who’re terrified at the idea of staff issues. Words like “TUPE”, “constructive dismissal” and “tribunal” strike fear into the hearts of many bosses, but most of the time there’s nothing to fear if you make sure you follow a few simple guidelines, use some common sense and exercise a bit of compassion. The book’s designed to demystify some of those scary HR terms and make sure employers get the best out of their most valuable assets – their employees.

‘There are plenty of books about finance and marketing for small business owners and charity managers,’ says Simon, ‘but not very much about this so-called – but vital – “soft skill”.’

Caroline Hinds, HR and Operations Manager of Creative England described the book as “A very clear outline of the working relationship process, with a very clever use of analogies to ensure clear understanding rather than confusing legal jargon. I’d recommend this book to anyone who has preconceptions of employees having the ultimate right in holding a business to ransom. It explains that a positive approach to people management in always the best option”

While HR Zone, the online HR magazine, commented “it provides a common sense view of all aspects of recruiting, managing, employing and ultimately dismissing staff... concise and extremely readable”. The book has also been featured nationally by the Federation of Small Business in their “First Voice” magazine.

Happy Working Relationships – the small business guide to managing people and employment law is published by Wordscapes, ISBN number 978-0-9566344-3-6, and is available online, or via Amazon, priced at £12.99. It is also available as an e-book from Amazon, iTunes, Waterstones and other leading e-book retailers (RRP £6.99).

New books shows that treating yourself like a brand can create a ‘Brand New You’

Brand New You: Reinventing Work, Life & Self through the Power of Personal Branding

by SIMON MIDDLETON

Published by Hay House on 7th May, £10.99. Also available as an ebook.

A unique guide explaining what personal branding is and how to brand yourself professionally and personally to create a new you from one of the UK’s best-known experts on brands and personal development.

In an increasingly tough jobs market and an ever more competitive world in general, it is more vital than ever to stand out from the crowd to get the most from the opportunities given to us. UK expert on branding and personal development Simon Middleton’s answer to this: create a killer personal brand.

This is not a prescriptive business book that will explain how to swot-up for an interview or merely improve your CV, instead Middleton shows you that by examining your story, finding your strategy, paying heed to your audiences and establishing a ‘brand’, you really can build a ‘brand new you’.

Middleton promises that by creating a strong personal brand you will improve your prospects at work (and might just get that promotion!), stand out dramatically from the crowd and secure the job you really want, and even improve your prospects in finding a romantic partner.

Offering a fascinating glimpse into the art of successful company branding and marketing strategy, and then applying it to the individual reader, Middleton shares his expertise so that by the end of this book you’ll be thinking about yourself like the CEO of a global company thinks about their business. In the process you’ll be on your way to developing your killer personal brand, developing your own marketing strategy and achieving ambitions which previously seemed out of reach.

This book shows you how to build your personal brand and create a new you by explaining:

- How to turn ambition and dreams into a personal brand strategy
- How to identify the competitors to your personal brand and how to stand
out from the crowd.
- Strategies for ‘positioning’ yourself to best promote your personal brand
- How to craft your personal brand story and ‘sell’ yourself
- How to bring your personal brand to life in everything that you do, to build an authentic, distinctive and compelling brand ‘identity’.

Explaining what personal branding is and full of examples of how people have successfully created their personal brand – from Reggae Reggae Sauce entrepreneur Levi Roots to model turned charity-campaigner, Katie Piper – this book is a unique insight into creating a new you.

Simon Middleton is one of the UK’s leading brand consultant and an expert on branding and a highly-experienced reinventor. His consultancy firm Brand Strategy Guru advises organisations and individuals all over the world and Simon has appeared on BBC Newsnight, BBC Breakfast, Bloomberg, Sky and CNN to discuss brand stories. He is the author of popular business books Build a
Brand in 30 Days and What You Need to Know About Marketing. www.simonmiddleton.com