Damask Rose

DAMASK ROSE is a well written, encyclopaedic book by rose enthusiast and herbalist Stuart FitzSimons which combines all the romance, sensuality and drama that surrounds one of the world's best loved plants.

In this 127 page book Stuart tells everything you could want to know about this beautiful plant including its romantic history, extensive and much prized cosmetic uses as well as the historical and medicinal properties. Also included is a chapter on horticulture which contains a section on troubleshooting to help gardeners solve their rose growing problems and a list of the top UK rose nurseries to help them locate the perfect plant. Full colour photographs illustrating the beauty and colour of each rose are shown throughout and links are also included so the reader can access additional on-line information throughout the web.

The book is available either as a down load or can purchased pre-loaded onto an illustrated, credit card size memory stick making it as easy to read as it is to store -- just flip the stick and plug into the USB port of any computer wherever you are.

DAMASK ROSE is a perfect present for either the gardener in your life or those who are just hard to please. It’s size also makes it easy to slip into a greetings card without adding to the cost of postage which makes it an ideal gift

DAMASK ROSE by Stuart FitzSimons retails at £12.97 and is available from www.plantasmagorical.com and local garden centres.

Watch out, watch out: The Body Collector’s about!

Charlie Stench the Body Collector collects bodies: the heads he turns into floating skulls with all the powers of evil (except that in the case of Boris the skull something went wrong and he did not turn out evil at all). Boris loves the wicked witch Griselda (who treats him mean and keeps him keen) but as fans of Frank Hinks’ ‘Ramion Collection’ will know Boris longs to have his body back. After saving Griselda from the mini-skulls Boris persuades her to visit the Body Collector, but when Griselda finds the boys (Julius, Alexander and Benjamin) amongst the dead nothing works out as they expect.

Can the warrior cat Snuggle protect the boys from THE BODY COLLECTOR who wants their bodies for his collection and Griselda who as always wants to eat them?!

This is the 15th story in the Ramion collection and arguably the most controversial.

A mix of dry humour and adventure ‘The Body Collector’ delivers boyish delight of muddy hands and ghostly globs, but adults will find a deeper message within its pages, a reminder of parental love, making ‘The Body Collector a unique bedtime story for adults and children alike.

Robin Stuart-Clark Readers’ Forum Book Club says of ‘THE BODY COLLECTOR’,
“The irrepressible Frank Hinks strikes again in his latest book, The Body Collector.
Number 15 in the Ramion Series Collection, The Body Collector is as fresh and funny and exciting as Book 1, The Land of Lost Hair.
Here Boris the Skull is allowed his own flight of fancy: to find his body. Told in simple, no-nonsense, take-it-or-leave it language, Boris’ quest is a story demanding giggles and guffaws.
I wonder if I should have a duvet day and read the whole series from start to finish?”
Robin Stuart-Clark www.bookblurb.co.za

The illustrations are better and brighter and funnier than ever – whether as vignettes or as full page images which break the boundaries of spine and integrate with the text without losing readability. Boys and fathers who remember being boys will love the latest Ramon story by Frank Hinks ‘The Body Collector’
‘THE BODY COLLECTOR’ stands alone. Love it or hate it you will not forget it.
Ramion rises again in October 2012 - hooray!!
www.ramion-books.com

The Body Collector

Before Boris the skull rescues Griselda from the mini-skulls (who want to eat her) he gets her to promise that she will give him back his body. But she keeps her fingers crossed (so the promise does not count) and arranges with the Body Collector to have Boris reconditioned (he is not evil enough). However, when Griselda and Boris visit Charlie Stench the Body Collector nothing works out as they intended.


ISBN 9780954704674
Series: Ramion
Title: The Body Collector
Published 15 October 2012
Key ages 7/8
Description: Classic fantasy adventure about the Body Collector and a skull who wants his body back.
Series description: Fantasy adventures about three boys, a witch, a cat and the magical land of Ramion
Hard back
Price: 12.99

*SPECIAL OFFER!
2 for 1 price deal on THE BLIZZARD WIZARD & THE BODY COLLECTOR.
MRP for each book £12.99. Special offer price, buy THE BLIZZARD WIZARD & THE BODY COLLECTOR together for £12.98.
Free delivery
Offer & buying information only available from http://www.perronetpress.com/special-offer
This is a one month exclusive offer only available through Gazelle-book services.
The special offer will be available from 15 October to 15 November. Offer ends 15th November*
www.gazellebookservices.co.uk

Media Contact: Jacqui MacCarthy: jacqui@d-image.co.uk Tel +44 (0)1628 522982
Orders and distribution: Gazelle Distribution: Tel +44 (0) 1524 68765; Fax +44 (0) 1524 63232; E-mail sales@gazellebooks.co.uk
www.ramion-books.com
Ramion children’s book collection titles below:-

Paperback

Ramion
The Land of Lost Hair
The Vicar’s Chickens
The Crystal Key
Creatures of the Forest
Realm of Ramion
The Dim, Daft Dwarves
The Bands of Evil
The Magic Magpie
The Cruel Count
Swords of Ramion
The Seven Stones of Iliana
The Black Marchesa
Gary the Frog Prince
The Embodiment of Evil

Hardback

The Kingdom of the Deep
The Blizzard Wizard
The Body Collector
The Embodiment of Evil

IT Governance Publishing & itSMF USA Launch ‘Thought Leadership’ Book Series

IT Governance Publishing, the specialist publishing arm of IT Governance, is partnering with Information Technology Service Management Forum (itSMF) USA on a new series of books called ‘Thought Leadership’.

The first book in the series – The Definitive Guide To IT Service Metrics – is being launched today.

Alan Calder, Chief Executive of IT Governance, says: ‘This new co-published series of ‘Thought Leadership’ books will improve the global ITSM best practice knowledge base.’

Doug Tedder, President of itSMF USA, adds: ‘IT Governance already manages our official bookstore with great success. As we were planning the ‘Thought Leadership’ series, expanding on our relationship with IT Governance seemed a natural evolution.’

Assessing The Definitive Guide To IT Service Metrics, Calder continues: ‘Metrics are an invaluable tool for measuring the effectiveness of IT service provision, so we are delighted to launch the series with this book. The Definitive Guide To IT Service Metrics explains everything from management and measurement to implementation, so businesses can be certain the IT services they offer add real value. Metrics enable businesses to ensure the economical use of resources, identify areas for improvement and plan productive expenditure. Furthermore, intelligent use of metrics can inform the decision-making process and drive change in an organisation.’

The Definitive Guide To IT Service Metrics, written by Kurt McWhirter and Ted Gaughan, is aimed at all levels of ITSM practitioner globally, from students of the IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL®) to expert professionals.

Officially launched on August 30, details of how to order The Definitive Guide To IT Service Metrics now, priced at $49.95 in softcover and eBook format, can be found at: http://www.itgovernanceusa.com/product/431.aspx.

How to Achieve Career Success, Be Happier and Earn More by Not Planning Your Career or Having Just One

“What do you do for a living?” used to be an easy question to answer. At school you were asked to make a black and white choice to the question of “What do you want to be when you grow up?” and for the rest of your life you were One Thing or Another. You were a designer, or an accountant, or a doctor, or an artist. But now a new book reveals how a generation of ‘mashers’ are leading a work and careers revolution where you can be both a designer and an accountant, a doctor and an artist, and be happier, more fulfilled and better paid at the same time.

In their new book, Mash-Up: How to Use Your Multiple Skills to Give You an Edge, Earn More Money and Be Happier published by Kogan Page in September 2012, authors (amongst other things) Ian Sanders and David Sloly show readers how to get in on the act and ‘mash-up’ their full skill set to carve out a more fulfilling work life and be more than just their job titles.

Along the way Ian and David introduce readers to an army of ‘mashers’ who are already making the most of all their multiple interests and skills to live more authentic lives. Interviewees include Dave Stewart, Phill Jupitus, Sarah Beeny and a platoon of mashers whose plural careers include making an award-winning film series, running a spice trading company, writing a bio of Florence and the Machine, founding a famous series of ‘ideas’ lectures, setting up a DJ agency, and blogging for the London 2012 Olympics.

**‘Personal Unifiers’ replace job titles (and help when writing a Twitter bio)**
Practical advice on how to make the jump from a restrictive single job title existence to the unlimited possibilities of a plural career includes how to answer the dreaded dinner-party question all mashers hate: “What do you do?” and how to use social media platforms such as Twitter where mashers have to condense their plural identities into 140 characters, whilst still standing out from the crowd. As mashers are more than their job titles, David and Ian coin the brand new concept of the ‘personal unifier’. For Ian it’s ‘communicating ideas’; David is a ‘change agent’; Sarah Beeny ‘makes things simple’; and for Jose Castillo whose varied work life has included writing about new media, speaking at conferences, and consulting with Fortune 500 companies and start-ups it’s ‘adding spice’.

**Goodbye to the ‘Five-Year Plan’**
Calling time on the concept of the ‘five year plan’, David and Ian also show how it’s mashers who ‘unplan’ that are most successful. The ‘unplan’ is at the heart of the Mash-Up philosophy and is about being agile enough to adapt to unexpected opportunities. The happier more fulfilled masher realises that in a world that’s more connected than ever, but increasingly unstable and uncertain, it’s those who adopt an agile mindset, who can do more than one thing and be adaptable and enterprising, that stand the best chance of success.

To further help readers unleash themselves from the black and white single career mindset Ian and David also offer advice on:

• How to use the concept of ‘mash’ to give you a competitive edge in the job market
• How you can get satisfaction and stimulation by getting close to the work-life that reflects you
• How to go plural when you already feel time poor by making the most out of hobbies
• How the native masher is more productive when portable rather than chained to a desk

...and even more tools and tips to manage a mashed-up life.

About the authors
Ian Sanders is passionate about capturing and communicating ideas. He works with businesses turning their thinking into marketing content that tells a story across multiple platforms. His career has seen an obsession about 'doing', driven by curiosity and insight rather than a big plan. Ian applies a rapid mindset to all projects, recognising that the value lies in execution. Through his own ideas and writing he's on a mission to disrupt the business status quo. His books have inspired readers to change their lives; Tom Watson the British MP who famously challenged Rupert Murdoch, said "thanks Ian. You helped me rediscover the inner rebel". Watch Ian interview Dave Stweart, Guy Vaynerchuck and more.

David Sloly trained as a journalist with the BBC. Fired for humiliating a politician, he became highly sought after and was soon snapped up to create award-winning content for the UK's first independent radio production company. David is also a psychotherapist and hypnotherapist, so if an employer tries to fire him now, he hypnotizes them into drastically increasing his salary.

Notes to the editor: Mash-Up!: How to Use Your Multiple Skills to Give You an Edge, Earn More Money and Be Happier by Ian Sanders and David Sloly. To be published September, 2012. ISBN: 978-0749465902, Paperback, 256 pages, £14.99.

Child Prodigy Writes New Novel of Heroic Adventure in the Wild

Twelve-year-old Reena Bakir gives us the story of “HOPE,” a hybrid wolf leader who would become a legend of a hundred generations.

 

Born on a mountain from a wolf mother and a husky father, Hope is an orphan of a month and a half when he is found nearly frozen to death by a human. HOPE by Reena Bakir is the fascinating tale of how this hybrid orphan grows up under human care, leaves their domain to become a hero among his kind in the wild, in a fabulary place ruled by the intelligence of “beasts” (bears, wolves, leopards and such) called The Snowy Forest. It is a unique spin on many animal tales – a fascinating study of animal psychology and the virtues of the animal world that are otherwise not given too much mileage in other works. 

Dan, the human who saved Hope (and gave him his name) gives a foreshadowing of what Hope would become when, from experience working on the dogfarm, he touts the young pup as somebody who would grow up to be a leader. On the farm (the pup sanctuary) where Dan has taken him to, Hope displays his leadership qualities early on - his strength, intelligence and reflexes are better than all of his friends in his age group. Perhaps it is the influence of human care in the farm for working dogs (raised and trained to carry loads and pull sleds).One more thing that distinguishes him from the rest is a thinking, practical conscience affirmed by a strange episode with a snow leopardess who tells him how kind and trustworthy he is. The wild wolves, bears, and other denizens of The Snowy Forest have seen and observed these amazing qualities of Hope’s.

The spark in the pup’s ocean-blue eyes has turned brighter and brighter with the passing months. As the bonds with his human and sanctuary friends grew stronger, he had never imagined the day he’d have to leave it all behind. But the leopardess finds him again after that first strange meeting and by following her, he heard the most magnificent howls of the wolves of a hunting pack. It spoke to him of freedom and choosing to live how he saw fit. When Hope is faced with a choice of survival or comfort, what would he choose? What, among the many virtues and bonds that have been given to him, would he have to give up to fulfill his dreams?

For more information on this book, interested parties may log on to www.Xlibris.com.  

Reena Bakir is a twelve year old student who is passionate about animals, especially wolves. She has great respect for nature and living creatures which is manifested clearly throughout her stories. Her stories spread great joy and morals to readers of her age and older. 

Visit her online at www.myanimaldoorway.com

HOPE * by Reena Bakir
Publication Date: December 23, 2011
Trade Paperback; $19.99; 121 pages; 978-1-4653-1028-6
Trade Hardback; $29.99; 121 pages; 978-1-4653-1029-3
eBook; $4.99; 978-1-4653-1030-9

Remarkable Life of a Cockney Kid Revealed in New Book

Author Veronica Pinckard recounts the story of her life through cheerful writing

As a promise to her inquisitive children and friends, Veronica Pinckard relives the earlier years of her life and writes it in a way with the richness of the ever-cheery Cockney. Her book, A Damn Fine Growth: Autobiography of a Cockney Kid, makes readers reflect that “Life is never as bad as we think.”

Born in London opposite the Houses of Parliament, Pinckard was the last of 16 children. She was educated at a prestigious school founded in 1666, and became an evacuee in WWII while in High School. While her seven brothers and her father served their King and Country, she worked as a wartime secretary for the inventor of in-flight refuelling and where the first British jet planes were tested; she was also a medical and legal secretary and Court Reporter.

Pinckard left England in 1954, emigrating to Canada and New Zealand. She emigrated to California in 1960, finally settling in the Santa Clarita Valley. She was married first for 26 years and now happily married for 35 years and counting. She has been a docent for 22 years at the Los Angeles Zoo touring school children, visiting schools to show slides on the plight of endangered animals, and reading to children at a local school.

Despite challenges along her walk through life, Pinckard continues to maintain a happy attitude up until today, as can be seen through her writing. With illuminating detail, A Damn Fine Growth: Autobiography of a Cockney Kid will bring smiles, tears, and rich memories to its readers. 

For more information on this book, interested parties may log on to http://www.Xlibris.com.

Married with 4 children, 6 grandchildren and a great grandson, Veronica Pinckard has travelled extensively with her husband and at 85 remains active in Tai Chi Chu’an, handiwork and learning to play the piano.

She has written and published many short stories, including an award-winning one.

A Damn Fine Growth * by Veronica Pinckard

Autobiography of a Cockney Kid
Publication Date: June 22, 2012
Trade Paperback; $23.99; 406 pages; 978-1-4771-2411-6
Trade Hardback; $34.99; 406 pages; 978-1-4771-2412-3
eBook; $3.99; 978-1-4771-2413-0

UKs Love of Reading Sparks the Great Book Migration

UK’s Love of Reading Sparks the Great Book Migration
Jonathan Edwards jumps on board to launch national reading campaign
 The UK is a nation of Bonds, Bennetts and bookworms
Hermione beats Harry in the top fictional character polls

A list of the UK’s favourite fictional folk has been revealed, placing James Bond and Elizabeth Bennett as the characters we’d would most like to be.

According to the poll of over 2,000 people, the average UK resident spends 7 hours and 54 minutes immersed in a good book each week. Over half of the nation (53%) will read on a daily basis for at least an hour and seven out of ten people still prefer the feeling of a real book over an e-reader.

The findings, conducted by vision correction specialist Ultralase, also revealed that the average UK bookworm will get through two and three quarter books each month. The most popular reasons for reading are escaping everyday stresses and broadening knowledge. However, for some people, books provide the perfect retreat for a different reason! Over a third of people have hidden behind a book to check on someone they admire, avoid a conversation or simply sit back and indulge in a spot of people watching.

This national joy of reading has prompted Ultralase to launch The Great Book Migration with the support of former Olympic athlete, and patient, Jonathan Edwards. The campaign will track 100 books, and their travels, across the UK. Varying from classic horrors such as Dracula to modern romances such as One Day, the titles will be found in a range of public places with ‘Read Me’ labels attached to their covers.

Those who find one of the marked books will then be invited to join the migration and log where they found it using QR codes, twitter handles, Facebook or email. Readers wanting to find out more about The Great Book Migration should visit http://on.fb.me/JX5CR4 for more details.

Tony Veverka, Chief Executive at Ultralase, said: “We’re incredibly excited to be launching our book migration and we can’t wait to see how far and wide the titles travel. As we can see from the research, reading may be one of our oldest past times but it’s certainly still a favourite - with so many people devoting their spare time to this hobby.

“It was, however, disturbing to see that so many people still let their sight compromise their joy of reading. In fact, 15% of people in the UK struggle with their sight whilst reading and one in ten (12%) also said they’ve felt intimidated or embarrassed by not being able to see when they’re reading in front of others.

“One of the most common causes of poor vision when reading is Presbyopia. It will affect everyone one of us as some stage in our life and can set in as early as 40-50 years old in some cases. Unfortunately, it’s not something you can avoid but there are treatments available, such as Supracor to combat the condition and we urge people to explore those options before sacrificing the enjoyment they deserve when reading.”

One in ten people feel that reading glasses are a symbol of getting old and a further 10% would rather opt for treatments such as laser eye surgery than wear glasses.

The top 10 fictional characters include:
1. James Bond
2. Elizabeth Bennett (Pride & Prejudice)
3. Jane Eyre
4. Hermione Grainger (Harry Potter series)
5. Miss Marple (Agatha Christie)
6. Harry Potter
7. Gandalf
8. Bella (Twilight)
9. Poirot
10. Jack Ryan (Tom Clancy)