5 autographed copies will be given away on Friday, November 27, 2009
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Although we don't usually feature non-fiction books on our site, I couldn't pass up the opportunity to feature one of my most cherished spiritual mentors and overall inspirations, Deepak Chopra. I was fortunate enough to meet Dr. Chopra recently through a very synchronistic series of events and when he agreed to come on the site and give away some free copies of his latest book, I jumped at the chance!
So in honor of Thanksgiving this week, I thought this book (which I'm now reading and tremendously enjoying!) was the perfect symbol of thankfulness. And I am humbly honored and grateful to name Deepak Chopra among our long list of celebrity authors here on Free Book Friday. Enjoy!
-Jessica Brody FBF Founder
About the Book:
Happiness is something everyone desires. Yet how to find happiness–or even if we deserve to–remains a mystery. Still more mysterious is the secret to a lasting happiness that cannot be taken away. In The Ultimate Happiness Prescription, bestselling author Deepak Chopra shows us seven keys to uncover the true secrets of joy in the most difficult times.
The goal of life is the expansion of happiness, he contends. But in today’s demanding world, that goal seems elusive, if not impossibly out of reach. Society reinforces the belief that fulfillment comes from achieving success, wealth, and good relationships. Yet Chopra tells us that the opposite is true: all success in life is the by-product of happiness, not the cause.
So what is the cause? The Ultimate Happiness Prescription shares spiritual principles for a life based on a sense of your “true self” lying beyond the ebb and flow of daily living. Simple daily exercises lead to eliminating the root causes of unhappiness and letting a deeper level of bliss unfold.
After all avenues to happiness have been explored and exhausted, only one path is left: the journey to enlightenment. In The Ultimate Happiness Prescription, the daunting and exotic challenge of finding enlightenment becomes accessible step by step. We are taken on an inspiring journey to the true self, the only place untouched by trouble and misfortune.
On the way we learn the secrets for living mindfully and with effortless spontaneity. Now happiness is no longer hostage to external events but an experience we carry with us always. As Chopra inspiringly concludes, “Everything we fear in the world and want to change can be transformed through happiness, the simplest desire we have, and also the most profound.”
“Deepak is both my medical doctor and my spiritual mentor. There is no one whose advice I prize more highly. Over the years, he has been a source of immense happiness for me, and now, with The Ultimate Happiness Prescription, he can be one for you as well.” —Wayne Dyer
DEEPAK CHOPRA is the author of more than fifty books translated into more than thirty-five languages, including numerous New York Times bestsellers in both the fiction and nonfiction categories. Visit him online at: www.DeepakChopra.com
**Please enter to win using the form on the left side bar of our website. Comments left on the post are not used as entry.
3 autographed copies will be given away on Friday, November 20, 2009
About the Book:
In December 1913, the city of Vienna glitters with promises of the future for sought-after debutante Amalia Faulhaber. But life takes a dramatic turn when simmering political unrest escalates into the most deadly war the world has ever known. Amalia is devastated when her fiance, Baron Eberhard von Waldburg, breaks off their engagement to return to his native Germany and obligatory military service. But she soon discovers that her passion for democracy in an increasingly fascist world has put everything she loves in danger. Her family torn apart and improvished by the war, Amalia must now choose between an idealistic young Polish doctor, who shares her political views, and the wealthy Baron von Schoenenburg, an Austrian Cabinet minister who promises to provide safety and security in a violent, tumultuous time. Reminiscent of Gone with the Wind, this epic novel explores the nature of human character and the elusive search for love and peace.
Exclusive Interview with the Author!
1) THE LAST WALTZ sounds fascinating. Where’d did the idea come from?
This is a book I have wanted to write ever since I studied in Austria. My professors were Austrians who had lived through the time period of my novel (1913-1938). I became immersed in 20th century Austrian history, which I had never known. It is very different from Germany's story, and I realized most Americans only knew what they saw at the end of "The Sound of Music." The idea for a novel was born in graduate school when my Russian history professor said, "The best way to learn the history of a period is read a well-written novel from the period." I believe he used Dr. Zhivago as an example. While I was commuting by bus to a job in LA, I began the outline and the character sketches. However, as I worked on it, I realized I didn't have the kind of understanding I would need to write a novel of this emotional depth. An agent I knew wanted it, but she was strictly interested it as a romance novel. Although romance is a big part of it, it is actually much more than that. I finally realized it was an epic. I didn't know how to write an epic, so I let it sit for almost thirty years, while I "learned about life," and wrote light mysteries, a couple of non-fiction books, and one suspense novel. When I was finally got my manic-depression under control, I felt that I had experienced "sufficient suffering" to enter into Amalia's world of loss and redemption.
2) The story takes place in Austria during the time of World War I. Did you have to do much research to become familiar with this time and culture?
Because I had been immersed in this history while I lived and studied in Austria, went on to get a BA from Stanford and an MA from George Washington in the subject, I had boxes of material. Also, the story existed in my heart for many years until it became almost real to me. My problem, if anything was too much historical detail. My publisher loved it, but reluctantly made me cut it drastically so they could keep the cost down for the readers.
3) Amalia sounds like such a fascinating (and strong) character. If she could give the modern world once piece of advice from her time, what would it be?
That's an easy one. Her one piece of advice would be: don't lose faith in democracy. Allow the different parties to balance each other out. The dissolution of parliament in her time led eventually to fascism and Hitler's invasion.
4) You’ve written nine books so far! Wow! Has it gotten easier with time because you’ve gotten used to the process? Or harder because you have to keep yourself fresh and original?
My mysteries almost wrote themselves because I was dealing with my same group of eccentric characters as well as genealogical research (they are genealogical researchers turned detectives). They were like real people to me and all I had to do was hang on for the ride as they told the story and often times surprised me greatly. Non-fiction comes easily, so my two books (one on recovery from depression and one on genealogical research) were quick and fun to write. However, The Last Waltz, was difficult. I just couldn't seem to get it right. Finally, in desperation, I asked, "What would Tolstoy do?" I realized Tolstoy was in everyone's heads. My attempt to tell such an immensely complex story could not be told from the point of view of a one character. Once I got into Amalia's lover's heads (each of whom represents a different nationality and viewpoint), it all fell into place.
5) What are you working on now?
I am working on a new series that I am so excited about that every morning is like Christmas. It is women's fiction, about four ladies who are in a therapy group together. They are all single for different reasons, and after watching "Enchanted April," they decide that if life is so great in Italy, they want to go there. I just returned from a two-week research trip to Florence and Tuscany, and am really into this book! The challenge is that there are four heroines having four sets of experiences: A Cuban free spirit with serious issues that manifest in a neurotic hatred of the fact that she looks like Jennifer Lopez, a newly made widow who was once a concert violinist but now has arthritis and can't perform, a Vietamese-American OB-GYN who hates her job and practices the violin in secret every morning for two hours, and finally a perfectionist whose two-children, doctor-husband world has fallen apart. Each one of my "crazy ladies" will become whole in one of my four books in the series. The other three will take place in: The Greek Isles, Provence, and the Scottish Highlands.
5 autographed copies will be given away on Friday, November 13, 2009
About the Book:
For the second time in as many months, Daphne Martin finds herself telling a police officer, “I just delivered the cake.”
Several people became sick at Brea Ridge Pharmaceuticals’ annual holiday party for its employees, and one–Fred Duncan–died. Fred’s mother insists on Daphne’s help in learning why Fred died; and since none of the food has yet been exonorated, Daphne feels compelled to find out what made everyone so ill. She’s pretty sure it wasn’t her cake, but she can’t be certain until the police complete the lab results. Was this an accident? Or did someone set out to kill Fred?
Exclusive Interview with the Author!
1) What inspired you to write mysteries centered around a cake decorator?
My daughter and I took a cake decorating class, and we had so much fun. I'm certainly not a professional by any means, but Daphne Martin lets me pretend!
2) I hear there are actual recipes in your books. How cool! Which recipe is your favorite? What about your favorite type of cake?
Oh, man, I love chocolate cake. In fact, last Halloween I made a huge 10-inch round cake for a Halloween party. We had the party at a pizza parlor, and when we got home much of the cake (chocolate with buttercream icing) remained. I demanded that my husband take it to work with him because I could not be trusted alone with that thing! As far as recipes in Dead Pan go, Holly Clegg's Apple, Brie and Brown Sugar Pizza sounds wonderful!
3) Did you always know you wanted to be a writer?
I went through the singer/actress phase like every little girl, and I also went through a detective phase! I know I'm not cut out to be an actual detective, but once again, writing lets me live vicariously. I took creative writing classes in high school, and they were my favorite parts of the day. I think that's where I found and developed my true love of writing.
4) It sounds like you have a lot of stuff going on (writer, editor, mom, wife, cook)! How do you organize your day? Are you very structured or is every day a new adventure?
I have to say every day is an adventure. Although I try to be organized, and I have a checklist on almost every day of my calendar, I have to be able to back up and regroup. For example, I might have my day planned around freelance writing, but my editor will send edits to a book I'm working on or a fantastic marketing opportunity will present itself. Or the school nurse will call, etc., etc.
5) What’s up next for you? Will there be more books in the Daphne Martin mystery series?
Yes. The next book in the series is Killer Sweets. In the excerpt included at the back of Dead Pan, Daphne's friend and neighbor Myra comes over and is eating cashew brittle. Myra loses a filling, and Daphne calls the dentist. Even though it's late at night, the dentist knows Myra and agrees to meet her at the office to fix her tooth. Daphne and Myra arrive to find the dentist dead. Number one (and two) suspects? You guessed it! :-)
About the Author:
Gayle Trent is a cozy mystery author. She's currently working on the Daphne Martin Mystery series featuring a cake-decorating sleuth, and The Seven-Year Itch mystery series featuring Marcy Singer, an embroidery shop owner living on the Oregon Coast with her Irish Wolfhound Angus. The series is written under the pseudonym Amanda Lee, and the first book in the series is The Quick and The Thread. Visit Gayle online at: Fea
**Please enter to win using the form on the left side bar of our website. Comments left on the post are not used as entry.
BONUS: Check your inbox. Everyone who signed up to win this week will have an exclusive, never-before-released sneak peak of Love Under Cover delivered to them today! This excerpt is not available ANYWHERE else!
Also, we're giving away five free downloads of Jessica's single, Hypnosis that she sang and co-wrote with the talented singer/songwriter Tommy Fields
It's simple. Every Friday, we give away free books!
That's right. Each week, we feature a new author with an exclusive author interview podcast or written Q&A and host a drawing to win free signed copies of his/her book.
All you have to do to enter to win each week is sign up using the entry form on the left sidebar. Winners are chosen at random and posted on the site every Friday morning. Hence the name, "Free Book Friday!"
Free Book Friday was created by Jessica Brody, author of THE FIDELITY FILES --about a woman who goes undercover as a "fidelity inspector" to test men's loyalty--and the follow-up, LOVE UNDER COVER (Out now!). To view the award-winning book trailers, visit her website at:
www.JessicaBrody.com
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A Note from FBF
Although everyone is welcome to enjoy the content on our site, for the time being, the free book giveaways are limited only to those with US and Canadian mailing addresses as FBF pays for all shipping costs. We apologize for the inconvenience.
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About the Book:
And don't miss, REINVENTING THE BODY, RESURRECTING THE SOUL, also by Deepak Chopra. Now a New York Times Bestseller!
five free downloads of Jessica's single, Hypnosis that she sang and co-wrote with the talented singer/songwriter Tommy Fields
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Free Book Friday was created by Jessica Brody, author of THE FIDELITY FILES --about a woman who goes undercover as a "fidelity inspector" to test men's loyalty--and the follow-up, LOVE UNDER COVER (Out now!). To view the award-winning book trailers, visit her website at:
www.JessicaBrody.com
