Book Launch Cafe

Send Thanks to HBO for Rain of Gold Series - spread the word like hot salsa!

Rain of Gold

Thirteen Senses: A Memoir

Wild Steps of Heaven

Crazy Loco Love

Thanks to Facebook I recently learned of the announcement that HBO will be producing a ten hour mini-series (2010). I'm super elated about this! I am a huge fan of Villasenor's magical story telling. I also had the opportunity to meet him during his annual Thanksgiving Snow Goose festival on his Oceanside ranch in 2004. It was potluck and I brought lumpia (filipino eggroll) to share. It was gone in seconds! 

He's asking for your help here in his own words:

We need your help to congratulate and thank HBO.  HBO is the best! Please write a letter or an email to HBO telling them how much you appreciate the fact that they are making this series, based on the Rain of Gold trilogy, meaning Wild Steps of Heaven, Rain of Gold, Thirteen Senses.  Tell them how these books have touched your hearts and helped unite generations of your family in an exciting, magical, and yet realistic positive way.

Please send your letters to: Richard Plepler, Co-President HBO
1100 Avenue of The Americas, New York, NY 10036-6712
Re: Rain of Gold
With a copy to: Kary Antholis, President, HBO Miniseries
2500 Broadway Suite 400, Santa Monica CA 90404
And a copy to:  Michael Lombardo, President, Programming Group and West Coast Operations
2500 Broadway Suite 400, Santa Monica CA 90404
And copy me too: Victor Villaseñor, 1302 Stewart St., Ocenaside, CA 92054
 
Or send an email to: Richard Plepler's assistant Ashley.Covarrubias@hbo.com with Rain of Gold in the subject line
And copy: Kary Antholis' assistant Nica.Ferguson@hbo.com
Also copy: Michael Lombardo's assistant Amy.Hodge@hbo.com
And copy me too: victor@victorvillasenor.com

Make sure to tell all your friends and family to do the same so word will spread like hot salsa! Let's flood them with letters this week!
 

Amma on USA tour

Messages from Amma: In the Language of the Heart
Amma: Healing the Heart of the World
Darshan: The Embrace (DVD)

On Monday a friend and I drove to LA via scenic ocean drive Highway 1 during the sun rising. The drive itself was phenomenal. We made the easy 1.5 hr commute to receive darshan (blessing) from Amma, known as the hugging saint. She has inspired millions around the world with her humanitarian efforts, compassion as the only way to peace, education training and development, healthcare through schools of ayurveda and research centers funded by her non profit, and humanitarian aid world wide.

What struck me about her is that she acts on the spontaneous and instinctive. She cuts our the bureaucrazy (my intended typo), generates speed and momentum and quickly goes to those in need to serve and give quality support. Her work is a model which large and small organizations can learn from. 

She's on tour in the USA and you can visit her site for location and dates www.amma.org.

"Love is our true essence. Love has no limitations of caste, religion, race or nationality. We are all beads strung together on the same thread of love."  - Amma

"The need to feel and express love and compassion for everyone, with the understanding that we are all part of a greater reality, is the core of spirituality."  - Amma

A litte Book Launch Cafe update

The thing about reading is that sometimes you feel like you've traveled the world when you never left home. If this is the case, I've traveled the world in this first half of 2009. My reading has taken me to Ayurveda and the Slow Food movement. I'll share more in later posts on what led me here but I wanted to give you some updates on Book Launch Cafe.

I recently made the decision to discontinue the book reviews and excerpts. Cecila Sepp is an awesome reviewer but I wanted more of a laser sharp focus on the books that continue to shape my life or books that are in alignment with those. They call this a niche but I call it not spreading myself too thin and instead stay true to the books and authors that are dearest to me and that I'm crazily passionate about. I will include Author Features from time to time and they will be closely related to the genre of human development, self care, natural living, living organic, gardening, simple living, small spaces, environmental interests, human interest, humanitarian efforts, conscious living, slow food movement, spirituality and the like. I welcome your book suggestions related to these topics. What are you reading this summer?

This photo shown is a strawberry grown in Oxnard, CA, home of the strawberry festival and the best strawberry I've ever had!

Happy Summer Solstice! 

Book Giveaway goes to...

Our first giveaway for Sixtyfive Roses was last month and though not many biters I do have a winner, Leslie Westbrook! Thanks for my one and only participant and I'm ever so grateful to your sister story.

 

NEW Book Review: Keeper of Light and Dust

Cecilia Sepp has come out with her latest review, Keeper of Light and Dusk by Natasha Mostert published April 2009. Here's a glimpse.... 

This romance is as light and airy as its title, a predictable story that flirts with ancient mysticism and concepts of life, death, and energy. It does have an unusual setting, though: the world of fighting.

Mia, our heroine, studies martial arts but does not enter the ring. Instead, she fights in the spiritual realm, protecting a small group of fighters with her personal energy. She is the descendant of a long line of “Keepers,” women who seek out and protect worthy warriors. 

READ MORE >>>

SHARE YOUR FAVORITE SIBLING STORY TO ENTER THE BOOK GIVE!

Hey everyone, post a comment on your favorite sibling memory to enter the drawing to get Sixtyfive Roses in your hands!  It's a wonderful time to stir up those old memories of your brother or sister and share the story with them too. What a great way to honor those special memories.

If you'd rather not receive the book but just want to share your story, just note that on your post.

My sibling story goes...
I'm the youngest of 4, 2 sisters and one brother. I have many stories especially being the sentimental sensitive youngest sibling. I have a special unique relationship with each of them, now that we're all adults living in different states from MD, NY, CA and TX.

When we were young, I used to follow them around with my board games nagging and stomping around to get them to play with me. They hid from me I'm sure of it. This made me even more persistent. Everyone was born very close together, a yr apart and there's a 2 year gap with my older sister. So naturally, I was the annoying little sister.

Another time, we all hopped in our Bradybunch style station wagon and my brother "drove" us to Disneyland. That was a fun make-believe experience where not all of us were fighting or getting into big trouble with my dad. Years later my parent's did take us to Disneyland!

My last memory reminds me of those old prison movies where the prisoners are in shackles wearing the black and white stripe uniforms lifting rocks, huge rocks from one location to another. I felt like those prisoners when on a hot California east bay day my dad had us move pebbles from one spot to another in our backyard. Oh we all disliked this task. To this day I still don't understand that exericse in rock moving. I just remember my sisters being grumpy (I'm sure my whining had a lot to do with it -- I wanted to go out and play!) and my brother kept moving trudging on with the wheel barrow full of pebbles. To this day, I keep away from little pebbles in my landscaping. Big rocks I like! I think he learned to go within early to live harmoniously with 3 sisters. My siblings will probably remember these stories a different way but nonetheless those memories and experiences are what bonds us and makes sibling relationships special.

April Book Review: Sixtyfive Roses + Author Interview

 

Today is National Siblings Day and we're celebrating by featuring a touching memoir about two sisters, Sixtyfive Roses by Heather Summerhayes Cariou. Click here to read Cecilia's review.

Meet the author. Click here to read my interview with Heather Summerhayes Cariou.

More BLC Book Reviews 

• Beat the Reaper
• Drood
• The Girl She Used to Be
• The Alexander Cipher   
• Rock Bottom
  

Book Giveaway of Heather Summerhayes Cariou's Sixtyfive Roses in Honor of National Siblings Day: Share your favorite sibling memory!

 

photo courtesy of makeSByourown.com

Good evening readers!

Wow, what a gorgeous day. I woke up with the sun shining (finally a break from the wind!) so I called a friend for a lunchtime beach walk. As we were chatting away we looked out to the ocean and saw a spectacular site... a partially submerged whale blowing through his blowhole! A quick second flashed but nonetheless it was beautiful to experience with a friend.

On this Whale day Monday to start off the week I am so excited to announce Book Launch Cafe's 1st official Book Give: Sixtyfive Roses in honor of National Siblings Day Thursday, April 10th. I had the opportunity to interview the author and I'll post that interview Thursday + Cecilia's book review.

I have one copy for the Book Give. Really easy to enter. Just leave a comment sharing your best favorite sibling memory. You played, fought, tattled and loved. It's also a special long-lasting bond.

Sixtyfive Roses is a remarkably honest and touching memoir that reads like a novel. The heart of the story explores the relationship between two sisters – one devastatingly ill, the other healthy but burdened with guilt – as they journey through  childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood. When Heather was six years old, she promised to die with her little sister Pamela, who’d been diagnosed with what Pam called “Sixtyfive Roses” – Cystic Fibrosis.  However, Pam defied the limits of a dire prognosis, and in doing so taught Heather how to live. Together they discovered where to find joy and meaning in an often painful and uncertain world.

Sixtyfive Roses is Eva Longoria’s favorite new read (she optioned the film rights). Thousands of readers have already been challenged, inspired and profoundly moved by this provocative, funny and deeply honest literary memoir. 

An Interview with "Power of Less" Author Leo Babauta

There is a convergence of writers and readers who visit Book Launch Cafe so my interview questions mingle between both so they can come away satiated. Authors are readers and readers are writers. They're lives are unfolding like chapters of a book...  some just hasn't been written yet. 

We all have a story to gift to the world and Leo's story is about sharing what he learned in his personal and professional life transformation and supporting those who want to change their life for the better through his book, Power of Less. Get ready to learn what authors are on Leo's over-the-top dinner party and what are his LESS challenges are. 

Read the Interview

My So-Called Freelance Life

I've read the first 3 chapters of this book so far, My So-Called Freelance Life: How to Survive and Thrive as a Creative Professional for Hire. Of all the business books I've read, this one has me laughing at all the familiar things I did when I became self-employed. Smart and funny. Chapter 1: You fled the cube - now what? and Chapter 8 Choose Clients Wisely, Grasshopper. If you're thinking of transitioning into the 9-5 or already have into the freelance life, I highly recommend this book.

The author, Michelle Goodman, gives you tips on creating a business plan to go, setting goals, negotiating rates, paying self-employment taxes, tracking expenses, and trouble shooting common freelance problems, from tracking AWOL checks to handling hellish clients.

The Nature of Business

Today felt like the first day of spring in Santa Barbara so I felt inspired to bring up this article I wrote last year for women launching businesses. I am re-posting it here.

~~~~~~~~~~

The Nature of Business

Life should be easier with technology advances but with so many choices, I try not to feel so overwhelmed. Should I buy a faster computer, a bigger monitor, the latest iphone, google phone or get a BlueAnt SuperTooth3 so I can drive hands free with style? Should I open my store to global sales, manufacture abroad? Where should I seek virtual assistance? How many social networks should I join and can I keep up with all of them -- do I need to keep up? The choices are endless.

When things get hazy from too many choices, I look to nature to simplify. When a caterpillar is ready to become a butterfly, it does so in its own time. You can’t rush a tree setting its roots firmly on the ground; hurry a flower to reveal its bloom or a tomato to be a juicy red. When we allow ourselves to navigate change rather than molding to the latest trend, expectations, or moneymaking opportunity, we create and grow from a more sustaining place where we define success on our own terms.

My top 7 for looking to nature to launch your business:

1)    That idea stirring in your head might not be the right time for it to blossom into a business. Consider dropping more seeds or cultivate the idea a bit more before it’s ready to bloom.

2)   Business just like the ocean moves in perfect rhythm. If you’re willing to bend and enjoy the swells, you can actually catch a nice wave every now and then.

3)    Don’t rush through your days. Accomplish a couple key tasks that will get you moving toward your goal rather than a lot that didn’t get you far. You won’t catch a dog multi-tasking. She is present and focused on all she does.

4)    Have fun! While you’re launching why not enjoy the process. If you launch all stressed out, that’s what you’re going to attract. Be a fun magnet. Sunshine and sand are fun magnets!

5)    Replace a sit down meeting with a walk on the beach. It’s a creative solution to getting unstuck and get ideas flowing in a natural setting.

6)    Stay radiant while launching – release toxins through regular exercise and nourish yourself with new experiences. A flower garden needs water and sunshine to be healthy and attractive.

7)    Imagine yourself where you want to be. It still works for the acorn and caterpillar. An idea first starts with imagination.

[March] Book Review: Beat the Reaper

Leonardo DiCaprio is set to produce and star in Josh Bazell's “Beat the Reaper“ adaptation. Read Sepp's Review.

Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell

Published February 2009

The narrator of this fast-paced, witty, and very funny novel is mugged on his way to work at 5 a.m. It is the beginning of a day that is going to get much worse and much longer before it is finished.

Running on drug-fueled fumes and tenacity, our narrator - an intern at a small hospital - does his best to treat his patients while dodging his superiors, his medical students, and his past.  READ MORE...

Add your comments on the Review page.

More BLC Book Reviews

•  Drood
  
• The Girl She Used to Be
• The Alexander Cipher   
• Rock Bottom
  

Good Fortune Cookie Friday!

When I was a little girl growing up on the east bay side of San Francisco, my dad (papa) or was it my grandmother -- someone,  brought home a huge, really huge box of fortune cookies. Me and my siblings ate so many fortune cookies that year. To this day I cannot eat a fortune cookie. I, however, like what's inside!

I loved it so much that a couple years ago I handmade 100 truffles, made from Bernard Callebaut chocolates for my hubby's grandmother's 100th birthday party, and included a homemade fortune --lovingly dreamed up -- for each guest.

It's time to revisit that here on Book Launch Cafe. Sorry not the cookie nor the truffle but the bite-sized words. There's something about the wisdom of those few words that ignites something within us.

Each week I will dream up a special fortune and send it out on 2nd Friday of each month.

Here's your first my dear readers. ----- >>>> Your fortune is in the telling. 

YOU ARE ABOUT TO MEET SOMEONE THAT LOVES YOU IN A WAY YOU DESERVED TO BE LOVED.

5 - 7- 13

International Woman's Day

Daylight Savings was Sunday and my body is still adjusting to waking to the darkness. My commitment to a once weekly Wednesday post came on a Thursday rather. All good though as I'm catching from an event filled week and sharing all the great books on my life's journey!

International Woman's Day was also Sunday. I celebrated Sunday by being surrounded by incredible entrepreneurial women at a seminar at the Fairmont Miramar in Santa Monica. The topic --- being Queen of our Empire! Both a fun and serious topic on empowering ourselves financially, supporting each other, loving and living on purpose.

For International Woman's Day I thought it would be fun to gather the books on my shelf that have lifted me through the years. I call them my portable mentors.

• We Empower: Inspirational Wisdom for Women A book to read, feel and pass on (I'm still on the passing on letting go part!)

• Business As Unusual: My Entrepreneurial Journey Profits With Principles Anita Roddick, founder of Body Shop, got me jazzed about opening my store Sama Living in 2006 with the knowing profits and principles can go hand in had.

• In Her Hands: Craftswomen Changing the World Watch the Fairtrade movement blossom!

• Women Who Light the Dark Reach out to others for inspiration. Be a part of a community of women who support you.

• Phenomenal Woman: Four Poems Celebrating Women What more can I say about the spirit of Maya Angelou and overcoming adversity.
  

• Celebrating Women "Imagine camping out for three days with all your best friends, doing community service for the Queen Mother, then dancing for two days straight..." - Paulo G
  

• FROM AMERICA TO AFRICA, Voices of Filipino Women Overseas Truly inspiring for me as filipina. A Muslim nurse in Saudi Arabia; an information technology expert in the government of Ontario, Canada; a nuclear safeguards inspector in Vienna; a former Ambassador to the United Nations in both Geneva and New York, a writer of history in Chile; a women's rights advocate in Eastern Europe; a television broadcaster in Singapore; a missionary nun in Cameroon, Africa; a visual artist and a translator of books in France; a domestic helper turned magazine editor in Hongkong; and a development consultant in Italy. Seven of the writers are based in the US. They include the CEO of a giant multinational corporation, an animal rights' crusader, a fictionist, a yoga teacher, an inner-city activitist, a child care specialist, and an obstetrician-gynecologist.

• Audrey Style lovely, graceful and full of purpose.

 Have any you'd like to share? Post to comments.

Santa Barbara hike

Enjoying a Sunday hike up up up to the Gaviota Peak

I love the city I live in and the Central California Coast so I want to share a little of Santa Barbara with you. Books you might enjoy:

• Day Hikes Around Santa Barbara California: 82 great hikes (our ultimate day hike guidebook)

• California's Central Coast: The Ultimate Winery Guide: From Santa Barbara to Paso Robles (you gotta try the wine here!)

• Sideways (Widescreen Edition) the movie that put us on the map

• Santa Barbara Style 

Have any from your city you'd like to mention? Curious me.

Ahhhhh 360 views at the peak

The Expo West Experience and Dr. Andrew Weil

Last Friday I took a road trip south with a girlfriend to Anaheim to the HOT HOT HOT Natural Products Expo, just right across from Disneyland! 

I was among 53k other (very happy) attendees who came to learn about the newest and most innovative products in natural, organic and healthy living. I also discovered new products for my store, Sama Living, a lifestyle space. Have I mentioned it before, it's one of the many things I do to stay afloat? Also why I'm passionate about well-being so I can be in this place of complete gratitude for doing the things I love and share it with the world. It's my tiny space to relate my life to books. Seems idealistic but that's what my heart calls out. Keeping the spirit hydrated through healthy fun living!

By the way, doesn't Mickey and Minnie look great! After all these years they're still glowing. Keeps me smiling. 

So, after all day of super foods, energy drinks and probiotics, the highlights of the day were listening to Dr. Andrew Weil talk about alternative and integrative medicine as preventative healthcare and topping off the evening with dancing -- I mean really gettin' down feelin' the love kind of groove --- to G. Love & Special Sauce. Just love this mixing business with pleasure. Expo West put on a great show!

My top 3 take aways from Dr. Weil's talk:

1. ELIMINATE processed foods as much as you can and make better food choices. How will you spend your money? Have an eating PLAN for life. 
2. Dr. Weil's Anti-inflammatory FOOD PYRAMID
3. Take your recommended dose of LAUGHTER to boost your immune system, connect with others, and feel good. Children laugh about 400 times a day; adults, 15 times. We need more laughter in our lives! See if there's free Laughter Club in your area and reap the benefits of group laughter and yogic breathing. [If you're in Santa Barbara, post a comment below if you're interested in a joining a group. I am starting one!] Weil closed the talk with breathing exercises  you can do anywhere to calm and energize you. 

Dr. Andrew Weil's  Books focuses on PREVENTATIVE care: 

• Healthy Aging: A Lifelong Guide to Your Well-Being (I highly recommend)

• Natural Health, Natural Medicine: The Complete Guide to Wellness and Self-Care for Optimum Health

• Breathing: The Master Key to Self Healing (The Self Healing Series)

• 8 Weeks to Optimum Health by Andrew Weil, M.D. - Abridged Compact Disc, 3 Hours (I highly recommend the audio)

• Eight Weeks to Optimum Health, Revised Edition: A Proven Program for Taking Full Advantage of Your Body's Natural Healing Power

------>
Further in healthcare reform, Dr. Andrew Weil was among alternative medicine doctors who testified before Congress March 1st. There he explained how alternative medicine, with its focus on disease prevention, is the key to crafting new healthcare reform. View here.

5 Trends and takeaways from the show floor.

Relaxation and Breathing for Meditation with Rodney Yee (Gaiam)

New BLC Web Badges

I've been asked about them and now they're here. Book Launch Cafe web badges for your downloading and posting pleasure. Support BLC and the authors you see here on our book journey and grab a badge for your site. Much appreciation and silent blessings your way -- whether you post a badge a badge or not ;-) 

 

Word play

The word is Heart.

Inside the word are two other words: "art" and "ear".

Interestingly, we create from the heart and if we listen closely, we hear what our heart tells us.

Here are two books that helped me gain clarity in my writing as a creative, heart-centered practice, while life is happening to me and all around me. 

The Artist's Way
The Vein of Gold

We don't need to escape to the woods or take huge chunks of time to take writing retreats. Of course that would be most ideal. We learn to use the time we have. My writing practice has expanded to a little more writing each day because now I create time where I thought no more could exist. See then, time is an illusion.

Inspiration Walks

Inspiration walk with Sabrina. I'm in the background writing a love note in the sand.

Have you noticed that many great writers have also been great walkers?

I've been at practice with my inspiration walks most days with Sabrina and some days solo. Instead of me walking her, I let her walk me. She's a great walker. She sniffs flowers, rolls in grass, greets interesting people, narrowly escapes the foamy waves and plays with the birds teasing her. Sometimes she'll just stare out into the ocean like she's taking "it" all in. When she's done she confidently heads back home and I follow. 

Dog whisperer, Caesar Milan, would scold me for allowing that to happen but what I experienced since I've declared my inspiration walks is a peak experience with my surroundings and a deeper connection to my creative self. It energizes my creativity and when I see Sabrina enjoying herself, it's double the pleasure!

In "The Right to Write: An Invitation and Initiation into the Writing Life" Julia Cameron, points out that when the well of creativity and writing juices stop flowing, to get outside in nature and fill up your well with inspiration. Sometimes as writers we get greedy for more words to stream out then our well dries up. So next time you're feeling stuck or blocked, take a half hour and declare that time YOUR "inspiration walk".

Ideas for Inspiration walks:

In your own neighborhood
At a botanical garden
Strolling through the park
In the city streets
Into and out of stores "window shopping" for inspiration
The beach
A mountain hike
On a university campus (one of my favorites too -- full of lively energy)
Art museum
At a vineyard
Day tripping to a nearby city
In the bookstore
Library
To the most unlikeliest places you'll go
Gardens and nurseries
Animal shelters, walk a dog while you're there
Inspiration is all around. Open yourself up to possibilities and listen for the subtle signs.

“You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.”  - Jack London

To take that a step further declare yourself going on a "miracle walk", talk to strangers, B&B owners, gardeners and shop owners or just wander around your city, be open to new encounters and experiences, no matter how odd you might think it is and then be a witness to what happens! 

If you liked this post, please ShareThis via social web (stumble upon, digg, delicious, etc...), post or email. Thanks so much.   

[FEB] Book Review: Drood

Drood by David Cristofano

Published February 2009

“Drood” is a brooding meditation on perception, rivalry, friendship, ambition, and the creative process. Beautifully written as a memoir by Wilkie Collins, the well-known author of “The Moonstone,” creator of the detective novel, and close friend of Charles Dickens, we are taken into the world of late 19^th Century England as Collins tells a strange and frightening tale of the last five years of Dickens’ life.

Be warned – if you have any ounce of hero worship or any admiration at all for either Collins or Dickens, it will be sorely tested by this novel. The author paints both characters as the deeply flawed individuals they likely were: immature, competitive, vain, and emotionally selfish with those who loved them. Both also suffered from addiction, Dickens to his fame and Collins to his opium.

READ MORE...

More BLC Book Reviews by Cecilia Sepp

• The Girl She Used to Be
• The Alexander Cipher   
• Rock Bottom