Wednesday, July 29, 2009

Bobby and Jackie: A Love Story




Bobby Kennedy. Jacqueline Kennedy.

Two of the most fascinating figures in history, both deeply affected by the assassination of their respective brother and husband, President John F. Kennedy. Yet many may not know how this loss brought these two even closer together.

What had been an open secret among Kennedy insiders for years is finally revealed in Pulitzer Prize nominee C. David Heymann’s new book, BOBBY AND JACKIE: A Love Story.

What began as an affair in 1963 over shared grief, the love story between Jackie and Bobby lasted until his tragic assassination at the Democratic national convention in 1968.

Late-night rendezvous at Jackie’s Fifth Avenue apartment.

Impassioned embraces at the Kennedy estate in Palm Beach.

These interludes had been whispered about for decades. Now, BOBBY AND JACKIE gives the reader behind-closed-doors access to these and other accounts of their secret relationship.

Also included are tales of Jackie’s relationship with shipping industrialist, Aristotle Onassis, who vied with Bobby for Jackie’s love, Bobby’s many affairs with other women, and Bobby’s wife Ethel Kennedy’s open contempt for her famous sister-in-law.

Drawing on more than two decades worth of personal interviews, as well as previously unreleased reports by the Secret Service and the FBI made available through the Freedom of Information Act, Heymann documents this complex relationship in his moving, enlightening and enormously entertaining new book.

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

GIRL FORCE: A Girl’s Guide to the Body and Soul

Author and former beauty editor combats negative images and messages for teen girls in her new book

GirlForce, published by Bloomsbury, is the newest book by author Nikki Goldstein, who has worked as a beauty editor and writer for over ten years at such magazines as Marie Clare, Vogue, Elle, InStyle and Cosmpolitan. She wanted to develop a way to counter the negative images and messages she often found in the media.



“I am passionate about boosting girls self-esteem because I can remember what it was like to be a voluptuous teenager and feel out of step with prevailing ideal of beauty. For me the best way to pass on my message – to learn to love yourself just the way you are – was to write my own books. Girls need to practice a daily affirmation like, “I love and accept myself just the way I am”, to remind themselves they are perfect and beautiful simply because they are unique. “ – author Nikki Goldstein



After a long illness and recovery, Nikki discovered the ancient Indian system known as Ayurveda (pronounced "eye-ur-vee-dah"), after a friend suggested looking at yoga and meditation. At first a skeptic, Nikki found that she was becoming and feeling stronger and her stress levels were down. Most of all, she was learning about her body and what it needed to feel great.

Nikki took the concept of Ayurveda and her experiences and wrote a book for adults called “Lifeforce.” While on an author tour, mothers and daughters asked her to create something similar for teenage girls. And so, GirlForce was born.

Nikki wants to share her powerful message to all teen girls, young women, moms and dads out there:

“What I am trying to get girls to understand is that underneath the skin we are all the same. We may come in different shapes and sizes, different skin colors, different racial or political beliefs but we are all the same inside. All girls struggle with how they look, how they fit in, whether they’re loveable and desirable. No one, no matter how beautiful they may look on the outside, is immune from these issues. GirlForce is about finding the spirit, love, magic within – your GirlForce.”

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

JULIANNE MOORE & FRECKLEFACE STRAWBERRY RETURN


Four-time Academy Award Nominee and her spunky, picture book star dodge a bully

Best known for her roles in many blockbuster movies, such as The Hours and Forgotten, acclaimed actress Julianne Moore is fast proving herself to be a multi-talented woman. She joins talents again with bestselling illustrator LeUyen Pham for FRECKLEFACE STRAWBERRY AND THE DODGEBALL BULLY. With a sweet sensitivity and imagination, she writes about a subject that everyone, despite their age, can relate to: The school bully. This time, Freckleface Strawberry, this perky, loveable seven-year-old, encounters a bully on the playground—Windy Pants Patrick—and must summon the courage to play dodge ball. Ms. Moore tackles this all-too-prevalent problem with both humor and grace.

Here’s Julianne speaking about the name "Freckleface:"





It is Ms. Moore’s infusion of hilarity and heart that has won her praise from booksellers, educators, reviewers—and most importantly young readers—for her debut picture book Freckleface Strawberry, a charming tale inspired by a childhood experience.

Here’s Julianne speaking about writing for children:




Balancing her career and motherhood, Ms. Moore lives in New York with her husband and two children. She is a U. S. Ambassador for Save the Children, working with children and families in rural areas, focusing on literacy and early childhood education. She is also a member of Reach Out and Read, a children’s literacy organization dedicated to educating parents on the importance of reading to their children.

Here’s Julianne speaking about balancing family and career:





To purchase a copy of the book, click here: Freckleface Strawberry