http://awesomegang.com

Where Awesome Book Readers Meet Awesome Writers

1. Mental Toughness: (Quickly Master Your Mind & Dominate Your Opponents) by Lynn West - Lynn West is the author of several books that help college bound student athletes prepare and succeed in college.
   
2. In Search of the Dancing Bear - Tasha Cherry, mother of 6, was born in Norfolk, Virginia, and grew up in Chesapeake, Virginia. Her first book, "In Search of the Dancing Bear," was a groundbreaking concept that engages young children in the different aspects of Music Theory. She quickly wrote other books and created the Sozo Music Teaching System. The Sozo Music Teaching System was originally designed to teach her 2-year-old twins how to read and play the piano sheet music.
   
3. Mastering Digital Cameras: An Illustrated Guidebook - Al Judge is a professional photographer and author living with his wife in Sedona, Arizona. In March 2012, the Sedona Area Guild of Artists (SAGA) included Al in their list of the Best Artists of Sedona 2012. Al's work is on display at the Pop-Up Gallery at Hillside in Sedona, Arizona. Al's books use numerous illustrations and clear explanations to take the mystery out of creating excellent images. A few hours spent with one of these books can save the reader from months of frustration and confusion. Fine-art photography (images suitable for framing and displaying) are the result of an emotional response to something of beauty or interest. This cannot happen if you are stressed out by the technology that you are using to capture those images. Even some of the best books on photography assume that the reader understands a language that is unique to photography. For most of us, this assumption takes the joy out of learning. Al's books never make this assumption. Every term used is clearly defined and explained so that you will never be left scratching your head and wondering what you missed. Although Al's books are quite comprehensive, they are written in such a way that no prior knowledge of photography is required. We all learn at different speeds and in different ways. For any skill developed, excellence comes with practice. These books will increase the effectiveness of your practice by steering you in the right direction and exposing the error of some common misconceptions. They provide a solid foundation for accelerated learning. If you would rather be taking pictures than sitting in a classroom, these books are for you. If you have a limited budget, these books are for you. If you don't know enough about photography to ask the right questions, these books are for you. If you want more control over the learning process, these books are for you. Most importantly, if you want to be taking exceptional photographs in record time, these books are for you. Al believes that we can learn a lot from the masters of any craft. With online training videos we have access to photography masters like never before. Unfortunately, most people don't have the knowledge to fully understand many of these lessons. Al has written books that can get anyone up to speed in just a few hours. His books are never intimidating and are filled with valuable insights, numerous illustrations, and photographic knowledge. Since retiring from the corporate world, Al has immersed himself into the art of photography with the same passion and enthusiasm that made him a top innovation expert and corporate inventor. He holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Johns Hopkins University and was in charge of New Products Concepts (corporate innovator) for Black & Decker for 23 years prior to his early retirement in 2001. In 2007, Al published his first book "Innovation's Missing Link" based on his personal experience at Black & Decker as well as his time as a Board Member of PDMA. The essence of the book is human creativity and potential. Al believes that all life experience has a spiritual component and that we are most productive when our values and beliefs are in harmony with our life work. "Innovation's Missing Link" contains several chapters related to socially-conscious business practices. Al worked at Black &Decker for a total of 37 years in a variety of roles. As a college student, he was privileged to work on the Lunar Surface Drill. This is the drill that was used by the Apollo Astronauts to take core samples of the moon. He is still humbled to think that there is a drill on the surface of the moon that was once in the trunk of his car. Al designed many of the first cordless power tools. The battery technology used in these tools was a by-product of the Space Program. The Nickel-Cadmium batteries used in these tools provided a model for all cordless technology including iPads, iPods, and smart phones. Since his retirement, Al has finally been able to focus on his lifelong love of photography. Because of his passion for photography and desire to share what he has learned, he published his first eBook -- "Digital Photography Like a Pro!" in October 2012. Since then, Al has published over a dozen more eBooks. If you would like to know more, just scroll down the page and take a look at all of Al's books
   
4. The Shadow of the Volcano by Wendy Leighton-Porter - Dividing my time between homes in Gloucestershire and South-West France, I live with my husband Simon and our two beautiful Tonkinese cats. I spent 20 years as a teacher of French, Latin and Classical studies, but now write books for children instead of teaching them. The Shadow of Atlantis is the first in a series of time-travel adventures, featuring 3 children and, unsurprisingly, a rather special Tonkinese cat. Having recently completed number 6, The Shadow of Camelot, I'm currently working on the seventh book in the series, The Shadow of the Norman Arrow. As I take my young readers on a magical mystery tour through the past, I'm hoping that my love of history, myth and legend will rub off on them too. Personally, I'm enjoying the journey so much I never want it to end. Why not come along with me for the ride?
   
5. The Faerie Prince - Rachel Morgan was born in South Africa and spent a large portion of her childhood living in a fantasy land of her own making. After completing a degree in genetics, she decided science wasn’t for her—after all, they didn’t approve of made-up facts. These days she spends much of her time immersed in fantasy land once more, writing fiction for young adults. When she isn't writing, she's reading (duh!), catching up on addictive TV series, and baking things that almost always include chocolate.
   
6. The Seeds of Beauty: Defining Your Beauty & Style From the Inside Out - Author Lakeysha-Marie Green is no stranger to tackling style dilemmas. A fashion stylist and former women's fit technologist, her extensive experience in the fashion industry taught her the importance of fit, fashion, and effortless style. Her penchant for creativity led to her work in editorial magazines, international film premieres, and advertising. Inspired by her own roller coaster ride to self-discovery, Lakeysha-Marie began writing to illustrate the beautiful potential for transformation that lies within us all. Her first book, The Seeds of Beauty, tells an inspiring story of restoring unconditional self-love and genuinely radiating your beauty from within. Lakeysha-Marie holds a degree in Fashion Design & Merchandising, with continued coursework in Styling & Photography from the London College of Fashion.
   
7. Selling Made Simple – How to Avoid Sounding Pathetic During a Sales Call - Jim Meisenheimer is a former U.S. Army Officer serving in Germany and was a Public Information Officer on a General’s Staff while serving in Vietnam. He was also Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the Scientific Products Division of Baxter Healthcare. Jim is a Sales Strategist and is the creator of No-Brainer Selling Skills. He shows salespeople and entrepreneurs how to increase sales, earn more money, have more fun, and how to do it all in less time. His focus is on practical ideas that get immediate results. He is the creator of the Sales Trailblazer Sales Training Program which provides sales tips and proven selling strategies in 24 lessons spread over 24 weeks. salestrailblazer.com Jim has been nominated to the National Speakers Association Hall of Fame four times. He is an Amazon #1 Best Selling author. 25 years . . . 541 corporate customers . . . 72.7% repeat business . . .
   
8. Forevermore - LAUREN ROYAL, a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, has earned raves from reviewers including Publishers Weekly, who calls her "an impressive talent." Lauren's "truly enchanting" humorous historical romances have won awards including Booklist's Top 10 Romance of the Year.
   
9. The Philadelphia Series: The Complete Collection Boxed Set (In My Arms, A Part of Me, Out of My Element) - I discovered my love for books at an early age, spending many hours lost in someone else's story. It wasn't until well into adult hood that I discovered, late at night while the house was quiet, that I had just as many stories inside me just waiting to be let out. Writing has been a way for me to step away from reality and live a bit through my fun and sometimes damaged characters. You will almost always find a Happy Ever After at the end of my stories. I can't help it, it's an addiction. I'm a Southwestern girl living a Mid-Atlantic life with my husband of seventeen years and two incredible daughters who inspire me daily. I am proud to be an advocate for my child with autism, and feel incredibly blessed to be able to see the world through her eyes. She teaches me more than I could ever teach her. I enjoy reading, writing and spending time with my family, but cherish those quiet nights after everyone is asleep when I can curl up on the couch with my fifteen year old dog (Shh, don't tell...He's not supposed to be on the couch.) Keep an eye out for more from me! Webpage: http://tplendlbooks.wix.com/tarynplendl-author Twitter: https://twitter.com/TarynPlendl Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorTarynPlendl Email: tplendlbooks@gmail.com
   
10. What God Desires - Wendell Mettey grew up in Cincinnati, OH and has a Master’s Degree in Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. Reverend Mettey has served as Pastor for several churches in the Cincinnati area. In 1991, after visiting war-torn Nicaragua and witnessing the poverty and devastation, he felt called by God to resign from his church and begin Matthew 25: Ministries, an international humanitarian aid and disaster relief organization. Reverend Mettey is the author of numerous devotional & inspirational publications. In addition to these books, Reverend Mettey has published several compilations of stories, sermons and reflections.
    
11. It’s Time to Sleep by Kiplyn Garrett - Kiplyn Garrett is a children's author known for her fun, imaginative rhyming style. She writes books for three distinct age ranges: Baby-3, 3-5 and 5-8.
    
12. The Pat O’Malley Historical Steampunk Mystery Trilogy by Jim Musgrave - Jim Musgrave (1946-) was born in Fall River, Massachusetts (home to Lizzie Borden). He worked for Caltech in Pasadena (home of the "Big Bang Theory") and continues to use his fascination with technology in his "Detective Pat O'Malley Steampunk Mystery" series. Jim was also a professor of English for 24 years, and he runs an editing business with his wife, Ellen, in San Diego. He has won many awards, including being a finalist in the Bram Stoker Awards and the Heekin Foundation Awards.
    
13. CFO’s Affair - Tina Gayle was born in Texas, the place of her heart and where most of her family still lives. The youngest of four daughters, she grew up a dreamer. She worked for years in the business world doing a variety of accounting jobs. Then when her two sons were little, Tina decided to go back to school to get a degree in MIS. She only used this degree a few years before deciding to follow her passion for writing romance. As romance author, she has published a number of contemporary romances. Her first being Pregnancy Plan, followed by a paranormal story called Mating Rituals. Deciding to stick to her contemporary romance roots, she then published two more books Baby Decision and Youthful Temptations. Wanting to start a series, she drew on her own life as an executive's wife. She created the Executive Wives' Club series which is about four women who have lost their husband in a fatal car wreck. The last book of is due out in 2014. Married for over twenty-five years, she and her husband love to travel and Tina can’t wait for Mike to retire so they can do it more. Always working on perfecting her craft, Tina attends writing conferences, and can be found in a number of writing classes. She also loves to hear from her readers. You can email her at tinagayle (at) roadrunner.com.