Monday, February 2, 2015

Monday Feature and the Power of Unleashing a Positive Presence

Last week I featured C. Lee McKenzie's epic new release, Sudden Secrets on my blog.  I started reading Lee's book last night and I love it!  I'm halfway through and plan on finishing it today since the snowstorm has provided me time off from the day job. 

Today, I am celebrating Medeia Sharif's new book, 52 Likes.  I've added her book to my TBR list and from reading the blurb and seeing the cover, 52 Likes seems like an intriguing story.

You can enter below for a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card and a Kindle copy of 52 Likes!


 


52 LIKES by Medeia Sharif
Cover Reveal, Evernight Teen, 2015

After a brutal rape and near-murder, Valerie wants to get past feelings of victimhood from both the assault and her history of being bullied. She’s plagued by not knowing the identity of her rapist and by the nasty rumors in school about that night. Valerie follows clues from ghostly entities, past victims of the rapist-murderer, contacting her through a social media site—why do all of their eerie photos have 52 likes under them? Their messages are leading her to the mystery man, although he’ll put up a fight to remain hidden.

Find Medeia – YA and MG Author

Blog   |   Twitter   |   Goodreads   |   Instagram   |   Amazon





 
a Rafflecopter giveaway



I am also celebrating the power of doing positive things for others.  For instance, this morning, a man was shoveling around our building but wasn't wearing any gloves.  Even now, as I gaze out of my window, the snow and freezing rain continues to coat the bitterly cold ground.  This man was so grateful when I offered to give him a new pair of ski gloves.  He refused to take them at first, however, I insisted on him keeping them and he did. 

You should have seen the look on his face.  It was like he had won the lottery and my heart melted along with the icicles hanging from my front porch.  The gloves were very expensive but the only thing that mattered to me was this man's fingers to be kept warm as he carted away the boundless sea of heavy white.



Last week, I was invited to an event hosted by United Way.  I worked with them last year as an ambassador for literacy while volunteering to be a Celebrity Reader for low income and inner city schools.  Some of these elementary schools are located in the most feared neighborhoods in New Jersey. 

I am working with them again this year and will be visiting five schools for the month of February.  These children are searching for inspiration without even knowing it.  All they need is a seed planted in their minds that they are capable of following their dreams.  As I sit in front of them not only as a children's book author but also a mentor and friend, their faces light up with possibilities.




One of the senators who spoke at the United Way event last week revealed that children who have poor reading and writing skills by the time they reach 4th grade are more likely to be arrested or do drugs when they are older.  If these little ones had more positive role models in their lives to show them there is an endless wave of promise outside of their current surroundings, they CAN and WILL succeed by choosing the right path. 

When I was little and I wanted to escape from whatever was ailing my mind, I would dive into a book. Reading takes us to far away places and helps broaden and strengthen our own thoughts and ideas.  When you tell this to the kids, they agree and are more inclined to read and write books.

I am not getting paid for these visits nor will I be making any book sales.  I am volunteering and no amount of money can reward me with the feelings I am left within my heart after spending time with these children.

As authors and writers, we have the power to inspire others.  And for me, this is such a blessing.. a true gift.





Do you believe in the power of putting out positive energy by doing good things for others or your community?  What has inspired you lately?  Will you be adding 52 Likes to your TBR list? If so, don't forget to leave Medeia a review.  I am sure she will appreciate it!






40 comments:

  1. Yay for Medeia!

    I love that you are visiting these schools, Gina. Like you, I turned to books growing up too. I still do. More kids need to do this. It's great that you are volunteering your time this way.

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  2. Thanks, Kelly. It feels good volunteering and I am thankful to be able to shed some light into their lives and future.

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  3. The children are very bless to have you. I admire you for using your gift to inspire children and I totally agree with what you said about that is the age when it is very important to plant the right seed (the seed of hope and that they can follow their dreams). Many blessings to you, Gina! :)

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  4. Awe, thank you JcCee! Your post last week inspired me to share some of the positive things I have been doing lately. I think it is nice to hear about others when they do good things for people, especially our children. Kids need to know they are each unique and special. They also need to be reminded that each one of them has a talent and if they do well in school, especially reading and writing, the possibilities are endless!

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  5. Isn't it fun to interact with the kids? It always makes me want to write more and better. Thanks for reading Sudden Secrets. I already have Medeia's book, but I haven't started it yet. I'm looking forward to it. I enjoyed her other work.

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  6. It's the best part about this job=)

    I love your book so far, Lee! I didn't want to put it down last night but I was so tired after the Super Bowl. Looking forward to diving back into it.

    I have 52 Likes added to my list. I read one of her books not too long ago and I really enjoyed it. Yay for Medeia!

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Kelly! I tried looking for your blog but I am not sure if I found the right place. I visited your website, however, if you could give me a direct link to your current blog, I would love to visit!

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  8. Gina, I am so proud of your dedication to this cause, of bringing literacy to all our children, especially the poor & unfortunate. There is no monetary value for the work that you are doing. The look of hope, on these little faces is priceless. Thank you for making a difference, one child at a time...

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    1. Thank you mom. I really appreciate your thoughts and sentiments regarding my children's book work.. especially for the kids who need it the most. I always love sharing my experiences with you which is why you can expect a phone call after each visit this month!

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  9. I love that you volunteer at the schools! That's really incredible and I'm sure such a wonderful thing for the kids. And that's very sweet about the gloves--winter's not something to be messed with!

    Looking forward to 52 Likes for sure!!

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  10. I couldn't believe this poor guy didn't have any gloves. And the winter surely isn't a season to mess with!
    I'm so happy for Medeia's accomplishments and look forward to reading 52 Likes!

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  11. Congrats to Medeia! That's so sweet about giving him the gloves. No one should go without them when there is snow.

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    1. Tell me about it! I felt so bad for him and since he was out there shoveling and not me, I figured he needed them more.

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  12. Congrats, Medeia. Love the title.

    Gina, Your karma should be shining about now:)

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    1. I love the title, too. Very unique.
      Thanks Sandra!!

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  13. I do, but lately my own luck has been so unbelievably awful I'm almost over everything! I need to get my positivity back, it's just hard when things are so lousy. that being said I still always try and remain positive and sunny, since I think life is all about state of mind and faking it till you make it. you're awesome and more people need to follow your example! :) though I would love to inspire others. I remember after I got agented a friend I haven't spoken to in ages messaged me on FB and said I inspired him to achieve his dream of finishing a novel. That made me feel so awesome!

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    1. Awe, I am sure that made you feel good, Beth! I love when people tell others how they have inspired them. When I started my own children's book LLC, my friend was inspired to start her own company for Spanish immersion. This was two years ago and now, her classes are always booked!
      I know it's hard to stay positive sometimes. The hardest for me to be positive is when I am at the day job. I try to juggle out the negative thoughts but there are times when I can't help it=(

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  14. I was feeling down today, but did something nice and unexpected for someone that lifted my spirits. It's important to give, give back, and be plain giving.

    Thank you so much for featuring my book.

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    1. My pleasure, Medeia! I'm happy to hear you lifted someone's spirits. This must have made you feel really good.

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  15. Just reading your post made me feel happier! You're an amazing person.

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    1. Awe, thank you so much, Stephanie! Reading this comment put a smile on my face=)

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  16. I definitely believe that what you put out into the world/universe comes back to you.

    What you do for the children in your community is amazing and inspiring!

    Congrats to Medeia! I need to find more time to read 52 Likes!

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    1. Thanks, Chrys! I, too, have to find more time to read her book. There are so many books on my TBR list.

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  17. Absolutely! Love this. I teach teenage girls each week and occasionally get to help with their mid-week activity. Last week they went to a homeless shelter and watched kids so the parents could attend classes about getting jobs and the like. Such an amazing experience! The girls are ready to go back. =)

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    1. Wow, Crystal. Now this is such an amazing way to help others. I think it's incredible when our youth enjoys volunteering and helping people who have next to nothing. What a great way to give back to the world!

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  18. Gina, you're so awesome. What a sweet thing to do, giving him your gloves! And reading is so important, especially for children. I pretty much lived at the library and reading so much at an early age really helped me in school and in life.

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    1. I loved reading at the library and still do! Reading at an early age really helps strengthen the mind. This is exactly why we must prepare our children, no matter where they attend school, by encouraging them to read and write.

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  19. Gina, you're so generous and so kind - it shines through in all of your posts and comments, AND in your deeds. I love what you said about reading taking us places - it's so true!

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    1. It really does! I remember sitting in my room as a child while reading or making up my own paper picture books. The more we read and visit these other places, the stronger our own writing becomes.

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  20. Well done, Gina, on giving the man your gloves and on volunteering at the United Way event! Children are looking for inspirations everywhere even if they don't realize it, and they need guidance from the adults. You're letting out streaks of sunshine and warming the children every time you hang out with them. :)

    I thought the idea of of discovering 52 likes in the social media accounts of the victims was scary (and so intriguing in a story). I'll definitely enter the giveaway! Congrats to Medeia on the book release.

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  21. Awe, thank you Claudine! I honestly can't wait to start my visits next week with the kids. I will be at schools almost every morning next week!

    I wish I had more time to read Medeia's book right now. It's on my TBR and I am looking forward to it. The plot sounds thrilling.

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  22. Good for you for volunteering.

    I just finished 52 LIKES the other day. It's a powerful book. I hope to get a review done this weekend.

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    1. Awesome, Carol. Now I really can't wait to read it.

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  23. Congrats to Medeia! She's so prolific, hardworking, and an all-around great person. Wishing her much success!

    I love the pic with you and the children - it's adorable!! There's definitely power in doing positive things. :)

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    1. We were just discussing the power of doing positive things in my children's book writing group. It's amazing what we can accomplish when we are leading the way with positivity!

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  24. You are such a positive presence, Gina. Your influence on the children will be felt for years to come as they will remember your special visit. I used to escape into books as a child and still do! I keep Mark Twain on my nightstand and enjoy his short stories periodically. He is an inspiration to me. Your book feature '52 Likes' looks interesting. It might be hard to read. I'll add it to my TBR list, too.

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    1. Thank you so much, Lisa. It's the only way I know how to live and I wouldn't trade those moments for anything in the world. We need to prepare our kids for what lies ahead by strengthening their reading and writing skills.
      I'm so happy you are adding Medeia's book to your TBR!

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  25. Much success to C. Lee and Medeia.
    I love the success blurb.
    How are you feeling, Gina dear?

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    1. I am feeling better although I had to skip my mom's birthday lunch today because my stomach has been acting up again=( Maybe it's stress, who knows. But I hope after this week, it's gone for good.
      Thank you so much for checking up on me my sweet friend.

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