Ellen Hopkins latest book, Smoke, is a sequel to her bestselling novel, Burned.  The issues tackled in both books include abuse, relationships, and religious extremism.  Smoke’s powerful storyline is brought out through the lives of two sisters, miles apart but in some ways expressing the same emotions. 

On a scale of 1-10, most days, how stressed are you? If you asked your partner (and kids) the same question, what would their number be?

Social Media is a great way to interact and socialize with people across different virtual platforms.  It allows community engagement via the Internet, plus you can share information immediately and frequently to a vast number of people and networks.

It’s the same scenario being played out in homes around the world:

It’s a school day, kids running late to breakfast, braiding of ponytails, searching for missing shoes, organizing of soccer bags, studying for spelling tests.

And if your home is like the millions of other homes with two working parents, there is an additional element: pinging from all your mobile devices. This scenario is stressful, hurried and distracted. Not the way mom, dad or kids should start their day.

Daniel Silva, through his descriptive narrative, allows the reader to form a picture surrounding the plot, characters, and settings of his new novel, The English Girl.  It blends these together with historical content and the result is a very suspenseful and intriguing thriller. Also included in every Silva book is the restoration of an art portrait that is somehow related to the plot.

I’ve got information overload.  As a working woman approaching 50, mother of a teenager and 3rd grader who struggles with reading, a wife, colleague, friend, sister, daughter, and global citizen, I feel the pressure to keep up with the latest news about my industry, leadership, management, coaching, women’s health, aging, teenage health, academic success, college trends, youth sports, healthy eating, weight management, ex

Now that school is out, it’s a great time to remind your college student to check their online image. Have him or her start with the Google Test by googling their own name.  Have them also make a list and check all their social media sites, including old ones they no longer spend time on.

This is the type of content to avoid:

Vince Flynn was a prolific political thriller writer.  His main characters were no-nonsense CIA officials Mitch Rapp and Irene Kennedy. These characters have the same qualities the readers have grown to love: Mitch Rapp is unabashed, fearless, and cantankerous. Irene Kennedy is analytical, cunning, and supportive. Through these characters words and actions he is able to get his point across, that America better wake up and stop being soft on terrorists.

It’s summer time and the students are starting their internships! Congratulations if your son or daughter landed a position for the summer. This is a fantastic way to learn new things, meet new people and develop professionally with real work experience.  You can help them and make sure they get off to a great start with these 7 tips: