Heart Book Series

Helice Bridges, the "Who I Am Makes a Difference" blue ribbon acknowledgment lady, made famous by her original story in the very first Chicken Soup for the Soul book, hosted "A Salute to Our Blue Ribbon Champions" last night at University San Diego’s Joan Kroc Institute for Peace and Justice. Operation for Hope honored San Diego Fire-Rescue Dept. Deputy Chief Perry Peake and Fire Engine 25 firefighters for their heroics in our devastating Firestorm 2007.

Others acknowledged on the evening’s program included Heart Book Series authors Adria Manary (author of More Mommy Magic) and Sheryl Roush (Heart of a Woman, Heart of a Mother, Heart of the Holidays, Sparkle-Tudes!), who autographed books, donating 50% of the proceeds to Difference Makers International.

In addition to Chicken Soup for the Soul, Helice is published in both Sparkle-Tudes! and Heart of a Woman.

In 1983, Helice “Sparky” Bridges quit her successful real estate business and founded Difference Makers International non-profit so that every child would grow up in a safe, supportive, nurturing environment in which they would know that who they are makes a difference. Today the “Who I Am Makes A Difference” Blue Ribbon Programs have impacted the lives of over 26 million people throughout the world. The self-esteem building Blue Ribbons are printed in 10 languages.

Thank you again, this has been a great opportunity and experience for me to be published in Heart of the Holidays. A professor in college once asked me if I had ever considered a career in writing science. I hadn’t, didn’t even know it existed. Not sure who I thought wrote  those text books and magazine articles. 🙂 Anyway, it was one of those pivotal moments in my life that I’ve never forgotten. When someone you admire thinks you can do something, you believe you can do it. Thirty years later I still wonder do I have any talent for writing, could I do this?
 
Let me know the next time you write a book, I’d love to contribute if you’ll have me. I’ve even started a list!!
 
Take care and have a wonderful holiday season!
 
God bless,
Carlee Westbrook

Noted authors in the adored Chicken Soup for the Soul book series have written features for the Heart of the Holidays: Yuletide Treasures & Traditions book.

Virgina A. Ellis, Poetry by Ginny, famous Christian poet, published in Chicken Soup for the Grandparent’s Soul, wrote the title opening poem for Holidays, and has eight additional poems published, including "The Lord’s Birthday Party," "Christmas Here All Year," "Dear Santa Claus," and  "Magic of a Winter Night."

Cynthia Brian, published in Chicken Soup for the Gardener’s Soul, shares "The Gift of Magic" in Holidays.

Kay Presto from Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, and Chicken Soup for the Coffeelover’s Soul, shares "Midnight Mass," from her youth in Erie, PA.

Our own Heart of a Mother book contributor, Jodi Seidler, the “The Mother of Re-Invention,” and founder of Making Lemonade, The Single Parent Network the leading single parent resource on the Internet. Jodi’s work has been profiled on hundreds of websites and publications, where she was crowned an expert in the field of single parenting and the art of reinvention. Her advice has been featured on talk shows, such as: "Inside Edition", "Men are From Mars, Women are from Venus", "Berman and Berman” and many more. Most importantly, Jodi is the proud single mom of Sam.

Jodi penned the opening poem, “A Mother’s Love”  for the Heart of a Mother book, as well as the title poem for the Chapter on “Single Parents.” She’s also a noted expert in time management for single parents. The book cover is featured on the video clip and one of Jodi’s pubiications.

View the "video" clip at: http://www.videojug.com/user/USEX0190
Drop Jodi a note, Jodi@makinglemonade.com

Celebrating mothers and grandmothers, Sheryl Roush released the list of contributors who original works were accepted for the 304 page masterpiece collection. The opening poems were penned by Rosalie Ferrer Kramer and Jodi Seidler.

Accepted original stories, tributes and poems for the Heart of a Mother book include: Eln Albert, Patty Anderson, Karl Anthony, Jim Bachelor, Patrice Baker, Debbie Barnett, Lee A. Barron, Lydia Boyd, Cynthia Brian, Heather Brittany, Nancy Canfield, Colette Carlson, Maria Carter, Jim Cathcart, Cindy Chernow, Jane Ilene Cohen, Jo Condrill, Shirlie Cunningham, Barbara DeAngelis, Soraya Deen, Lisa Delman, Emily DeShazo, Cath Kachur DeStefano, Connie Hope Diamond, Darlene Fahl-Brittian, Linda Ferber, Anne Frodsham, Barbara Glanz, Carol Grabowski RN/ObGyn, Judith Parker Harris, Tina Holmes, Effie Horning, Blanche Katz, Erin King, Rosalie Ferrer Kramer, Emma Lavonne, Sandy Liarakos, Vernon Lundquist, Adria Manary, Mary Marcdante, Sharon McCarthy, Debbi McGill, Jack Nichols, Cassandra Northington, Creda Nowlin, Mandi Nowlin, Sara Nowlin, Peggy O’Neill, Diane Onstad, Becky Palmer, Selena Parker, Debby Pratt, Kay Presto, John Reddish, Marcia Reynolds, Karen Robertson, Alison Roush, Beverly Roush, Hiram Roush, Joanne Roush, Mary Gay Roush, Michelle Roush, Richard Roush, Serina Roush, Sheryl Roush, Steve Roush, Julie Roy, Tina Rubin, Linda Salazar, Barb Sanfilippo, Sandra Schrift, Jennifer Rousseau Sedlock, Debra Simpson, Rob Swineford, Judy Tejwani, Catherine Tilley, James Tucker, Gloria VanDam, Tami Walsh, Wardene Weisser, Beverly Stubbs Weurding, Bryce Whiting, Christie Whitman, Trina-Leshay Williams, Joni Wilson,  Judy Wright and Darrell Zeller. 

A couple of days before Mother’s Day this year, I took my mother out to dinner and a movie for Mother’s Day, something we don’t often do. Okay, it was third time ever that I can remember. While we waited for the meal to be served, I presented her a copy of the book, which she knew nothing about, nor that I had been working on it. As she opened the wrapping paper, she noticed it was a book, then the title, Heart of a Mother. I invited her to open it to the Acknowledgements page, where she (and my father) was mentioned. Then drew her attention to additional pages where my writings her tributes to her, and her mother. She was deeply, authentically touched. The conversations following were quality conversations about things that matter in life, at the heart of the matter. Since the presentation of this book, healing has occurred between my mother and me, and our entire relationship has dramatically improved. I now have the mother I’ve always wanted. – Sheryl Roush

“My mother would have loved this book as much as I do. Don’t wait until it’s too late to share Heart of a Mother with someone you love. This book is packed with 304 pages of insight, wisdom, appreciation, celebration, and so many ways of saying five of the most powerful words in any language: “Thank you Mom. I love you.”
~ Mary Marcdante, Author of  The Ten Most Important Things to Talk About With Your Mother, Simon & Schuster

“Heart of a Mother is an exquisite tapestry of stories, quotations, songs, and poems that will pull on your heartstrings. A must read and an incredible gift for all the mothers of the world!!!”
~ Lisa R. Delman, Author of Dear Mom, I’ve Always Wanted You to Know…Daughters Share Letters from the Heart

"As a child, my Aunt Della was like a mother to me who nourished me with her chocolate chip cookies. I remember the warm feelings when I smelled a batch of her fresh baked cookies.
In Heart of A Mother, Sheryl Roush and her contributors have captured those same kinds of feelings, feelings that will warm your heart and bring your ‘mother’ close again. It’s a great read."
~ Wally Amos – The Cookie Man & Author, Be Positive

November 1, 2007—“Heart of the Holidays,” a new gift-sized book by author and motivational speaker Sheryl L. Roush, Sparkle Presentations, goes on book shelves at BORDERS stores today.

Whatever your faith or celebration, “Heart of the Holidays” evokes the spirit of the season with gratitude, joy, peace and love with a treasury of more than 160 original inspirational stories and poems by over 70 contributors, plus 200 quotes and scriptures. This 6×7” paperback, with its classic holiday burgundy cover, is priced at $12.95, and even has a space for a gift inscription on the inside page.

Heart of the Holidays is available nationwide at Borders stores and on-line at Amazon.com. Heart of the Holidays companions in the Heart Book Series, “Heart of a Mother” and “Heart of a Woman,” published Spring 2007, are also available online, making gift buying easy this year for friends, family and coworkers, even clergy and teachers.

Mornings with Lorri & Friends. It’s Christian talk and more. Hosted by popular FamilyNet News personality Lorri Allen, it’s informational and inspirational. It’s relationship radio at its best. “Mornings with Lorri & Friends” airs live from 6:00-7:00 am Central on Sirius Radio 161.

Lorri Allen interviewed Sheryl Roush on May 11, 2007 upon the release of the Heart of a Mother book. CLICK HERE to listen to or download the MP3 file to enjoy!

WCBS news reporter Michael Wallace interviewed Heart of a Mother author Sheryl Roush on Mother’s Day this year with a quick "Do’s and Don’ts for Mom" list for celebrating Mother’s Day.

CLICK HERE to hear the BRIEF and engaging interview.

Mother interviewed regarding Daughter’s new book

Beverly Roush, proud mother of author Sheryl Roush, was interviewed at the book release party of Heart of a Mother, celebrating 100 authors present. Click HERE to download and/or listen to the interview podcast by Deb Simpson.

The event was graciously hosted at the Rancho Santa Fe estate of Catherine Tilley, and Take Up the Cup Tea Lady Darlene Fahl-Brittian. In attendance included contributors from across the US: Terri Hall and her two teenage daughters, Bryce Whiting and wife Erin (now due with twin girls), Adria Manary and her four children, Becky Palmer, Darrell Zeller, Ruth Koepp, Catherine Tilley, Patrice Baker, Mary Marcdante, Maria Carter, Tina Mertel, Beverly Weurding, Shirlie Cunningham, Helice Bridges, Tina Rubin, Soraya Dean, Sandy McVey, Jodi Seidler, Gloria VanDam, Emma Lavonne Upton, Nancy Canfield, and cover artist Suzan Tusson-McNeil. Contributors signed each others books throughout the afternoon, while delightfully enjoying each others company and chocolate dipped strawberries. Mother and Daughter contributors included Lee Barron and mother Kay Presto. The youngest contributor to sign books that day was Patty Anderson’s 9 year-old daughter, Halihannah.