Tag Archives: Halo Publishing International

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New Picture Book for Kids has an Important Message about Building Self-confidence

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Halo Publishing International has just released a beautifully illustrated picture book, Bode The Beach Dog… “Life Is Ruff!” which helps young readers overcome their fears.

Fort Myers, FL (USA), November 06, 2015 — Childhood has many phobias and anxieties — fear of the dark, thunder, monsters, going to the doctor, school, or the dentist… Eek! Halo Publishing International has just released a beautifully illustrated picture book, Bode The Beach Dog…“Life Is Ruff!” which helps young readers overcome their fears. Children of all ages have fears, and when they face them, kids feel much more in control and self-confident.

“We can all learn to control our fears, especially if we just stretch ourselves to help someone else in need as it helps redirect our focus off our fears,” said co-author Tara Moser. “It is important for children to learn at an early age self-esteem, behavior management, and self-control. I do a lot of this through animal-assisted play therapy techniques in my practice Delta Family Counseling.”

Tara and Geoffery Moser have a passion for inspiring children and share their love of recusing dogs and animals. Tara is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor with ten years in private practice in Southwest Florida. Geoffrey is owner and educator at The Beach Dog, a wellness and nutrition based dog and cat supply store. Together with their Great Dane, Bode, and foster dogs, they are spreading the message of fear management, helping others in need and the importance of animal rescue.

“Together we have a very strong passion for animals and helping others, and this opportunity is a tremendous blessing for us,” said co-author Geoffery Moser. “Through our strong support of rescue efforts across the country, we can provide a second chance for so many animals that need a forever home while helping children build self-confidence through storytimes and interactions with Bode.” Their passion and commitment to helping animals will be further enriched as proceeds from the sale of this book will go back to local rescues and non-profits devoted to the support of animals.

Bode The Beach Dog…“Life Is Ruff!” is a picture book written as a personal narrative by Bode about his fear of water with the help of his owners Tara and Geoffery Moser. Bode lives a full life but faces challenges every day while helping people. As a trained therapy dog, Bode works with children of all ages to help them overcome their fears, anxieties, and behavioral challenges.

“Books about dogs have a particular power, both to evoke empathy and to help us tackle uncomfortable issues. The very best dog stories, of course, are the ones we experience ourselves,” says Halo Publisher Lisa M. Umina.

Join Bode and his friends as they take on the task of conquering fears and finding happiness.

Biography:
Tara and Geoffrey Moser are a husband and wife team with a passion for rescue animals. Tara is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Registered Play Therapist Supervisor with 10 years in private practice in Southwest Florida. Geoffrey is owner and educator at The Beach Dog, a wellness and nutrition based dog and cat supply store. Together they are on the board of directors for Pawsitive Kids Camp and have welcomed over 160 foster dogs to their home along with their own three rescues!

Bode The Beach Dog…“Life Is Ruff!” by Tara and Geoffrey Moser, publisher Halo Publishing, Int., ISBN: 978-1-61244-380-5; Price: $12.95 (paperback)

Press & Media Contact:
Lisa M. Umina, Publisher
Halo Publishing International
1100 NW Loop 410, Suite 700-176
San Antonio, TX 78213 – USA
+1 877-705-9647
contact@halopublishing.com

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New Book Encourages Couples to Celebrates Life Even When One of Them Has a Terminal Illness

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The personal narrative of Don’t Stop Believing: Our Journey with Cancer, by Kasey Crawford Kellem is a remarkable memoir that shares her personal struggle, unconditional love for her husband Craig, and their losing battle against prostate cancer.

Cleveland, OH (USA), August 27th, 2015 — There’s more than one way to tell a sad story, but sharing a true story of love, hope, faith and the loss of a loved one to cancer can be painful, difficult and heart wrenching, as well as uplifting and encouraging. The personal narrative of Don’t Stop Believing: Our Journey with Cancer, by Kasey Crawford Kellem is a remarkable memoir that shares her personal struggle, unconditional love for her husband Craig, and their losing battle against prostate cancer.

“We loved, laughed and lived to the very end,” shared Kasey. “We didn’t give up on life just because of a grim outcome. Craig’s life touched many people from family, close friends and strangers who followed our journey through social media.”

In the memoir, Don’t Stop Believing: Our Journey with Cancer readers experience some of the uplifting events and ways Kasey and Craig celebrated, danced and enjoyed life. “You have a choice in this world and we chose to believe,” said Kasey, and believe they did. With a cancer diagnosis hanging over their heads, Kasey and Craig paid it forward by encouraging others also battling cancer and hardships to find the joy in life around them. Kasey and friend, Harry, even started a trend based off the concept of a Flash Mob to help uplift not only Craig, but family, friends, co-workers and complete strangers with what they dubbed a Love Mob.

Kasey is a big believer, teacher and role model of being resilient. Living with Multiple Sclerosis and having lost her mother eleven years ago, she knows how to overcome challenges. “My mom used to say, ‘If this is the worst that can happen to you, then you’re lucky,’” said Kasey. “Craig also had a motto: ‘This too shall pass.’ Because we believed and celebrated life, laughed, dreamed and were surrounded by loving people, we were able to get through the hard times.”

In Don’t Stop Believing: Our Journey with Cancer readers will relate to the love and devotion Kasey and her husband Craig experienced as they believed and celebrated to the very end. Much of the memoir draws upon memories and social media posts Kasey shared on Facebook throughout their journey with cancer. “When I sat down to write after Craig passed, it was very raw and fresh to me the experiences we went through. I found going through my timeline and being able to reflect was very cathartic and therapeutic. I wasn’t able to process what was happening to us at the time. I was on autopilot. I couldn’t let myself get emotional. I had to be a rock for my husband. But now, I was able to see what happened and how we made it through to the end. Writing this memoir has helped me process everything. I’m not bitter. I don’t play the ‘What if’ game. We lived…we believed,” shared Kasey.

Kasey Crawford Kellem’s raw honesty reveals every emotion she faced and the various thoughts that raced through her mind after her husband Craig was given his death sentence. Don’t Stop Believing: Our Journey with Cancer is not exactly happy. It’s not that kind of book. However, it will linger long and hard in the minds of readers and show life is worth living no matter the outcome. But it’s not a cancer book either…because cancer books suck.

“In the midst of a cancer diagnosis, most patients and family members find it difficult to retain the information they hear. Having a loved one live with a terminal diagnosis for an extended period of time is fast replacing sudden and unexpected death as a norm,” said Halo Publisher Lisa M. Umina. “In this emotional rendition of Kasey and Craig’s battle with cancer, Kasey encourages people fighting this dreaded disease to never lose hope, to keep believing and to celebrate life to the every end.”

You can purchase Don’t Stop Believing: Our Journey with Cancer through Halo Publishing’s website (http://halopublishing.com), Amazon, B&N and local bookstores.

Biography:
Kasey Crawford Kellem, a school counselor, has devoted her life to helping others facing adversity overcome their challenges and be resilient. She earned a bachelor and master’s degree in special education and an educational specialist degree in counseling. Kasey is the author of five Mind Over Matter children’s books: Believe; Love; Relax; Laugh; and Dream. She is a recent widow, stepmother, sister, daughter and friend to many.

Don’t Stop Believing: Our Journey with Cancer by Kasey Crawford Kellem, publisher Halo Publishing, Int.
ISBN: 978-1-61244-379-9; Price: $14.95

Press & Media Contact:
Lisa M. Umina, Publisher
Halo Publishing International
1100 NW Loop 410, Suite 700-176
San Antonio, TX 78213 – USA
+1 877-705-9647
contact@halopublishing.com

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Successful Businessman Shares Personal Journey to Self-Discovery and Faith

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Greg Grandchamp is not trying to sell you on his religion, in fact, calling himself a Christian had no impact on his life until he grew in his own personal relationship with Jesus Christ and realized how many people were what he now calls, “Cardboard Christians.”

Colorado Springs, CO (USA), March 31st, 2015 — Greg Grandchamp is not trying to sell you on his religion, in fact, calling himself a Christian had no impact on his life until he grew in his own personal relationship with Jesus Christ and realized how many people (himself included) were what he now calls, “Cardboard Christians.” Wanting to change this stereotype in his own life, and in others, he set out to become a disciple of Jesus Christ. His goal, to stimulate awareness and increase the understanding of what being a Christian is really about, and help others enhance their own faith and restore their sense of connection to true Christianity.

“To the world, it is as if we are trying to build our numbers and that isn’t what Christianity is about. It is a life commitment and Jesus should be our center or life is meaningless,” says Grandchamp. “I want people to understand Christianity isn’t about following rules, rituals and guidelines either. It’s not about a nice person being nicer. It’s about acting like a Christian and being able to share your faith… a testimony of Christ.”

Grandchamp’s debut novel, In Pursuit of Truth (published by Halo Publishing, Int.) is about how Christianity today is often viewed by others as judgmental, hypercritical and condemnatory.

“People feel very uncomfortable talking about Christ. They don’t want friends to feel pushed. I want people to feel at ease to talk about Jesus Christ and his role in our lives,” states Grandchamp, “There is no middle ground if Jesus Christ is who he says he is—then that, changes everything! You can’t be blasé. You have to accept or reject him. It’s your choice, but you need to know both sides first.”

Too often people are turned off by what they see in religion. Many feel religious practices are bound by rules and regulations. Grandchamp asks readers to ponder and answer the question, “Who is Jesus Christ?” for themselves.

“Greg, in his book ‘In Pursuit of Truth,’ tries to dispel false assumptions of religion and show true Christianity is nothing more—and nothing less—than a relationship with Jesus Christ. He really reaches out to the reader to deepen their relationship with Christ. There is and can be a harmony between spirituality and everyday life. So many are understandably fearful of getting out of their comfort zone and taking those barrier-busting leaps of faith,” says Halo Publisher Lisa M. Umina.

You can purchase “In Pursuit of Truth” through Halo Publishing, Amazon and B&N.
Cost $11.95 (paperback)
ISBN: 978-1-61244-339-3
Available in both print and eBook.

Biography:
Greg Grandchamp lives in Colorado Springs, CO with his wife of 30 years. He and Norma have four adult children and five grandkids, who they adore. Greg and his wife love to RV in the beautiful Rocky Mountains. Greg is a senior executive in the mortgage industry and brings his faith into his business world. He is an accomplished public speaker and trainer, but mostly loves teaching the Bible in a way that touches hearts. For more information, visit http://www.halopublishing.com

Press & Media Contact:
Lisa M. Umina, Publisher
Halo Publishing International
1100 NW Loop 410, Suite 700-176
San Antonio, TX 78213 – USA
+1 877-705-9647
contact@halopublishing.com

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School Counselor Teaches Resiliency to Combat Future School Shootings

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Releases third book called, “Relax”.

Westlake, OH (USA), December 12, 2014 — Middle School Counselor Kasey Kellem says about 50% of the students she works with have problems with anxiety. That’s one of the reasons why she wrote the book “Relax.” Recently released through Halo Publishing International, it’s the third book in a three-part series called “Mind Over Matter” or M.O.M. Geared toward pre-school students, each book teaches a certain characteristic of becoming resilient.

“Everybody faces adversity at some point in life,” says Kellem. “The earlier children learn how to become resilient, the easier it will be for them to deal with the challenges and obstacles that come with life.”

Through her research, Kellem found that teens and young adults are not prepared to handle adversities such as bullying, conflict, divorce, abuse, death and disease, which may occur in their lives.

“This lack of resiliency, I feel, has been the cause of increased school violence and shootings,” says Kellem.

She studied 9 school shootings along with the most recent one at Sandy Hook Elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut. Almost two years ago to the day, on Dec. 12, 2012, Adam Lanza fatally killed his mother and then shot 20 children and six adult staff members before he took his own life. The troubled boy was a target of relentless bullying who also dealt with disease and divorce.

Kellem’s books teach on the five characteristics of resiliency: 1.Believe that you can get through adversity; 2. Surround yourself with those who love and support you; 3. Take time and find ways to relax; 4. Set goals and follow your dreams; 5. Maintain a sense of humor. She says these characteristics help kids develop social competence, problem-solving skills, critical consciousness, autonomy and a sense of purpose. Kellem says all the students responsible for school shootings dealing back to Columbine in 1999 were missing one or more of these factors.

Kellem says she and her husband both practice the five characteristics of becoming and staying resilient. Currently, she lives with Multiple Sclerosis, while her husband is fighting metastic cancer.

“We live with hope and a positive attitude despite the stressors in our life,” says Kellem. “We are surrounded with loving and supportive people and we look for humor in everyday situations. We still keep busy but find ways to relax each day. Finally, we still believe in our dreams and that we will overcome our challenges. This is what gets us through life.”

You can purchase The Mind Over Matter (M.O.M) books including “Relax” through Halo Publishing. Each sells for $16.95

“These books are also designed to be decorations on bookshelves, nightstands, or desks in a child ´s bedroom or playroom which will serve as constant resiliency reinforcement,” says Halo Publisher Lisa M. Umina.

Biography:
Kasey Kellem is a middle school counselor and a former special education teacher, who has devoted her life to help children who are facing adversity to become resilient. She has earned a Bachelors Degree and Masters Degree in Special Education and an Educational Specialist Degree in Counseling. She is a devoted wife, stepmother, sister, daughter and friend.

Press & Media Contact:
Lisa M. Umina, Publisher
Halo Publishing International
1100 NW Loop 410, Suite 700-176
San Antonio, TX 78213 – USA
+1 877-705-9647
contact@halopublishing.com

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Mother Entertains Children with Stories, Decides to Publish as Books

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Released by Halo Publishing International, “Shadow Tears” is the first of a 20-part series.

Grand Blanc, MI (USA), November 08th, 2014 — In the midst of adversity, AJ Tupps told her children stories. It started in 2003 when her husband, Chris, was diagnosed with cancer. She says she had to keep her children entertained during the long car rides, doctor appointments and hospital stays. Today these young-adult, science fiction stories have turned into books. Released by Halo Publishing International, “Shadow Tears” is the first of a 20-part series.

“One day after I had told a story, my son said, ‘Where is this book at I want to read it?’ It hit me so hard that I decided to write it down for my children,” says Tupps.

Tupps says she called the book “Shadow Tears” because when, Selena, the main character who is a Shadow and a Shadow Protector, gets emotional the environment rains. It’s a parallel to the times when Tupps would observe her children looking out a rainy hospital window, she felt the environment was crying for them. She hopes her readers will have fun with the story, but will also take something away from it as well.

“I want them to learn that they can endure anything with a smile on their face,” says Tupps. “You can handle struggles even when you don’t think you can. You are not alone.”

Tupps says her children did and so did she. In 2007, her husband went into remission. Unfortunately, this year he was diagnosed again with pre-cancer. Tupps remains encouraged that her husband will overcome this disease while looking forward to the future. She hopes to release a new book in this series each year.

“These fantasy books are a great outlet for teens to expand their imagination,” says Halo Publisher Lisa M. Umina. “This first book, ‘Shadow Tears,’ combines lessons in unity, overcoming adversity and learning you’re not alone. I really think readers will find this series engaging.”

You can purchase “Shadow Tears” through Halo Publishing for 16.95

Biography:
Currently a resident of Grand Blanc, Michigan, A.J. Tupps grew up in a small farm community in Indiana. In her spare time she enjoys daydreaming, traveling, sunsets, and the outdoors, but most of all spending time with her family. As a young girl, she entertained herself by living adventures from her imagination. Tupps looks at every day as a blessing and another day to make her dreams a reality. She is still in touch with her inner teenager and enjoys the mischief she can get into. She has a Degree in Medical Transcription from the Professional Career Development Institute, and works as an optical technician. She has one adoring husband who joins in her mischief, or is the recipient of it, along with her two loveable children and one hyper dog.

Press & Media Contact:
Lisa M. Umina, Publisher
Halo Publishing International
1100 NW Loop 410, Suite 700-176,
San Antonio, TX 78213 – USA
+1 877-705-9647
contact@halopublishing.com

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BluePrint Offers Strategies to Help Children Learn

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BluePrint Bible Lessons for Kids, published by Halo Publishing International, includes 52 lessons to help children learn and interpret Bible passages.

Houston, TX (USA), July 03, 2014 — Longtime educator Pam McLagan is helping Christians share the lessons of the Bible in a truly meaningful way. Her new book, BluePrint Bible Lessons for Kids, published by Halo Publishing International, includes 52 lessons to help children learn and interpret Bible passages.

“This method truly revolutionized the way I approach a class,” McLagan said.

“This blueprint is for parents, teachers, Bible club coordinators, and religious pre-school directors who want a framework for their own creativity.” McLagan added, “It’s not a script, but a blueprint for teaching.”

McLagan said she created the curriculum many years ago, particularly for a group of precocious preschoolers. The lessons in BluePrint Bible Lessons for Kids are grouped in three-month themed segments. Each lesson focuses on a Bible passage and includes a memory section which links to several stories.

“Instruction can be tailored to different age groups or specific children in the group,” McLagan said. “Children learn in different ways and BluePrint Bible Lessons for Kids provides resources to facilitate understanding for visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile learners,” she explained. “This teaching tool also offers creative ways to make your home or classroom a fun place where knowledge abounds.”

Halo International Publisher Lisa Umina said BluePrint Bible Lessons for Kids is meant to be a flexible tool to help children understand the meaning of God’s word. “The blueprint will help teachers teach His messages,” Umina said.

McLagan said, “It’s hard to do what God says if we don’t know what He says! For that reason, these 52 lessons are based on God’s message to us, the Bible.” The author is currently working on a second volume.

For more information on this book, interested parties may log on to www.halopublishing.com

About the Author:
Pam McLagan started teaching Christian lessons when she was a teenager and has coordinated children’s classes, supervised Vacation Bible Schools, and taught just about every age group as a member of a several different congregations. Professionally, she taught English for ten years in public and private junior high and high schools, and for fifteen years has been adjunct faculty in the English department at LinnBenton Community College where she has taught Composition, Literature and Bible as Literature. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Oregon State University. Pam and her husband, Bill, have lived in Oregon, California, Indonesia, and Connecticut and reside now in Albany, Oregon. To reach author Pam McLagan, visit her Facebook page, BluePrint Lessons Pam McLagan, or e-mail her at pam.mclagan@gmail.com.

Press & Media Contact:
Lisa M. Umina, Publisher
Halo Publishing International
1031 Cherry Spring Drive, AP 726
Houston, TX 77038 – USA
877-705-9647
contact@halopublishing.com

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Tales of Life in the Suburbs Told by a Black Girl

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Author Aleisha Larrell says her new book Black Girl in a White World is a story of her life growing up near Flint, Michigan.

Houston, TX (USA), October 17, 2013 — Author Aleisha Larrell says her new book Black Girl in a White World is a story of her life growing up near Flint, Michigan. Since she was one of very few black children attending the Swartz Creek Community School District, Larrell said she always wondered “where do I fit?”

She wasn’t necessarily treated differently than the other children, but she said people often made ignorant comments. Black Girl in a White World is a funny, easy-to-read book that many people can relate to, Larrell said. The pages are filled with real stories about a young woman’s life experiences as a black girl in suburban America.

Published by Halo Publishing International, “Black Girl in a White World spotlights stereotypes people don’t even realize they show to the world,” said Publisher Lisa Umina.

Born Aleisha Larrell Oden on April 15, 1987, the author graduated from Swartz Creek High School in 2005. Her mother, Shirley Gentry-Oden, is retired. Larrell attended Michigan State University and earned a bachelor’s degree in Interpersonal Communications in 2009. While never really seeing herself as having a writing career, Larrell said that after college, she became dedicated to writing stories about her life and started blogging them. “I tell honest stories about life that people can relate to,” said the new author who now is open to writing additional books.

Presently, she is living in Chicago. She hopes that one day her book might lead her to an opportunity to meet talk show host Chelsea Handler, a comedian known for honest frankness.

To reach author Aleisha Larrell, e-mail her at aleisha.oden@gmail.com

To order Black Girl in a White World, visit http://www.halopublishing.com

Press & Media Contact:
Lisa M. Umina, Publisher
Halo Publishing International
AP #726 / P.O. Box 60326
Houston, TX 77205-0326 – USA
877-705-9647
lisa@halopublishing.com

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