Lois W. Stern is the published author of two books about physical beauty: Sex, Lies and Cosmetic Surgery and Tick Tock, Stop the Clock ~ Getting Pretty on Your Lunch Hour, and a growing collection of short story anthologies of 'inner beauty' inspiring stories.Her interest and expertise in the physical beauty arena led to several interesting assignments: Two cover feature articles for the Long Island Beauty Guide, a coveted interview with the California based Health and Beauty Revolution Show, and a position as Editor-at-large for MakeMeHeal.com, the largest consumer gateway for cosmetic and reconstructive surgery & anti-aging needs. But nothing generated more excitement than being featured in Hey, It's Still Me in There, a front page article in the Sunday STYLE section of the NY Times…
"That was a fluke, but one I wish could happen for every author at least once in a lifetime. Those three paragraphs were such a gift, generating not just an ego boost but more of a spike in book sales than I ever imagined."
More recently, Lois has been seized by a new passion, leading her down an entirely new path. "With so many conflicting agendas competing for our time, with so much depressing news reaching our eyes and ears, I wanted to write feel-good stories to inspire and uplift us all."
In September, 2011, Lois launched Tales2Inspire®, an Authors Helping Authors project/contest to give voice to talented writers with an inspiring story to share, to provide them with a legitimate means to build their author platforms, and boost their reputations as skilled writers.
Stern has realized her goal beyond her expectations with the publication of ten Tales2Inspire books… and counting.
Although Lois has written several of the stories within each anthology collection, most of them come from the winners of the annual Tales2Inspire contest. As an added bonus, each book contains original photographs from each author as well as wonderfully uplifting, non-fiction stories.
The Agate Collection is filed with a bevy of our newest contest winning stories, each with the common theme of Reaching Out in some meaningful way. A skilled puppet maker/Fulbright scholar travels throughout the world, reinforcing the curriculum in many classrooms, while helping children construct life size puppets of related themes… A once incarcerated man returns to his ghetto neighborhood to start a nature program for teenagers, and is later told, "You are the best teacher I ever had." …A young filmmaker with a thirst for adventure travels to Ethiopia, uncertain what he will encounter there, but returns with a film filled with courage and grit. Fifteen stories in all, each Reaching Out to make a difference in the lives they touch.
The Jade, the ultimate good luck charm, taps into wisdom to guide us on our varied paths in life. This book is filled with true stories from contest winning authors, each highlighting a personal, yet unforgettable adventure in their life. These adventure stories run the gamut, some featuring the thrill or fear of the unexpected, others with humor prevailing as the adventure unfolds; some occurring close to home, with others taking place in distant lands. But each adheres to the dictionary definition: Adventure: an exciting or very unusual experience…:When an avalanche leaves a young gal stranded in Switzerland, with no money, language skills or place to sleep, a total stranger stops to help, turning Christmas Eve into an unforgettable adventure. A young physician volunteers to help set up a medical clinic in Honduras, experiencing unexpected adventures that run the gamut rarely experienced at home. When a young man with virtually no Japanese language skills accepts a job teaching English to business students in the foothills of Mount Fuji, adventures of a lifetime unfold. These and more award-winning stories within this collection share tales of some unforgettable experiences to entice, amaze or amuse.
Sammy Davis Encounters is the story of how the great admiration one woman held for an iconic entertainer heightened her awareness of racial injustice, while helping others to evolve. In A Child of Theirs - A Child of Ours, this award winning author tells the poignant story of the day she and her husband were interviewed by the young couple seeking the right parents for their yet unborn child.
The Last Laugh tells the story of a final day of laughter when a daughter one gal takes her seriously ailing mother on a shopping expedition, insisting that her mother steers a motorized Nanny cart through the crowded aisles of the super market. In Taking the Oath this author recounts the poignant details of the day she relinquished her French citizenship to become a citizen of the United States.
A girl learns that her childhood heroine is actually her biological sister. They meet and discover that their handwriting, talents and interests are exactly the same. A runaway dog sits in a garden miles from home, too frightened to move. Its frantic owner stops a total stranger, who turns out to be the one person who can lead her to her dog. These and more Beyond Coincidence award-winning stories will make you wonder if we are really as free as we think we are, or are there unknown forces guiding our lives?
A mama cow unexpectedly dies seconds before giving birth to her newborn calf. A city gal fearfully helps bring this calf into the world, raising him to a 2,000 pound bull with the pride of a mother toward her growing child. A skilled psychologist teaches a quadriplegic child how to use mental imagery to 'touch and feel' things that are physically impossible for him to do. With his newly acquired skills, he grows up to lead a fuller life.
A young boy plans a wonderful surprise for his pappy - an opportunity to join some circus band musicians for an afternoon of tooting. Later he learns that he gave his pappy the most special day of his life. A teacher uses her dog to help manage her class of special needs students. A boy with severe behavior problems stops acting out, at first whispering secrets in the dog's ear, later making friends within his class.
A woman rescues an abused, emaciated horse, nursing him back to good health and confidence. Although thrilled to join some equine pals in the field, he is always the first to come running when his human friend reappears. A black belt champion throws a temper tantrum each time he loses a match. But he isn't fighting for a trophy or glory. He fights to keep ghetto children out of the way - for one more day.
The Crystal Collection is filled with humorous stories to lift our spirits by transporting us from the here and now to several moments of pure amusement. We laugh at the failed experience of the brash young man who takes his girlfriend for a sail, but by the end of the day, has lost both boat and girlfriend. We giggle with amusement at the musical valentine that has a hidden Sonny and Cher surprise under its heart shaped cover. The award-winning stories in this collection help us feel good all over, bringing a smile to our lips and some joy to our hearts.
A service dog stands between his owner and a minibus, to protect her from the brunt of its impact. A white goose befriends a near blind lab, and begins taking him on daily walks, serving as his 'guide dog' as they circle the pond. In the words of Dr. Bernie Siegel, "Animals are teachers and healers while we have much to learn."
The 'tales' in this collection were hand picked for Teen & Tween readers—each story a previous Tales2Inspire winner. Since they already have been published in one of the seven other Tales2Inspire books, you can be assured that they all have been given a thumbs up by adult readers as well: After being separated for decades, two circus elephants have an amazing reunion when they unexpectedly meet over twenty years later. A young girl runs a marathon in each of seven continents, setting a new record in the Guinness Book of Records.This is just a sampling of the fourteen stories in this collection. And don't miss the ''Sparkler' page following each story, guaranteed to put a spark in your own creative thoughts.
Attention fans of the Tales2Inspire books: This is another double header, containing all the stories from the Emerald and Topaz Collections. Same great quality under one cover. Save with this two-for-one offer! This book won a NIEA (National Indie Excellence Award).
Welcome to the Diamond Collection Series II, one more Tale2Inspire double header. Another powerhouse of inspiring stories, this book contains all the stories from the Sapphire and Ruby Collections under one cover. Same great quality you have come to expect from our contest winning authors. Save with this two-for-one offer! This book won a NIEA (National Indie Excellence Award).
This third Tales2Inspire double header book containing all the stories originally published in the Pearl and Garnet Collections. By buying this collection, you will be getting two books in one. What a thoughtful gift to give to someone you admire. And don't forget to write a personal message inside the cover telling that person why they are so special to you. This book won a NIEA (National Indie Excellence Award).
The stories in Tales2Inspire–The Diamond Collection - Series IV contain all the stories from the Crystal and Opal Collections in one volume. This book is another double header of award winning stories to give the discerning reader a chance both to laugh and to reflect to perhaps strengthen their resolve.
The stories in the two Moonstone Collection books are published together in Tales2Inspire–The Diamond Collection - Series V, a double header with stories as varied as the authors who wrote them - some humorous, others introspective - but each a meaningful memory of a pivotal moment in that author's life, significantly altering it in a powerful yet personal way.This book won a Readers Favorite medal of excellence.
This is another double header, filled with the complete editions of the Jade and Agate collections bound together into one double size book. If you enjoy the Chicken Soup for the Soul stories, you will love these impeccably crafted, mesmerizing stories, each with original photographs to prove their authenticity.
You are about to meet some awesome kids, kids making an incredible impact to better our world. From saving gorillas slated for black market poaching, to rescuing dogs from kill shelters, from supplying needy children with backpacks filled with school supplies, to activists working to clean up our environment… Feeling discouraged about the next generation? Read their stories for a burst of optimism.
A WWII captain drags a tattered rug into a foxhole, comforting his troops during one of their fiercest battles… A man growing up with few positive role models develops successful programs for other disadvantaged kids. A mentally ill former employee holds a supervising nurse hostage. She emerges after forty-eight hours with multiple gunshot wounds, but with a new understanding of how vulnerability can be the foundation of strength. These stories share challenging moments—some dramatic, others more light-hearted—but all reflective of messages we hope our readers will absorb to strengthen them as well.
Tick Tock, Stop the Clock offers non-invasive and minimally invasive beauty enhancement treatments."Complete with detailed explanations, revealing photos, and insightful commentary, Tick Tock, Stop The Clock is required reading for anyone with even the slightest interest in improving their health and overall appearance. An excellent, well-crafted, and timely read." Apex Reviews
"Tick Tock, Stop the Clock offers insight into procedures that are available to you if you wish to improve your self-perception. It provides a roadmap for a novice such as me and in that vein; it meets its intended goal. …(This book) is a follow-up to Lois Stern's more introspective book, Sex, Lies and Cosmetic Surgery, pulling together 11 nationally recognized expert's writing on how to improve ones look. The uniqueness of this book… is that the emphasis is on non-invasive procedures that can change ones appearance as opposed to evasive procedures, such as a face lift." Book Pleasures Reviews
"One doesn't need thousands of dollars of plastic surgery to enhance one's appearance. Tick Tock, Stop the Clock: Getting Pretty On Your Lunch Hour is a collection of economically affordable ways that one can improve one's appearance without the need of expensive surgery. Author Lois Stern distills the advice of many professionals into a solid compendium of knowledge. Tick, Tock, Stop the Clock is a something to consider even for those who are beautiful but would like to be more so. " Midwest Book Reviews
Visit her website at: www.ticktockstoptheclock.com
Sex, Lies and Cosmetic Surgery offers provocative insights into the ways cosmetic surgery impacts women's lives."Do not be misled by its title. This is a very thoughtful and insightful book exploring the common and perhaps not so common emotions involved with the plastic surgery experience. Its very readable format presents valuable information and guidance for any woman considering cosmetic surgery." - Leo McCafferty, M.D. Clinical Assistant Professor of Plastic Surgery, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine Plastic Surgery, Consultant to Pittsburgh Steelers
"Lois Stern breaks new ground with her must read, impressively honest treatment of the relationship between cosmetic surgery and sexuality. Sex, Lies and Cosmetic Surgery belongs in the waiting room of every plastic surgeon's office, readily available to any woman considering plastic surgery." - Alan M. Kisner, M.D., Private Practice Plastic Surgeon, Huntington, NY; NYC, NY
"Given the relationship between sexuality, body image and cosmetic surgery, it is not surprising that some women report becoming romantically attached to their surgeons. Stern does readers a great favor in examining this 'don't ask, don't tell experience..." - David B. Sarwer, Ph.D. Associate Professor of Psychology, Edwin and Fannie Gray Hall for Human Appearances, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine
Visit her website at: www.sexliesandcosmeticsurgery.com