The winner is Lisa! Lisa was chosen at random and said, “This seems like such a fantastic and vital read that my sister and I could both gain insight from.” Glad to see this book will get passed along from one sister to another.

Image: sxc.hu.

Post from: Blisstree

Winner of Beauty’s Secret

Please give us more information on Beauty’s Secret. Who is the book aimed at and what kinds of things can readers learn from it?

I targeted the book to pre-teen girls ages 7-14, although it’s been a delight to see mothers start their 4-year old with the story and older teens and adult women buying it for themselves or a friend. The message is universal, and the contemporary fairytale story appeals to all ages. But it’s the pre-teens I feel most compelled to reach, as they are being bombarded by so many unhealthy messages from our media and today’s role models, and don’t yet have the emotional capacity to discern truth from fantasy. It’s a fact, our girls are “growing up” faster than they have in any time in history, or at least they think they are (I also say this from personal experience, I have a 6-year-old daughter!). They are still young girls internally, yet want to look and act like big girls because that is what our society is teaching them as acceptable. Girls used to make the “big girl” transition going from middle school to high school, now it’s from elementary school to middle school. I want to reach them during these years so they don’t “lose” themselves in the transition.

One of the key things readers will see when reading my book is what happens when we forget that “It’s what’s inside that counts.” My main character, Beauty, becomes too focused on her external beauty and begins to treat herself and others harshly, and one day looks in the mirror and an ugly face is staring back at her. I have a wonderful artist (Dawn Pitre) and she captured this look perfectly. Through the message of a mystical angel, Beauty (and readers) learn the importance of connecting to her Heartlight, her true self and essence of who she is where her inner beauty lies. It’s very powerful, and I’m thrilled to say the world is embracing the message fully. Beauty’s Secret just became a Gold Recipient in the 2009 Mom’s Choice Awards. It’s also won several other national awards: First Place in Children’s Fiction in the USA Book News National Best Books Awards, a Moonbeam Silver Medal, and the COVR Visionary Award for Best Children’s Book of the Year.

Where can readers find out more about your book? Where is it available?

I invite readers to watch my video:

On it I discuss my personal story in developing Heartlight Girls. Please also visit my website at  and my blog .  On my website, readers may join (free) the Heartlight Girls Club to receive my monthly newsletter, as well as request an autographed copy of my book. Beauty’s Secret is also available at bookstores nationwide, including online booksellers like Amazon.

Anything else you’d like to add?

I am so excited to be living my purpose and passion! I have six books planned for the Heartlight Girls series, and am currently working on book two titled Star’s Attraction, A Girl’s Discovery of Inner Power. I also travel around the county speaking to parents and girls of all ages about this important message, my goal is to bring this awareness to as many as possible. I invite your readers to help me spread this message! Inquiries regarding speaking engagements can be directed to my booking agent Nancy Hansen at nhzgreentri@hotmail.com. If we all work together, we can make this a world where our girls feel safe, secure, empowered, and confident in being who they truly are!

Image: Debra Gano

Post from: Blisstree

Interview With Debra Gano – Part 2

Mia J.

So what did Mia J. win?

She won an autographed copy of Debra Gano’s book Beauty’s Secret.
Beauty’s Secret is the first book in a new empowering series for pre-teen girls called the Heartlight Girls. Winner of the 2008 COVR Award for Best Children’s Book of the Year, this is a contemporary fairytale of a young teen named Beauty who learns an important secret from a mysterious angel that helps her connect to her heart, realizing her true worth and inner beauty. Endorsed by best-selling Chicken Soup for the Soul co-author Jack Canfield as, “A book every girl should read, Beauty’s Secret builds a strong foundation in girls and helps to counteract negative influences of the media and unhealthy role models in our society. The powerful message of author, model and actress Debra Gano, along with the stunning illustrations by noted artist Dawn Pitre, make this a hardcover book perfect for girls of all ages.

Visit www.HeartlightGirls.com for more information.

Congrats Mia! I hope you enjoy your book.

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And we have our first Blogtoberfest winner…