TREASURES OF DARKNESS - BOOK REVIEW

This book is a poignant, true and extraordinary insightful experience
of the author's 8 months in prison. Her struggle in the prison was
full of darkness yet she discovered the treasure as the title of the
book suggests. She was imprisoned in a variety of locations, met
people and had experiences with lots of emotions. Through her letters,
personal journals and hindsight, she look back and see things that
happened from a different perspective now. She also shared with us as
how she turned to God and gain her faith. Better yet, she was inspired
to share her journey with others by writing this book. Many of us go
through trials and tribulations and never stop to help others by
sharing our experiences. Trish Jenkins is not that person. She felt
that she was led to write this book. If the reviews she’s received
thus-far are any indication, the world needed it. She has allowed God
to use her as a vessel to reach and impact others which she could never thought possible.

I received a review copy of the book for the purpose of writing a fair
and honest review. I received no other compensation.

Treasures Of Darkness is a book which provides us with more than one
dimension. This is because it can help us to overcome barriers and
obstacles, not only physically, but also mentally and spiritually
precisely as the author has gone through. It serves wide and diverse
needs especially for those who want to gain the highest and broader
perspective on life.

This book, may perhaps make you  gain faith of you own. It may gives
you a good understanding of how you can let God  use you mightily,
even if  you were desperately weak, as how He could mould, sand
polish you before turning you as one of His vessels to reach out and
strengthen people surrounding you, as it begins with a beautiful,
meaningful and powerful verse, Isaiah 45:3 which is the corner stone
of this inspiring book.
.
I think that what I enjoyed most about this book is its richness with
emotions. It reflects the importance of staying positive and enjoying
the waves of the challenges. Reminds us that God will even come near
us despite we could not see our own shadow at the point of total
darkness. That’s what makes this book truly worth reading.

As you read through the book, you’ll be able to visualise how the
entire horribly painful journey the author has to go through, just
like a "Joseph" experience, but the only difference is that she was
not offered a position by Pharaoh. This book is not meant to persuade
or dissuade you – it’s meant to inform, enrich and educate you in
gaining perspectives.

So grab hold of this book without much hesitation. You may probably
read this book in a leisurely weekend and let the author walk you
through her journey that will move your heart and keep you turning the
pages.

The Title of the book is Precise and Concise. It should sell quite a
few copies on the title alone. Important lesson to me and I have to
admit the title is irresistible.

Treasures Of Darkness is definitely a noble goal, because it propels
and prospers you to see things not only from their positive and
appropriate perspective, despite its darkness. You may grab an
encouraging message of how a bruised pilgrim can recover from the
depths to a redeemed and rehabilitated life. I must say that the
reward of its message is far more than your time, energy and money
spent. Marvelous. In short, you will be empowered to walk by faith,
and not by sight. Consistent and persistent application by living in
your life is the surest way to ensure that you shine through your
life. The author, Trish Jenkins , can certainly attest of truth that
God won’t give you more than you can handle. However, like the author,
there are times when you watch that hope slip right through your
fingers while you stand by helplessly. It’s when that hope is gone and
you cry out in desperation that God gives you peace.

This book is also ideal for anyone who feels you had been living life
without much meaning and is looking for inspiration to go off on his
own.

Last, but not least, this is a story of perseverance, love and trust.
The author served 8 months in prison. Isolated from her husband and 3 little daughter, living with all sorts of criminals. She groped in the
dark for reassurance and desperate for an answer, turned the problem over to God. And God intervened.

All I can say is thank you!

Stay tune if you like to know more about author Trish Jenkins.


Read my interview with her here.


James Oh
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INDIE AUTHOR BOOK MARKETING SUCCESS - BOOK REVIEW

INDIE AUTHOR BOOK MARKETING SUCCESS- BOOK REVIEW This Marketing handbook is a Complete and Comprehensive tool and can be every successful Author's perfect Companion, which will make you lack nothing. It comprises not only of all proven 5 star Marketing Techniques, Tips and Tools, but also the roadmap and real insight on techniques to improve the sales of your book. It is a book of compilation of the experiences from more than a dozen Successful Authors and Book Marketing Experts. It is really second to none, I must say. Through their real insight and hindsight, the readers will be able to know their effectiveness marketing from a different and diverse perspectives and needs. They also shared their relevant websites and resources as to how the reader can take it further. Hence, I find it very meaningful, useful and helpful especially for a new writer, like me in this industry. Better still, you will not only be inspired, but be driven to join in the crowd to share your story. You will be rest assured of its enriching, fulfilling and rewarding, experience, worth many folds of your time, energy and money spent reading this book. I received a review copy of the book for the purpose of writing a fair and honest review. I received no other compensation. Indie Author Book Marketing Success is a book which comprises the renowned authors' solid and valid points and experience in his own areas of marketing expertise. This will help us to have a clear plan, step up and strategise as how you want to market your book, both on-line and off lines. I must say that it serves wide, complete and diverse marketing needs especially for those who want to market their books successfully. This book will make you gain both confidence and competence. It gives you a good understanding of what those successful authors had done and you will not doing it alone. I think that what I enjoyed most about this book is its richness with marketing strategies and promotion kits. It will equip you to take the ride of the waves of the challenges to reap your success. This makes you have a competitive edge against your rivals. That’s what makes this book truly worth reading. As you read through the book, you’ll be able to visualise which of these techniques and tips are being used to its effectiveness to achieve your own success. This book is not meant to persuade or dissuade you – it’s meant to inform, enrich and educate you in marketing your book successfully. So grab hold of this book without much hesitation. You may probably read this book in a leisurely weekend and let the respective author walks you through their individual journey as how you can make effective use of the individual techniques and tips. The Title of the book is Precise, Concise and Complete. A Clear picture of what is this handbook about. It should sell quite a few copies on the title alone. Important lesson to me and I have to admit the title is irresistible. Indie Author Book Marketing Success is definitely a noble goal, because it propels and prospers you to promote your book far beyond social media. Marvelous. Constant, Consistent and Persistent application of each and every marketing technique and tip will ensure your book marketing success! This book is also ideal for anyone who feels you had been living life without much meaning and is looking for inspiration to go off on his own. All I can say is thank you! Stay tune if you like to know more about other authors whom we will publish from time to time. James Oh

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Skype me at james.oh18

GUEST AUTHOR INTERVIEW - TRISH JENKINS

Please click the link below, to read more about the Author

About-Trish-Jenkins

Now, onto the interview.

James : When did you begin to write?

I’ve found the spiritual value of journaling as a teenager, though that didn’t tell me if I had any real flair as a writer. From 2003-2005 I wrote a monthly “wealth creation” ezine sharing what I was learning about real estate. I started writing a “success” book when we were doing so well we no longer required jobs. I’m glad I didn’t publish because we lost everything we had to a fraud. Then I began to research and write a book on fraud warning signals, so that what happened to us wouldn’t happen to anyone else. I began working for a Corporate investigator who taught me a lot about fraud and what makes people vulnerable. He asked me specifically to write my book for women, because by the time they called him, they had no money to pay him. Most often they were ripped off through romance.

At the same time I was facing prosecution for breaching the Corporations Act, so I held off publishing until I got a penalty. That penalty turned out to be 8 months in prison. The prison experience brought out the real writer in me.

James : When did you first discover that you were a writer?

When I started receiving letters in prison from strangers who’d had my prison letters forwarded to them. That’s when I really knew the Lord was doing something with my writing. I had no internet access so I would post a letter for our family and friends to my husband, Justin. He would type it out in an email and send it to them. The letters tracked my journey through prison, how I coped, funny stories and my relationship with God during that time. Those emails went viral and the feedback I received was very encouraging. I wanted to keep a record of my experiences. I also kept a journal of things I couldn’t put in letters and my intimate moments with God. I instinctively, knew what I was writing was important and the feedback showed the Lord was using my letters to touch people.

James : How much did you write before you were published? 

Not much. I’m easily distracted and prefer talking to writing. I’ve heard real writers just have to write, they can’t help it. I need a reason to write. I find it hard to sit still and write, so I’ve learned to do it in bite sized chunks. That’s probably why the prison letters worked so well.

James : What is your favorite part of writing? 

Seeing it in print! Writing is hard work, it takes a lot of thought, so I love it when I’m “moved” to write. I get on a roll and pour it out. Then I go back and slash it down to the best words.

James : Tell us about your latest release. 

My latest release is Weapons of Cash Destruction: Protect Your Fortune from Fraud. It’s the gender neutral version of my women’s fraud book. I’ve produced 3 books in 3 years and the one most people are interested in still, is my “Treasures of Darkness: A Prison Journey.” When I first came home I put all my papers in a box and shoved it under the couch. I couldn’t even look at it without feeling shaky and ill. I was told that was a symptom of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). A year later, the Lord impressed on me that I needed to collate the letters and journal entries as a book. It was difficult and I found myself having to forgive certain issues and people all over again. Fortunately the Lord gave me the grace to work through it. Now I see the hope and courage I didn’t realize I had at the time.

James : Wow! This book sounds really good. Are you planning on writing more in the years to come? 

Yes, on leadership. There has been a journey of healing and rebuilding that I believe the Lord will have me share from. I’ve had time to reflect back on what the Lord did and will include keys to healing, self-leadership and dealing with difficult people too.

James : So far what is your worst criticism/attacks, and how have you overcome it? 

The worst attack came from my own mind. I felt ashamed of my failure and didn’t think I had the right to offer anything. Some months after I got home, the Lord impressed on me to publish my first book, “Dangerous Wealth: What Every Successful Woman Needs to Know to Avoid Being Ripped Off!” I wondered, “How can I publish a book and people not find out I’ve been in prison?” I was deeply ashamed. I had to make the decision to go public and tell them myself.

How did I do that? I knew in my heart that the Lord expected me to. I believe the only thing worse than going through an adversity, is to waste it. I was afraid, but I did it afraid anyway. Then I was invited to speak to a business group. My story and it’s lessons were appreciated. From that engagement I received more and more invitations to speak. The Lord opened the doors.

A second criticism I received was at a Christian business conference designed to encourage and release us in our calling. I had recently published my prison book “Treasures of Darkness” and was looking for guidance and encouragement. Perhaps I was looking for “man’s” approval? One of the leaders said I should stop what I was doing and burn all my books. Fortunately I had travelled enough with God down that road to recognise there was something about my story that offended him. I realised I could let him rob me of my courage or defend it. I quietly and firmly told him his “word did not witness to my spirit, but thank you anyway.” Fortunately the other leaders disagreed with him as well. I was shaken but pleased I had defended the precious, hard won gift the Lord had given me.

James : What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of? 

My family. In particular, helping my children heal from the damage they suffered due to my imprisonment, the length of time I was absent and the PDST I suffered afterwards. My husband and I have been careful to guide them through the pain, teaching them to position themselves for the Lord to be able to “make all things work for good”. We parent carefully, prayerfully and with purpose.

James : What does your writing process look like? 

Undisciplined and eclectic. I keep a folder with topics that come to me. Every now and then I’ll look at one and pray. I start with brainstorming questions around that topic, putting them in a logical order and answering them.

James :  How did you get published? 

I researched self publishing companies. I wasn’t interested in being rejected by a traditional publisher. I didn’t know if my books were any good or if anyone would be interested. I only knew I had to do it. As it turns out, people are interested. My prison book sells just as well as my business books, even at secular events.

James : How do you come up with title of your books? 

I came up with Dangerous Wealth, because wealth is a double edged sword. It can do good and it can get you into trouble. The subtitle “What Every Successful Woman Needs to Know to Avoid Being Ripped Off!” was necessary to clarify what it is about.

“Treasures of Darkness” is from Isaiah 45:3, “I will give you the treasures of darkness and hidden riches of secret places, so that you may know that I, the Lord, which calls you by name, am the God of Israel.” The Lord had showed me many treasures in the darkness of prison.

“Weapons of Cash Destruction: Protect Your Fortune from Fraud!” is my third book and a “gender neutral” version of the women’s finance book. For that title I turned to the male members of a Face Book business group. I wanted to butch it up and make it appealing to men. It worked. It’s a combination of the best suggestions. I thanked them each with a PDF of the book.

James : Can you enlighten us a little more about your books? 

Not all things are good, but the Lord promises to make all things work for good when we love Him. My business books will show you how to find what makes you vulnerable and what to do about it as well as how to overcome financial setbacks. They bring out the Warrior Prince or Warrior Princess in you.

Treasures of Darkness is different. It’s not even a memoir based on a selective memory. It was written as it happened, real and raw, so you will go through it with me. The good new is, the Lord was there with me too, showing me how to overcome, challenging old assumptions, bringing fresh revelation. You will see how much He is with you, when you draw on Him.

James: Tell us your guiding principle that governs your life?  

Love God. Maintain an intimate relationship with Him. Love people. See Christ in them, but be discerning about them too. Ask the Lord for His perspective of any circumstance, blessing or person. That’s when you’ll find treasure and purpose.

James : How have you cultivated these values? 

Choosing to trust God in a circumstance, rather than blame Him for it. Practising forgiveness. Modelling and teaching these values to my children. Prison really defined and tested these values. It taught me to see past the exterior to Christ inside a person, to genuinely care about them. When people sense you genuinely care, you can reach them.

James : Do you have any advice for writers looking to get published? 

Yes. It’s not about YOU. Your writing is for His glory, to further His purposes, whether it be simply a heart-warming romance or a serious “How-To” book. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your path (Proverbs 3) Walk humbly, don’t confuse your opinion with the gospel. “Passion without Compassion, is just Ambition.”

Write to be understood rather than to impress. Pray to be effective.

You can do things very, very cheaply if you are resourceful. Outsource using websites such as oDesk. I recommend CreateSpace as a print-on-demand service because it requires simple formatting and has excellent customer service.

Be humble and market your books. Literary snobbery against the business of books dishonours God. If He has given you a message to get out there, you don’t have the right to sit on it and wait to be discovered. Hire a professional editor so you don’t sound illiterate, yet still retain your own “voice” in the work.

Choose a title that will get the reader’s attention.

Make a book trailer. Make it attention getting from the start. Mine is here Watch Book Trailer "Treasures of Darkness - A Prison Journey"

If you have a how-to or helpful book, learn to be a speaker and sell your books at the back of the room. If you can’t speak in front of anyone, talk to your computer camera and record a video teaching what you know. Separate the audio and you suddenly have 3 products from one.

Meanwhile, I also keen to review your book, Treasure of Darkness, if you have no objection.

Thanks and look forward to co-operate with you.

James Oh

http://my.linkedin.com/pub/oh-james/12/a11/29b

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ABOUT TRISH JENKINS - DYNAMIC INSPIRATIONAL AND MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER

About the author:

Trish Jenkins is a dynamic, inspirational speaker and author. Audiences laugh, cry and learn when she speaks on overcoming adversity and fraud warnings. 
Going to prison is especially embarrassing, when you are a Pastor's Kid! Truth really is stranger than fiction. Trish says, "If I couldn't prove it, no one would believe me!"


You can change the past and free your future - Trish did! She says, "I may not be able to change the facts, but I CAN change what I believe they mean for my life.That thing that could have destroyed me, now serves me as I share the Treasures I discovered in my Darkness, with YOU.


Her own adversity made her an authority on fraud warning signals and resulted in her first book "Dangerous Wealth: What Every Successful Woman Needs to Know to Avoid Being Ripped Off!" 


Trish is Australian. She lives in Brisbane with her husband Justin and her 3 beautiful girls, Chelsea and identical twins Felicity and Olivia.

The Jenkins are active members of their church and business community.

A Prison Journey

Authored by Mrs Trish Jenkins Prison was not on the "Goal Chart" of entrepreneur Trish Jenkins. 

A breach of the Corporations Act meant losing her multi-million dollar portfolio, including her family home.


It also meant Trish served 8 months in prison.
Isolated from her husband and 3 little girls, living among Queensland's most dangerous criminals, Trish could have succumbed to despair.


But treasure is found in dark places.

Refusing to be a victim, Trish answered a new calling to make a difference in the lives around her. In doing so she found a different kind of freedom and healing.

Few people learn what prison is really like. Those who have rarely speak of it. 

This is a courageous journey. Better than a memoir, this is real and raw; made up of letters, private journal and hindsight. 

You'll alternately laugh, cry and shake your head as you experience funny stories, tragic circumstances, discouragement, hope and ever present faith.

Journey with Trish as she discovers Treasures from Darkness.

Stay tune if you like to know more about author Trish Jenkins and her book in our forthcoming posts.