I AM DIVA!
 Elena Bates, et al
 (Reviewer - Donald D'Haene)
 2003 Warner Books
 ISBN: 0446679550

Every Woman's Guide to Outrageous Living.

Get in touch with your inner star and learn to live life by your own rules--as a DIVA! With coaches Elena Bates, Maureen O'Crean, Molly Thompson & Carilyn Vaile in their weekly guide for women who want to rediscover the passion, joy, & fun in their lives.

Associate Reviewer Donald D'Haene writes:

I AM DIVA No, I really am. & I was before I started reading this book. How many of you can say that & not wince or mouth the words sheepishly? If you can, you'll love this book. If you can't, you really need to read this book!

The I AM DIVA guide to outrageous living is an interactive work that takes readers on a year-long journey of discovery, self-awareness & change. Of course, many of you will cringe as you read of tiaras & boas, but there is a serious message to be found.

Unfortunately too many women live a Cinderella-like existence. All work & no play, makes Jane a dull girl. Forget trying on glass slippers! They need to escape their dungeon of a life more than many of us who can afford to buy this book. I think a diva-licious idea would be to share the ideas found in the pages of I AM DIVA with those women who need it most. Even better, make someone else a DIVA for a day. You might even consider buying them the book, 'cause if you've had the time to attempt all the DIVA do's & don'ts suggested in this book, you can afford to tip your tiara elsewhere & share your keys to the kingdom.

The four Divas who wrote this book came together from different ages and stages of life. Thin and full-figured, married with children or without--they have successfully navigated the fields of fashion design, nursing, Internet consulting, business. You name it, they've done it! Now their collective vision and wisdom is being used to redefine a woman's self worth.

Some may quibble that I AM DIVA is not a new concept. PLEAsssee! Give this diva a break! Women helping out their fellow sisters in need? More power to them!

So what becomes a Diva most? One of the authors, Molly Thompson, says, “Being Diva means seeing beauty in yourself and others, especially when you're having a bad hair day; having more fun in life no matter what you’re doing--when in doubt, laugh it out!; being willing to let your guard down and let others contribute to you; speaking up (vs. just thinking about saying something); and owning your power and fabulousness--in whatever form they take!” I think that's ab fab advice.

If a gay man endorses four women's perspective on DIVAdom, I'd say run, don't walk, & order your copy today!

DIVAS: up, up and away!

Elena Bates, Maureen O'Crean, Molly Thompson, & Carilyn Vaile live in Southern California. These four divas have a fun web site at www.iamdiva.com.
(07/27/03)

Donald
2003©Donald D'Haene
A RebeccasReads.Com Associate Reviewer

Reviewer's Bio:
My most important work to date is my memoir, Father's Touch [Author web site: www.fatherstouch.com] Do check out Rebecca's Interview with me.

I have been freelance writing since 1988. My short stories can be found in The Good Life (2000) & Memories of Elgin and Middlesex(2000). I am also an actor with Armstrong Talent in Toronto, Canada.

A short film is being produced [Phat Puppy Productions] based on the first chapter of Father's Touch. It will submitted to film festivals around the world. As well, this fall, Canada's W Network will air a half hour segment of their series, Family Secrets, based on the author's life & story.

I live in London, Ontario, with my partner, Maurice, my mother, & our three Siamese cats, Kyle, Bach-Pierre, Maxine & a cockatiel, Jay.