Heart of a Military Woman [Paperback]

Eldonna Lewis Fernandez (Author), Sheryl L. Roush (Author, Editor), Peter Alexis (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 11, 2009

Heart of a Military Woman
Stories and Tributes to Those Who Serve Our Country

Heart of a Military Woman is a keepsake collection of true short stories, touching tributes and emotive poems, celebrating our active and retired service members. Historic, nostalgic and some quite recent, these are written by military members, their families and loved ones, sharing sentiments and pride as only they can.

Swell with pride and feel Red, White and Blue all over as you read from such chapters as:
· What Was it Like?, A Day in the Life, and On the Home Front
· Enlisting, Recruitment, and Romance in the Ranks
· Humor in Uniform, Setting the Bar, and Trailblazers
· Blessings from Above, From the Journals and Wisdom
· Gold Star Mothers, Living with Loss and Grief
· Honoring Our Veterans, Tributes and Accolades
· Military Brats, Military Moms and Missions

She is a tough and formidable opponent... Yet her heart will soften and swell with pride as she looks at Old Glory or the men and women and children she serves and protects... Her heart aches for home and her loved ones, especially when she is far away... She is amazing in her ability to adapt, overcome adversity, do whatever it takes and still dance the night away if given a pair of heels, a dress and music. She laughs deeper, loves harder and her heart knows no bounds. That is the heart of a military woman.
- Debra Ann Ristau, USARNG Photo-journalist, California Army National Guard, Mother of a U.S. Marine Daughter

Women then were taught not to brag about what they do, so often they don't talk about their service at all. Many children of Veterans admitted that they didn't know anything about their mother's service until now.
- Kathie Hightower, LTC, USAR (Ret.)

Women in the military are some of the strongest people I've ever met. Who else can endure 12 or more hours on the job, many times enduring discrimination, only to come home and slip into wife and mother role, cooking dinner, helping the kids with their homework, putting them to bed and then starting the entire cycle over again?
-Rhonda M. Lawson, U.S. Army, Sergeant First Class

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

As a former Navy wife, Sheryl Roush recognizes the dedication, unique lifestyle and challenges of military life. As a professional speaker and trainer, she has presented to the U.S. Navy, Camp Pendleton Marines, MCRD-San Diego, BoozAllenHamilton, MOAA-Military Officers Ass n of America, SPAWAR, U.S. Census Bureau, Fairchild AFB, 7-Up, County of Los Angeles Management Council, Government Agencies FCU, Naval Training Center - San Diego, FEW-Federally Employed Women, International Association of Police Chiefs, and numerous government agencies, non-profits. She has coached wounded soldiers and their spouses in public speaking and media interview skills through Troop Transition. She was only the third woman in the world (in 106 countries and out of 4 million people served) to be honored by Toastmasters International with their elite Accredited Speaker designation for outstanding platform professional speaking skills. She has presented on programs alongside Olivia Newton-John, Commander in Chief's Geena Davis, Art Linkletter and more. Sheryl Roush also wrote Heart of a Woman, Heart of a Woman in Business, Heart of a Mother, Heart of the Holidays (featuring stories of celebrating yuletide in the military), Sparkle-Tudes!TM, plus additional inspirational and business books. She is the President/CEO of Sparkle Presentations, Inc., based in San Diego, California.

Eldonna Lewis Fernandez, MSgt USAF Retired, is a retired Air Force Master Sergeant with 23 years of honorable military service. She deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2002 and retired in 2003. She has 29 years of extensive leadership, management and supervisory experience. She is certified at Level III Contracts in the Acquisition Professional Development Program. She is also a certified coach, and consultant. Eldonna serves on the board of the International Empowerment Education Foundation, and coordinates the speaker's bureau for the Women s Peace Campaign. She is also a member of the District One Toastmasters Community Speakers Bureau. Eldonna is affectionately known as the Pink Biker ChicTM, a biker and empowerment coach for women utilizing the PINK principles of - Power, Integrity, Nurturing, and Knowledge. A frequent radio guest, The Pink Biker Chic is an award winning speaker, an author and trainer. The Pink Biker ChicTM programs are the GPS for feminine transformation. Women go from heels to wheels with beginner and experienced rider transformational workshops, luxury weekend bike trips, and week long touring rides. Women move from the back seat to the front seat of the bike and in their own life as they steer themselves to a bright and successful future. The Pink Biker Chic programs include individual and group coaching, and a one week no ride, no lecture retreat in Maui with The Peaceful Woman. She is the President/CEO of Dynamic Vision International, based in Redondo Beach, California.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Sparkle Press (November 11, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1880878240
• ISBN-13: 978-1880878248
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 5.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,281,661 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Sheryl Roush is President/CEO of Sparkle Presentations, Inc., based in San Diego, CA. She is an inspirational female speaker, top-rated international trainer, conference presenter and multi-author. Overcoming her own past of rape, bankruptcy and surviving domestic violence, today she helps to rekindle spirit, hope and humor. Sheryl passionately encourages others who have experienced similar challenges, bringing renewed hope into their lives. In honor of her service, she was crowned "Ms. Heart of San Diego," (2004 and 2005), crowned La Reina de Esperanza "Queen of Hope" (2007), and received the Presidential Citation (2009) from Toastmasters International. Sheryl created the Heart Book Series, including titles: Heart of a Woman, Heart of a Military Woman, Heart of a Woman in Business, Heart of a Mother, Heart of the Holidays, and Corazon de Mujer (Heart of a Woman in Spanish). Sheryl has spoken on programs alongside celebrities including: Olivia Newton-John, Geena Davis, Vicki Lawrence, Jane Seymour, Joan Lunden, Erin Brockovich, Thurl Bailey, and Art Linkletter... and business giants including: Robert G. Allen, Mark Victor Hansen, Southwest Airlines' CEO Howard Putnam, Suze Orman, and Marcus Buckingham.
www.HeartBookSeries.com
www.SparklePresentations.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Breathtaking!, December 21, 2009

By 

Nancy Canfield (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Heart of a Military Woman (Paperback)

Story after story fills me with awe and respect for those who are so brave as to serve our country, and provide the incredible life experience we enjoy. Rightfully, we must remember all of the support people who enable them to serve: mothers, sisters, brothers, fathers, children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends. Some or all are like the poles that keep the tent up so that it can protect everyone it engulfs! Thanks to all who serve - in the military, and outside.

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational Stories from Real People, December 3, 2009

By 

Angela Y. Strader "Angie Strader" (DFW, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Heart of a Military Woman (Paperback)

I just received my copy of Heart of a Military Woman. As soon as I opened it, I couldn't put it down! The stories within are touching, inspirational and you can tell they really do come from the heart. It's important to remember that the contributors are real women and some men connected to the United States military either as an active duty member, reserve, dependent or family member and not professional writers. I enjoy reading work from people who write as they talk. I can feel the pride and sometimes the pain each contributor went through in their military experience. I also feel the passion within each of them as they shared their story.

To be fair, I should tell you that my own military story is included in Heart of a Military Woman (pg 27), so I may be a little biased, but in truth, I did get the book yesterday and read it until I fell asleep last night. I am proud to have my short story published within this book along side the other outstanding members of our military family.

This book will make a thoughtful gift for anyone who is connected to the military. It is a soft-cover keepsake book that will look beautiful on any coffee table.