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Review for: In her second book Tick Tock Stop the Clock, Lois W. Stern has achieved two objectives. She enlightens women, and men, on how to alter the continual ticking of the aging clock, a process which begins at birth. Secondly, she has extended the possibilities beyond all previous attitude, financial and gender boundaries that barred all but the elite and wealthy from the possibilities in cosmetic enhancement, a multi-billion dollar industry if one includes non-invasive procedures. It’s a ‘how to’ book for ‘how to’ books! In her first work, Sex, Lies and Cosmetic Surgery, the author addressed the psychological ramifications of surgerical decisions. In that book, Mrs. Stern addressed the emotional after effects more than the procedures themselves. The courageous sharing of her own experience, a unique feat for a woman who’d spent her life as a professional educator, would have stood alone. But, that’s not the mold of a caring and motivated writer to educate others. She wanted to give authenticity to her subject. A monumental research effort consuming weeks and months of perseverance in securing interviews with over a hundred women and the telling of their own stories ensued. Interviewing women who’d undergone a variety of cosmetic enhancements, even those who’d been necessitated by a medical need shared their own stories. Even then, in some cases a societal attitude led to feelings of guilt, a need for denial, almost a shame to admit the procedure had been or was going to be done. Some showing a drastic improvement underwent personality changes, some become obsessed and over engaged to the point of being a target for jokes, forgetting the principles of beauty within. It read more like a novel than a book on appearance and health. With success in her endeavor growing, Lois Stern was soon struck with another realization. The work wasn’t finished. Her audience was limited. Availability of such treatments to thousands who weren’t in a financial position to pursue the more drastic or costly measures for appearance improvement, but who, too, were driven by the same natural unspoken rules that social and career oriented people must always look and feel their best. Youth ruled and appearance often determined who makes it and who doesn’t. That applies often in boy gets girl, girl get boy rituals, as well. How you look can affect your life’s paths. Rightly or wrongly, we are a vain society. In Tick Tock Stop the Clock, the author employed the same vigor, determination and perseverance to provide authenticity. This time she focused on securing prominent and practicing professionals, many of whom were nationally acclaimed. Long hours of work produced eleven such co-authors to support Stern’s own writing prowess. Every appearance factor from non-invasive procedures to hair and dental health are covered in layman’s terms. It’s a journey into a common sense approach to looking and feeling your best. You will begin to envision yourself as a raw hunk of granite just waiting for the sculptor to mold you into the most beautiful and durable work of art you can be. No one, regardless of rung on the social ladder, no one is exempt from the potential reading audience with Tick Tock Stop the Clock. I, a simple, esoteric not at all driven by vanity, but also a professional, recommend it highly. Susan Haley, Author/Editor/Reviewer **Susan Haley is a published author of books, several articles on networking, an award-winning poet, independent copy editor, and book reviewer for AME Marketing out of San Diego. She is a columnist for “The Florida Writer” the official magazine of the Florida Writers Association, and serves as Facilitator for the Sarasota County Chapter. The audio version of her novel RAINY DAY PEOPLE, was awarded in the 2008 Indie Excellence National Book Awards. She also contributes a variety of editorials and excerpts of her work to various E-zines, newsletters, and local papers. Her third book, SOUL SONGS, a sequel to her first book, FIBERS IN THE WEB is due to be released this fall. She is currently working on her second novel. THE HOUSE IS BURNING. Susan can be contacted at www.sucarha.com or shaley1112@verizon.net |