Meet Michael Sheahan, Author and NYPD Detective

Michael Sheahan is a highly decorated retired NYPD Detective from the NYPD/FBI Joint Federal Task Force. Michael is also an award winning Childrens book author, Singer-Songwriter, producer and Publisher. Many years ago he formed a conglomerate of companies under Finest Worldwide Entertainment (Finest Music, Finest Books, Finest Media, Fine St Records & Finest Worldwide Management Group). Michael created a character named Mr. Holidays, and released his first book with a musical CD & Dance instructional DVD titled “Mr. Holidays Presents The Roof Top Hop” It won three of the biggest awards in the children’s book industry for Best Holiday Book, Best Holiday book with music/Theatrical, and the prestigious Independent Books Publishers award.

Michael hopes he can donate over 100,000 books and ship them in time for Christmas 2017. He titled this campaign "The Gift Keeps Giving" cause he feels it was a gift from above that inspired him to create Mr. Holidays. A gift of being honored with three awards for his creation, and a gift to be able to pay it forward to bring a smile to children's faces this Christmas 2017 Holiday Season.

1. How did you come up with the character of Mr. Holidays, and what would you most like our readers to know about him?

I created Mr. Holidays to be a safe keeper of all the holidays in the calendar year. To promote the old traditions as well as create new fun ways to celebrate with family and friends.

2. What would you like people to know about you and your books?

I think your readers should know that deep down inside I’m still a big kid, and I have always loved and cherished sharing the holidays with family and friends. It was always a time in my house growing up where we just slowed down enough to continue the family traditions to spend, share and enjoy quality time with each other making new memories each and every year. Christmas wasn’t a day when I was a child. It was at least two weeks or more spread out visiting friends and family. It kind of kicked off a week after Thanksgiving. I think it’s such an important time especially for the children to be in the middle of the adults conversation with their grandparents, parents, aunts and uncles, siblings, cousins and friends sharing and learning the family traditions. Just hearing the stories and old tales that were passed down from generation to generation. I feel it’s so important to their upbringing knowing that they have the support and a solid foundation helping them feel secure and loved.

3. Would you tell us a little more about how you were inspired to create Mr. Holidays?

I was inspired to create Mr. Holidays through several experiences with my own children and their friends. On one occasion we had a birthday party for our youngest child who at the time just turned six or seven. We had several friends over and had a really enjoyable day playing games and having pizza and all sorts of goodies for desert. By the end of the evening the children were settling down waiting to be picked up by their parents. I pulled out my guitar and we had a sing-along. After several songs that were known by the children I started singing a few Christmas songs because it was only a few weeks away. While every one was singing one child pipes up to all of our surprise that he does not believe in Santa. I looked at my sons face expressing a shocked questionable look, and I quickly replied well that’s fine that you don’t believe in Santa, but in this house we love Santa.

When all the children left and my little guy went to bed I asked my wife how could that little child already not believe in Santa…He’s so young? My wife replied "for some people Christmas is just another day. With both parents working full time it’s not easy..."

Thanks, Michael!

Introducing the Premium SST Cocktail Shaker Set

The Premium SST Cocktail Shaker Set Bundle sold on Amazon by G&Z Online Marketing comes with a double jigger, two bottle pourers, and over 50 recipes. This 24oz martini bar kit is a nice holiday gift item made from high-quality, dishwasher-safe stainless steel and guaranteed to stay rust-free.

I talked with one of the partners who created the product, and he's offering a special coupon to readers of this blog. The coupon code for 10% off: just use the Code "BLOGSP10" (Blog Special 10%). The coupon has a limit for one usage per customer, and it can be used for multiple units in the same purchase.

1. I like that your product comes with accessories and recipes. Would you tell us a little more about everything that comes with the cocktail shaker?

Our Premium Cocktail Shaker comes with all you need to make drinks at home. First is the actual shaker: it's a three-piece shaker, with a body/cup, lid and cap. The lid has a built-in strainer to keep everything you don't need away from your drink. Also, we have a double jigger, which is a measuring cup for drinks, 1/2 oz and 1oz, and two bottle pourers to fit on the bottle to avoid dripping all over the kitchen.

With every purchase, we also give an eBook with tips, tricks, and over 50 recipes.

2. As for the shaker itself, how did you choose materials and test the product to make sure it met your specifications before having a factory produce it for you?

Well, it was not as easy as I expected. We hired three material engineers, went over many, many reviews and complaints on other products, and did deep market research for materials best for use in the kitchen, until we decided to go with stainless steel 18/8 (aka Grade 304), as it's food safe, rust-free, dishwasher safe and on top has a nice, shiny look.

3. How did your earlier work experience as a bartender influence your design of your product?

As both myself and my wife worked as bartenders, we know what we want: size, shake, grip, weight, and so it took some time to find the right partner and factory to product it according to our needs, but where there is a will, there is a way....

4. What do you like about Amazon as a platform for selling your product?

I like that customers are coming to buy, and they have a very big variety to choose from. They can feel safe when purchasing as Amazon and we as sellers provide an excellent return policy and 100% satisfaction guarantee.

I appreciate the great customer service and amazingly fast delivery that our customers receive as we use Fulfillment by Amazon. I myself have been a loyal Amazon Customer for over eight years.

5. What has been the response from customers so far?

Customers love the product. We get many emails which tell us, "Thanks, this is an amazing product, best shaker ever." Even though we knew we'd come up with a good product, the love we get from the customers is more than we could ever have expected. I do believe when you make quality products and back them with value for the money and great customer service, customers get a good deal and appreciate it.

Introducing a Holiday Gift Guide for Feng Shui Art Gifts

It's already time to start thinking about the holiday season and cool Christmas gifts. If you don't have any ideas for gifts yet, don't worry because there are helpful holiday gift guides to get you thinking. One example is The Best Holiday Gift Guide For 2015-2016: Feng Shui Art Gifts.

Created by Explosionluck.com, this guide includes some unique ideas for Feng Shui gifts. Based on the principles of Feng Shui art, these gifts include Feng Shui paintings and jewelry. Not only are there a variety of beautiful gift items, but they are also designed with the intention to help create prosperity and abundance.

Popular gifts include Tibetan Buddhist tapestries and moving sand art pictures. There is a really nice array of pictures with different subjects such as mountains, water, and wildlife. Really there is something for everyone who wants a painting that inspires rest and meditative thought.

Many of the gifts are especially good for people who are looking for find items that help create a relaxing environment. If your family and friends are interested in yoga and Buddhist philosophy, this gift guide is a great place to start browsing for creative, artistic gifts.