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17 · Tuesday, December 29, 2009 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Living Oakville Beaver LIVING EDITOR: ANGELA BLACKBURN By Julie Slack METROLAND MISSISSAUGA MEDIA GROUP Phone: 905-337-5560 Fax: 905-337-5571 e-mail: ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com Authors collaborate across the Atlantic T wo authors who were divided by the Atlantic Ocean found each other over the Internet and ended up writing a novel together. The Meadow, a 500-page novel, was launched tonight in Mississauga at Thomas International Inc. More than 100 excited guests came out to celebrate the launch and get their books signed by the authors. It was a twist of fate that allowed Elfreda Pretorius, who lives in Oakville, to connect with her coauthor Mike O'Hare, who lives in England. He read an email she had sent to a friend of his. That led him to contact her because "he was attracted to what I have to say," she told the crowd. The authors found they both have a belief in strange coincidences, that sense of deja vu. As a motivational speaker who had already written one self-help book, the local woman said she encouraged O'Hare to write a book based on an idea he had kept in his head for 40 years. "I got him started, and I never left the project." Four years later, The Meadow is intended to inspire and captivate readers. However, the authors never met until the book had been published. They wrote through phone conversations, sharing ideas about a given chapter. It wasn't always easy. "If we lived on the same continent, there would be a murder to investigate," Pretorius said with laugh. "Distance is what allowed this book to happen." Pretorius hopes the book will make readers re-examine their lives and take a second look at their relationships with people. Doug Goodhue, who attended the book launch said he thinks the books is "fantastic. "There's no set formula to her writing, but it's a tremendous interweaving story between the two (authors)," he said. The book is available online at amazon.com, chapters.ca or at www.elfredapretorius.com. Pretorius's first book, Stop SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Struggling and Start Living -- PENS ACROSS THE OCEAN: Volunteer Amy Fernandes, left, of Thomas Rules of the Game was published International, helped at the launch of The Meadow written by Oakville author Elfreda in 2004. Pretorius and Mike O'Hare of England. R t: 20 hrs er D Beginn in-class ARE YOUR BUSINESS AND FAMILY ASSETS PROTECTED IN THE EVENT OF A LAWSUIT OR BANKRUPTCY? INCORPORATING YOUR COMPANY WILL PROTECT YOUR BUSINESS AND FAMILY ASSETS. Sa L k -clas in Home s 10 hrs in nds 25 rs Weeke ings & - Even es class siz tools to - Small ractive of inte ged - Use ts enga studen keep TION SIMUL sons -car les ivate in u pr & pick - 10 hrs eduling le sch - Flexib p che&u killed s uiona d S d F of k le - &leicib s Prpx es & Skille ssional - Profe tors Instruc ED FOSTER g trainin n - driver imun labs latio 6 hrs s tio ather - simula rse We - Adve effects ment nviron k free e - Ris way, on high ocused g - F y drivin n & cit urba As You Reflect On This Past Year And Make Plans For Next Year, Make Sure Your Personal And Business Goals Are In Place, Including Effective Tax Planning, For You And Your Business. Wishing You A Happy And Prosperous New Year From Everyone At The Tax Advisory. VOTED FIRST PLACE DIAMOND AWARD WINNERS IN THE CATEGORIES OF INCORPORATION SERVICES, TAX PREPARATION SERVICES AND BUSINESS ADVISORY SERVICES 7 YEARS IN A ROW! Member of & BOOK TODAY! LIMITED SEATING FOR JANUARY 9 N · January 9, 10, 16, 17 LESSO N-CAR Iweekends) Saturday, Sunday (2 · January 29, 30, 31 February 1, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday (Semester T urn Around) SERVING SMALL AND HOME BASED BUSINESSES FOR OVER 27 YEARS CALL THE TAX ADVISORY NOW FOR A FREE ASSESSMENT OF YOUR BUSINESS AND/OR PERSONAL INCOME TAX SITUATION AT 905-469-8777 ADVISORY COMMITTED TO REDUCING THE INCOME TAXES THAT YOU PAY www.thetaxadvisory.ca THE TAX INCORPORATORSTM COMMITTED TO INCORPORATING YOUR COMPANY THE RIGHT WAY THE FIRST TIME www.theincorporators.ca THE ADVISORY COMMITTED TO MAKING YOUR BUSINESS A SUCCESS www.thebusinessadvisory.ca THE BUSINESS For course information: www.drivewiseoakville.com info@drivewiseoakville.com 905.845.7200