STAY IN YOUR LANE
Judge Karen Mills-Francis: Guide to Living Your Best Life
Ballantine One World is thrilled to publish Judge Karen Mills-Francis’ first book, STAY IN YOUR LANE: Judge Karen’s Guide to Living Your Best Life (One World Hardcover; September 7, 2010), a collection of life lessons culled from her more than thirteen years of experience as criminal defense attorney, a respected family court judge of Miami-Dade County, and the star of the popular syndicated program, “Judge Karen.” She will launch a new nationally syndicated courtroom program, “Judge Karen’s Court,” produced by Litton Entertainment, set to air in all major markets across the country.
Fans of Judge Karen know the phrase “Stay in Your Lane” is one of her favorites, and she believes that within us all sits the moral compass to find our direction when we are lost. In STAY IN YOUR LANE, Judge Karen delivers a collection of tried-and-true advice in her signature witty, practical, compassionate style that made her a successful judge and a trusted courtroom TV arbitrator. She offers sound advice on how to move past the hand we may have been dealt, dispel our feeling of victimization, and turn our lives around. Her no-nonsense talk will give you a push in the right direction—mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually.
STAY IN YOUR LANE is packed with powerful and to-the-point lessons on everything from cultivating positive relationships and avoiding collisions of the heart, to learning how to move on from a painful past, to being a good parent, neighbor and citizen, to creating positive images to the world through dressing to express, etiquette, and making your home a personal sanctuary. Judge Karen shares anecdotes in these areas not only from her professional life but also her personal life, revealing her own struggles with depression, relationships, and weight, among other things. As the second African-American woman to be elected family court judge of Miami-Dade County, a passionate advocate for disadvantaged youth and victims of domestic violence, and a foster parent, Judge Karen shares her wisdom in five major life aspects:
• The Past
Learn from past mistakes, take responsibility for yourself, drop emotional baggage and personal hang-ups, and keep moving forward with a positive outlook.
• Family and Friends
Surround yourself with people who are positive and who make you feel stronger, and put your children’s safety and well-being first at all times.
• The Heart
Love and respect yourself first, because without self-love, someone else cannot love you. Stop looking for someone else to validate who you are.
• Reconstructing You
Focus on finding activities and interests on your own, not relying on others to provide entertainment for you. If you always wanted to do something, go do it!
• The Future
Your personal style of dress conveys how seriously you want to be taken. Play host/hostess often because it teaches you to be gracious and sharpens your conversation skills. See only clear skies ahead and embrace life’s possibilities.
And after going through the pages of this unique, uplifting book, you’ll learn that you already have the power within you to find your direction when you’re lost. Because Judge Karen tells it like it is. And you’ll be glad she did.
BOOK REVIEWS
“This book is a must-read. Judge Karen expertly shows how to go outside of your comfort zones and seek your own truth.” —Suzanne de Passe, CEO, de Passe Entertainment
“Judge Karen has written a powerful guide to creating a purposeful life. This book belongs in the collection of every self-respecting renaissance woman.” —Sylvia Rhone, president, Universal Motown
“In Stay in Your Lane Judge Karen delivers advice with spice!” —Amy Goldson, entertainment attorney
About The Author
Judge Karen Mills-Francis is the star of TV’s syndicated shows Judge Karen and Judge Karen’s Court. Judge Karen was born and raised in Miami, Florida, and is the oldest of five children. She practiced criminal defense law for thirteen years both in private practice and as a public defender, and was elected twice as Miami-Dade County Judge, only the second African American woman ever to serve in that position.
She is a respected advocate for disadvantaged youth and victims of domestic violence and often speaks around the country on those issues. Judge Karen is a graduate of Bowdoin College and Levin School of Law at the University of FL.
