Join us with authors Michael Palermo and Thomas Duffy.
Michael Palermo, author of new release “Diary of a Drunk Driver” -In today’s society the problem of Driving While Intoxicated or DWI is more prevalent than ever! Why? For several reasons but the most obvious to me is that more people drink and drive, not just drink and then drive. Years back when the majority of the population worked and lived in the inner cities, the average Joe would finish work, head for the nearest bar and have a few and take the train home. Or, finish work, take the train home, find the local bar, and walk home! With the explosion of not only suburban living but businesses moving to the outer cities as well as moving into the suburbs themselves., the convenience of the automobile was and is undeniable! In addition, the media explosion has extended consciousness to all forms of DWI. The tragedy caused by a DWI crash can remain for years, not only for the victim for the families, friends, and anyone who is connected with such an incident. So, what happens when you caught Driving While Intoxicated? What are the sacrifices? What are the costs? What are the embarrassing failures? In Diary of a Drunk Driver, the author provides the complete and accurate tale of a man arrested for, convicted of DWI, and the entire journey from the moment of arrest until the release from probation eighteen months later.
Thomas Duffy, author of “Stockboy Nation: A Sequel” – Phillip Doherty is at a crossroads in his life. He has moved from New York to California. He is engaged to be married to his long-time girlfriend, Melissa, his career is going nowhere and his latest novel has flopped beyond a reasonable doubt. Phillip thinks his only way out of money troubles is to go back to retail by working for Milton’s World of Fun which was the company where he worked when readers first met him in the original book, Stockboy (2013). Life doesn’t work out easily for Phillip in a forever-changing world where things transform in the blink of an eye. This story is Phillip’s journey to discover a new normal for himself and, somewhere along the way, decide what he will do for work. When confronted with another romantic partner, he also must re-evaluate his relationship and decide who he really loves. Stockboy Nation aims to make you laugh, cry, and think in ways you’ve never done so before.
Heather Siegel, author of new release “The King and the Quirky” – Thirty-four-year-old Heather Siegel is eccentric, artsy, and independent, and she doesn’t believe in romantic fairy-tales. At least not until she meets her opposite in Jon, a man of science, logic, and kingly ego. Not only does she fall for the idea of love and “soulmates,” she goes one step further—she moves to the suburbs of Long Island and invests wholeheartedly in marriage and motherhood. Naturally, it doesn’t take long before she finds herself lost and adrift. To regain a shred of her old self, she embarks upon a series of quirky and painfully humorous entrepreneurial and health adventures. Can you be a stay-at-home mother and still be a feminist? Should we believe in the “true love” narrative? These are questions posed within this high drama of the mundane, in which (spoiler alert) no murder happens, no affair unfolds, and no death, illness, or trauma is suffered.
Lucinda Clarke, author of “Walking Over Eggshells” – Walking Over Eggshells is an autobiography that tells the story of a mentally abused child, who married a “Walter Mitty” clone who took her to live in many different countries. They moved from England to Kenya, from Libya to Botswana and on again to South Africa. It took all her courage to survive in situations that were at times dangerous, sometimes humorous, but always nerve-wracking. She had a variety of jobs, different types of homes, and was both a millionairess and totally broke. At one end of the scale, she met royalty, hosted ambassadors, and won numerous awards for her writing and for her television programs. At the other end, she climbed over garbage dumps, fended off the bailiffs, and coped with being abandoned in the African bush with a seven-week-old baby, no money and no resources. She admits to being the biggest coward in the world, but her survival instincts kicked in and she lived to tell her story. This book will make you laugh and cry, but also it also explains the damage being brought up by a mother with a personality disorder that can inflict on a child. However, it is not all doom and gloom, and hopefully, it will inspire others who did not have the best start in life either. All names have been changed to protect both the guilty and the innocent – and that includes the author as well!
Alvin Billings, launching his new release “Bronx Brat” – This is the story of Bernie, a Brat born and raised in the Bronx His story unfolds in the Bronx of the 1940s and 50s—a colorful mosaic of Italian, Irish and Jewish families. Local parks (especially the Bronx Zoo and Botanical Garden) were peaceful oases from crowded Bronx apartment houses. Bernie was highly intelligent and sought adult-level knowledge in local libraries. He had fierce protective love for his two younger sisters and a brother. His loving, but weak father surrendered to a dominant mother who kept control with screaming paranoia. Bernie related to World War 2 with a precocious understanding of current events and military strategy taught to him by his grandfather. He hid his learning from others and his teachers in order to ‘fit in’. Bernie’s escapades were in the tradition of Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. He showed both bravery and bravado by saving his Dad’s life at age ten. That same year, he joined a secret American branch of the Haganah to send guns, disguised as toys, to Israel. They were packed with greeting cards to Israeli children. Finally, a shocking family tragedy confronted Bernie as he reached adulthood and entered the working world, never to live as a Bronx Brat again.
Ann Chiappetta, author of “A String of Stories: From the Heart to the Future” – A demon deer and a ghost cat. Sibling rivalry and sexual awakening. Self-image and self-confidence. The chance for an offworlder to breathe free at last on a new planet. Those are just some of the diverse themes of these remarkable stories. Some endings are happy, some are sad, and some are intriguingly open-ended. But once you step inside the author’s world, you cannot emerge unmoved. This collection includes general fiction, science fiction, suspense, and paranormal pieces. Some, like “Lafayette 10,” are crossovers. Others, like “Bad Medicine,” stay true to the genre for which they were originally written. There is a romantic theme to some, and all are character-driven. The three paranormal shorts are based on personal experiences. There are stories here that will appeal to many different types of readers, and that there’s at least one story for each reader. Short stories challenge the writer as much as, if not more than, a full–length book.
Robert McNally, author of “I Had Jelly on My Nose and A Hole in My Breeches: The Memory of A Boy on his Dangerous Journey” – This is the memoir of a modern-day Huckleberry Finn who delighted in youthful romances and wild adventures. His earliest memories are about living next door to a crematory and across the street from a cemetery on top of a hill during the Great Depression. This was perfectly normal to a child who had yet to reach the age of four. For an older child, this God-forsaken region might have seemed frightening, especially when witnessing the daily wanderings of Gypsies, beggars and hobos. For this youngster, these characters were a sight for sore eyes. The author has many interesting stories about the 1930’s and 40’s. For instance, one evening in 1945 he and his friends built a fire in a parking lot. The next day they returned to the area only to discover something terrible and startling in the burned-out fire. The adventures are exciting, humorous and well worth reading. You’ll have the feeling you are right there with him. Let the author take you on his dangerous journey.
Harold “Hal” Spielman and Kay Renz, authors of “Suddenly Sexual” –
Dr. Cyrina Bullard, author, and Tucker Eason, cover artist of “C3 Creating Conscious Connections” – How to live a life of design not one of default…Throughout our life, we all have different challenges, how can we allow these obstacles to facilitate growth and expansion, not contraction or fear? Cyrina Bullard Pharm.D., the author, will take you on a journey that begins with a lightning strike, jolting her to the ground. This was the first of the trilogy of nearly fatal episodes in her life. Personally revealing, authentic, and vulnerable, Cyrina shares some challenging details of her life, with the intention of inspiring you to enjoy your moments. She wants you to know that you are not a statistic and that you have the power to rise above your challenges and circumstances. Intentionally, Dr. Bullard weaves science throughout her interesting journey with the desire to help the world learn tools to be present for and to enjoy your life. In C3 Creating Conscious Connections, Cyrina shares resources, and tools to help you:-Become more resilient -Catch Happiness-Be present-Have Gratitude-and to Know without a doubt you have-P3: Purpose, Passion, and endless Possibilities. C3 Creating Conscious Connections inspires us to learn and implement scientifically proven tools to help optimize this gift called life!
Ann Patras, author of the series “Into Africa”, “More Into Africa”, “Much More Into Africa” – When Ann and Ziggy Patras uproot from England in 1980 and head off with their three young children to live and work in deepest Africa, they have no idea what they are letting themselves in for. While prepared for sunshine and storms 13º south of the equator, the Patras family are ill-equipped for much else. Interspersed with snippets from Ann’s letters home, this crazy story describes encounters ranging from lizards to lions, servants to shopping shortages, and cockroaches to curfews.
Sola Togun-Butler Ph.d, author of “Where Do You Keep The Lions? An African Girl’s First Day of School in America” – Kemi an 8-year-old African immigrant girl is super excited about her first day of school in America! She has been dreaming about this day for weeks and can’t wait to meet her teacher and new classmates. However, her first day of school does not go as planned, when her classmates start asking her hurtful questions about Africa. Kemi is confused and doesn’t understand why her classmates have such negative questions and comments about the continent. With the help of her father, she understands the origin of those questions and decides to show her classmates a different side of her culture. This book is a perfect way to expose kids to cultural diversity and sensitivity by encouraging them to ask polite questions when curious about other cultures.
Mina takes us on a courageous journey through the ocean that teaches young children to recognize situations in which someone known to a child may want to sexually abuse them. Most children are sexually abused by someone they know, or someone known to the family. This book provides an opportunity for families and people working with children to begin discussions about helping kids keep their bodies and private areas safe as well as identify their trusted adults.
George Marzocchi, launching his book “Stained Glass” – Oceanview, a quiet Hamlet on Long Island with white picket fences, manicured lawns, and little league. On the surface it appears that Oceanview is the idyllic American town. Beautiful sunrises, sunsets and ocean vistas, but like the ocean there’s an undercurrent. An undercurrent of murder, drugs and bribery.
Janet Metz Walter, author of “The 2 Carrot Ring and Other Fascinating Jewelry Stories” – It doesn’t often occur to people that jewelry has stories until you admire a piece of jewelry that someone else is wearing, and suddenly there is a story behind the jewelry. On the pages of this book are a lot of slices of life. You will get involved in the stories. They will make you laugh and they will make you cry. You will travel the world and travel back in history. And you might realize that you have some fascinating jewelry stories of your own!
Lonna Hardin, author of “Melody’s Song and The City of the Voice Snatchers” –
Sparkle Riley, author of “Ice Kissed 2! The Clarke’s Edition” -Derek, a gambler arrives at his ex-girlfriend ‘s doorstep in desperate need of food and shelter. Thirteen years ago, that was them. Ivy knows how it is because she was homeless herself once upon a time. Digging in trashcans and sleeping in gutters and dark alleys! Now living in the Mountains with her Husband Brett, they appeared to be the perfect little family! But as Derek finds out, what goes on behind closed doors, it’s a fight for his survival. He’s isolated in the middle of nowhere, eating Snake Soup and Deers. When he realizes that the Clarke’s are sinister and disturbed, what can he do? There’s no way out! The nearest town is miles away……
Pauli Rose Libsohn, author of “What Is Love” who will also be discussing her mother Mitzi Libsohn’s book “Immortal Kisses: Confession of a Poet”, the romantic poetry written by her mother, which prompted “What is Love”, her biography, and resulted in her 5 other books – For the first time, to my knowledge, my mother was able to put into English, the components of what is love. It was her uncommon brilliance that produced “Immortal Kisses – Confessions Of a Poet,” and its companion “Songs Of You – A Postscript,” books of poetic jewels that I refer to as “written gold.” Penned by her loving hand, she wrote with passion, and a depth of emotion that could only have evolved from my mother’s extraordinary thought process, naturally evolving from her inordinate intellect into an accomplished work of art. Sparked by her imagination, and fueled by her unquenchable desire to write, my mother’s creative powers advanced to extraordinary heights. But not only did she write, she was also telling the story of her love affair with my father from the moment they met, until the day of the inevitable.
Shweta Agarwal, author of “Why Should I Be Good?” – A young Anthropologist is on a research mission in the Andaman Islands of India. A tribal boy is there, who becomes his friend. This boy shows him to the haven of a strange creature that was sighted.
Muthu Krishnan, author of “Scidime: Volume 1” – is a Science Fiction Mystery story series which revolves around the aspects of scientific treatments, technologies, inventions and Innovations led by well-known future Scientist come CEO John Christopher, the founder of PerlMark Incorporation, along with his wife Eirin Christopher, in search of unanswered or unsolved questions, which lead to how it affects the nature.