Please join us with authors Rabbi Dr. Barry DOV Schwartz and Gerald Everett Jones.
Rabbi Dr. Barry DOV Schwartz, author of “A Man of Spirit: A Rabbi Navigates a Half-Century of Sweeping Change” – A rabbi must at times go along with the spirit and the winds of society, but at the same time be prepared to go against those winds. Ultimately a rabbi must be a bridge and remain both steadfast and flexible. This philosophical position is a delicate balance that means a rabbi must cultivate a keen awareness of who they are as well as their changing circumstances. A rabbi should be at once spirited, spiritual, empathetic, sympathetic, full of compassion, but always true to his calling, no matter the consequence. Above all, a rabbi must also have the qualities described in Numbers 27:18. A leader must be “ish asher ruach bo,” a man who harbors the spirit of the Almighty deep within him. This requires wisdom, piety, courage, and most of all, an unyielding love for the people he serves. This memoir describes such a rabbi, Rabbi Barry Dov Schwartz, a man of spirit.
Gerald Everett Jones, author of “Harry Harambee’s Kenyan Sundowner” – A lonely widower from Los Angeles buys a tour package to East Africa on the promise of hookups and parties. What he finds instead are new reasons to live. Aldo Barbieri, a slick Italian tour operator, convinces Harry to join a group of adventuresome “voluntourists.” In a resort town on the Indian Ocean, Harry doesn’t find the promised excitement with local ladies. But in the supermarket, he meets Esther Mwemba, a demure widow who works as a bookkeeper. The attraction is strong and mutual, but Harry gets worried when he finds out that Esther and Aldo have a history. They introduce him to Victor Skebelsky, rumored to be the meanest man in town. Skebelsky has a plan to convert his grand colonial home and residential compound into a rehab center – as a tax dodge. The scheme calls for Harry to head up the charity. He could live like a wealthy diplomat and it won’t cost him a shilling! Harry has to come to terms with questions at the heart of his character: Is corruption a fact of life everywhere? Is all love transactional?
John W. Wells III, author of “The Last Angel Warrior: The Kalib Andrews Chronicles Book 1”
Brendan and Lori O’Gara, authors of “The Travelers’ Song” – 
Jon Cronshaw, author of “Dawn of Assassins” – 
Gabriella Balcom, author of “On the Wings of Ideas” – Some authors have a range so wide and a scope so varied that it’s difficult to ‘pin them down’ in a few words. Best-selling author Gabriella Balcom can write science fiction, fantasy, children’s literature, literary fiction, poetry, horror, humour, romance and more — and you’ll find all of the above in this eclectic collection of tales, including the award-winning ‘Mouses and Rats Cot Reel Cheep!’ and the story ‘Nun or Not?’ featured in Clarendon House Publications’ special Gold anthology which presented the best short stories of 2017/2018.
Jennifer Tempest, author of “The Cardinal War” – With no known heir to the Empire, four conflicting noble families will use whatever means necessary to claim power for themselves, but only one can become the next ruler. While the nobles fight amongst themselves, some people of the Empire struggle to survive.
Anat Eliraz, author of “Jewels of Smoky Quartz” – She is just an ordinary woman – an emergency room nurse who practices martial arts in her free time. Teleported into a harsh, strange world and sold into slavery to the fighters’ ring of Tur’an, she must use her wit and skills to survive. On the brink of death, she wakes up in a strange room – only to meet one of her captors. Now, he acts as her protector. Together they leave the city, but their journey will confront them with their own fears and deepest secrets. And through it all, she finds solace in an old tune. Not knowing yet how it will impact her life – and the lives of everyone else.
Alexander R. Davis, author of “Omeron: The Hero’s Chronicle Book 1” – “If you could stop all of this, would you?” the hero asked. Randrum knelt before the hero, who was adorned in his bloodstained armor. That armor had once been bright and gleaming, but no longer. Randrum only lifted his eyes, too weak to stand. He hardly noticed the blood-red snow, or the still bodies around them, which he himself would soon join. “Of course, I would… but it’s too late,” Randrum said before going into a fit of coughing. Once he recovered somewhat he raised his eyes to meet the hero’s gaze. “No one can turn back the hands of time….” The hero crouched down before Randrum, still holding his gaze. “But what if one could?” Randrum licked his lips. The blood loss must have been getting to him. He actually considered the question, even though it was impossible. “If it were… possible… I would sacrifice anything to change this.” The hero smiled and held out his hand. “That’s the right answer.” Randrum hesitated, then reached for that hand. If a murderer was given the choice between death and becoming a hero, something so contrary to everything they know, would they? Even if they did, could they actually change? Could they fight their nature and become a true hero?
Carly Furino, author of “Libby The Ladybug Learns Helpfulness” – Libby 
Bill Schoening, author of “Stories, Sports, and Songs” – Long before he hit the big time as the play-by-play voice of the Texas Longhorns and San Antonio Spurs, sportscaster Bill Schoening paid lots of dues. “Stories, Sports, and Songs” is a collection of 101 tales that chronicle Schoening’s unlikely and often humorous radio journey. It started with the childhood dream of a 4th grader in inner-city Philadelphia and continued to small market stations in rural areas of Central Illinois and West Texas. Along the way, he wrote melodies and lyrics about his life experiences. Schoening’s broadcasting career now spans over four decades, and he has spent half of those years with the Spurs, describing four NBA titles during his 21 seasons.
Danielle Scott, author of “Nice Girl” – Chloe finds herself in the South of France during peak summer season. Unlike everyone around her, she isn’t there for the glitz and glamour of a summer vacation in the Cote D’Azur. What brought her there? What is she running from? Follow Chloe’s story as it takes her from one Mediterranean summer locale to another. Can she outrun whatever she’s left behind in New York before it catches up to her?
Jay Willis, author of “Dream of the Sphere: The Sphere Saga Book 1” – 
Jamie McFarlane, author of “Junkyard Pirate” – 
Gerald Everett Jones, author of “Preacher Raises the Dead” – Guest preacher and part-time investigator Evan Wycliff reluctantly takes on the role of full-time minister and walks straight into more responsibility and trouble than he can handle. He attends to a near-death experience, late-stage dementia, long-term coma, and consequences of the pandemic. His old nemesis investment banker Stuart Shackleton is back — and claims to be converted! Shackleton’s money sustains a critical-care medical breakthrough, the building of a new church, and a career boost for Evan as a celebrity evangelist. Are these thrilling transformations part of a divine plan, or has Evan sold his soul?
M.E. Saladino, author of “The Love Letter Ghost” – Born over a century ago in Gloucester, Massachusetts, Alexander Sullivan knew hardship having survived poverty, physical abuse, and the Spanish flu pandemic. Above all he knew the power of love. In The Love Letter Ghost, Alex reaches through the ages to expresses that primal emotion the only way his unearthly form is able, by channeling his spirit through a fountain pen he once owned in 1908. Now in the hands of New York novelist, Conrad “Mac” MacConnell, the enchanted pen becomes Mac’s ally enabling him to write heart-wrenching love letters to his fiancée, Angela Russo, after she breaks their engagement. Problem is they’re inexplicably written in flowing calligraphy and poetic language of the early 1900s by a ghost who insists on sticking his nebulous nose in Mac’s love life—a ghost with a hidden agenda. To complicate matters further, Angie’s Italian grandfather gets kicked out of his retirement home and moves in with the Russo family. The pasta hits the fan when Gramps hatches a scheme to reunite the couple enlisting Angie’s sister, Marie, and a neighbor’s ornery pet, Tiny—a small dog with a big attitude—that Gramps bribes into submission with enough pepperoni to give The Pope agida. Just as Mac’s letters begin to work their magic, Angie’s childhood nemesis, Bianca Lombardi, heiress to the Lombardi crime family fortune, pounces on their break-up as the opportunity she’s been waiting for and makes a move on Mac. Gramps’ plan would’ve worked if Angie didn’t catch Bianca with her arms wrapped around Mac like a starving anaconda. Now it’s up to Marie and Gramps to clean up the mess he’s made while Mac and the meddling ghostwrite love letters to Angie.
Wayne Turmel, author of “Johnny Lycan & The Anubis Disk” – 
Desiree Scott, author of “Crescent Vendetta” 
David Dobson, author of “Flames Over Frosthelm” – Sometimes, your case takes a left turn. Or three or four. Marten Mingenstern and Boog Eggstrom are provisional
Cami Murdock Jensen, author of “First Earth: The Arch Mage Book 1” – Scarred and reviled. She’s the only hope for a magical world… and ours. 
Kimberly Wilkerson, author of “Kingdom of Grace” – A queen’s journey begins when she leaves her comfort zone and shares the love she has with those willing and worthy to receive it, bringing abundance all around her kingdom.
Jan Foster, author of “Disrupting Destiny: Book 1 of the Naturae Series” – Annabella’s secret destiny was never meant to come between them, but after a century of hiding in Tudor England, a violent confrontation with a shadowy figure from her past leaves her heartbroken and alone in a realm she hated. Once a mortal, when homebody Joshua loses Annabella, only his belief in her innocence and the kindness of strangers keeps him alive. In a dangerous quest through the turbulence of Reformation England to find his love, he thinks he only has to survive long enough to save her. But not everyone is what they seem, and he finds himself questioning his own faith as much as being a fae. Kept a prisoner, Annabella refuses to comply with the future envisaged for her until a darker secret threatens to destroy the realm and fae immortality. The fate of an entire race rests on their shoulders, but can destiny be changed? Rebellion, danger, and intrigue threaten the future in a thrilling journey, weaving Tudor times with magical fantasy.
Peter Servidio, author of “The Deliverance Book 1 of 3: Agents of Tomorrow – Joshua Miller is not what you would call “a nice guy.” Having served fifteen years of a life sentence for multiple homicides during a bank robbery “gone wrong”, he finds his freedom following a state-mandated vaccine which is supposed to eradicate the new superflu is flawed and ends up turning people into blood-hungry beasts. During his escape from the prison, he promises a friend that he will find their daughter and keep her safe. Worrying about the creatures as well as being recognized as a convict, Joshua makes his way to Seattle to track down the girl. But when he finds her, will he be able to keep her safe in this new reality? 
J.V. Hilliard, author of 
Babak Hodjat, author of “The Konar and the Apple: Fun, Beauty, and Dread – From Ahwaz to California” – An eight-year-old boy assigned the task of throwing flowers during the Shah’s visit. A teenager in boot camp eager to catch episodes of a popular Japanese TV show. An adult coming to the United States, ready to make his mark in the tech world. These are just some of the personal experiences shaping Hodjat’s intimate narrative of a boy growing up in post-revolutionary Iran. The stories paint a picture of a middle-class, westernized boy experiencing all the common—and uncommon—adventures of childhood and self-discovery. Blending both humor and insight, The Konar and the Apple transcends culture to celebrate the fun, innocence, and anticipation of growing up that unite us all.