Author: Marissa DeCuir

A former award-winning journalist with national exposure, Marissa now oversees the day-to-day operation of the Books Forward author branding and book marketing firm, along with our indie publishing support sister company Books Fluent. Born and bred in Louisiana, currently living in New Orleans, she has lived and developed a strong base for our company and authors in Chicago and Nashville. Her journalism work has appeared in USA Today, National Geographic and other major publications. She is now interviewed by media on best practices for book marketing.

Depression-era novel showcases strength and struggles of Jewish immigrant women in America

Posted on | by Marissa DeCuir

Washington, D.C. – For fans of Georgia Hunter’s “We Were the Lucky Ones” comes Iris Mitlin Lav’s “Gitel’s Freedom” (March 25, 2025, She Writes Press), a historical novel about the lives of Jewish immigrants in the early twentieth century and one woman’s journey toward personal freedom.

At an early age, Gitel questions the expected roles of women in society and in Judaism. Born in Belorussia and brought to the U.S. in 1911, she leads a life constrained by her Jewish parents. Forbidden from going to college and pushed into finding a husband, she marries Shmuel, an Orthodox Jewish pharmacist whose left-wing politics she admires. They plan to work together in a neighborhood pharmacy in Chicago—but when the Great Depression hits and their bank closes, their hopes are shattered. 

In the years that follow, bad luck plagues their marriage, leaving them in financial distress. Gitel dreams of going back to school to become a teacher once their daughter reaches high school, but finds her ambitions thwarted by an unexpected pregnancy. And when  a massive stroke leaves Shmuel disabled, Gitel is challenged to combine caring for him, being the breadwinner at a time when women face salary discrimination, and being present for their second daughter. 

An illuminating look at Jewish immigrant life in early-1900s America, “Gitel’s Freedom” is also a compelling tale of women’s resourcefulness and resilience in the face of limiting and often oppressive expectations. 

“Gitel’s Freedom”

Iris Mitlin Lav | March 25, 2025 | She Writes Press | Historical Fiction

Paperback | ISBN: 978-1-64742-858-7 | $17.99

Ebook | ASIN: B0D84DC7M5 | $12.99

IRIS MITLIN LAV grew up in the liberal Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago, Illinois. She went on to earn an MBA from George Washington University and an AB from the University of Chicago, and to enjoy a long career of public policy analysis and management, with an emphasis on improving policies for low- and moderate-income families. She also taught public finance at Johns Hopkins University and George Mason University, and in 1999 received the Steven D. Gold award for contributions to state and local fiscal policy, an award jointly given by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management, the National Conference of State Legislatures, and the National Tax Association. Her first novel, “A Wife in Bangkok,” was published in 2020 by She Writes Press. “Gitel’s Freedom” is her second novel. Lav and her husband now live in Chevy Chase, Maryland, with Mango, their goldendoodle, and grandchildren nearby.

In an interview, Iris Mitlin Lav can discuss:

  • Why she began a writing career after retiring from public policy work
  • What inspired her to write “Gitel’s Freedom”
  • The difficulties faced by immigrants in the first half of the 20th century
  • The consequences of the limited opportunities for women in that time period
  • The huge effect that that Great Depression had on people’s lives
  • Gitel’s resourcefulness and resilience in the face of limiting and often oppressive expectations

An Interview with Iris Mitlin Lav

1. Why did you decide to write novels after retiring from public policy work? What is your advice for others who might wish to begin writing?

I have always loved reading novels, and during the course of my work life I found policy writing easy to do. I also liked to tell stories, which often were well received. Despite the fact that my last creative writing course was more than 60 years ago in high school, I decided to sit down and see what would happen, which resulted in my first novel. I’d advise someone who wants to begin writing fiction to sit down at their computer, start writing, and decide whether what comes out seems like a viable novel. Then find a developmental editor to help refine it.

2. What was your inspiration for “Gitel’s Freedom”?

Gitel’s Freedom is fiction, but it is based on my family’s experiences. I always marveled at how strong the real Gitel–my mother–was, dealing with all forms of adversity that kept plaguing her life, while continuing to be the best mother she could be and also concerning herself with social issues through various organizations to which she belonged. I wanted to portray what her life was like. And also to portray how women’s freedoms changed through the generations.

3. What is the significance of the locations in the book?

The Hyde Park neighborhood in Chicago was, and still is a very special place. At the time at which the novel is set, it was the only racially integrated neighborhood in the city, and 

Hyde Park High School was the only integrated school. Unlike most places at the time, interactions and friendships between races was the norm. That contrasts with the Lawndale neighborhood where Shmuel grew up and Gitel and Shmuel first lived, which was in effect a Jewish ghetto.

4. Did you do any research to accurately convey the difficulties of the time, especially for immigrants in the United States?

I did a lot of research about the Great Depression; the statistics Gitel repeatedly cites to Shmuel in the novel about the declining economy are accurate, as are the events such as the bank closings. Shmuel clearly never understood how serious the economic situation was, nor did he understand the shaky Illinois banking system with its many small,  under-capitalized banks. He likely was typical of many immigrants in that respect. Gitel understood, but as a woman she couldn’t override her husband’s poor decisions.

5. Gitel is quite resourceful and resilient in the face of limiting and often oppressive expectations. What are the consequences of the limited opportunities for women during this time period?

In this time period, women–and particularly married women–had little freedom to make choices. If they wanted to leave a bad marriage, they likely would have difficulty supporting themselves because of pay disparities between men and women and the limited type of work for which women could be hired. (Note that the wage disparities between men and women at all education levels persist today.) If a woman had children, the Chicago Public Schools made it impossible for women to work because children below high school age came home for lunch every day. Most women were dependent on a husband’s income if they were married and had children, or on an inequitable employment and pay system if they were single.

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Award-winning author’s gripping, edgy tale examines human nature as secrets emerge and lives are upended

Posted on | by Marissa DeCuir

SAN FRANCISCO, CA –  How well do you really know the people you encounter every day? Award-winning author Robert Steven Goldstein’s gripping psychological thriller “Golda’s Hutch” (March 11, 2025, Deft Heft Books) explores what we hide from the world versus what we reveal, the lengths we’ll go to keep our secrets buried—and the unpredictable steps we take when our innermost lives are threatened. 

Craig Schumacher is not your typical executive. With a gentle spirit and a morning ritual that includes serene meditation alongside his cherished rabbit, Golda, Craig values connection over competition. Yet, beneath his calm, polished exterior lies a secret he’s worked hard to keep hidden—one that could change everything.

Enter Byron Dorn—Craig’s employee and chaos incarnate. Crude, impulsive, and driven by envy, Byron is elated when he and his wife stumble upon information that he believes could unravel Craig’s life. But when Byron ropes another couple into his schemes, things become a lot more complicated.

Because Craig isn’t the only one with a secret. And as the stakes rise, everyone will have to decide what they’re willing to sacrifice to get what they want—and when they’re willing to walk away.

Set against the dynamic backdrop of San Francisco, this gripping psychological novel weaves a complex tapestry of deception, envy, desire, politics, and power.

Golda’s Hutch

Robert Steven Goldstein 

March 11, 2025 | Deft Heft Books 

Hardcover | 978-0-98881165-2 | $27.99

Paperback | 978-0-98881163-8 | $15.99

Ebook | 978-0-98881164-5 | $7.99

Literary Fiction 

More about Robert Steven Goldstein

Robert is the author of five novels. His first, The Swami Deheftner, about problems that ensue when ancient magic and mysticism manifest in the twenty-first century, developed a small cult following in India. His second novel, Enemy Queen, a sexual comedy of manners set in a North Carolina college town, was a finalist in the category of cross genre fiction for the International Book Awards. Robert’s third novel, Cat’s Whisker, probes the perceived rift between science and spirituality; it was longlisted for the prestigious Chanticleer International 2021 SOMERSET Book Award for Literary and Contemporary Fiction. His fourth novel, Will’s Surreal Period, about the peripatetic machinations of a dysfunctional family, was longlisted for the Chanticleer International 2022 SOMERSET Book Award for Literary and Contemporary Fiction. 

Golda’s Hutch is Robert’s fifth novel. He and his wife Sandy live in San Francisco; over their thirty-six years together, they’ve shared their home with an array of dogs, cats, rabbits, turtles, and parrots, each of whom has displayed a unique personality, startling intelligence, and a profound capacity for love. Robert has practiced yoga, meditation, and vegetarianism for over fifty years. Find out more about him at his website.

In an interview, Robert can discuss:

  • The duality of human nature and how hidden truths can influence relationships
  • How he explores in his writing the lengths to which people will go to achieve their personal desires
  • Morals and ethics in the business world informed by his long career as a corporate executive
  • The examination of animal intelligence and ties to spirituality through Golda, and her representation of larger themes
  • The categorization of BDSM as a sexual orientation
  • Less “traditional” Eastern approaches to spirituality including yoga, meditation, and vegetarianism

An Interview with Robert Steven Goldstein

1. Your novels are primarily categorized as literary fiction, but you explore a wide variety of topics. Why do you think your genre is the best fit to explore the complexities of life? 

The category “literary fiction” can be tricky to define, but most readers probably agree that literary fiction tends to be character driven, with evocative and poetic language, and an approach to storytelling where thoughts and ideas are equally as important as action. But, although much literary fiction drills down into the depths of seemingly ordinary people, I don’t think it necessarily needs to be that way. I am driven to write novels whose characters are often dysfunctional, sexually divergent, interested in a wide variety of ideas, and prone to seek spiritual fulfillment through paths incongruent with traditional Western religions. I believe that if good fiction can depict characters of this sort, who are nonetheless sympathetic and endearing, it can promote tolerance and compassion among those exposed to such writing.

2. Why do you think so many people in society still largely view BDSM as taboo?

In some ways, this really is puzzling. People who identify as LGBT+ are now fully accepted in most socially progressive circles. Yet, people expressing a sexual orientation involving BDSM are often not at all accepted in those same circles. Perhaps this reflects the human tendency to fear anything “other”—anything distinctly different from what we are personally familiar with. Granted—it took a long time for many heterosexual individuals to get past the fact that gay people are involved with partners of the same gender—but once they were able to accept that, they found it easy to identify with a gay couple’s desire to love, marry, be faithful to each other, and raise children. For many people, BDSM still seems different and more foreign. It adds the element of power to sex, and involves psychodrama, pain, and bondage—these are elements that most people associate with criminal and non-consensual activity—and find it hard to accept that for some people, it’s their inherent way of expressing sexual love, and is safe and fully consensual in the way it’s embraced by those in the BDSM community.

3. How do spiritual practices and exploration of faith play into the themes of Golda’s Hutch?

Craig, the main character in the novel, is a deeply spiritual man, but is not religious in the traditional Western sense. His spiritual practice is built upon four components: yoga, meditation, vegetarianism, and a code of behavior that comprises compassion and harmlessness, a concept known to Hindus, Buddhists, and Jains as Ahimsa. Things get really interesting when Craig—a vice president in a company where attitudes toward staff and working conditions are becoming increasingly Machiavellian—presses his spiritual beliefs and his practice of compassion into the mix of management and productivity—engendering loyal and high-performing work teams—but infuriating his fellow executives.

4. How do you think sex scenes between characters help uncover their personalities?

Not all literary fiction includes sex scenes—and some readers may even think that such scenes preclude a work from being characterized as literary fiction. I disagree, but it’s important that such scenes are not presented merely as titillating erotica—but rather, that they add to the reader’s understanding of the characters involved. And this really should be a fairly straightforward concept. Good fiction shows rather than tells. So, if an author is offering readers an in-depth glimpse into the personalities of the characters by showing exactly how they go about doing things—then, certainly, sex is something that most people do, and the way they do it can be telling with respect to who they really are.

5. In a world where everyone wears a ‘mask,’ what do you think it means to be truly authentic, and how far do you think people are willing to go to uncover hidden truths within themselves and others?

We all have the “self” we want to present to the world—the mask or persona. For most of us, that represents the person we truly want to be—fair, kind, wise, and loving—but strong and successful. When things go our way, it’s not that hard to live up to our self-set expectations. But stress, and especially the pressure to perform and produce, can begin to eat away at those high aspirations, and force us to make compromises. Four of the main characters in Golda’s Hutch hold positions of responsibility in a corporation, and feel squeezed in precisely that manner. But the way each responds is quite different, and quite telling as to the kind of person they are at their core.

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Tense noir novel peels back picture-perfect layers to reveal dark side of outwardly charming Southern town

Posted on | by Marissa DeCuir

ATLANTA, GA –“Here’s what you need to know about Kentucky girls – they’re all princesses.” Brimming with quick wit and juicy gossip, the latest novel from Brandi Bradley, “Pretty Girls Get Away With Murder,” reveals the hidden dark side of picture-perfect Southern charm.

When a young entrepreneur is killed, everyone in town points fingers at his New Age, neo-hippie, miracle-manifesting, smokeshow of an ex-girlfriend, Gabbi – including the victim’s best friend, Jenna. As detective Lindy D’Arnaud and her partner Boggs search for a motive, they begin to wonder if this is a case of jealous violence or shady business dealings gone sour.

In Lindy’s personal life, things aren’t much clearer. When Lindy’s wife’s ex-boyfriend–and sperm donor to their baby–decides to move back to town, she finds herself competing for her wife’s affection. Can they be postmodern in Western Kentucky where living as a queer person is tenuous enough already?

Told through the shifting perspectives of Lindy, Gabbi, and Jenna, “Pretty Girls Get Away With Murder” is a twisty page-turner for fans of Southern noir and NBC’s “Dateline.” 

“Pretty Girls Get Away With Murder”

Brandi Bradley | March 14, 2025 | Rumor Mill Press | Mystery, Crime Fiction

Paperback | ISBN: 979-8-9872612-2-4 | $16.99

Brandi Bradley is an indie author and educator who lives in the great city of Atlanta, Georgia. She writes short stories and novels about crime, family drama, flea markets, cowboys, rowdy girls, and gossip. She has had short stories and essays published in Juked, Louisiana Literature, Carve, and Nashville Review. She teaches writing at Kennesaw State University. “Mothers of the Missing Mermaid” (2023) is her debut novel of secrets by the sea in Destin, Florida. Bradley’s second book, “Pretty Girls Get Away With Murder” will be released in March 2025. Learn more about her life and work at: www.brandibradley.com 

Follow Brandi Bradley on social media:

Facebook: @brandibradleysboots | Twitter: @bebebradley | Instagram: @thebrandibradley | TikTok: @thebrandibradley 

In an interview, Brandi Bradley can discuss:

  • The rise of “Southern noir” and why she sets her mysteries in the Southern states
  • How the three female protagonists each face preconceived notions and prejudice in very different ways
  • How writing after work or in the margins of your life can be rewarding rather than stressful
  • Her experience with indie publishing
  • Her creative process and tips to help anyone flourish with creativity
  • The importance of libraries and the value they bring to communities

An Interview with Brandi Bradley

1. What inspired “Pretty Girls Get Away With Murder”? 

I often write stories that would make good gossip fodder. And for a while when I would research, I would be drawn to stories about dangerous women: femme fatales, crazy ex-girlfriends, ball busters, etc. This perception of danger because of how a woman looks is pervasive, and it’s not just pretty women, but also women who are considered strong, or in command, or smart. People love to talk about a dangerous woman. 

2. Who do you want to reach with your books?

I want to reach people who are interested in a really juicy story. That’s what so many people – including me – love about a good episode of Dateline. It’s juicy. It’s about lies, scandals, heartbreak, betrayal, and people who are a little ridiculous for thinking they could get away with something. I want to tell those kinds of stories for people who secretly love drama, but don’t actually want drama in their life.

3. Who are your top 3 favorite authors and why?

Janet Finch – I keep a copy of Paint it Black on my desk when I write. It’s not a crime story, but it’s definitely a family drama that is dark and vicious, everyone stewing in the grief of losing someone unexpectedly. 

Julia Heaberlin – We’re All the Same in the Dark is one of those books that made me think, Damn, I wish I had written that! I also loved Paper Ghosts. She writes these amazing crime novels rooted in community and place. 

Megan Abbott – This is my noir queen. I love all her books, particularly how all the female characters in her books are physical beings in more ways than just sexual beings. They run, jump, leap, and fall. In her books, ballet is bloody, science is scandalous, and gymnastics is brutal.

4. What has been your experience with indie publishing? How do you manage your writing time?

As an indie author, I am in charge of all the decisions about what I publish: I pick the editors, the artwork, the release dates, the promotions, as well as attend writing conferences and meet up with other authors. I have to be mindful of what gets my time and attention. I’m a parent, so often I am writing around kid obligations like football practice, packing for camp, driving tests, and making birthday cakes. 

5. Tell us about your creative process. What advice do you have for aspiring writers to help them harness their creativity?

Because I often have to carve out time to write, it feels more like I “get” to write more than I “have” to write. It’s like being a kid who can close their bedroom door and play. When I make the time to write, I put on a playlist that inspires me (I make one for every book I write) and I will either sketch out ideas onto a legal pad or I type up the scenes I sketched the day before. 

My advice for aspiring writers is to give yourself permission. Give yourself permission to make that playlist that reminds you of what your characters would listen to. Give yourself permission to spend hours at the library or bookstore just looking around. Give yourself permission to turn your phone on Do Not Disturb for fifteen minutes to write down that poem that’s been rolling around your head all morning.  

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Fresh take on real-life love triangle gives voice to ‘notorious’ adulteress of the 19th century

Posted on | by Marissa DeCuir

Southard gives female-centric perspective on Beecher-Tilton adultery trial

BROOKLYN, NY – Lust, infidelity, and betrayal centered the historically famous Beecher-Tilton adultery trial where Theodore Tilton, his wife Elizabeth Tilton, and Reverend Henry Ward Beecher are exposed for their extramarital affairs, embodying the new 19th century concept of “free love.” In her historical fiction debut, “Unruly Human Hearts” (She Writes Press, January 28, 2025), debut author Barbara Southard brings life to the one voice unheard throughout the infamous case–the adulteress herself.

During the Reconstruction era, the Beecher-Tilton adultery trial made headlines and shocked the nation. Elizabeth Tilton, the woman at the center of it all, is often portrayed as a passive victim of the scandal, but Barbara Southard proposes a different story–one where Elizabeth is the author of her own life. Using her skills as a historian, Barbara Southard’s emotional novel explores the impact that sexual revolutions have had on women, the challenge of upholding personal convictions in private life, and the power of finding your voice in a world that wants you to be silent.

Elizabeth Tilton, Theodore Tilton, and Reverend Henry Ward Beecher were 19th-century reformers who embraced liberal ideas, including “free love.” When Theodore confessed to an extramarital affair, Elizabeth expressed her feelings for Beecher, entangling them in a complicated love triangle marked by desire, jealousy, and the fear of public scandal. As Elizabeth’s passion for Beecher tested the moral boundaries of her time, she faced difficult choices that could cost her everything. In a society ready to condemn the slightest deviation from the strict code governing female behavior, she struggled to find her voice and define her own truth.

More about Barbara Southard: Barbara grew up in New York City, holds a PhD in history from the University of Hawaii, and has served as a professor of history, Chairperson of the History Department, and Associate Dean of Graduate Studies at the Río Piedras Campus of the University of Puerto Rico. 

She is the author of a book on Indian history, The Women’s Movement and Colonial Politics in Bengal, 1921–1936, and has also published numerous articles in history journals.  Barbara has also published short stories in literary journals, and she is the author of The Pinch of the Crab, a collection of ten stories set in Puerto Rico, exploring social conflicts of island life, mostly from the female perspective. 

Barbara has also been active in raising funds for the Shonali Choudhury Fund of the Community Foundation of Puerto Rico, helping local community organizations working to protect women from domestic violence. She does this work in honor of her daughter, a public health professor who died of a brain tumor. You can find more information about Barbara on her website:https://www.barbarasouthard.com/.

Follow her on Instagram @barbara.southard45

Find her on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/BarbaraSouthardAuthor

Advanced Praise for Unruly Human Hearts

“In Unruly Human Hearts, Barbara Southard has created a delightful and poignant novel about the Beecher-Tilton scandal in the Reconstruction Era. Focusing on Elizabeth’s internal struggle to cope with her husband’s public support for women’s rights while maintaining the double standard in private, this story will inspire readers to ask themselves how women should confront similar challenges today. Perfect for fans of well-researched and engaging historical fiction!” 

— Jacqueline Friedland, author of The Stockwell Letters and Trouble the Water

“This is not just the story of a woman who tried to be a good Christian wife while passionately in love with her pastor, it’s a revelation of her anguish as she struggled to protect herself, her children, and the two men she loved from the toll of escalating public scandal.” 

– Linda Ulleseit, author of The River Remembers and Innocents at Home

“In Unruly Human Hearts, Barbara Southard masterfully unravels the poignant story of Elizabeth Tilton, ensnared in a scandalous love triangle of the 1870s. Rich with period detail and emotional depth, Southard’s flawless reimagining brings to life a time when a woman’s desires and concerns were considered a fault. Elizabeth’s journey of resilience and self-discovery amidst societal constraints is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. As she bears the weight of public scrutiny, she delivers a timely message on the restorative power of honesty. With an eye for historical accuracy and a gift for heartfelt storytelling, Barbara illuminates the struggle of a courageous woman ahead of her time, whose fight for dignity and understanding serves as a stark reminder that the quest for gender equality and freedom remains as an ongoing challenge.” 

– Elba Iris Pérez, author of The Things We Didn’t Know

“Unruly Human Hearts”

Barbara Southard | January 28, 2025 | She Writes Press | Historical Fiction 

Print | 978-1-64742-830-3 | $17.99

Ebook | 978-1-64742-831-0 | $12.99

In an interview, Barbara can discuss:

  • How her experiences with the women’s liberation movement of the 1960’s and ’70’s shaped her interest in Elizabeth Tilton
  • How her interactions with students in a graduate course on US social history shaped her interest in the Beecher-Tilton scandal.
  • Why the events of the book are still relevant today, especially with the modern concept of polyamory and nonmonogamy 
  • Why she chose to write the novel from the perspective of Elizabeth Tilton instead of her two lovers, who were both prominent figures of the day
  • How the characters in her novel reconcile the doctrine of “free love” with their religious beliefs
  • Her career as a historian, especially as it pertains to how she has highlighted women’s struggles in both the United States and India

An Interview with Barbara Southard

1. How did your experiences with the women’s liberation movement in the 1960’s and 1970’s shape your interest in Elizabeth Tilton?

I was a schoolgirl when the conservative culture of the 1950s promoted the ideal of women as homebodies whose sole mission in life was to be a wife and mother. The women’s liberation movement and the sexual revolution of the 1960s and 1970s profoundly affected my journey to adulthood. Reading about the role of free love (the nineteenth century version of open marriage) in Elizabeth Tilton’s life propelled me to investigate the challenges she faced in an epoch even more profoundly sexist.

2. How did the views expressed by students in a graduate seminar you taught on the social history of the United States influence your decision to explore the Beecher-Tilton scandal more deeply?

I remember telling my students in a graduate course on US social history at the University of Puerto Rico that the Beecher-Tilton trial caused as much sensation in 1875 as the impeachment of President Bill Clinton in 1998 for alleged breaches of the law connected with the attempted cover-up of sexual intimacies with Monica Lewinsky.  These discussions with students inspired me to delve more deeply into historical sources in the hope of illuminating Elizabeth’s motivations and the unique challenges that she faced as a woman involved in the greatest sex scandal of the epoch. 

3. Why did you choose to write the novel from Elizabeth Tilton’s perspective, as opposed to that of her two lovers?

Elizabeth’s feelings and motivations were a greater mystery than those of her two lovers. How did she come to believe in free love?  Once the scandal broke, how did she cope with the danger of losing everything, her reputation, her marriage, her children? 

4. Tell us more about your career as a historian and your work to highlight women’s struggles in both the United States and India.

During my teaching career at the University of Puerto Rico, I created graduate seminars on women’s history in India and the United States. In the first chapter of my book about the emergence of the women’s movement in India, I explored the religious and social reform movements that were a prelude to the demand for women’s rights. When teaching courses about women in the United States, I noted that challenges to Calvinist beliefs were connected to movements to improve the position of women.

5. Do you feel that the issues posed in “Unruly Human Hearts” are still relevant today, especially in conversation with the modern concept of polyamory?

Elizabeth’s story is still relevant to issues of individual freedom and social ethics as well as the position of women today. The sexual revolution in the 1960s and 1970s raised questions about whether free love (or open marriage) is liberating for women. It’s difficult for women who are economically dependent on men to insist that men grant their partners the sexual freedom they claim for themselves. Although women have made progress toward economic independence, a gap remains. Hopefully, future progress toward gender equality will make it less likely that women who practice polyamory will undergo the heartbreak Elizabeth experienced.

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Engrossing new biography provides a fresh perspective on an overlooked French portraitist

Posted on | by Marissa DeCuir

NEW YORK, NY–The latest biography from historian Judith Lissauer Cromwell follows the remarkable life of Louise-Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun, whose portraits of European royalty and nobility hang in many of the world’s most important galleries. As a young woman in the male dominated society of 18th century France, she was denied an artistic education and forced to nurture her passion outside of conventional schooling. Vigée Le Brun’s vibrant art, in addition to her charm and beauty, caught the attention of Queen Marie-Antoinette, who honored her as her chosen painter. At the pinnacle of her fame and fortune, however, the Revolution forced Vigée Le Brun to flee, leaving everything behind except her only child.

Drawn from Vigée Le Brun’s memoirs, archival research, and reexamination of the judgment of her contemporaries, this biography paints a fascinating picture of a single working mother who survived because of her cachet, charisma, and artistic talent. Cast on a storm-tossed continent, solely reliant on her palette, she produced some of her major works during her twelve-year exile, returning to France to continue her work after Napoleon had restored stability. Vigée Le Brun’s story is one of triumph, adversity, perseverance and ultimately, peace.

“Louise-Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun: Portrait of an Artist, 1755-1842”

Judith Lissauer Cromwell | Jan 24, 2025 | McFarland | Nonfiction, History, Biography

Softcover | ISBN: 978-1-4766-9439-9 | $55.00

JUDITH LISSAUER CROMWELL: After a successful corporate career, Judith returned to academia as an independent historian and biographer of powerful women. Her experience as a magna cum laude graduate of Smith College, holder of a doctorate in modern European history with academic distinction from New York University, veteran of corporate America, mother, and grandmother, enrich Cromwell’s perspective on strong women in history. 

The daughter of a pioneering female physician, one of a handful admitted to the staff of New York Hospital in the early 1950s, Cromwell entered the international world of Wall Street in 1973 as one of its few female executives.  During her twenty year career, she established a global firm’s company-wide information center, then founded the firm’s market research department where she organized, executed, and presented strategic planning projects. She not only thrived in the clubby male world of Wall Street, but also, as a single working parent, raised two children. Judith was elected a member of the YWCA Academy of Women Achievers.

She is the author of the biographies “Dorothea Lieven: A Russian Princess in London and Paris 1785-1857,” “Florence Nightingale, Feminist,” and “Good Queen Anne: Appraising the Life and Reign of the Last Stuart Monarch.” Her latest biography, “Louise-Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun: Portrait of an Artist, 1755-1842” provides a fresh and balanced perspective on the life of a renowned, yet often overlooked, painter.

Learn more about Judith’s work at: www.judithcromwell.com

Praise for Judith Lissauer Cromwell…

“An interesting, well-researched, well-written, and fascinating story of Nightingale’s life.”

–Readin’ Em Reviews, for “Florence Nightingale, Feminist”

“A great introduction to Nightingale, the first full-length biography set in a postfeminist framework, beautifully written and complete with a narrative style that keeps the reader interested and involved. Cromwell has clearly done her homework.” 

–Nursing History Review, for “Florence Nightingale, Feminist”

“A polished biography…vivid and sumptuous”

–Kirkus Reviews, for “Good Queen Anne”

“If you are a fan of history or nonfiction…read this book.”

–Cheryl’s Book Nook, for “Good Queen Anne”

In an interview, Judith Lissauer Cromwell can discuss:

  • Her comprehensive research process for this book, which included traveling to England and France and reading primary source documents in French
  • How Vigée Le Brun learned to paint, and the hurdles she had to overcome as a woman painter in 18th century France
  • Vigée Le Brun’s relationship with Marie-Antoinette, and how she was affected by the political atmosphere leading up to and following the French Revolution
  • Why Vigée Le Brun isn’t very well-known today, despite being the most sought-after portraitist of her time 
  • Why Vigée Le Brun’s life and work matter to readers in the 21st century
  • Where readers can go to see original Vigée Le Brun paintings 

An Interview with Judith Lissauer Cromwell

1. What inspired you to write about Vigée Le Brun?

I had never heard of Vigée Le Brun until New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art held a retrospective of her work. Reviewers praised the exhibit, so I went to see it. Vigée Le Brun’s paintings were riveting, her brief introductory biography intriguing. This remarkable woman, I vowed to myself, would be the subject of my next book.  

2. Why is Vigée Le Brun, the most sought after portraitist in late 18th and early 19th century Europe, not well-known today?

Until the present day, art historians (mostly male) have generally tended to ignore female artists.  

Because of her association with Marie Antoinette and the court at Versailles, Vigée Le Brun became famous as a court painter. Certainly, she focused on the aristocracy and the French court before the Revolution, but both before and after the Revolution, her work, indeed, some of her most celebrated paintings, are not of aristocrats.

3. What was the research process like for this biography? Did you travel to Europe while completing your research?

I traveled to London and Paris to consult every available archive – even though I knew others had been there before me – because I’ve always found something useful that others have chosen not to use. 

Having a working knowledge of French came in very handy.

Leave no stone unturned – you may not find what you’re looking for, but you’ll always find something.

4. What is the most surprising thing you discovered about Vigée Le Brun?

The tremendous hurdles she faced in achieving her goal to become a great artist.

Her resilience; how she managed to continue her brilliant career during twelve years of exile far from her beloved family and homeland. 

5. Why have you focused on only fifty of Vigée Le Brun’s paintings when her complete oeuvre includes around eight hundred? How did you decide which paintings to include in your biography?

Rather than cramming into the book as many illustrations as possible from Vigée Le Brun’s copious work, I decided to highlight paintings that are either especially important in her life or exemplify her most illustrious efforts. 

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From love to independence: Author explores identity, family bonds in anticipated prequel of award-winning memoir

Posted on | by Marissa DeCuir

“A heartfelt exploration of connection, community, and the unbreakable bond between sisters. … 
Her journey beautifully reminds us of the strength we find within ourselves as we seek to uncover where we truly belong.”

— Simone Knego, author of “The Extraordinary UnOrdinary You”

CHICAGO — Award-winning author Julie Ryan McGue unravels the gripping tale of adopted twins facing the turbulent tides of love, loss and identity in suburban Chicago. As their family expands and secrets emerge, will their sisterly bond withstand the test of time? Dive into a memoir that explores the heart’s complexities and the fierce quest for belonging in “Twice the Family” (Feb. 4, 2025, She Writes Press) the much-anticipated prequel to McGue’s debut memoir “Twice a Daughter.”

In this coming-of-age memoir — set in Chicago’s western suburbs between the 1960s and ’80s — adopted twins, Julie and Jenny, provide their parents with an instant family. The twins’ sisterly bond holds tight as the two strive for independence, individuality and belonging. But as Julie’s parents continue adding children to their family, several painful and tragic experiences test family values, parental relationships and sibling bonds.  

Faced with these hurdles, Julie questions everything: who she is, how she fits in and even her adoption circumstances. She understands her adoptive family is held together by love, faith, support and her parents’ commitment to each other and their children. And yet, the life her parents have constructed is not one Julie wants for herself. As she matures, she chooses her own unique path. In the process, she realizes how the experiences that formed her have provided a road map for the person and mother she wants to be.

“Twice the Family: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Sisterhood”

Julie Ryan McGue | Available Feb. 4, 2025 | She Writes Press | Memoir / Nonfiction

Paperback, 9781647427863, $17.99 | Also available as an ebook

“McGue’s writing is both insightful and deeply personal, allowing readers to walk alongside her as she pieces together her identity and defines the kind of person — and mother — she wants to be. ‘Twice the Family’ is … a universal tale of finding one’s path in the face of life’s challenges. … An inspiring read for anyone seeking to understand the power of family, the search for self, and the resilience of the human spirit.” — Diane O’Canto, media professional, podcast host, empowerment champion

“As an adoptee myself, it gave me enormous comfort and relief to hear of Julie and her sister Jenny not having been separated at birth by adoption. However as the author reflects, the profound loss she and her sister experienced from mother/child separation and relinquishment will be something the sisters will contemplate for a lifetime. I applaud Julie for her courage to write about a more three-dimensional view of what it’s like to live life as an adoptee. In addition, how to live with the biological children of your adoptive parents, as well as other adoptive siblings from a different biological family. Because of memoirs like hers, hopefully a more child-centered approach to adoption can be the norm instead of the rarity.” — Emma Stevens (aka Linda Pevac), author of “The Gathering Place” and “A Fire Is Coming”

“Through her lovely, honest and transportive writing style … Julie Ryan McGue weaves a vivid coming-of-age memoir growing up as an adopted twin in a suburban Chicago, Catholic home. … McGue intimately reveals the special bond she and her twin sister share as they navigate their childhood before emerging into young adults in this deeply moving and at times, heart-wrenching journey through life’s joys and accomplishments, as well as the tragedies. A thoughtful, brave, and compassionate story told with the underlying thread of adoption and what belonging means between the silent questions of identity and feelings of loss that adoptees live with while growing up. McGue rings resilience.” — Diane Wheaton, author of “Finding Loretta, An Adopted Daughter’s Search to Define Family” 

About the Author

Julie Ryan McGue is an American writer, a domestic adoptee, and an identical twin. Her first memoir, “Twice a Daughter: A Search for Identity, Family, and Belonging,” released in May 2021, winning multiple awards. Her work has appeared in the Story Circle Network Journal, Brevity Nonfiction Blog, Imprint News, Adoption.com, Lifetime Adoption Adoptive Families Blog, Adoption & Beyond, and Severance Magazine. Her personal essays have appeared in several anthologies, including “Real Women Write: Seeing Through Her Eyes” (Story Circle Network) and “Art in the Time of Unbearable Crisis” (She Writes Press). Her collection of essays, “Belonging Matters: Conversations on Adoption, Family, and Kinship” (Muse Literary), released in November 2023. She writes a biweekly blog and monthly column (The Beacher Newspapers), in which she explores the topics of finding out who you are, where you belong, and making sense of it. Julie splits her time between Northwest Indiana and Sarasota, Florida. “Twice the Family: A Memoir of Love, Loss, and Sisterhood” is her third book. Visit her website for more info: juliemcgueauthor.com 

Follow Julie Ryan McGue on social media:

Facebook: @juliemcguewrites | Twitter: @juliermcgue | Instagram: @julieryanmcgue

In an interview, Julie Ryan McGue can discuss:

  • Community connection: As a long-time Hinsdale and LaGrange resident, McGue’s memoir resonates with readers in the Chicago suburbs, especially those familiar with the local culture and community involvement.
  • Nonprofit engagement: McGue’s extensive work with local organizations reflects her commitment to family and community, enhancing the memoir’s themes of support and connection.
  • Adoptive vs. biological families: The book explores the nuanced dynamics and emotional complexities of being part of a blended family.
  • Navigating genetic histories: McGue’s journey reveals how understanding one’s biological background can impact relationships and identity.
  • Secrets and bonds: The memoir highlights the intricate balance of uncovering family secrets while maintaining strong familial ties.
  • Blended family dynamics: McGue’s memoir provinces insight into the importance of understanding both biological and adoptive family relationships.
  • Identity and belonging: The book touches on the psychological impacts of being adopted and highlights the unique and special bond between twins.
  • Closed adoptions: McGue explores the pros and cons, and discusses ways to mitigate challenges arising from lack of genetic knowledge.
  • Empowerment through knowledge: McGue addresses the empowering and terrifying aspects of discovering one’s genetic background.

An interview with Julie Ryan McGue

1. This new book is somewhat of a prequel to your debut memoir, “Twice a Daughter.” Why did you decide to write another book?

Many of the readers with whom I met during book club discussions of “Twice a Daughter” expressed interest in what it was like to grow up as a twin and an adoptee. “Twice the Family” addresses those issues. But since the family in which I was raised is a blend of adoptees and my parents’ biological children, I also wanted to write about family dynamics and the difficulties my parents faced in fulfilling their dream of a big American family.

2. Can you elaborate on the empowering aspects of discovering one’s genetic background as depicted in your memoir?

Meeting birth relatives, people who I had fantasized about for 50 years, was one of the “happiest moments” of my life. I write about this in an essay in my second book, “Belonging Matters.” The experience was all at once affirming and liberating. It elevated my sense of self and boosted my confidence. You see, I had finally attained what those who are not adopted take for granted: I knew who my parents were, the details surrounding my birth, genealogy and family medical history from both sides of my lineage. 

3. You explore the pros and cons of closed adoptions in your collection of essays, “Belonging Matters.” What insights can you share about mitigating the challenges that arise from a lack of genetic knowledge?

By definition, a closed adoption adoptee is prevented from any knowledge or contact with their families of origin. Likewise, they cannot know why adoption was the plan made for them. Often, they are not given any medical information or background. Open adoption addresses some of those identity concerns, but it does not alleviate the fact that the child is not being raised by their biological parents. I was asked once in a podcast interview, “Which is better: closed or open adoption?” I surprised the host by stating that if adoption was the only recourse, then being adopted by a family member is the best option.

4. What role do you think community involvement plays in shaping our personal stories?

In “Twice the Family,” I share several stories about events that occurred in my community and how they affected not only my family’s narrative but my own sense of personal safety. An encounter with a sexual predator, as well as a plane crash and a murder involving neighbors, caused me to lose my childish naivete.

5. What advice would you give to families navigating the challenges of blended family dynamics?

Honesty, fairness, love, support and offering peer-group counseling are vital when it comes to parenting an adopted child.

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From a high stress career in global advertising to a simple rural life in a barn in an Italian hill town

Posted on | by Marissa DeCuir

A writer’s journey of transformation through love, food and community in Piemonte 

SAN FRANCISCO – Barbara Boyle’s inspirational new memoir, “Pinch Me: Waking Up in a 300-Year-Old Italian Farmhouse” (She Writes Press, Feb. 11, 2025) is an evocative account of leaving the frenetic life of an advertising creative director to create a dream life in the faraway hills of Northern Italy.

Newly retired and traveling through Europe, Barbara stumbles upon the ancient Italian hill town of Monforte.  She is enchanted by the castles and the sweeping vistas reaching out to the Alps, captivated by the region’s cuisine, and confounded by its extraordinary culture of kindness. One morning, she awakes and looking out over the valleys, finds herself longing to be there in her own home, drinking her coffee and watching the sunrise. 

This is the story of how she leaves her life behind in San Francisco and takes apart a 300-year-old stone barn to build a new home, a new life, in Italy. It’s a tale filled with discoveries, disappointments, pleasures, frustrations, and triumphs. And given the gastronomic excellence of the region, she shares some special recipes as well. Ultimately, this journey lets her see the world, and herself, through a different window; a memoir filled with food, friendships, and scenes of Italy, of love and the powerful joy that comes from building a dream.

“Pinch Me: Waking Up in a 300-Year-Old Italian Farmhouse”

Barbara Boyle | Feb. 11, 2025 | She Writes Press | Memoir 

Paperback | ISBN: 978-1647428327  | $17.99 

About the Author

For years, Barbara Boyle enjoyed a colorful worldwide career as a creative director at Saatchi & Saatchi, Grey, Lowe and other advertising agencies, creating commercials and stories for Procter & Gamble, Johnson & Johnson, Mars Inc, and dozens of other marketers. Always a writer, this is the first time she has had the time required to author a book. Her flash fiction has appeared in Sky Island Journal, Star 82 Review, Flash Fiction Magazine, and other literary journals. Food and wine have also been a lifelong passion of hers. While living in Paris, she took the Regional French Cuisine course at Le Cordon Bleu and later completed the professional cooking course at The Institute of Culinary Education in New York. She now resides in a farmhouse in Piemonte, Italy with her husband, Kim, surrounded by orchards, vineyards and barking deer, and maintains a home in San Francisco. Find out more about her at https://www.barbaraboyleauthor.com/ and https://boyleb.substack.com/. 

Follow Barbara Boyle on Instagram: @barbaraannboyle10 

An Interview withBarbara Boyle

In your book, you talk about t retirement as an opportunity for reinvention. Can you elaborate on that? 

Retirement is a unique time. You have experience, and you have time, and if you are lucky enough to have good health, you have nothing holding you back from going for an exciting new chapter. Sure, you could put your feet up and take it easy, but I found that learning a new language, a new cuisine, a new culture and way of life, is invigorating and very satisfying. I could not have imagined how joyous this chapter of my life could be.

Moving abroad already comes with its challenges. Why did you decide to renovate a 300-year-old barn into a beautiful new home brimming with charm and character?

We just took it one step at a time. It did not cost too much money to buy the home, by U.S. standards. And we took the reconstruction one step at a time too; the roof, the structure, the finishes, and at each turn we thought, if we had to sell now, we would not have lost much, and this would have been a great adventure. We were also lucky in that we found a great builder who knew his stuff, and was a good, kind person who we trusted. That was key.

How did you and your husband immerse yourselves in your new community? How did you forge and maintain meaningful connections? Did you experience any resistance from locals not wanting Americans moving into the region? 

After living in Paris before this, I was shocked at how welcoming the Italians were. There had been a few Americans as frequent visitors to the area before us, kind, gracious Americans, who helped to build trust in our country. But honestly, Italians still credit Americans for helping them win the war in their backyard, World War II, so they were predisposed to like us. And we were still a novelty; not many Americans live here full time. Other than that, we just lived our life with respect for their culture, tried to learn the language and do what we would do anywhere. They all knew who we were, it was such a small community, and we just tried to be ourselves. Before we knew it, friendships formed. It was pretty magical.

PRAISE FOR “PINCH ME” BY BARBARA BOYLE

“Richly evoked…The process of restoring the house makes for a satisfying read, in part because it fulfills the fantasy many readers have likely had and never acted on.”

Kirkus Reviews

“Barbara does what many of us dream about—escapes a familiar life and creates an extraordinary, idyllic one in a faraway land. Authentic, deeply personal, and unfailingly optimistic, Barbara’s tale nevertheless has a real-life plot twist, her triple-negative breast cancer diagnosis. This unique adventure is a joy to read and leaves us remembering the importance of sometimes seeing the world through a different window to find what matters in life.” 

Maxine Paetro, #1 New York Times bestselling co-author with James Patterson

“A captivating memoir about falling in love with a rustic village in Italy, renovating an ancient farmhouse and bringing a dream to life. With warmth and wit, Barbara Boyle envelopes you in an unhurried world of ripe vineyards, fairytale castles, and mouthwatering meals (recipes included). Bellissima!” 

Terry Trucco, frequent contributor The New York Times, and Martha Stewart Living

“Truly immersive and a lovely read, ‘Pinch Me’ feels like curling up with your favorite blanket and binging HGTV, The Food Network and The Travel Channel … all at once.  This inspiring memoir shows readers that you can make that far away dream a reality.” Shelby Saville, author of And They Had a Great Fall and CIO, Publicis US

“Barbara Boyle takes us to the countryside in her charmingly renovated farmhouse and captures the flavors of the people and the country that so captivated me when I first fell in love in Tuscany. I can taste her recipes. But more importantly, I am transported to that magical place we share such a love for and the simple life and memorable people who are sure to capture your heart as well. Brava.” 

Sheryl Ness, author of “Love in a Tuscan Kitchen: Savoring Life through the Romance, Recipes, and Traditions of Italy”

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Prolific Broadway theater producer challenges narrative of traditional publishing with innovative cyber fiction novel

Posted on | by Marissa DeCuir

NEW YORK CITY – From Michael Wolk, an innovative New York theater producer and creator, comes the unique and immersive new interactive e-novel “DevilsGame” (Nov. 19, 2024) that’s not just bending genres — it’s recreating the very essence of the ebook format. Enter cyber fiction — a story set in the recent past, formatted for the uncharted future.  The interactive fiction elements are unlike anything the literary world has seen before, with savvy multimedia elements optimized for mobile and web reading. Multilevel storytelling includes pop-up illustrations and interactive links that plunge readers into the heart of the action to make “DevilsGame” an addictive and wickedly funny thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, ahem, screen. 

Ready to play DevilsGame? 

In a world where pixels collide with prayers, an unlikely duo emerges as the last line of defense against digital Armageddon. Meet Claire Bodine, the fiery televangelist with a penchant for preaching, and Nathan Rifkin, the cunning mastermind behind the world’s most addictive video games.

As a cross-platform virus sweeps across the globe, turning our beloved devices into tools of destruction, Claire and Nathan find themselves thrust into a high-stakes game of survival. Armed only with their outdated BlackBerrys and an unshakeable resolve, they must navigate a treacherous landscape of  interconnected smartphones and sinister plots. But this isn’t just a battle against code and circuits — it’s a clash of ideologies. Claire sees the hand of Satan behind the chaos, while Nathan smells a geopolitical conspiracy. And as the clock ticks down and the world teeters on the brink of collapse, they must put aside their differences and confront a common enemy.

Buckle up, log on and head down the rabbit hole to join Claire and Nathan on a journey that will test their faith, their wit and the very essence of what it means to be human. 

Enter DevilsGame

Michael Wolk | Nov. 19, 2024 | Cyber Fiction / Technothriller | $9.99

SEE THE COMPLETE BOOK TRAILER

About the Author

Michael Wolk, author of the cyber thriller DevilsGame, has written screenplays (Innocent Blood, Warner Bros., directed by John Landis), mystery novels (“The Beast on Broadway,” “The Big
Picture,” “Signet”) and plays (“Femme Fatale,” “Broadway Play Publishing”). He wrote the book, music and lyrics for “Deep Cover” (New York Musical Theatre Festival) and for “Ghostlight
9” (Cherry Lane Theatre) and wrote the book for the musical, “The Pilot and the Little Prince,” currently premiering in Poland at Katowice Miasto Ogrodow.

He is also a Broadway producer (“Job,” “Once Upon A Mattress,” “The Hills of California,” “Prince of Broadway,” “Pacific Overtures,” “A Class Act,” and the forthcoming “The Karate Kid”), and has also produced at Lincoln Center (“Musashi and Temple of the Golden Pavilion”), Kennedy Center (“Up In The Air”), BAM (“MacBeth”), George Street Playhouse (“The Pianist”), and in Central Park (“Japan Day @ Central Park 2007-2017) as well as in the U.K. (“Kenrex” premiere at Sheffield Theatre).

He founded the nonprofit All For One Theater, which has staged over 50 solo shows off-Broadway since 2011.  He directed the award-winning documentary “You Think You Really Know Me: The Gary Wilson Story,” which screened at the Film Society of Lincoln Center (Plexifilm DVD). He is a member of the Dramatists Guild and works and lives in Times Square.

In an interview, Michael Wolk can discuss:

  • The concept of cyber fiction and how it differs from traditional ebooks
  • Why he chose to write and release “DevilsGame” in such a unique format
  • His remarkable theater career and channeling his expertise into the literary world
  • The importance for the literary industry to keep innovating and accepting new ideas
  • How books like “DevilsGame” can change the landscape of accessibility for readers
  • How “DevilsGame” blends genres, including adventure, thriller, mystery, comedy and cyber fiction
  • How reluctant readers, or readers who struggle with typical book formats, will be compelled to read a book in this unique format
  • His inspiration behind his main characters, Claire and Nathan
  • Future projects he’s working on

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Standalone in award-winning spy series brings a thrilling murder mystery to the Big Easy

Posted on | by Marissa DeCuir

LOUISIANA – Mel Harrison’s news standalone novel in his award-winning Alex Boyd spy series, “Crescent City Carnage” (October 22, 2024) by Mel Harrison, takes special agent Alex Boyd and his wife Rachel Smith on another thrilling hunt after only a day into their long-awaited vacation to New Orleans. When the couple goes to join their good friend and colleague, Simone Ardoin, they discover she was brutally murdered. Simone’s well-connected parents, longtime residents of New Orleans, are devastated by the tragedy and implore both Alex and Rachel to work with the New Orleans police to find her killer. 

The city is infamous for its laissez-faire attitude, as well as its corruption. Nevertheless, Alex must work with the city’s cops to break the case. He draws immense support from the U.S. State Department’s Diplomatic Security Office in New Orleans. Identifying the killer is one thing, but locating him proves more complicated than anticipated. Is the killer just lucky? Or does he have an inside source who is helping him stay one step ahead of the cops?

The more Alex and Rachel delve deeply into the case, the more they discover that New Orleans is a unique city full of its own traditions, family ties, and way of life. But the clock is ticking. They need to capture the killer before he disappears forever.

“Crescent City Carnage”

Mel Harrison | October 22, 2024 | Self-Published | Thriller 

Paperback | 979-8-9902822-1-6 | $16.99

Ebook | $4.99 

“Death in Pakistan” (Book 1)

Paperback, 978-1689118415, 12.99 | Ebook, B07ZTQ3B3L, $3.99

When you go to Pakistan, no one promises you’ll return alive. In the early 90s when America changed course and supported military and economic assistance to India at Pakistan’s expense, deputy regional security officer Alex Boyd must defend the US Embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan.

Fighting against vicious, heavily armed, fanatical terrorists who are supported by a rogue element within Pakistan’s military intelligence service (ISI), Alex and his team fight for their lives. Before the battle even begins, however, Alex must overcome the staid traditionalists within the Foreign Service, itself, who believe nothing should be done to aggravate the locals even in self-defense. The new Embassy press officer, Rachel Smith, an accomplished athlete and intellectual powerhouse, intimately bonds with Alex.

 

“The Ambassador is Missing” (Book 2)

Paperback, 978-1951188078, $15.99 | Ebook, B089X6FC99 $3.99

After the terrorist violence in Pakistan where he almost lost his life, Regional Security Officer Alex Boyd is expecting a comfortable assignment at the US Embassy in Rome.

But with his new Embassy boss despising him for an old grievance, his girlfriend running hot and cold, and terrorists targeting the Ambassador and his wife, Alex swings into full-on action He must maneuver through a maze of State Department bureaucratic incompetence, interference from the FBI, dodge bullets during police raids, and confront lying officials within the Embassy staff. After two weeks of being held in a filthy basement, the Ambassador is ill and running out of lifesaving medicine. With the FBI and State Department arguing with the Italians over how to deal with the crisis, Alex leads the way with the Italian police in a bold attempt to rescue the Ambassador and his wife while they are still alive.

 

“Moving Target” (Book 3)

Paperback, 978-1736206102, $14.99 | Ebook, B08QV2HCKH, $3.99

Alex Boyd, restless at a desk job in Washington, D.C., hates bureaucracy and misses the excitement of an overseas assignment. When unexpected opportunities arise, he and Rachel Smith, his new wife, jump at the chance to work in Paris! But nothing goes as planned.Soon their lives are at risk from a vicious Sicilian Mafia leader; their new bosses, Henri and Giselle Ducat, have disappeared. Were they kidnapped? Or did they run?

 

“Terror in Cairo” (Book 4)

Paperback,978-1736206171, $13.99 | Ebook, B09MSMRMLF, $3.99

Egyptian Islamic Jihad (EIJ), a vicious terrorist organization determined to thwart peace with Israel, attacks a vital peace conference in Cairo, attempting to stop any chance of a successful conference.

As special agent with the State Department Diplomatic Security Service (DS), Alex is responsible for the overall protection of U.S. delegates, including the Secretary of State and several senior senators and congressmen attending the conference.Along with the Egyptian police, Alex Boyd and his Diplomatic Service colleagues attempt to stop waves of bloody attacks.When it appears the peace conference may be resurrected, the terrorists seek to inflict a mortal wound against America with an unprecedented target. With superb Arabic language skills and military experience, Alex is tasked with identifying the leaders of EIJ before they strike again.Questions remain whether Alex, and his colleagues, can win this life and death struggle. Even more important, who is arming the terrorists?

 

“Spies Among Us” (Book 5)

Paperback,979-8987222614,$16.10 |Ebook, B0BSDNCHFF, $3.99

This next installment to the Alex Boyd series will have readers guessing at every turn. Assigned to London, Alex Boyd and his wife Rachel Smith, a political officer for the Department of State, step into a spider’s web of intrigue at the US Embassy.

But as stories appear inconsistent and anomalies occur, Alex and Rachel begin to suspect an insider is responsible for passing on highly classified information to a deep cover Russian spy. With the help of the Embassy, CIA Station Chief Anna Battles, Scotland Yard’s Special Branch, and British Intelligence Services, they work closely together to sort out the lies.But the Russians have more than one ace up their sleeve.Alex and Rachel soon realize American secrets are still being lost to the other side and that it will take the combined efforts of the CIA and the FBI to figure out who else is trading secrets before the damage is beyond repair. Will they be able to find the spy among them?

2024 IRDAs

Mystery/Suspense/Thriller Winner!

“Mel Harrison obviously knows his stuff! His writing reverberates authenticity.” —LitPick Reviews

“Loved , loved, loved this book. I am so invested in the characters who along with their careers and relationships are moving at a rapid pace.” —Opera Lover, reviewer

MEL HARRISON: After graduating from the University of Maryland with a degree in Economics, Mel Harrison joined the US Department of State Foreign Service, spending the majority of his career in the Diplomatic Security Service. Over the next 28 years, he served in American embassies as either a Special Agent/Regional Security officer or Economic Officer in Saigon, Quito, Rome, London (twice), Islamabad, and Seoul. While in Islamabad, as the Senior Regional Security Officer, he won both the State Department Award for Valor, and its worldwide Regional Security Officer of the Year Award. Following government retirement, Mel spent ten years in corporate security and consulting work with assignments often taking him throughout Latin America and the Middle East. Mel met his wife, Irene, while both served in Quito. Irene, a Foreign Service Management Specialist, and Mel married in Rome, beginning their lifelong love of travel and all things Italian. They now reside in Florida.

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In an interview, Mel Harrison can discuss:

  • His experiences working for the US Department of State Foreign Service and how he integrates them into his writing
  • Why he decided to writes a series inspired by his real life experiences
  • His international and local research for the Alex Boyd series
  • Why he chose to set “Crescent City Carnage” in New Orleans when most of the books have international settings
  • What is next for the him as a writer

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New contemporary novel explores love, loss and connection amid adversity

Posted on | by Marissa DeCuir

Heartfelt story explores immigration and family separation 

Cleveland, OH – Award-winning author Joseph Bauer is releasing a new novel that poignantly explores the complexities of immigration and the effect current policies have on personal and family relationships. In “Sailing for Grace” (September 15, 2024, Running Wild Press), a man’s promise to his dying wife leads him into uncharted waters as he confronts the realities of immigration at the US-Mexico border.

“Sailing for Grace” follows Will Goodbow, a wealthy businessman who makes a promise to his late wife, Grace, to help reunite migrant children separated from their parents at the border. Despite his lack of expertise in immigration matters, Will feels compelled to fulfill his promise to Grace, leading him to El Paso where he seeks to understand the situation at the US-Mexico border. 

Through encounters with aid workers, border patrol officers, and migrants themselves, Will navigates the complexities of the immigration system and grapples with the moral dilemmas surrounding family separation and asylum. As he delves deeper into the issue, Will confronts the harsh realities faced by migrants and the challenges of implementing meaningful change in a broken system, while also grieving the death of his wife. Dive into the depths of human resilience and sacrifice with “Sailing for Grace”, a powerful story of love, loyalty, and the unwavering pursuit of justice in the face of adversity.

“Sailing for Grace”

Joseph Bauer | September 15, 2024 | Running Wild Press | Contemporary Fiction 

Paperback | 978-1960018519 | $19.99

Praise for Joseph Bauer’s books

“…believable, complex, well-developed, interesting characters, at least a few of whom I can identify with in one way or another, and a compelling story that kept me wanting to keep turning those pages — and also not wanting it to end.”

— Goodreads reviewer for “The Accidental Patriot” by Joseph Bauer

“Part thriller, part timely topics, intriguingly smart characters all combine in a tale oh so layered and cleverly spun.”

— Amazon reviewer for “The Patriot’s Angels” by Joseph Bauer

“Intelligent, Informed, Imaginative. This author keeps his readers so involved in the story it becomes real even knowing it is fiction.”

— Amazon reviewer for “Too True to Be Good”

“…Bauer has a fascinating style… Keeps you engaged constantly.”

— Amazon reviewer for “Too True to Be Good”

“Another ‘not put downable; book from this terrific author.”

— Amazon reviewer for “Too True to Be Good”

Joseph Bauer was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio.  An honors student in literature, he was editor-in-chief of his college newspaper at the University of Toledo.  He worked as an international corporate lawyer for 30 years, starting his career with the large firm Jones Day, and completing it as the chief legal officer of a NYSE traded global company, The Lubrizol Corporation.  Always wanting to be an author, he retired early and has been writing novels ever since from his homes in Ann Arbor, Cleveland, and Charleston, SC..  His first three novels, “The Accidental Patriot”, “The Patriot’s Angels” and “Too True To Be Good” (all acclaimed for their literary quality, pace, and suspense) were published in 2020, 2021 and 2023.  After his submission of the draft of “Sailing For Grace” was awarded 1st Prize at the 2022 annual Atlanta Writers Conference, he signed with Running Wild Press for the publication of Sailing For Grace and the republication of his first 3 novels. Mr. Bauer is married and has 3 adult daughters whom he raised in Shaker Heights, OH.  He is an avid fly fisherman and fly tyer.  Find out more about him at his website.

Follow Joseph Bauer on social media: 

Facebook: @JosephBauerNovelist

In an interview, Joseph Bauer can discuss:

  • How the current political climate, particularly the immigration crisis, effects our society
  • How personal relationships can be strained due to external political pressures and systemic injustices
  • How having differing political views can affect relationships, particularly a marriage
  • His motivation behind writing this novel and his writing process
  • His writing style, how he manages to write in a way that allows for balanced pacing, a story that unfolds gradually and deep character development

An Interview with Joseph Bauer

1. What motivated you to write “Sailing for Grace”? 

I wanted to write a story about marriage, how in many loving and successful marriages, there can be enduring disagreement.  And I wanted to wrap it around a suspenseful plot that related to a timely, but enduring social issue.  

2. You start at the end of the plot with this book. Can you tell us what your writing process looks like and how you create such balanced pacing and deep character development?

It made sense to me to start at the ending, knowing that I could then take any detours that came to me while writing the story, so long as I returned to a path toward that ending.  

3. What challenges did you face in representing the separation of families, and how did you overcome them in your writing?

Well, I certainly did not want to present myself or my narrator as an expert on Central American family strife and danger.  I am not trying, as a white male, to occupy the shoes and suffering of a Honduran asylum seeker.  I am trying, as a white male author, to tell the story of an old white widower who gets in over his head on a social and political issue because he loved his wife and felt he owed it to her to commit himself when she wanted, at life’s end for her, to commit.  

4. How do you see your novel contributing to the ongoing conversation about immigration policies in the current political landscape?

Asylum is only one (some would say comparatively minor) aspect of immigration.  But I believe much of the public confuses asylum seekers with the people who are trying to enter illegally.  No one who seeks asylum in our country, from wherever they come or wherever they enter the US, is acting illegally.  They  are acting legally, under laws that have been on the books for a very long time.  

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