Author: 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. 

Download press kit and photos

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.

booksforward.com/about-us/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.

Download press kit and photos

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.

booksforward.com/about-us/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”

Download press kit and photos

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.

booksforward.com/about-us/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

Download press kit and photos

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.

booksforward.com/about-us/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.

Follow Mel on Facebook

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

Download press kit and photos

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.

booksforward.com/about-us/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.  

Download press kit and photos

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.

booksforward.com/about-us/marissa-decuir/

Perfect for fans of “Everything I Know About Love” by bestseller Dolly Alderton

Santa Barbara, CA – Organized through the cycles of the moon, Jenna Tico’s personal humor essays and poetry collection, “Cancer Moon: How I Survived the Best Years of My Life” (She Writes Press, September 17, 2024 – a full harvest supermoon!), vulnerably and jovially guides readers through the turbulent twenties – aka the “age of wallowing.” Jenna invites women to embrace this necessary phase of life, helping them understand their self-worth, sexuality, and empowering them to become who they want to be in the world. “Own your weird!”

“It is so much, this human thing.”

Growing up in Santa Barbara, California, way too close to the Hollywood dream machine, Jenna Tico’s self-esteem wanes to invisibility when her identity becomes enmeshed with validation from celebrities and spiritual F-boys . . . until she claws her way back to empowerment. Here, Tico shares vulnerable personal essays, stories, and poetry—all grouped following the cycles of the moon—chronicling her journey from late bloomer to full grownup. Observing the world of twenty-something relationships from perspectives as diverse as a bachelorette houseboat, a music festival afterparty, and the airplane ride to a death bed, she validates the experiences of women who feel like they have been abandoned by the generation that came before them. Her self-reflective stories encourage healthy life choices for young women without telling them where, what, or how to live their lives—and always with a healthy dash of humor on the side.

“Cancer Moon”

Jenna Tico | September 17, 2024 | She Writes Press | Memoir/Humor Essays 

Paperback | 978-1647427627 | $17.95 

“Before you freak out and burn all your bridges; before you throw your phone in the ocean and pierce your nose in the name of Satan and fuck that guy with a pet snake who doesn’t chew his food; before you throw away every item of clothing you own and then max out your only credit card on nail polish and oven fries; and before you decide that now is the time to tell your mother every single thing she has ever done that has bothered you, and then quit your job and go back to snake guy’s house, please ask yourself the following question: Do I really desire the end of society, or am I just dehydrated?”

– Jenna Tico, “Cancer Moon”  

Early Praise for “Cancer Moon”

“Fun, witty, hilarious, and refreshing! Jenna Tico has a way of transforming seemingly everyday events in extraordinary and insightful ways. “Cancer Moon” is a diverting, surefire cure for boredom and a welcome balm for the ridiculous, embarrassing and completely absurd moments in life.”

—Qin Sun Stubis, author of the multi-award-winning historical memoir “Once Our Lives: Life, Death, and Love in the Middle Kingdom”

“Tico has put her heart and soul into crafting a delightful and thought-provoking memoir, filled with candid and humorous storytelling . . . a refreshing perspective on the challenges and triumphs of young adulthood in a strong voice with a clear attitude. The structure, organized by the cycles of the moon, added an intriguing layer of symbolism and resonance to Tico’s narrative, mirroring the ebb and flow of life’s experiences. “Cancer Moon” is sure to leave readers feeling inspired and empowered to embrace their own journey with humor, self-compassion, and authenticity.”

—Readers Favorite, FIVE STARS

“A fever dream of genre and memory, reading “Cancer Moon” is like sitting barefoot and cross-legged late into the night with your wisest and funniest friend.”

—Ellen O’Connell Whittet, author of ‘What You Become in Flight’

“In contrast to many women’s memoirs reflecting on life experiences, “Cancer Moon” offers a supercharged atmosphere with its engrossing foray into action, reaction, and transformation. Sexual explorations, attitudes and ironies, and especially candid, revealing insights about relationships and personal growth permeate an evolutionary story filled with vivid encounters with all kinds of people.”

—D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

“Jenna Tico’s book perfectly captures the humiliating, exhilarating, and painful experience of surviving your twenties. Her writing is relatable, poetic, nuanced…if you’ve been twenty, if you’re going to be twenty, if you never want to remember being twenty, this book is for you.”

—Zoë Schiffer, author of “Extremely Hardcore: Inside Elon Musk’s Twitter”

“This unique cocktail of memoir, self-help, and essays offers a captivating and bitingly comic journey through a California coming-of-age . . . Her crack comic timing and eye for the killer detail never come at the expense of hard-won wisdom . . . Tico’s form is bold, as “Cancer Moon” mixes straight-ahead memoir with pages of intimate blank verse that dig deep into ideas and feelings . . . Rousing, bold, funny story of growing into one’s power.”

—BookLife Review, Editor’s Pick

More about the Author

Jenna Tico survived the best years of her life by incessantly journaling, scribbling poetry, and distracting herself from her questionable choices with potato chips and excellent friendships. Jenna is a multi-disciplinary artist, group facilitator, and ninth-generation resident of Santa Barbara, CA. She graduated with honors from Scripps College, and spent the next ten years working as a dance instructor, grant writer, and occasional, terrible waitress. She earned her counseling certification in 2016, and is passionate about creating spaces for the intersection of art and healing. She is the founder and host of Backbone Storytelling, a platform for true, body-centric stories told live. She lives in Santa Barbara with her family.  Find out more about her at her website.

Follow Jenna Tico on social media: 

Instagram: @jennaticowrites  

In an interview, Jenna Tico can discuss:

• Embracing your turbulent twenties, a period of time that is often marked by intense emotional highs and lows, self discovery and significant life transitions
• How we as women feel the need to be “allowed” to authentically live our lives, but how important it is for us to be able to express our feelings without the need to apologize and get permission 
• Taking back your power by breaking free from toxic relationships and decentering men from your life
• Healing from emotional abuse with the support of strong friendships
• The distinctive rhythm and structure that emerge from writing a book in harmony with the phases of the moon
• Choosing to title the book “Cancer Moon” and its connection to your astrological and spirituality journey
• Her choice to keep many of the writings in the present tense, as opposed to doing everything in retrospect –”knowing better” – or editing the writing to be more reflective of her current skill or voice
• How many of the pieces in the book were created for performance, and have been performed as pieces of spoken word and/or dance – the transition from page to stage or vice versa

An Interview with Jenna Tico

1. How did your personal experiences shape the themes of the book and what do you want young women to take away from your experiences?

It’s impossible to separate the themes of “Cancer Moon” from the personal experiences that shaped them. Even the book’s structure, grouped around the cycles of the moon, reflects the ebb and flow of each lived state. The choppiness of the language, too, reflects the chaos of the experiences being described. Nothing is neatly wrapped up at the end, and the book itself is not chronological—because it took me the whole of my twenties to realize that growth itself is not straightforward, and while there was a lot of posturing around adults having it all “figured it out,” I found that to be rarely (if ever) true. “Cancer Moon” is messy, non-linear, slightly emo, occasionally unhinged, hopefully colorful, and very much still in-process—because that is what my twenties felt like. I’m still processing and learning from them.

2. How did you learn to walk away from toxic relationships and create a supportive network?

In all honesty, it’s something I’m still learning to do. I believe that the same lessons keep showing up until we have fully learned them—and while I’m no longer struggling to recognize toxicity in romantic relationships, I’ve had opportunities in recent years to learn from the same dynamics in my work life. My network of support was both the result of and the reason BEHIND my ability to make better choices and respect myself. Surrounding myself with people who aren’t afraid to tell me the truth, and who love me unconditionally, has emboldened me to trust my gut and walk away from what no longer serves.

3. Can you share a pivotal moment in your life that really shaped the narrative of “Cancer Moon”?

The narrative of Cancer Moon is itself a collection of pivotal moments—some of them small, some of them large. Some of the more obvious moments were related to breakups, because I was cracked-open enough to turn to writing to help me process my feelings. Even though those moments were incredibly difficult, they were also precious, because I was less defended—and more open to experience the raw beauty of life as well as the hardship. I hope both come through. 

The birth of my first child was also a huge impetus for collecting the pieces, and writing the ones that were still outstanding. Suddenly, I had way less time— but I also had this tiny human inspiring me to keep learning about myself, pushing me to model continual growth in my own interests and passions. In many ways, he made this experience more challenging, but I also don’t think I could have done it without him.

4. How did you decide on the title “Cancer Moon” and how was it written in conjunction with the phases of the moon? Are you a fan of astrology?

My Grandma Lu was an astrologer, so I have been fascinated with the stars since I was a child—but it wasn’t until I was twenty-seven and enrolled in a psychological astrology course that I really began to see the connection between my life themes and the position of the planets. When I was born, the moon was in the sign of Cancer—its home sign—and one of notoriously big feelings, watery emotions, clinginess, you name it. Learning about astrology coincided with a larger period of inquiry, and ultimately the result was a better understanding of (and appreciation for) the emotionality that I had previously tried to reject within myself. My Cancer Moon felt like the perfect umbrella for unpacking the decade of my life that was spent so deeply in relationship with my emotions, learning to accept them without attaching to them.

Download press kit and photos

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.

booksforward.com/about-us/marissa-decuir/

A two-time winner of Georgia Bar Journal’s annual fiction competition, lauded attorney and judge Lori B. Duff was fed up with novels detailing unrealistic courtrooms scenes with settings that misrepresented the South. So the acclaimed humor author pivoted from essays to fiction to pen “Devil’s Defense,” (Nov. 12, She Writes Press), a gripping courtroom drama full of personal discovery and the first in her Fischer at Law series. Duff is a true voice of authority: Her lengthy legal career in a small southern town (not unlike the novel’s setting) gave her the experience to produce thrilling, authentic legal drama and client interactions, which are based on her real-life experiences. 

Jessica knew that in the town of Ashton, Georgia, the order of worship was first Jesus, second America, and third the high school football coach, with the second two interchangeable if it were a winning season. It was often a winning season. 

Jessica Fischer wants nothing more than to break into the male-dominated legal scene and build her law practice in small-town Georgia. And she’s well on her way when the local town hero and football coach, Frank “Tripp” Wishingham III, hires her to represent him in a paternity suit. The coach is everything Fischer despises: arrogant, sexist and entitled. But it’s her job to make him look good in public, which is made doubly difficult when her burgeoning relationship with a local reporter gets in the way of telling the truth.  Are things as black and white as Jessica thinks? And can she find a way to succeed without compromising her own personal values or her personal life? 

Fans of “Miracle Creek” by Angie Kim and “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens will be intrigued by “Devil’s Defense.” And the book will appeal greatly to Southern readers hungry  for authentic stories set in the South, as well as professional women desperate for a relatable protagonist — it’s only the beginning for Jessica Fischer.

“Duff scores with a winning protagonist and a captivating courtroom procedural.”

“Devil’s Defense: A Fischer at Law Novel”

Lori B. Duff | Nov. 12, 2024 | She Writes Press | Legal Fiction 

Paperback, 9781647427368, $17.99

“Sweet, savvy, and sharp, Devil’s Defense is a pitch-perfect beach read about gender and sexual politics in a small town. Duff writes with an authentic and witty hand, creating multi-faceted characters and a timely plot that will have readers questioning preconceived notions of right and wrong. Perfect for fans of Katherine Center and Meg Mitchell Moore.” 

— Marisa Rae Dondlinger, author of “Come And Get Me” and “Gray Lines”

“A fast-paced plot with deft and effortless dialogue, Devil’s Defense will have you rooting and wondering late into the night. It’s a damn fantastic read.” 

— V. C. Chickering, author of “Twisted Family Values”

“Devil’s Defense is a funny, warm, and wise study of a small southern town and culture, wrapped in a legal mystery and love story. Lori Duff writes with great empathy and heart. She finds the depth and complexity of even the most problematic characters, while making you laugh out loud and think.” — Sheri T. Joseph, author of “Edge of the Known World”

“Lori B. Duff deftly manages to invest thirty years of legal experience into Devil’s Defense. In this well-balanced debut, she proves that her writing chops are first-rate. No doubt, Duff will be a force in the legal fiction genre moving forward.” 

— Joseph Reid, bestselling author of the Seth Walker series

“A page-turner that’s both playful and provocative, Devil’s Defense grabbed me from the jump. I had to find out if Jessica, a smart attorney who’s still learning on the job, would ultimately prevail—in the courtroom and the bedroom. As a lawyer herself, Duff’s insider perspective enriches every page.”
— Jude Berman, author of “The Die and The Vow”

“Lori Duff delivers a compelling tale about the intersection of the football field, the courtroom, and the heart. ‘Peyton Place’ meets ‘Friday Night Lights.’” 

— Lance McMillian, author of the Atlanta Murder Squad series

About the Author

Lori B. Duff is a two-time winner of the Georgia Bar Journal’s fiction competition and a popular humor blogger. Her humorous essays have earned multiple awards, including the Foreword Indies Gold Medal for Humor, as well as first place in the National Society for Newspaper Columnists annual contest in the humor category.  In addition to her writing, Duff is a graduate of Duke University and the Emory University School of Law. She serves as the Managing Partner of Jones & Duff, LLC, and is also a municipal court judge. Duff has been president of the Georgia Council of Municipal Court Judges and the National Society of Newspaper Columnists and has served in various leadership roles in those and other legal and writing organizations. Learn more at her website loriduffwrites.com.

Facebook: @loribduffauthor | Threads: @loriduffwrites  | Instagram: @loriduffwrites | Twitter: @loribduff

In an interview, Lori B. Duff can discuss:

• How her passion for depicting accurate yet equally thrilling courtroom scenes and cases led her to writing her own courtroom drama
• The real-life cases and client interactions over her 30+ years in law and how she decided on what details, if any, to include in the series
• How the novel touches on the #MeToo movement and addresses the outsized power that men hold in many communities despite their obvious shortcomings
• The book’s appeal to viewers of female-centric courtroom shows like “The Good Wife” and “The Good Fight,” as well as popular legal dramas like “Law & Order”
• How the novel satisfies those looking for small-town drama displayed in media such as “Friday Night Lights” and Fredrik Backman’s Beartown series.
• Her transition and “slow retirement” from attorney and municipal court judge to writer and published author
• The misconceptions of small towns in the rural South and how she’s addressing and breaking down those tropes
• How she plans to develop Jessica’s character across the series and a sneak peek into book 2

An interview with Lori B. Duff

1. You’ve had a long and successful legal career as an attorney and municipal court judge. How and why did you transition to writing?

I had to even out my karma somehow. Lawyers wage war all day and bring turmoil — even when you win a battle, you still come away with battle scars; writers entertain and bring joy. I also find great personal satisfaction in living a creative life. 

2. Most of your previous books were collections of humorous essays, as were most of your columns and blog posts. Why did you decide to pivot to writing fiction?

After my children left the house to go to college, I had more time to focus on myself and what I thought about the world. And I realized I had more to say. I could explore ideas that weren’t my own through fictional characters. Why do people think such things? Well, let me get into their heads and find out. 

3. What were some of the difficulties you encountered when writing fiction? Were there some things that came easier than with nonfiction?

It’s a lot easier to write and edit a 500-800 word first-person opinion essay than a 95,000 word book. Keeping everyone’s personalities intact — and remembering that they didn’t think the way I do — was a huge adjustment. Oddly enough, I found that the people I disagreed with the most were the most fun to write. 

4. What sets “Devil’s Defense” apart from other courtroom dramas or legal thrillers?

The author is better looking and smarter. Ha ha ha. Seriously, I think it’s more true to what the actual life of a lawyer is like. You don’t have one case at a time. Cases take months, if not years, to resolve. More often than not, you don’t get to represent the good guy, and your client doesn’t often do what you want them to do. They keep secrets from you. You have to make arguments in public that make you sick to your stomach. You get emotionally involved when you don’t want to.  And you can’t talk about the details of what’s upsetting you to the people who are closest to you.  I wanted to write a novel that reflected that.  

Download press kit and photos

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.

booksforward.com/about-us/marissa-decuir/

Debut author pens empowering story of one woman’s journey to catharsis

 Brooklyn, NY – A woman returns to her hometown to uncover the truth and confront the perpetrator of the childhood sexual abuse she endured 30 years earlier in Melissa Connelly’s gripping debut novel, “What Was Lost” (October 8, 2024, She Writes Press). Kirkus Reviews calls it “a vivid examination of how troubles from the past affect an unfolding future.”

Melissa Connelly’s debut novel comes after a long career in education. A finalist for the 2019 Montana Prize and at 60, she’s ready to share her first novel; a story about a 40-year-old woman who returns to her old hometown in Vermont and faces the past she was so desperate to forget.

In a world before Roe v. Wade, young Marti is fourteen and pregnant by her 27-year-old art teacher. In desperation, she looks for ways to abort the baby. With the help of her friend, Peter, she hitchhikes across state borders to seek the procedure out. Soon after the abortion, she runs away. Thirty years later, Mari is confronted with disturbing memories from her past and returns for the first time to her small Vermont hometown. She drags along her unwitting and unwilling teenage daughter, heightening the tension between them. Encountering her old friend Peter she learns how the lies she told impacted his life. Together they concoct a plan to find her abuser. Marti is seeking forgiveness for lies told, and revenge for secrets held.

Exploring the vast social change from 1970 to 2000, What Was Lost unfolds in times before language such as #MeToo helped give voice to these all-too-common occurrences. It is a raw, powerful tale of one woman confronting the ghosts of her past. Publisher’s Weekly says “a strong sense of humanity and compassion powers the novel.

“What Was Lost”

Melissa Connelly | October 8, 2024

She Writes Press | Literary Fiction 

Paperback | 978-1647427849 | $17.99

Ebook | B0D3FKK4SQ | $12.99 

Melissa Connelly dropped out of high school at age fifteen. Despite this, she went on to receive a BSN in nursing, an MA in special education, and an MFA in creative writing. She’s had a long career working with children in various roles in schools, hospitals, psychiatric clinics, and daycares. Her work has been published in American Heritage Magazine, Ruminate Magazine and the anthology It’s All About Shoes, and she was a finalist for the 2019 Montana Prize. Connelly has a home in the mountains of Western North Carolina but lives most of the year in Brooklyn, New York. Find out more: https://melissaconnelly.com/

Follow Melissa Connelly on social media: 

Website: https://melissaconnelly.com Facebook: @melissaconnellywriter | Instagram: @melissaconnellywriter

In an interview, Melissa Connelly can discuss:

• How she uses multiple timelines to show the social changes between 1970s and 2000s
• How she came about writing Marti’s story of childhood sexual trauma and the help she receives to overcome her past demons
• Why her fictionalized story is an all too common occurrence in real life and how it helps bring light to those who can’t speak up
• How the alienation of childhood grooming and sexual abuse pushes Marti away from her friends and family
• How Marti’s inability to connect with her teenage daughter stems from her past trauma fracturing their mother/daughter relationship
• How she’s publishing her first novel in her 60s and the inspiration to become an author

An Interview with Melissa Connelly

1. What inspired you to write and share Marti’s story? Do you know people who may have experienced similar circumstances?

When I originally came up with the idea, I thought it was almost exactly what had happened to someone I knew when I was 16. I’d lost touch with this friend but while I was near the end of writing the novel, out of the blue I heard from her. However, I had the details of her story all wrong. So in fact, I did create the story. That said, I’ve known many people who experienced sexual abuse and I’ve dealt with it professionally as a child psychiatric therapist.

2. Part of the book is set in a world where abortion wasn’t readily available everywhere. What did you want to convey by setting the story in the 1970s?

I completed the book before Roe v Wade was overturned. I wanted to show how hard it was before Roe. Now, of course, I feel it’s even more relevant. It could easily be set today.

3. How do you believe this novel resonates with current social movements, like #MeToo? 

The shaming that victims feel goes very deep. It’s why I say she felt “complicit” in her abuse. I grew up in a time where these things were never discussed— even among people going through it or people who knew about it. So the more light that is shed, the better. (Please answer in 2-5 sentences. If this is an area you can expand upon more fully, let me know as that may be a good guest article topic for you)

4. Aside from Marti’s reconciliation with her past, there’s also an underlying theme of mother/daughter relationships. Why was it important to include Marti’s relationship with her daughter Tess? 

Tess’s adolescence is the catalyst for Marti’s awakening memories. She’s terrified for Tess. And like all parents, Marti parents either as she was parented, or as a reaction to it. Each generation makes their own mistakes; essentially, all parents are fighting the last war.

5. Writing Marti’s story must have been a careful process. How did you approach sharing her story with sensitivity while also creating a balance with hope and resilience? 

Some of the darkest sections of the book were not planned at all, an example being the hitchhiking scene. They just flowed out of me and I went “uh-oh” but knew I had to go with it. Ultimately, I am an optimist–as James Baldwin said, it’s your responsibility to be so if you are alive. And I knew Marti was a survivor and I rooted for her.

Download press kit and photos

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.

booksforward.com/about-us/marissa-decuir/

Romance, academia, and Filipino deities dial up the intensity inYA paranormal fantasy

  LAS VEGAS, Nevada – A demon  has possessed an 18-year-old girl and believes the hard part is over–only to discover college can be hell–in this thrilling YA fantasy continuation of The Girl inspired by Filipino mythology and gods, “The Demon” (BookBaby, Oct 1, 2024).

Victory Witherkeigh was longlisted for the CIBA Ozma Award and a bronze winner at the 2023 Spring the Bookfest Awards. Now she continues to explore Filipina/Pacific Islander heritage by combining pre-colonial myths of gods and demons, the history of colonization in the Philippines, and all-too-relatable experiences of entering college to create an absorbing modern fantasy that first-generation American teens in particular will see themselves in.

About the book: After finally possessing the Girl’s body, the Demon is ready to execute the carefully laid plans by her former master, Death. But with no memories of the plan and only a few vague memories of a deal with Filipino warrior LapuLapu, the Demon faces punishment in the form of mortality, leaving her imprisoned in the former Girl’s university life: freshman year at UC Berkeley. Can a demon have an identity crisis?

“The Demon”

Victory Witherkeigh | Oct 1, 2024

BookBaby | YA paranormal fantasy

Paperback | 979-8350951110 | $15.99

Ebook | B0CYJQXC9Q | $4.99

VICTORY WITHERKEIGH is an award-winning female Filipino/PI author from Los Angeles, CA. Her debut novel, The Girl, was published in December 2022 with Cinnabar Moth Publishing. The Girl has been a finalist for Killer Nashville’s 2020 Claymore Award and was long-listed in the 2022 CIBA OZMA Fantasy Book Awards. The Girl won Third Place for YA Thriller in the 2023 Spring The Bookfest Awards. Her creative content creation for her Author TikTok also won First Place in the 2023 Spring The Bookfest Awards for Creative Content. She has short story print publications in horror anthologies such as Supernatural Drabbles of Dread through Macabre Ladies Publishing, Bodies Full of Burning through Sliced Up Press, In Filth It Shall Be Found through OutCast Press, and Nightmare Fuel’s 2022 Edition: Objects of Horror, etc. Find out more about her at: https://victorywitherkeigh.com/

Photo credit: Kat Goodloe 

Follow Victory on social media: 

Facebook: @victorywitherkeigh | Twitter: @witherkeigh | Instagram: @victory_witherkeigh

Learn more about The Girl

2020 Killer Nashville Claymore Award, finalist

2023 CIBA Ozma fantasy book award, longlisted

2023 Spring the Bookfest Awards, third place winner for best YA thriller

The parents knew it had been a mistake to have a girl. At birth, the girl’s long, elegant fingers wriggled and grasped forward, motioning to strangle the very air from her mother’s lungs. As she grew older, she grew more like her father, whose ancestors would dream of those soon to die. She walked and talked in her sleep, and her parents warded themselves, telling the girl that she was evil, unlovable, their burden to bear only until her eighteenth birthday released them.

The average person on the streets of Los Angeles would look at the girl and see a young woman with dark chocolate eyes, curly long hair, and tanned skin of her Filipina heritage. Her teachers praised her for her scholarly achievements and extracurricular activities, from academic decathlon to cheer.

The girl knew she was different, especially as she grew to accept that the other children’s parents didn’t despise them. Her parents whispered about their pact as odd and disturbing occurrences continued to happen around her. The girl thought being an evil demon should require the skies to bleed, the ground to tremble, an animal sacrifice to seal the bargain, or at least cause some general mayhem. Did other demons work so hard to find friends, do well on their homework, and protect their spoiled younger brother?

The demon was patient. It could afford to wait, to remind the girl when she was hurt that power was hers to take. She needed only embrace it. It could wait. The girl’s parents were doing much of its work already.

In an interview, Victory can discuss:

• How her identity as a Filipino-American inspired her writing process
• How she includes Filipino culture, mythology and history into her story
• How her portrayal of the Demon in real life plays as a metaphor for the inner demons young people face 
• How the Girl subverts the stereotypical “golden” girl heroine and how the Demon’s morally gray anti-heroine is a resistance from the likable female characters
• Why it’s important for Victory to keep diversity among her characters, especially in a niche genre like YA horror 

An Interview with Victory Witherkeigh

1. This is the companion chapter to your award-winning first novel, The Girl. What are some of the challenges you faced when writing this second half?

Writing The Demon was a more significant and structured challenge than my initial experience writing The Girl during NaNoWriMo. It is very different tackling writing a novel with set deadlines for drafts and having review sessions for the manuscript. When writing my first novel, I could pace myself and show it to others only when I felt ready. Therefore, tackling this novel with set deadlines for drafts and having review sessions for the manuscript introduced me to an entirely new experience of following more structured writing schedules and making adjustments to the manuscript based on feedback.

2. The Demon explores more of the Filipino mythology. How did you incorporate more of that into the story?

Since I knew this novel would have a much more direct viewpoint from The Demon, I had to prepare for writing this novel by doing as much research into the deities and mythology I heard as a child. While I love the stories I heard as a kid, I knew that time and my memories of the tales could drastically differ from what modern researchers have discovered with new translations or discoveries. As an adult, conducting a thorough analysis of the deities and their origins made it easier for me to create rich backstories for the other characters, including specific details about their appearances and the specializations of Death’s generals.

3. One of the underlying themes of this book is facing your inner demons. Why was it important to include that in your story?

So many coming-of-age stories end just as the character is graduating high school and going off to college. I often feel that the actual nitty-gritty growth occurs at this point because we usually don’t even confront our inner demons in their proper form until we’re on our own for the first time as legal adults. I wanted to include this struggle because it’s a universal battle we all have at one point or another. It’s often a harrowing journey because you slowly realize that getting what you think you want is not the solace it once was. I wanted to show that one’s mental health journey is valid. There will come a time when mental health and its discussion aren’t so terrifying or lonely; we are not alone in struggling with some of these darker emotional discussions. 

4. Another major theme of this book is the legacy of colonization left in The Philippines. What was your intention in sharing that history with your readers?

The legacy of colonization is so messy and complicated to unpack. Still, I wanted to include the discovery of those ramifications because I felt it’s an essential part of growing up – being able to challenge the worldviews of one’s parents or ancestors and decide one’s own opinion. As children, history often comes from only one source or one viewpoint, and it can be jarring to realize the inherent biases that trickle into our lives. I hoped that by showcasing a character realizing their view of the world shifted and discovering the good and bad elements in the legacy of their homelands’ colonization, readers could identify their struggles in that journey.

Download press kit and photos

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.

booksforward.com/about-us/marissa-decuir/