Author: Marissa DeCuir

Investigator Shana Merchant returns to solve the case and find her kidnapper

DARIEN, CT – In Tessa Wegert’s chilling third offering in the Shana Merchant series, Dead Wind (April 5, 2022, Severn House), readers follow Shana back to the Thousand Islands where a recent murder disrupts the peace the residents have come to expect from their small town. But it’s not just the secrets of this small town that Shana unveils. Still rattled by the truth behind her kidnapper’s true identity, Shana pulls all her resources to find the killer and track Blake Bram.

The body is discovered on Wolfe Island, under the shadow of an enormous wind turbine. Shana, arriving on the scene with fellow investigator Tim Wellington, can’t shake the feeling that she knows the victim – and the subsequent identification sends shockwaves through their community in the Thousand Islands of Upstate New York.

Politics, power, passion . . . there are dark undercurrents in Shana’s new home, and finding the killer means dredging up her new friends and neighbors’ old grudges and long-kept secrets.
That is, if the killer is from the community at all. For Shana’s keeping a terrible secret from almost everyone around her: eighteen months ago she escaped from serial killer Blake Bram’s clutches. But has he followed her, to kill again? “Wegert melds the police investigation so deftly with Shana’s endless family drama.” – Kirkus review

“An atmospheric, sophisticated thriller with layers upon layers of secrets lurking amidst the beauty of New York State’s Thousand Islands, Dead Wind shows Shana Merchant and Wegert at the top of their game.”
— Sarah Stewart Taylor, author of The Mountains Wild and A Distant Grave

“Dead Wind”
Tessa Wegert | April 5, 2022 | Severn House
Hardcover | 978 1 4483 0712 8 | $28.99
Ebook | $18.99
Mystery/Thriller

More about Tessa Wegert

Tessa Wegert is the author of the Shana Merchant series of mysteries, which includes DEATH IN THE FAMILY, THE DEAD SEASON, and DEAD WIND (2022). A former freelance journalist, Tessa’s work has appeared in Forbes, The Huffington Post, Adweek, and The Economist. She grew up in Quebec and now lives with her husband and children in Coastal Connecticut. Find out more about Tessa at www.tessawegert.com.

Follow Tessa on social media:
Facebook: @tessawegertbooks
Twitter: @tessawegert
Instagram: @tessawegert

In an interview, Tessa can discuss:

• Creating the character of investigator Shana Merchant and her serial killer blood relative, Blake Bram.
• The Thousand Islands as the setting and her Canadian roots
• Modernizing Agatha Christie-style detective fiction
• The theme of anxiety and PTSD throughout the series
• The strategy involved in writing a mystery series
• The difference between mysteries, thrillers, police procedurals, and suspense
• Current publishing industry trends like female-led detective stories and “killer in the family” plots

An Interview with Tessa Wegert

1. Shana Merchant is such a smart and secretive detective with a ton of layers beyond being a senior investigator. How did you start developing her character?

I grew up watching Columbo and reading Agatha Christie’s Poirot novels. I was dazzled by the way Columbo manipulated suspects into revealing the truth, while Poirot was so attuned to the psychology behind the crimes he investigated. I think my fascination with both characters contributed to the development of Shana Merchant. I knew I wanted to write a female investigator who was complex and a little bit flawed rather than a cookie-cutter “tough as nails” detective with something to prove. As a result, Shana really analyzes her suspects’ behavior and neuroses to get to the root of the crime and uses their weaknesses to her advantage. Because she has some mental health issues of her own, there’s a real push and pull between her and her suspects that makes her more vulnerable and ups the story’s tension.

2. As a native Canadian, I can understand wanting to use it as a setting in your books. What led you to choose the Thousand Islands specifically as the setting for this series?

Five years ago, I took a trip to Wolfe Island, Ontario and was struck by its vast, flat landscape and massive wind farm. I thought it would make for an arresting crime scene. While the majority of the Shana Merchant series is set on the American side of the Thousand Islands, Wolfe Island allowed me to challenge Shana and her team by taking some of the action to Canada, where they would have to collaborate with the Ontario Provincial Police. Islands already feature prominently in the series, mainly because I love the dichotomy between the sleepy, sheltered communities on the mainland and the remote and rugged islands. This is a region where violent crime is an exception to the norm on both sides of the border…but I grew up in a small town myself, and I can attest to the secrets that lurk in the homes of neighbors and friends. The more familiar and comforting the setting, the greater the sense of disquiet when the mystery unfolds.

3. Did you know Bram’s connection to Shana before writing the first book in the series?

I knew from the start that I wanted Shana and Blake Bram, her one-time abductor and the killer she’s been hunting, to be connected by blood. The idea that a police investigator could be related to a serial murderer was so disconcerting, and there was a ton of moral and emotional material there for me to unpack. Imagine discovering a member of your family had committed the most heinous of crimes — and then being tasked with apprehending them? That notion was just too chilling to pass up.

4. What was the attraction of putting a contemporary spin on classic, Agatha Christie-style detective fiction?

I’ve always been a fan of Agatha Christie’s novels, but I hadn’t come across many contemporary takes on the Golden Age detective fiction of old. I wrote the first book, Death in the Family, as an homage to And Then There Were None, and realized the series had similar characteristics to Christie’s books: a clever, independent detective with some quirks, a wide variety of suspects, themes of justice and morality. I’m always immensely flattered when readers tell me my books remind them of Christie’s masterful stories.

5. The story also deals with a lot of mental health concerns. Why did you decide to incorporate anxiety or PTSD?

Mental health is a relatively common theme in thrillers, but with the exception of depression and addiction — which plague a good number of fictional detectives — it’s primarily the antagonist who suffers from mental illness. I just don’t think that’s realistic. Shana not only investigates violent crime, but was a victim of abduction and psychological manipulation herself, and it was hard to imagine that this wouldn’t have a profound effect on her mental health. Depicting her as a woman struggling with PTSD felt like the most authentic approach. Anxiety is a theme throughout the series, to some extent because I think anxiety is often downplayed and dismissed rather than treated like the potentially serious mental disorder that it is. In fiction writing, conditions like this can be convenient subplots, but as a person who’s struggled with anxiety myself, it was important to me to portray Shana’s journey as realistically as possible — progression, relapses, and all.

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/

MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota – In her powerful memoir, “Warda: My Journey from the Horn of Africa to a College Education,” Somali-American writer Warda Mohamed Abdullahi not only tells the story of her own resilience but also that of striving refugees around the world.

Set in the rugged shrublands of rural Ethiopia, the contentious neighborhoods of South Africa, and the icy streets of Michigan, Warda is the story of a fierce young woman on a tireless quest to become the first member of her family to go to college.

Born in Saudi Arabia to undocumented, ethnic Somali parents living hundreds of miles from their ancestral homeland, Warda Mohamed Abdullahi loses her mother in a horrific accident as a baby and must live apart from her father until she’s eleven years old. As she grows up, she faces tragedy and triumph, from staring down a wild leopard to protect her family’s sheep and goats, to carefully crossing borders and evading immigration officials across Africa, and traveling with her family to America to begin life anew.

Warda is a powerful memoir that will help readers understand the inequities and injustices embedded in a global system that determines who is allowed to move freely and live where they choose. It is the story of a father’s relentless quest to give his eldest daughter the opportunities he never had and a daughter’s perseverance, determination, and steadfast refusal to let go of a dream.

“Warda: My Journey from the Horn of Africa to a College Education”
Warda Mohamed Abdullahi | December 15, 2020 | Beaver’s Pond Press |
Memoir / Nonfiction
Paperback | ISBN: 643439197 | $17.95
E-book | $9.99

About the Author

Warda Mohamed Abdullahi currently resides in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, with her hooyo and aabo. She recently graduated from Saint Catherine University and is taking a year off to be with her family, including her daughter Rahma Abu Bakar Ibrahim. Warda looks forward to continuing her journey towards her doctorate in medicine, her lifelong learning in Islam, and spending time with her family. Find out more about her at wardaabdullahi.com.

Follow Warda Mohamed Abdullahi on social media:
Twitter: @WardaAbdullahi3 | Instagram: @warda_abdullahi | TikTok: @Wardanuurah
LinkedIn: Warda Abduallahi | Facebook: Warda Mohammed Abdullahi
Clubhouse: Warda.abdullahi

In an interview, Warda Mohamed Abdullahi can discuss:

• Her early experiences born the daughter of undocumented, ethnic Somali parents, losing her mother and living apart from her father, and eventually finding refuge in the United States
• Her experiences as a refugee from Africa and the unique struggles faced by refugees
• The inequities and injustices faced by refugees, determining who moves freely and where they can live
• Her unwavering determination to pursue education in the United States as a refugee, plus her first impressions of school in America and her future goals
• World Refugee Day on June 20, 2022

An Interview with Warda Mohamed Abdullahi

Before we dive into everything else, would you please introduce yourself and tell us a little about your background?

My name is Warda Abdullahi, and I was born in Saudi Arabia. I have lived in many different places throughout Africa, where I faced many obstacles, such as loss of education, living through a drought, and losing my mother. But after everything, I still succeeded. I live in Minnesota now. I graduated from Saint Catherine University with a bachelor’s degree in Public Health while I wrote the book, “Warda.”

Why was it so important to you to be the first member of your family to go to college? What did that represent to you?

It represented change, a look into a better life and ditching our former nomadic pastoral lives. The Somalis have this saying which directly translates to “the last camel’s following the first,” so I wanted to be the first to create a chain reaction of success.

What was your first impression of school in America?

On my first day of high school in America, the school was big, and there were so many students, unlike in South Africa. Schools there are smaller, and there are not many students. I was confused. I had never seen students talk back to their teachers. It was certainly a first for me. Back home, we were taught that teachers are our second parents and should always respect them. Treat them as our parents. I could not stop thinking about how this student was not taking advantage of their opportunities around the world; kids their age pray to have an education every day. However, it has alway have been a dream of mine to have access to the best education in the world and despite everything I have been through, it was a fresh start for me where I could pursue my goals and dreams.

Has your relationship with academia been what you thought it would be? We see you have plans to pursue another degree…

Since I was 6, I have always wanted to become a family medicine doctor or a pediatrician. I will continue to pursue that dream, and any additional skills I may acquire will help toward that.

Your mentor, Mackenzie Wellman, wrote a beautiful afterword for your book. How did you two meet, and how did your relationship with her shape your life?

We met through a mentorship program during my junior year of high school at Ottawa Hills High School. Through the years of mentoring me, Mackenzie Wellmen became a family to me. She often comes down to Minnesota and hangs out with my family. She is the kindest and most caring human I have ever met. I am honored to have Mackenzie as my mentor as a first-generation student; she was a godsend as she guided me through applying to scholarships and different universities.

Obviously your story is one of resilience, but it is also one of hardships and self doubt – what kept you moving forward?

My father was my biggest supporter and motivator. He encouraged me to never give up on my education. He always reminds me of how he didn’t get the chance to go college and how all his hopes and dreams had been taken away.

I grew up in a place where every child’s dream was to have an education but was not available or affordable. Because of this, I made it a point to take advantage of the opportunities around me.

You identify as Somali-American, but you’ve lived all over (rural Ethiopia, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, Michigan and now Minnesota ). Do you feel connections to all of these cultures? How so?

Yes, I do feel connected to all these countries I have been to. Even though I was born in Saudi Arabia, I was raised in Ethiopia and this is the country that I am most connected to because I grew up and where most of my family is from. South Africa is the country where my journey to education started and I met my father after 10 years.

Can you discuss some of the unique struggles faced by refugees? You’ve mentioned the importance of highlighting the inequities and injustices that determine who moves freely and where they can live.

Some of the inequities and injustices refugees face are no access to food and water, also education. Throughout my life, refugees have been facing inequalities and no opportunities of education and I believe unless we do something about it, it will not change.

What’s next for you?

My future goal is to go to medical school to become a family medicine doctor and to raise my kids.

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/

Laura Engel’s memoir, “You’ll Forget This Ever Happened”, reveals the dark truth of adoption in the 1960s

SAN DIEGO, California – Laura L. Engel’s memoir, You’ll Forget This Ever Happened is not just the story of Laura but of thousands of girls and women in the 1960s.

By writing her truth, Laura gives a voice to that seventeen year old girl caught up in a tangle of a secret pregnancy and the relinquishment of her son. Her book is passionate and emotional, yet educates the reader about that time period and the guilt and trauma that women endured. This book delves into how a traumatic secret is never forgotten and colors the secret keeper’s life. Laura’s book shows how the bursting open of this shameful secret colored her life and changed the direction of it in a powerful and positive way.

This book is not only an act of love for Laura’s long missed secret son, and the three sons she raised, but for the thousands of adoptees who wonder why they were given up and for the women affected over those decades by the stigma of having a child out of wedlock.

“You’ll Forget This Ever Happened”
Laura Engel | May 10th, 2022 | She Writes Press | Memoir | Paperback | 978-164742-349-01 | $16.95

LAURA ENGEL: Laura L. Engel, born and raised on the Mississippi Gulf Coast transplanted to San Diego over 50 years ago. She is married to the love of her life, Gene, and the mother of five beloved grown children and an adored golden retriever, Layla Louise. Laura is the proud Grammy of 10 cherished grandchildren.

In 2016 Laura retired from a 35-year career in the corporate world with plans to quietly catch up on hobbies and travels with her husband Gene. In October of that year her plans changed when a miracle happened in her life. She soon found herself busier than ever taking writing classes and writing up a storm about a secret she thought she would take to her grave.

Along with writing her memoir, Laura holds the office of President of San Diego Memoir Writers Association and is an active member of the International Women Writers Guild. She is also a member of San Diego Writers Ink and San Diego Writers and Editors Guild.

Today finds Laura fulfilling her life-long dream having written her first book, a memoir she never dreamed she would write, You’ll Forget This Ever Happened – Secrets, Shame, and Adoption in the 1960s published by She Writes Press and available May 2022.

Follow Laura on social media:
Facebook: @lauralengelauthor | Twitter: @LauraLEngel1 | Instagram: @storytellerlaura

In an interview, Laura can discuss:

• Her personal experience of adoption in the 1960s and her time in the home for unwed mothers
• How this early traumatic event shaped her as a young woman
• The joy of reuniting with family that you never imagined you would see again, and what the journey of finding her son was like
• How to hold onto hope in the worst of times, and offering support and guidance for those experiencing a similar loss
• The experience of writing such a personal story, and the feelings it brought up for her as she went through the process of authoring this book

An Interview with Laura Engel

1. How did losing your son at such a young age shape how you lived the rest of your life?

The trajectory of my life changed dramatically after the traumatic experience of losing my first born son in 1967. It not only affected my self-confidence and belief in who I was, but pushed me into leaving my home and all I knew in order to survive a constant pain and reminder of what had happened. All of my plans changed after leaving New Orleans and I was determined to reinvent myself and create a different life which included moving as far away as I could, marrying, and having more children to keep and love.

2. Do you know of other women who experienced giving up their child during the 1960’s? Did they also reunite with their lost children?

Yes, I know birth mothers from that time. Some did reunite. Some chose not to for various reasons. One thing that has been prevalent in all of their stories is the shame, guilt, and secrecy that they still feel fifty years later. Although some did not want to reunite, they all were glad to finally learn where their children were and if they were okay.

3. Did you ever imagine you would reunite with your son?

This is an interesting question for me. Yes and No. From the time I learned I would have to give up my son, I stood my ground and would not change my name,( a thing encouraged at that time – after all the Home said, why would you want to risk your name being attached to this shameful experience? ) From the day I entered the Home I hoped my son would find his birth certificate and find me some day. I tried to find him for years but before the internet it was next to impossible as the Louisiana records were sealed.

4. Has writing this book helped you to process the events? How did it feel to look back at all these memories?

It was so painful. I had held that secret inside of me for 50 years. Now, I was writing about it – releasing that pain – telling the world. I dove through all the emotions and relived that traumatic time in my life and soon emerged a stronger and healthier woman. I would wake in the middle of the night and see the girls at the Home in 1967. I would clearly see their faces and remember their names. I would remember the couple of times I held that baby boy in my arms and I would weep.

5. What advice would you give to your younger self as you reflect on your experiences?

In April 2016 I thought I would never know my secret son and one day I wrote a letter to my seventeen year old self from the older woman I was now. I told that young troubled girl although she thought her life was over that she would go on to have a good life filled with love. I assured her she would get through this time and she needed to forgive herself. I assured her she was loved by me – her much older self. That letter sits in a drawer in my desk today and is included in my memoir. Six months later, my son found me.

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/

Veterinarian turned author weaves magical debut reminiscent of “The Woman in White”

La Quinta, CA — Author J. Fremont makes her authorial debut with an enchanting historical fiction novel that explores the topics of love, the supernatural, art, and insanity. Drawing inspiration from a dream she had about her characters and her personal love of glass fusing, her labor of love has come to fruition with Magician of Light (May 17, 2022, She Writes Press).

One of the most innovative designers of his time, René Lalique was a leader in the decorative arts. Magician of Light begins in his adolescent years in Paris as a striving apprentice. Meanwhile, across the channel, Lucinda Haliburton is facing her own struggles, including a dysfunctional family and history of mental illness. Her grandfather, Lord Haliburton, suggests a visit to his archeological dig in Egypt in an effort to help her escape her difficulties at home—but the trip ends in disaster, and Lucinda returns to England with the belief that she is being preyed upon by ancient Egyptian spirits.

Rene and Lucinda’s paths cross when he leaves Paris to continue his studies at a nearby art college. His fascination with Egypt sparks a connection with Lucinda, and romance blooms—but is complicated by her mental condition. Overactive imagination, insanity, or a real haunting? Will their love see them through?

Magician of Light touches on the truth of Lalique’s illustrious life, the people most important to him, and the anguish of some of those personal relationships, creating a unique view of his real life and a compelling storybook love story.

“Magician of Light”
J. Fremont | May 17, 2022 | She Writes Press | Historical Fiction
Paperback | 9781647423551 | $16.99 | Ebook | 978164723568 | $9.95

Praise for J. Fremont and Magician of Light

“Reminiscent of Wilkie Collins’ ‘The Woman in White’, Fremont weaves a gripping tale of spirits, hallucinations, insanity and betrayal to take the reader into the life of the famous Rene Lalique.”
—Lucinda Jackson – Author of Just a Girl: Growing Up Female and Ambitious and Project Escape: Lessons for an Unscripted Life

“With each stroke of the pen, Dr. J Fremont gives us an in-depth view of the masterful art of René Lalique. The settings, art medium, and process Lalique used to create his art was so intricately described that it placed you into the scene of each chapter. Fremont so eloquently details the imagery of Lalique’s work in Magician of Light that it connects you as if you were an observer at a Fine Art Exhibition.”

—M. Bernard Edmonds, (BerniE.) – Author, Artist, Sculptor, Song Writer

“Fremont’s detailed account of Lalique’s life takes the reader on a fascinating journey as he seeks to find his place in the world of art. She captures the atmosphere of Paris and London, where the mystical lived side by side with the rational. Reminiscent of 19th Century gothic novels, this fictional account of the artist’s life is both engaging and informative.”

—Susan Speranza, author of The City of Light, The Tale of Lucia Grandi – The Early Years and Ice Out

“Subtle, smart, compelling, and blessed with an intelligent storyline and top-notch writing, MAGICIAN OF LIGHT transports us to European life at the end of the 19th Century. Through Fremont’s sensory descriptions, readers practically live—smell, taste, see, touch, and hear—the life and art of René Lalique.”

—Laurie Buchanan, author of Note to Self: A Seven-Step Path to Gratitude and Growth, The Business of Being: Soul Purpose In and Out of the Workplace, and the Sean McPherson novels

More about the Author

J. Fremont is an author and veterinarian. For more than twenty-five years, she practiced small animal veterinary medicine in addition to serving as an adjunct professor at a local university and community college. The mother of two adult sons, she lives in Southern California with her husband of thirty years. Retired from veterinary medicine, J now spends her time developing her artistic side. In addition to writing, she is a passionate practitioner of the decorative arts, including jewelry making, glass fusing, sewing, and creating mixed media for fun. She enjoys photography, gardening, and posting on Instagram, as well as building gorgeous Pinterest boards. You can find her on her website: https://drjfremont.com/

Follow J. Fremont on social media:
Facebook: @jfremont | Instagram: @insidetheegg

In an interview, J. Fremont can discuss:

• The book’s journey from a dream to a full-length novel
• How the supernatural and ghosts play an integral role in her novel
• How personal love of art, jewelry making and glass fusing informed her main character, René Lalique
• Navigating themes of mental health, hallucinations, and insanity
• Her passion for European dress, food, and daily life in the late 1800s to early 1900s
• Her intuition as a Veterinarian, and the special place animals hold in our hearts

An Interview with the Author:

1. The original idea for your novel, Magician of Light, originated from a dream. Can you talk a little bit about how this dream sparked your motivation to write this novel? What was the process to take this idea from a dream to a full-length novel?

While I was creating my short stories on my blog and writing and researching for a novel about ancient Egypt, I had a dream about meeting a man sitting in a chair behind a counter. I didn’t know him but he appeared to me again three months later and told me I am to promote him. I finally came across Lalique’s picture on the internet about 18 months later (exactly how I saw him in the first dream) and knew that he would be part of my novel. Ultimately, he became the story as I delved into his personal life and came to know him.

2. Themes of the supernatural, hallucinations, and ghosts are integral to this story; what is the significance of adding in these elements?

The supernatural has always drawn me, and I have strong intuition. Over the years, I have had
many experiences with the metaphysical and precognition, especially in dreams. I lived in a
home built in the early 1900s, originally a boarding house, haunted by a presence felt on the
stairs (I always ran on the stairs to avoid being on them). Later in life, my mother told me she
could hear someone walking on the stairs at night. I added these elements to my story because
the unknown is intriguing, a little scary sometimes, and I like suspense.

3. One of your personal hobbies is glass fusing. How did this passion for art extend your knowledge of the famous glass maker, artist and main character, René Lalique?

I wrote the book before I took up glass fusing, so Lalique influenced me in this area. I love beads and have been making my jewelry for over 25 years. While I was creating my novel, I had to restrain myself from focusing on my beads and not on writing. I definitely feel that his artistry inspired the pieces I did during that time. Lalique was a crucial influence in the development of art nouveau, an era of art that I have always admired.

4. You touch on themes of mental health and insanity in The Magician of Light. How did you navigate writing about these topics in a sensitive but relatable and compelling manner?

I approached my character’s mental issues from a scientific approach researching the techniques being used to treat mental illness in people in that era. Placement in insane asylums is how they removed most of the mentally ill from society. Psychology was a burgeoning science in the late 19th century with some barbaric treatments because doctors didn’t know what to do with people who perceived reality differently than most. In my novel, my character with mental illness is seeing spirits. I leave it up to my reader to decide what is real and what is not.

5. Readers have commended your excellent attention to detail when it comes to European dress, food, and daily life in the late 1800s to early 1900s. Have you always had an affinity for this time period? Where did you draw inspiration in order to write so succinctly about this particular era?

I read a great deal of classic literature, especially Charles Dickens, in high school and early college and developed an affinity towards this time period, especially fashion. Part of the allure of historical programs (fiction and nonfiction) is to see the beautiful clothes and accessories. I credit my late mother with introducing me to art and, in particular, art nouveau. The gorgeous, flowing curves and intricate design appeals to me.

6. Why is Magician of Light an important story to you and what do you hope readers take away from your book?

After dreaming of Lalique, I felt as though I received an extraordinary gift. His identity was a mystery to solve, and I love a good puzzle. After discovering him, I wanted to bring him to life and create a renewal of appreciation for his prolific art and him personally. I want my readers to feel more familiar with Lalique, the fin de siècle era, and feel great satisfaction for having read my story.

7. What were some challenges that you faced when writing this book and how did you overcome them?

The biggest challenge was finding material regarding his personal life, as most books focus on his phenomenal art. I bought some books and did a lot of surfing on the internet to find relevant data. The other challenge was that I don’t speak French. Over time, using a variety of resources, I learned some. One of the reference books that I used in research was in French. I ended up typing many, many words, paragraphs, pages into Google Translate.

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/

With a cover designed by the author’s brother, Daniel Libeskind, and a compelling story inspired by their mother, the novel is a moving tribute to the bonds that connect us

New York, NY–The master planner of rebuilding Ground Zero, world-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind, has created a new piece of art for the cover of “The Corset Maker,” the forthcoming historical fiction novel by his sister, author Annette Libeskind Berkovits. The novel–loosely inspired by their mother’s real life story–is a powerful addition to the genre of 20th century historical fiction, and is slated for release on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2022 from Amsterdam Publishers.

In Warsaw, Poland, the young Rifka Berg, raised in an ultra Orthodox home, asks her father why girls don’t have bar mitzvahs. Eventually, his answer provokes Rifka to risk everything. In a bold move, unheard of at the time, Rifka and her close friend, Bronka, open their own business–a corset shop on the most fashionable street in Warsaw. In an unforgettable journey, Rifka soon becomes embroiled in some of the most violent events of the century: the Jewish-Arab conflict in Palestine, the Spanish Civil War and the Nazi occupation of Southern France. As her involvement deepens, she sees firsthand how autocratic rule deprives people of even the simplest freedoms.

Time and again, Rifka is faced with heart-wrenching choices. She must decide if there is ever a time to abandon her principles for a higher purpose. Rifka’s personal struggles and dilemmas go to the heart of the major ethical issues and challenges of our time.

“The Corset Maker”
Annette Libeskind Berkovits | March 8, 2022 | Amsterdam Publishers | Historical Fiction
Hardcover | 9789493231924 | $26.99
Paperback | 9789493231917 | $19.99
Ebook | 9789493231931 | $6.99

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Annette Libeskind Berkovits is the author of two acclaimed memoirs: “In the Unlikeliest of Places: How Nachman Libeskind Survived the Nazis, Gulags and Soviet Communism” a story of her father’s survival, and “Confessions of an Accidental Zoo Curator.” She has also penned a poetry book, “Erythra Thalassa: Brain Disrupted.” “The Corset Maker” is her first novel. To learn more about Annette’s life and work, visit her website: annetteberkovits.com

Follow Annette Libeskind Berkovits on social media:
Facebook: @annettelibeskindberkovitsauthor | Twitter: @ALBerkovits

ABOUT THE DESIGNER:

Daniel Libeskind is an internationally renowned architect, known for the Jewish Museum in Berlin, the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, and the Dublin Performing Arts Center in Ireland, among many others. His Master Plan for rebuilding the World Trade Center site in New York City was selected in 2003 and has served as the blueprint for the entire site, including the Freedom Tower, the Memorial, the Museum, and the PATH Terminal.

Praise for “The Corset Maker”

“‘The Corset Maker’ is a tale of the twentieth century that celebrates human resilience. It
is an enchanting, resonant novel inspired by the life of Dora Libeskind and seen through
the eyes of Rifka. Berkovits weaves a story of a quintessential rebel in times of global
crisis and war. Threads of Nazism, Anti-Semitism, and sexism make for a compelling,
fast-paced narrative that sees a young heroine navigate the world in search of her
destiny.”
—Daniel Libeskind, architect; Founder Studio Daniel Libeskind; Author of a dozen
books including “Breaking Ground” and “Edge of Order;” Berlin and New York

“Annette Libeskind Berkovits has made central moments of twentieth century history
come alive. An Orthodox Jewish girl rebels against her family and becomes an entrepreneur only to face anti-Semitism. She travels to Palestine and Spain and France, each time to survive more violence. Love and violence are at the core of this extraordinary novel. Berkovits fills history with romance.”
—John J. Clayton, award-winning author of “Kuperman’s Fire,” “What Are Friends For,” and “Mitzvah Man;” Leverett, MA

“‘The Corset Maker’ begins in the fall of 1930. Nationalism is surfacing as Europe teeters. In Warsaw Poland 12-year-old Rifka Berg asks her beloved Ultra-Orthodox father why girls don’t have bar mitzvahs. His answer brings about an epiphany that changes the course of her life. Thus begins Rifka’s life’s journey: continents will be crossed, wars will be won, and others lost, there will be love and there will be unspeakable genocide. Even Rifka’s name and identity must change for her to survive, but Rifka’s search for the truth of experience, for the very meaning of life and her place in it will never wane. Timely and more relevant to today than is comfortable. This is the journey of the hero in the truest sense of Joseph Campbell.”
—Jim Cooper, photographer and author of “Funeral in Montauk;” Mosfellsbær, Iceland

“‘The Corset Maker’ is a compelling story of girlhood, war, survival – and against all odds, a story of finding out who you truly are. It is a beautifully written journey that weaves together the personal and the historical. I was gripped by this unique and courageous protagonist – and found myself alongside her throughout the book. It is without a doubt one of the most fascinating and meaningful books I have read.”
—Rachel Arnow, artist and author of “Kinder Kalender,” “All the World From A-Z,” and “The Wild West;” Berlin, Germany

“With her eloquent and captivating writing Annette Berkovits transports one to the riveting saga of survival, resilience, and ingenuity of a young woman from Warsaw, Poland. Set mainly in the twists and turns of the first half of 20 th century Europe, ‘The Corset Maker’ ignites the reader’s imagination of history and brings to life the hard choices and challenges facing young people during that time. The story concludes with an unexpected ending in the last decade of the century. I simply could not put the book down.”
—Zvi Jankelowitz, Director of Institutional Advancement, Yiddish Book Center; Massachusetts

“This sweep of twentieth century European history seen through the eyes of a young Orthodox Jewish woman is a truly gripping read.”
—Joanna Orwin, award-winning author of “Shifting Currents;” Christchurch, New Zealand

“A vivid narrative that poses an urgent and universal question: how to survive as a woman while balancing personal responsibility, solidarity, and pacifist ideals. Readers first meet ‘The Corset Maker’ as she rebels against her Orthodox Jewish upbringing in inter-war Warsaw, striking out for independence with her friend to open a corsetiere’s shop. The departure of her elder sister to join Jewish settlers in Palestine and the arrival of Nazism in Poland combine to send her on an odyssey through Israel and Europe during the cataclysms of the mid 20th century. As she encounters danger and suffering and the anguish of an impossible love she is plunged into political and personal conflict. She is constantly forced by circumstances to question and challenge her own deeply held principles, yet her resilience and commitment to the welfare of others continually shine through the darkest moments.
—Maybelle Wallis, physician and author of “Heart of Cruelty;” Wexford, Ireland

“What a life. What a story. What a journey! Page after page, a woman is revealed whom I wish I could have met in real life. She is an inspiration to every woman trying to find her very own path.”
—Cilia Ebert, Head of Strategy and Planning, German Federal Ministry for Family, Youth, Women and Senior Citizens; Berlin, Germany

“In ‘The Corset Maker,’ Annette Libeskind Berkovits gives us a fascinating novel, spanning
decades of the history of Europe – from Poland to Spain and France – and Palestine, where the future State of Israel is being born. Through a unique friendship between two women, the author explores profound themes such as feminism and pacifism, while placing those ideas against the stark reality of 20th-century history: the Civil War in Spain and the rise of fascism and antisemitism. The reader is drawn into the rich, powerful, and thoughtful narrative.”
—Philip Jolly, journalist; London, United Kingdom

About Amsterdam Publishers; Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Why is publishing Holocaust memoirs by survivors and Holocaust-related literature important?

Amsterdam publishers is the largest international publisher in Europe of Holocaust memoirs by survivors.

Covid-19 has hastened the departure of many Holocaust survivors, resisters, and eyewitnesses of the Second World War. This is especially troubling news given the current rise of antisemitism, neofascism, political extremism, and manipulation of the facts about the Holocaust across the world. During the events at the Capitol on 6 January 2021 some of the rioters wore anti-Jewish hate shirts making mockery of the
annihilation of European Jews.

As never before, reading about the Holocaust seems crucial. We need not only facts and figures, though these, of course, are essential. We need the stories behind the numbers. We need to learn about the life experiences of individuals and families. What were their lives like before, during and after the Holocaust.

Education is the key to preventing antisemitism and Holocaust denial. Hatred, and suspicion of ‘the other’ can only be overcome if we gain a true understanding of the horrors of the Holocaust and the long shadow it has cast on multigenerational families of survivors.

Holocaust memoirs and post Holocaust Jewish literature show the perseverance of ordinary people whose only ‘crime’ was being Jewish in the face of unprecedented discrimination and persecution. Stories by survivors are an irreplaceable source of learning, and the most effective tool when it comes to connecting with young generations today.

Meet the author…

In an interview, Annette Libeskind Berkovits can discuss:

• Which elements of “The Corset Maker” were inspired by her mother’s life
• How the novel explores female friendships, and asks important questions about what makes a woman complete
• How pacifism and violence are portrayed in the novel
• Why and how she braided together three major conflicts of the 20th century
• What it was like working with her brother, Daniel Libeskind, on the cover design

An Interview with Annette Libeskind Berkovits

1. Why did you choose a corset maker as a protagonist of a historical novel that deals with some of the bloodiest events of the twentieth century?

It seemed to me that precisely because a woman who spends time designing undergarments would probably be an excellent example of a woman furthest away from violence. But that’s not how real life happens. Life takes people into directions they’d have never imagined. The corset maker in my novel was inspired by my mother and her three friends who themselves experienced the brutality of the times from the 1930s to the end of WWII and beyond. These were women who found incredible courage under impossible circumstances. I hope that my protagonist can inspire young women of today who often see violence in the media and have no idea how they would react if faced with a real life circumstance of theirs, or their loved ones lives in danger.

2. Most historical novels of that period deal with one huge event—say WWII alone is enough of a subject for many books—yet you’ve woven together not one, not two, but three or more violent events: pre-WWII antisemitic attacks on Jews; the Arab—Jewish conflict in Palestine; the Spanish Civil War and WWII in Southern France. Why include all of these?

Well..it is as you say ambitious, but for some women, the events of the twentieth century, one of the bloodiest in history, actually threw them into such events in a serial manner. This was the case with the women who inspired the novel. My own mother for example escaped the antisemitism in Poland to find herself in the midst of the Arab revolt in Palestine, then found herself at the outbreak of WWII in Warsaw, Poland on September 1, 1939 and after she escaped that hell, she wound up in a brutal Soviet gulag in Siberia. I was interested in exploring what inner resources keep such women going, what gave them strength to survive. I also wanted to spotlight how young women, in particular, can sometimes make spur of the moment decisions that can alter the course of their entire lives.

3. What about the male characters in your novel? How did you happen to invent them?

I started with a very young, curious protagonist and I knew that her insular religious community wouldn’t be enough for her, especially not after she enrolled in a secular school at the behest of her grandmother who was a woman ahead of her times. I just knew that her hormones would begin to make an impact, so meeting a man—well, it had to happen. But how would she react to him? And what if he was a man of a very different social status, a Parisian Count, no less? That’s the stuff of moving the plot forward. Of course in her long life there would be other men, for other reasons.

4. I found it interesting that you placed this young woman of orthodox Jewish upbringing in a monastery in Spain. Why there?

So this is a good example of how life can take someone to unplanned places. Readers will find out why and how Rifka got there and why she chose to devote a portion of her life to care for orphans. In some ways this experience was a foundation for her future growth as a woman. And in the monastery she tried to give the children the kind of education she wanted to have, but of course some of it had to be subversive. There was, in fact, a lot of tension during the Spanish Civil war between nuns who supported the democratically elected government on the Republican side and those who supported Franco’s forces. He of course eventually won and became a dictator who ruled for thirty five years.

5. I understand that your protagonist struggled with some deeply held principles and had to make extremely difficult choices. Can you tell me more about those choices?

Without spoiling the plot, it’s not easy to do. But I will say that after reading “All Quiet on the Western Front” in school, Rifka became very wary of violence in all forms. She thought human conflicts should be solvable by listening and discussion. It took some horrible events to get her to look at life differently. Though, I must say that in her heart of hearts, no matter her actions, Rifka never truly accepted violence as the solution.

6. What about the other women who inspired this fascinating story?

I cannot say too much about them without revealing some plot surprises, but one of them was, in fact, my mother’s business partner. Another friend from my mother’s teenage years in Warsaw went on to participate in the Spanish Civil War. And the third, a courageous, seemingly fearless woman, saved my mother’s life in the Siberian gulag. I have made some of these real women into composite characters in the fictional account.

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/

Epic mentors include Tyra Banks, Bobbi Brown, Hoda Kotb and more

NEW YORK, NY –Imagine if you found the perfect mentor before you actually started work? Now imagine you could ask her anything. “The Epic Mentor Guide” (Forefront Books / Simon & Schuster, March 15, 2022) matches questions from girls eyeing and entering the workforce with answers from 180 boss women already there.

Featuring wisdom from women in a wide-range of fascinating fields – think astronauts and news anchors, CEOs and surgeons, engineers and Olympians, Wall Street wizards and world-renowned chefs, fashion designers and award-winning film directors – “The Epic Mentor Guide” is a first-of-its-kind mentorship book that connects girls with their perfect mentor, answers their pressing questions, and empowers them to reach their potential.

Hear from . . .
Angela Duckworth … on Getting Your Grit Together
Anita Bhatia … on Applying UN Goals to Personal Goals
Blake Bolden … on Breaking Glass Ceilings With a Hockey Stick
Carly Zakin & Danielle Weisberg … on Skimming Over the Trap of Expectations
Lilly Ledbetter … on Negotiating Tips From an Equal Pay Icon
Sudi Green … on Getting Your First Sketch on SNL

“The Epic Mentor Guide”
Illana Raia | March 15, 2022 | Forefront Books, Simon & Schuster | Young Adult, Nonfiction
Hardcover | ISBN: 9781637630495 | Price: $19.99

Praise for The Epic Mentor Guide…

“As we strive to create a more equitable workplace for our post-pandemic future, it is vital that we inspire the next generation of leaders with early access to mentors. The Epic Mentor Guide brings girls behind the scenes and into boardrooms at exactly the right time. For every girl building a bold, brave future – this is the book you need.”
–RESHMA SAUJANI, Founder of Girls Who Code and The Marshall Plan for Moms

“This is a ‘must read, follow on social media and re-read’ for any next gen mogul taking stock of today’s job market. The Epic Mentor Guide is packed with practical and empowering advice from a diverse group of innovators, executives, authors, astronauts, and more! It will inspire girls everywhere to seek mentor advice early and often as they reach their potential.”
–TIFFANY PHAM, Author of You Are A Mogul, and Girl Mogul, Founder & CEO, Mogul

“See the invisible and do the impossible! Illana Raia has done it again with her 2nd brilliant mentorship book for girls, The Epic Mentor Guide. What makes this book so unique is how it lays out actionable advice while offering a comprehensive overview of so many industries. Reading The Epic Mentor Guide is like experiencing a turbo internship across 180 career topics at the coolest companies. Every girl thinking about her career needs to read this.”
–CLAUDIA CHAN, Creator of S.H.E. Summit & The Whole-Life Leadership Method

“What I love most about this book is the array of phenomenal women who have lined up to share wisdom and offer advice to the next generation on topics ranging from skills and strategies, entrepreneurship and leadership, grit, guts and goals! The Epic Mentor Guide – 180 women deep – is an empowering read at any age, but particularly for today’s rising young scientists and STEM leaders.”
–JAYSHREE SETH, 3M Corporate Scientist and Chief Science Advocate

“The Epic Mentor Guide gives young women a powerful guide to take the next best steps in their leadership journeys while also providing role models and support systems to drive their passion further. As someone unconventional interested in the STEM field, it is easy for ideas and abilities to be overlooked. With the incredible real-world experience that this book shares, it helps all girls recognize that they also have the potential to create change in today’s society.”
–GITANJALI RAO, STEM Promoter, Young Innovator, and TIME’s First-Ever Kid of the Year

About the author

ILLANA RAIA: Recently named one the first 250 entrepreneurs on the Forbes Next 1000 List, Illana Raia is the founder and CEO of Être – a mentorship platform for girls. Believing that mentors matter early, Illana brings girls directly into companies they choose (Spotify, Google, YouTube, NYSE…) to meet female leaders face to face.

Illana is a member of the International Space Station National Lab Education Subcommittee, serves on the National Girls’ Collaborative Champions Board, and has authored 60+ articles for HuffPost, Ms. Magazine and Thrive Global. Her award-winning book Être: Girls, Who Do You Want To Be? was released on Day of the Girl 2019, featuring wisdom from 40 luminary women like Arianna Huffington, Debra Messing and Reshma Saujani alongside quotes from 50 girls.

Prior to launching Être in 2016, Illana was a corporate attorney at Skadden Arps in NYC and a guest lecturer at Columbia University. She graduated from Smith College and the University of Chicago Law School, and remains unapologetically nerdy.

Follow Illana Raia and Être on social media:
LinkedIn: @illanaraia | Twitter: @illanaraia | Instagram: @illanaraia
Facebook: @etregirls | Twitter: @etregirls | Instagram: @etregirls | TikTok: @etregirls

In an interview, Illana Raia can discuss:

• How she started Être, and why early mentorship is crucial for girls
• Why she encouraged girls to ask their own questions, and what surprised her most about the mentors’ answers
• The struggles and innovative successes of today’s female leaders
• How the advice in this book can help women who are pivoting careers
• How “The Epic Mentor Guide” builds a pipeline for girls into the workforce

An Interview with Illana Raia

1. Who were your mentors?

I’ve been so fortunate to have tremendous mentors throughout my career! My grandmother graduated from law school in 1936, and watching her in court when I was young made me sure I wanted law school. Professors I had at Smith College and The University of Chicago Law School lit the way forward, and my first mentor when I practiced mergers & acquisitions was the youngest partner my law firm had ever made. But the women I have met since founding Être, leaders in their fields and founders in every sense of the word, have mentored me in ways I can never repay.

2. What inspired you to start Être, and how did this book come about?

When I was practicing law and my daughter was in middle school, I realized she did not know what I did every day. More than that, she did not know what my group of ridiculously accomplished friends did every day! I started Être (which, in French, means to be), to bring young girls face to face with inspiring role models. This book came about after we started being invited into companies to meet female leaders. I was blown away by the questions the girls were asking! Moreover, the women we met answered every question with such candor, wit and wisdom that all I could think was Every girl should be doing this. So I kept a list of questions asked at company visits, and then added a survey and an email Q&A, asking girls across the globe what they wanted to know about the work world. What happened next was astounding. As fast as the questions came in I started reaching out to women in the relevant companies or industries – and their answers did not disappoint! Over the course of the next year, a virtual conversation ensued between girls eyeing the workforce and the women already there.

3. What types of questions did you get from today’s girls?

The questions we received were substantive and specific in nature: How can I become an animator at Pixar? Can TikTok be used for networking? How did you land an interview with SpaceX? Do cover letters even matter? Am I allowed to ask about inclusion in an interview? What’s one thing no one knows about working at Google? I think the authenticity of the questions was a huge reason these women answered; they remembered what it felt like on their first day at work, and told us repeatedly I wish I’d had this when I was starting out!

4. What are some of your favorite pieces of advice in the book?

I love how TheSkimm founders, Carly Zakin and Danielle Weisberg talked about avoiding the trap of expectations, and hearing about what astronauts like Anna Fisher (the first mom in space), Cady Coleman and Jennifer Scott Williams want today’s girls in STEM to remember. I loved reading that celebrity make-up artist Steph Aiello was encouraged by Tyra Banks to pursue her dream despite a physical disability, in part because Tyra Banks is also in the book (talking about why we should over-prepare for meetings)! The idea that even the mentors have mentors thrilled me. I was moved by what icons like Lilly Ledbetter said about salary negotiations, what Sudi Green said about getting a sketch on SNL and what Dawn Porter said about leaving the law to make movies with Oprah. Every time I flip the book open, I find a new favorite!

5. How does “The Epic Mentor Guide” build a pipeline for girls into the workforce?

The book is building a pipeline by following the same model I used to build Être – we go where the girls ask to go, so they can find answers to their questions. The companies in this book represent brands the girls already love, platforms they use constantly, and organizations where they see themselves working someday. Add to that the fact that every woman in the book offered her preferred social media handle so girls can follow her in real time and in real life. When an exec at LinkedIn said connect with me, or a pop musician wrote DM me or a federal judge gave girls her email, I knew that we were creating more than a static collection of mentor advice. This is a pipeline that will grow with today’s girls.

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/

Los Angeles, CA – Step into this spellbinding paranormal thriller as 40-something Jack Kelly travels into his 13-year-old self with the sudden ability to interact with the dead and battles demons. The first half of a duology, The Book of Souls (March 8, 2022, Books Fluent) is based on true events in Kevin Moore’s life and his ability to use lucid dreaming to speak with his passed loved ones. Foreword Clarion Review says, “An eerie tone permeates the entire story, with even mundane events feeling off-kilter. The whole cast seems to have multiple personas, all tinged with darkness.”

Jack Kelly remembers everything about his wife and children; the wonderful smell of his wife’s hair, the way she whispers to him at night, his three children running through the house, the sound of their laughter.

But that was his life before the accident. His near-death experience left him in the in-between space, somewhere between this world and whatever comes next.

When he awakens, he finds that he’s his thirteen-year-old self replacing his brother’s life-altering incident with his own and also with the ability to read people’s minds, recall their pasts, smell their feelings and fears, and see and hear dead people, demons, ghosts, and shadowy creatures. Thus begins Jack’s journey to help one soul cross over and, in result, resolves to find his way back to his true existence; with his family. The Book of Demons concludes the story and will be published on October 11, 2022.

“The Book of Souls”
Kevin Moore
March 8, 2022 | Books Fluent
Paperback | 978-1-953865-40-3 | $13.99
Ebook | 978-1-953865-41-0 | $6.99
Paranormal/Urban Fantasy/Horror

More about KEVIN MOORE

Kevin Moore is the author of “Christmas Stories 7 Original Short Stories”. He also had his first Children’s picture book released in May 2021. His play “Conversations From The Sports Arena” was performed at the HBO Theater in Hollywood.

“The Book of Souls” is his first novel. Based on a true event, Moore considers this a “self help book, which just happens to be a paranormal thriller. The sequel “The Book of Demons” will be released October 11, 2022.

Moore practices Lucid Dreaming and Bardo Dreaming which has helped him with his writing. He is a Yogi and an Advanced Reiki Practitioner — most importantly, he is Matthew and Madison’s father. You can find out more about Kevin at his website: ​​https://kevinmoorepublishing.com/

In an interview, Kevin can discuss:

• His connection with spirituality and reiki/yoga, and its incorporation into the story
• The practice of lucid dreaming
• How his upbringing in Manhattan, going to Catholic school, and living in tenement apartments helped shape young Jack
• How we handle fear and the “monsters/demons” we all have conquered
• The true events that inspired the novel
• The differences between religion and spirituality and how they both play a role in the novel
• The duality played within his characters
• How art plays into the story through one of the main characters

An Interview with Kevin Moore

1. Your book can fit into a few different genres (horror, paranormal, fantasy), but it also can fit into a spirituality genre. How do you feel this book is spiritual?

Well, first for me it is and should be in the spiritual genre – that is how I wrote it. I believe that we are all spiritual beings at our core. One of – if not the most important relationship is with God, a higher power, the Universe, our higher self, nature – however you define it. Even in science – there is the thought that we are all stardust. Jack’s relationship to his family, himself – the world around him is spiritual. It takes on supernatural elements – near death experience, ghost, demons, but they all represent something – something in him. Central to Jack is his love – his love of God and not necessarily the way he has been taught – that is religion to me – not spirituality. Jack faces his fears and allows the best part of himself – the light if you will – to help his friends, but also to try and free the indomitable ghost in apartment 3C at his own peril.

2. Have you ever had a supernatural experience? Do you believe in ghosts?

Yes and yes, I believe in God and have since I was a child and if I believe in God that in itself is supernatural. Don’t you think? The shadows in the story came to me in several dreams years ago – in the dream they kept trying to take my son. I felt it was a notice from the Holy Spirit or my deeper self that wanted to prepare me for something that was coming – something I needed to be fully present for, fully ready to fight or give to my son that would take all my energy and faith. A few weeks later my son got very sick and ended up in the ICU. He was in the hospital for 3 weeks and almost died. I stayed with him every night; my wife was with him every day. I had a nurse like the one in the book tell me the room we were in had a ghost in it! And not a friendly one! However, for me I felt the room had very good energy and it was the best sleep my son and I had the entire time we were in the hospital. I use all that in the book. I have had many unique experiences – including one with a tea pot after my sister died. As far as ghosts are concerned I see them more as the dust from a person’s energy that lingers longer than the body.

3. While Jack Kelly is the main character, Kasper Greenstreet is also an important character in the book. What inspired you to write Kasper?

Yes, I love Kasper! He really took on a life of his own. He was not supposed to be as large a character as he became. I wanted his back story as an artist to include his insecurity about his work and abilities, which is why he felt the need to use his blood to create magic. Any one who has ever started something creative, painting, music or written a word probably has those emotions; I’m having one with these two books! Also, as important or more important, he grew up in a time when being gay was considered a mental illness by the American Psychiatric Association and his mother hated him for it, so he is carrying quite a heavy load. Not to mention that he was abused as a child by the very people who are supposed to protect him. Kasper uses all of that to create this amazing, mystical art. I also love that Kasper and Jack for different reasons are outcasts at times for who they are.

4. What was the “true event” that inspired this novel?

The Shadows coming to me in a dream and my son ending up in ICU was just like Jack’s son, Stevie, in the book. Only you have to read the second book The Book Of Demons to see if Stevie and Jack’s family are like the doctors say – a dream, a false memory caused by his fall, or if they are home.

5. Aside from helping inspire this novel, how has lucid dreaming helped you?

There are many scenes, characters, and words in the book that came from lucid dreams and conversations in those dreams I had with people who are on the other side. One of Jack’s spiritual guides in the book uses words that came from a classmate from Epiphany School whom I had not seen in 40 years. He passed away several years ago, but he came to me in a dream several times – totally unexpected. One of the dreams he came to me in was at my high school reunion. I said to him “you are at the wrong school reunion – this is my high school reunion.” He said, “I know” and we had a deep conversation about the living and the dead and some of the nun’s guidance came from what he told me in the dreams. It also helps me in my life. I’ve also had lucid dreams where a deceased relative had a message for another family member, or a friend. But those are very delicate and I am very careful about passing on messages. There was a time when I got a message from the Holy Spirit “to be still” and I wasn’t sure exactly what that meant. I also had a lucid dream where I was the student and the teacher and was given a complete dream on how to do that and what that meant for me in my daily life.

6. There is a lot of play with dualities throughout the novel. Why was it important for you to discuss dualities not only within the characters, but also with Kasper’s artwork?

Yes, the artwork was so much fun – doing research on the art and then just letting the imagination run wild! I wanted the art to represent the complexities of life, opposing forces, love vs hate, up and down, spirituality, good vs evil. The only way to truly know ourselves is to put a light on our shadows. Kasper does that in his art. The way Kasper viewed the people he painted as two lights; one portrait is a reflection of how they present themselves to the world, the second was their shadow that Kasper could see. I think all of the characters have their own duality – especially spiritual duality. I wanted Jack and Kasper’s journey to tap into our own feelings on all that – on death, God, dreams, and love. I also think Jack and Kasper share a certain symmetry – he is alienated due to his sexuality, Jack is alienated due to his ability to see the dead. They are both either scorned or feared and sometimes both.

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/

Non-linear, character driven story about resilience is perfect for Nicole Krauss fans

New York, NY – Both a family history and an exploration of the complications of women attempting to tell their stories, We are the Kings follows the book’s anchor, Marcella, as she grieves the death of her grandmother, unearths family secrets, and refuses to settle for a predictable life or a boring man.

A tribute to family history, We are the Kings (Bold Story Press, March 1, 2022) shows the difference in women’s struggles across three generations of women. While Marcella is sifting through her family’s conflicting and fading memories, she puts into words what no one else will say out loud, revealing not only what may or may not have happened, but what is truly at stake when a woman tells her story.

“​​He responded by shrugging back at me with the kind of male indifference that is indicative of someone who needs to be punched in the temple and not someone who’s complicated and interesting.”

The strength and resilience of women shines in this author’s debut novel. With themes of feminism, domestic space, and women’s invisibility, this story delivers headstrong, driven characters that carry readers through the bonds between women. It shows how women rely on each other through trauma, grief, joy, and the journey to find themselves from childhood to adulthood.

“We Are The Kings”
Ariane Torres | March 1, 2022 | Bold Story Press
Literary Fiction | 1954805136
Paperback | $16.95

“An intimate and remarkable family saga…The novel’s nuanced treatment of complex themes, including death, divorce, illness, sexism, racism, and even the supernatural, make this a very impressive debut, indeed.”
– Kirkus, starred review

More about Ariane Torres

Torres attended Mount Holyoke College, majoring in Russian Studies and English Literature. Her graduate work at the Corcoran College of Art & Design and Columbia University focused on prison architecture and aging in prison, respectively. Torres has worked in interior design and prison advocacy. She lives with her family in Somerville, MA. This is her first novel.

Follow Ariane around!
Facebook: @arianetorres
Instagram: @ariane__torres
Goodreads: @arianetorres
https://www.arianetorres.com/

In an interview, Ariane can discuss:

• The need to write about themes of feminism and domestic space
• The relationship between architecture and violence
• How women are made to feel invisible
• The research that went into writing a nonlinear, character driven novel
• The meaning behind the title, We are the Kings
• The complex history of a specific kind American female identity

An Interview with Ariane Torres

1. There is an interesting cross between architecture and violence. Can you explain the relationship between the two?

I have always loved architecture and interior design, which is, in many ways, central to my understanding of the world around me and the people who’s spaces I’m lucky enough to occupy. I’m fascinated by all of it–from the big stuff like furniture and color and fancy kitchens, to how people arrange their cleaning products or towels. The things we build and live with represent some of who we are, and much of it will remain after we’re gone.

Having studied architecture and design, and knowing just how much thought goes into even the tiniest design decisions, it’s pretty startling to wrap your head around the idea that the intention behind a lot of our built spaces is violent or punitive. Many sets of ideas go into building prisons, just as many sets of decisions were involved in the building of concentration camps (both of which feature in my book). Entire communities in our country at this moment have been designed to contain people, and to deprive them of both certain luxuries, and some pretty basic human needs–clean air, access to food and unpolluted water, healthcare and education. I think what I’m trying to get at in my book is that this sort of architecture and design is so normalized in our society that we don’t stop to question it. We aren’t fully present with things like the legacy of red-lining, the creation of public housing, and the industries behind the development of solitary confinement units and restraining devices.

Right now we have a shocking number of elderly people in prisons–the population that poses the lowest risk to society and who are the most expensive to contain. Our prisons are designed to warehouse, not rehabilitate. They are not spaces in which one can grow old safely and they do not take into account the dignity of the humans they contain. Imagine trying to navigate a prison when you’re experiencing cognitive and physical age-related impairments. And that’s on top of the already monumental stress of being imprisoned.

I could go on and on! I guess as depressing as it is, it is also a part of our world. Maybe understanding it better will help us build things in the future that promote peace and love and ecological viability.

2. How has your own family history affected the writing of We are the Kings?

I was lucky enough to have 4 grandmothers–my mother’s mother, my father’s mother and stepmother, and my stepfather’s mother. And I had two amazing grandfathers. As a kid I found all of their stories and quirks and spaces really thrilling. I just loved being around them, and I learned a ton from all of them. As I grew up, particularly with my grandmothers, I saw the limitations that were imposed on them by sexism and ridiculous social conventions. I had always seen them as larger than life, and in many ways they were, but they were also victims of their circumstances. That juxtaposition–between being incredibly powerful in some ways, and truly powerless in others–was a big part of how I came up with the storyline for my book.

3. What aspects of women’s lives do you feel are invisible to the world, and why is it important that we acknowledge it?

I think in abusive, patriarchal systems, populations that are deemed less valuable to society are pushed to the margins. We don’t consider their interior lives, and we don’t think to preserve their experiences in our stories or museums or histories. This is true for non-white, female/LGBTQ, immigrant, and poor populations (to name a few), and it’s certainly true for people who are imprisoned. I believe that it is morally wrong to silence these populations, but my main issue with that silencing is that it robs us all of some of the most beautiful and brilliant personalities and stories.

I have a lot of regrets about not seeking out the thoughts and opinions and stories of my grandmothers more than I did. Because my grandfathers loomed so much larger, and they took up so much room, it was kind of just the way it was that my grandmothers’ experiences during something like WWII just weren’t as much a part of the conversation. And it wasn’t that my grandfathers were unkind. They were absolutely wonderful. It’s just the way it was. I think that’s partly what compelled me to write. I want my grandmothers’ stories–and any story that gets pushed to the margins– to take up more room.

4. You mention you’ve always been interested in women’s stories. What do you find interesting about how women’s stories are formed, told, and what isn’t said?

I just don’t think women have been given the space in our culture to be really free. I think that’s true for a lot of men as well, and for all sorts of people who don’t fit within specific gendered or societal conventions. But my book is really about womens’ stories and what we feel safe talking about, not only to each other, but to ourselves. Particularly recently, there’s been a really amazing rethinking of feminism throughout the world, and I’m so excited about it. But I think we still have a ways to go. There are things that are still really hard to disentangle–like women who uphold the patriarchy, for example, and womens’ misogyny. I think it’s internalized abuse, or the playing out of hierarchies of power, and it’s understandable in a lot of ways. It’s also ugly and mean and awkward, and maybe people who like to write are drawn to that sort of stuff.

5. What sort of research went into preparing for this novel?

Honestly, there was very little direct research. The work I did in graduate school just became a part of who I am, and I think that’s why it’s so present in my book. And many characters are loosely based on women in my family or women that I’ve known throughout my life. But a lot of it just sort of came to me. Reading a lot of biographies probably helped too. For a while that was my favorite genre, though I generally like reading everything.

6. Can you explain your character’s realization of the complicated criminal justice system, and why you feel people should recognize this?

Marcella and her sisters all somehow find themselves considering aspects of the criminal justice system–and they all approach it from a pretty privileged place. They are white, educated, and financially secure, so they all had to seek out a connection to mass incarceration, whereas most people who are contained within the criminal justice system, were sought out by it. They didn’t have a choice about whether or not they’d like it to be a part of their lives, and studying it recreationally or for a living, would look very different for them. I think that’s something a lot of white people are reckoning with right now. Here’s this huge, intractable, evil thing that white people have been able to avoid, and yet it’s been here all along, right in front of us all, wreaking havoc on the people who have the least defences against it.

7. Can you talk about the meaning behind the title, We are the Kings?

The title has to do with a realization Marcella has while working on her graduate thesis on Virginia Woolf. She comes to see that the lives of the men in her novels that are talked about with such adoration, are themselves not all that impressive. It’s that the women talk about them, therefore elevating them, making them appear heroic or brave even though they weren’t. Marcella is saying maybe it’s the women who are actually powerful given that they’re the ones reinforcing certain narratives. She’s arguing that Woolf was discreetly showing women readers that it is women who are the real heroes, the kings, the brave ones.

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.

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