Author: Marissa DeCuir

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With her family in danger and thousands of lives in her hands, Rita must uncover a mystery that goes far beyond a simple attack on her hometown’s water supply

PAYSON, Arizona – Karen Randau’s fourth installment in the Rim County Mystery series opens with dead birds falling from the sky, and the action only intensifies from there.

Rita Avery is thrust into the heart of a deadly mystery when her husband and son fall gravely ill from tainted water, along with hundreds of other people in her town. She deduces that the city’s water supply is the culprit, and begins to investigate what went wrong.

As Rita digs deeper into the puzzle surrounding the contamination, she realizes that a homeless war veteran nicknamed “Crazy Mary” may be a part of the conspiracy, and that the roots behind the attack have something to do with her past. They partner up in an attempt to uncover the truth, but when they come too close, Rita is taken.

Will she escape in time to thwart the next attack and be able to save thousands of lives?
Randau’s signature blend of fast-paced action and twisty suspense will delight readers who are familiar with her work, and those new to the series will find themselves quickly drawn in. Conspiracies, kidnappings and unforgettable characters come together in this compelling story.

Karen Randau started writing as a way of life as soon as a teacher taught her to print Run Spot Run. She received a degree in journalism/public relations from the University of Texas at Austin, and had a career that spanned the industries of high tech, mental health, and nearly three decades at Food for the Hungry. Later, a seed of an idea turned into her debut novel, Deadly Deceit, the first in the Rim Country Mystery series, published in June 2016. The series now also includes Deadly Inheritance (January 2017) and Deadly Choices (July 2017).

More about Deadly Payload

A deranged war vet. A poisoned community. A conspiracy with far- reaching implications. Karen Randau pits Rita Avery against lethal forces determined to keep her from discovering how Cliff and their entire community fall ill from an unidentified pathogen in Deadly Payload: Book Four of the Rim Country Mystery series. Dead birds rain down as Rita, her daughter-in-law, and her granddaughter arrive at the park for a picnic. An unhinged war vet with a severe case of PTSD jumps into Rita’s car raging about a walled in park, being found, and not drinking the water. Rita hurries home, finds her gravely-ill husband and son, and
calls for an ambulance. None is available because hundreds of townspeople are sick.

As her family nears death, Rita races to find the pathogen and how it was spread. She discovers that the attack on her peaceful town was practice for a national strike … and she must stop it before it’s too late. Murder and partnering with a homeless war vet named Crazy Mary — this isn’t how Rita planned her family’s visit!

“Deadly Payload”
Karen Randau | July 17, 2018 | Short on Time Books
paperback | 978-1717360168 | $10.99 ebook |
| $3.99
B07CLVZBZR
Mystery/thriller

An Interview with Karen Randau

This is the fourth book in your Rim County Mysteries series. Is it comforting to return to these characters?
Yes. I know my characters well and enjoy how I’m able to further develop them with each new book. Naturally, I must help my readers get to know them starting with whichever book they read first. I’ve included details from preceding books in each novel to help my readers to understand Rita and Cliff, their relationship, and how important family is to them.

Do you plan out a mystery before you start writing, or does it come to you as you write?
It’s a combination. I start with an outline. Because I enjoy fast-paced books, I keep mind fast-paced. That means I often use up much of the outline earlier than I expected. Also, ideas come to me as I write, and I adjust accordingly. It’s safe to say I know the basic premise and much of the plot. There are “plotters” (those who outline), “pantsers,” (those who fly by the seat of their pants and write as it comes to them) and there are “planters” (those who outline and make adjustments as ideas come to them while writing. I’m the latter.

Did you do any research on outbreaks to prepare for Deadly Payload?
I did a lot of research to prepare for Deadly Payload, not so much on outbreaks as how my outbreak could happen and what would be the response. I researched different kinds of diseases, their progression, and the kinds of pathogens that could cause them. For this book, I also needed to research chemical warfare, terrorism, and spies. With the crazy things I research, I cringe each time I read that Google searches aren’t private.

What books or authors inspire your work?
I enjoy the work of Hank Phillipi-Ryan and Jenny Milchman. Hank takes on the kinds of topics that interest me, and Jenny gets inside people’s heads the way I want to.

How do you balance between making your books connect as a series and making sure new readers won’t get lost?
I include references to past books in the series as a way of both helping to develop the characters for the current book and for explaining how Rita and Cliff got to where they are. Each of the books could be read as a standalone with well-developed characters, setting, and plot. If you read all books in the series, you’ll have a deeper understanding of what makes the characters react the way they do, but you’ll see a character arc in each of the books.

Are any of your characters based on real-life people?
All of my characters have traits of people I know, but none of them is completely one person familiar to me. Rita, the protagonist who narrates the books, has traits of me as well as traits I wish I had and others I’m glad I don’t. The same is true for all of the characters.

How did your nonprofit work help shape your career as a writer?
My career as a writer started when I was in journalism school, and I’ve been writing ever since. Writing wasn’t my main focus as I climbed up the corporate or nonprofit ladder, but I had writers reporting to me and did a lot of editing – so I was constantly improving my craft. When I told a co-workers about an idea floating around in my head, she suggested I had a novel in me that wanted out. I started attending novel-writing conferences and workshops to lean that craft (which is quite different than journalism). I’ve put some of my own experiences in my books. For example, in my first book, I made reference to how different life was for a woman from Honduras – something I knew because of my nonprofit work.

What are you working on now?
I’m working on a book about a woman who wakes up from a 20-year coma thinking she’s 17, not 37. She will struggle first to get back in shape (learning martial arts in the process), but then she’s going to set out to solve the mystery of who killed her parents and why – the event that put her in a coma.

www.JKSCommunications.com
237 Old Hickory Blvd., Suite 201, Nashville, TN 37221
Ellen Whitfield
(616) 258-5537
ellen@jkscommunications.com

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/

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WASHINGTON D.C. – 1966. Washington, D.C. To survive in this town, sometimes a good girl has to be bad. Really bad.
Longing to transcend her Midwest roots and strict religious upbringing, Judah Lundquist spends her days obediently typing insurance policies for Tom Lawrence of Standard Life Insurance.

But Washington is not Peoria, and she finds herself caught up in a nightmare that threatens to subvert all the values she’s tried to uphold while exposing secrets from her past. A shameful one-night stand with neighbor Ralph Hicks lands Judah in a trap of her own making.

To protect what is left of her tattered reputation, Judah must become a seductress and a thief, betraying the only man who can possibly save her—a man with secrets that have nothing to do with crime and everything to do with the Cold War.

Fans of Taylor will recognize her signature edge-of-seat style and mysterious characters who all have something to hide. Steeped in atmospheric noir, “The Typist” will have readers telling themselves “just one more page” until they’re at the end of the book.

Caroline Taylor is the author of three mysteries, “What Are Friends For,” “Jewelry from a Grave” and “Loose Ends”; the award-winning nonfiction book, “Publishing the Nonprofit Annual Report: Tips, Traps, and Tricks of the Trade.” She is releasing a thriller, “The Typist,” in June 2018. A lifelong writer and editor, Caroline has received numerous awards for editorial and design excellence for publications she produced for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the NIH Foundation, World Wildlife Fund, Greenpeace, BoardSource, and the Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation. She is a member of the North Carolina Writers’ Network, Sisters in Crime, and Mystery Writers of America.

About the Book

Advance praise for The Typist
“The Typist has everything you could want: a small town girl making her way in the big city, enough plot twists and turns to keep you guessing late into the night, an off-balance romance that keeps you coming back for more, and some very clever bad guys — or wait, are they the good guys? Secret codes, secret romances, secret frame-ups, and a secret past keep likable protagonist Judah Lundquist on her toes — and us along with her.” —Kelly Oliver, author of the Jessica James mystery series

“Caroline Taylor’s book catapults readers back to 1966 Washington D.C., where newcomer Judah Lundquist becomes entangled in a web filled with danger, murder, romance, and blackmail. An intricate tale of intrigue, deceit, hidden pasts, and dark secrets.” —Michael H. Rubin, author of The Cottoncrest Curse and Cashed Out

“No one, not even Judah Lundquist herself, is what he or she appears to be in this very readable thriller. Judah’s job should be boring—she’s a typist in an insurance company—but her coworkers drag her into their tricky business. Seasoned with a bit of romance, The Typist is a real page-turner. Bonus points for the authentic feel of the 1960s setting.” —Karen Pullen, author of Cold Feet and Cold Heart

An Interview with Caroline Taylor

Has this story been floating around in your head for a while, or was it a more recent development?
Actually, this is a complete rewrite of something I started years ago, featuring the same lead character, only she lived in a small Midwest town and the only crime was some stolen items and . . . yawn. So I kept the characters’ names, changed the venue to Washington, and made it about murder and spying during the Cold War.

In what ways do your characters manifest the urban-cultural divide?
Here’s just one example: Judah Lundquist is an upright, uptight Midwesterner with a strict religious upbringing; whereas, her friend Nancy Pinkerton is a younger, more cosmopolitan woman from a less sheltered background. Judah has a strong sense of right and wrong, and yet things in Washington are much more fluid.

Why did you decide on a 1960’s setting?
It had to be during the Cold War, and the mid- 1960s seemed just about right for something that was fought mostly in the shadows and yet loomed large in people’s lives.

Having lived in Washington D.C., what past experiences of yours play a role in this novel?
Other than my familiarity with the area, in one of my very first jobs, I was required to type insurance policies that could not have any errors or erasures.

Are there any similarities between Judah and the characters in any of your previous books?
No. Judah has a strong religious background, even though she was a child thief. None of the other characters in my previous books hail from the Midwest

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Understand that rejection does not mean you’re no good. Rejection simply means that the person doesn’t want your story and that it could be because of personal prejudices, the current market, competing stories, or even personal or work issues that make rejecting a piece easier than taking it up. Learn from rejection on those rare occasions when someone gives feedback. But, also, look at that feedback with a critical eye

Do you have a method for tackling writer’s block?
If I can’t think of what to write, I go for a walk, take up some household task that involves physical rather than mental labor, or, when available, work on a freelance editing assignment—anything that gives the creative side of my brain a rest.

What’s next for you?
I am working on two novels, a mystery with a theme of human trafficking and a mainstream novel with a theme of dealing with loss of loved ones.

www.JKSCommunications.com
237 Old Hickory Blvd., Suite 201, Nashville, TN 37221
Ellen Whitfield
(616) 258-5537
ellen@jkscommunications.com

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/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PITTSBORO, North Carolina – Written over a span of more than 10 years, Enough! Thirty Stories of Fielding Life’s Little Curve Balls by Caroline Taylor is an assortment of wry and thoughtful stories about people dealing with life’s surprises. The collection showcases memorable, rich characters coping — or not — with the experiences that life throws at them.

An unexpected houseguest and her 6-year-old tornado of a son overstaying their welcome, constant wrong numbers, the job from hell, secrets best left hidden, an abusive husband – the impediments thrown in the way of life’s happiness vary, and Taylor catalogs these struggles in an outstanding collection. Curve balls have many forms, and so do the ways we handle the ones that life pitches at us.

Caroline Taylor is the author of three mysteries, “What Are Friends For,” “Jewelry from a Grave” and “Loose Ends”; the award-winning nonfiction book, “Publishing the Nonprofit Annual Report: Tips, Traps, and Tricks of the Trade.” She is releasing a thriller, “The Typist,” in June 2018. A lifelong writer and editor, Caroline has received numerous awards for editorial and design excellence for publications she produced for the National Trust for Historic Preservation, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the NIH Foundation, World Wildlife Fund, Greenpeace, BoardSource, and the Aeras Global TB Vaccine Foundation. She is a member of the North Carolina Writers’ Network, Sisters in Crime, and Mystery Writers of America.

About the Book

“Enough!: Thirty Stories of Fielding Life’s Little Curve Balls”
Caroline Taylor | April 1, 2018 | Literary Wanderlust
Paperback | 978-1942856214 | $12.99, e-book | B079GCMCD7 | $5.99 Short stories

Praise for “Enough!”
“Caroline Taylor’s stories are taut, pointed, and consistently intriguing — not to mention potent reminders of the dramatic arcs that shape even the most ordinary lives.”
—Louis Bayard, author of Lucky Strike

“Attention is the rare and pure form of generosity. In Enough!, Caroline Taylor pays attention to the small heroes of our everyday lives: those important cogs that surround us. She presents them with both wit and grace.” —Ruth Moose, professor emeritus of creative writing at the University of Carolina, and author of Neighbors and Other Strangers and two other short story collections and two mystery novels

An Interview with Caroline Taylor

How did you decide which stories to include in this collection?
Without intending to, I seem to have written a number of stories about people confronting the unexpected and the unwelcome. I selected those that best reflect the myriad ways people handle life’s little surprises.

Were any of these situations inspired by real events or real people?
Several are fictional renditions of experiences in my life, including “Memories of the Shed,” “Masada by Moonlight,” “One of Ours,” “How Josie’s Problem Got Solved,” and “Department of Purgatory.”

Is the process of writing a short story different than the process of writing a novel?
The short story does not require as much in-depth revelation of character and seldom
needs a backstory. Otherwise, the process is the same—albeit much shorter.

What is a lesson you hope readers take away from this book?
Handling the curve balls that life pitches at you can run the gamut from fighting back to getting creative to taking the cautious approach, to escaping or simply throwing in the towel.

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?
Understand that rejection does not mean you’re no good. Rejection simply means that the person doesn’t want your story and that it could be because of personal prejudices, the current market, competing stories, or even personal or work issues that make rejecting a piece easier than taking it up. Learn from rejection on those rare occasions when someone gives feedback. But, also, look at that feedback with a critical eye.

Do you have a method for tackling writer’s block?
If I can’t think of what to write, I go for a walk, take up some household task that involves physical rather than mental labor, or, when available, work on a freelance editing assignment—anything that gives the creative side of my brain a rest.

What’s next for you?
My suspense novel, “The Typist,” is forthcoming from Black Rose Writing in June 2018.

www.JKSCommunications.com
237 Old Hickory Blvd., Suite 201, Nashville, TN 37221
Ellen Whitfield
(616) 258-5537
ellen@jkscommunications.com

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/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEW YORK CITY, New York – Linda I. Meyers was 28 and the mother of three young boys when her mother, after a lifetime of threats, took her own life. Staggered by conflicting feelings of relief and remorse, Meyers believed that the best way to give meaning to her mother’s death was to make changes to her own life. Bolstered by the women’s movement of the ‘70s, she left her marriage, went to college and received her Psy.D., raised a family, and established a fulfilling career.

Written with irony and humor and sprinkled with Yiddish, “The Tell” is one woman’s inspirational story of before and after, and ultimately of emancipation and purpose. With stories ranging from witty to heartbreaking, “The Tell” showcases Meyers’ talent as a gifted storyteller. She chronicles her experience coming of age in a dysfunctional Jewish family during the ‘40s and ‘50s, her summer romance with a boy who grew up to be fashion designer Ralph Lauren, the rise of feminism, and running a family acting business that led to her son landing a memorable role as young Alvy Singer in Woody Allen’s Academy Award-winning movie “Annie Hall.”

“Women of any age,” Meyers says, “who’ve struggled to overcome the restrictions of their generation, or the disappointments of their upbringing will find The Tell to be a funny, touching and hopefully inspiring read.”

Meyers’ debut book will release on June 5, 2018.

Linda I. Meyers is a psychologist and psychoanalyst in New York City and Princeton, N.J., who has been published in professional and academic journals. Two chapters from her debut memoir were published in 2016 — “The Flowers,” a top-five finalist in Alligator Juniper’s annual contest in creative nonfiction, and “The Spring Line” in Post Road.

About the Book

“The Tell: A Memoir”
Linda I. Meyers | June 5, 2018 | She Writes Press
Print ISBN: 978-1- 63152-355- 7 | $16.95
Ebook ISBN: 978-1- 63152-356- 4 | $9.95
Memoir

“A touching, angry, humorous, and engaging account of a turbulent life.” – Kirkus Indie Reviews

“With beautiful observations of human nature, The Tell serves as an appreciation of the complexity of family.”
– Foreword Clarion Reviews

“In this vivid and immensely enjoyable memoir, we encounter the lost world of Jewish Brooklyn, crazy parents, a crazy husband, and a protagonist/narrator who can’t help being a good girl. Woody Allen and Ralph Lauren make appearances: somehow it all fits.” — Philip Lopate, essayist and film critic

“The Tell is a compelling coming-of-age story told with grit, humor, and a fine sense of atmosphere.  From growing up with a mobster father and an unstable mother, to waiting in a Catskill bungalow colony for a phone call from the future Ralph Lauren (ne’ Lifshitz), to becoming a psychoanalyst, Meyers covers a lot of ground in this vivid portrait of resilience.” — Mindy Greenstein, Ph.D. author of The House on Crash Corner and Lighter as We Go

“With cutting humor and an ear for dialogue, Linda I. Meyers mines the crevices of family secrets to disclose some glittering gems, as the narrator, a single mother of three, struggles to break free from a web of lies, guilt, and betrayal. A gripping read from a damn good writer.” —Mindy Lewis, author of Life Inside: A Memoir

An Interview with Linda I. Myers

Why did you decide to write your memoir, “The Tell,” as a collection of personal essays?
An essay was manageable. It allowed me to tell each story as a separate event. I think had I begun intending to write a book I would have been overwhelmed. I was encouraged to keep writing when two of the essays were accepted for publication. When I read Jo Ann Beard’s “Boys of my Youth,” I saw that there was precedence to use essays as the format and I kept on writing until the book was done.

How would you describe your writing style?
I’m a psychoanalyst, and I believe I write like I work. I began with the trauma of my mother’s suicide. I then moved back in time to try and understand the “why” of it and then forward to understand its effect. But as is often the case in therapy, the writing revealed a deeper story—the story of my coming into my own. Hopefully when the therapy is done and the memoir is finished, the author and the reader come away with a narrative that helps them better understand themselves.

How did your mother’s suicide affect your life?
I was terrified that if I didn’t change my life I might come to the same tragic end. I was also searching for a way of giving meaning to her death. I convinced my husband to leave Brooklyn. Soon after we bought a house in the suburbs we got a divorce. I started undergraduate college and a successful family acting business. When I got my doctorate, I hung out a shingle and began to practice my profession. I’m not sure had she lived I would have had the courage to start a new life.

What was it like starting college at the age of 30 and caring for three children at the same time?
I went to school at night so there were many adults in my classes. I was very motivated to do well. Each day after the kids left for school I would take out my books and study until they came home. When I was exhausted I would think of my grandmother and how she took care of five kids and worked two jobs. I would also think about my kids and how I wanted them to have the opportunity to go to the college of their choice. They were the carrot on the stick that kept me going.

What was it like to have your children be actors?
It was exciting but also frightening. It was a big unknown, but there were two things I was sure of—I did not want to become a stage mother and I did not want them to lose their childhood. It was a balancing act between auditions and callbacks, soccer games and birthday parties. I also wanted to minimize the competition between them so I set it up as a family business. Their earnings were pooled together and when they came of age they each got one third.

What was the Jewish culture like in the Catskill Bungalow Colonies in 1940s and 1950s?
People, mostly Jewish immigrants living in the ghettos of Brooklyn and the Bronx, left the hot city and went to the mountains for the summer. Women and children would stay all week and their husbands would come up on weekends. I remember the women playing mahjong and the men playing pinochle. The more upscale colonies had casinos and Saturday night comedians, polishing their acts in the Borscht Belt would come and entertain. There were no grocery stores on the grounds—the husbands had the cars, so the women were dependent on the fishman, dairy man, butcher and the vegetable vendor. A different vendor came each day—a bell would herald their arrival—you had to stop what you were doing and run to get supplies. It wasn’t very restful but it was far better than their hot apartments in the city. My grandmother ran the concession at our bungalow colony. My summers with Grandma were the best.

Is it true that your first boyfriend became someone famous? Do you two still keep in touch?
My first love was Ralph Lifshitz, who told me that he was changing his name to Lauren and he was going to make a million dollars. I believed him. He had the kind of charisma and certainty that when he told me he was going to be famous and earn a million dollars, I didn’t doubt him for a minute. I ran into him three or four years after our summer romance. He was sitting on a bench in Monticello, NY. He introduced me to his fiance, Ricky. We haven’t been in touch, but his effect on me was indelible and in that regard he has been with me forever.

What led you to write this memoir now?
I wrote it for my grandchildren. I often wished my grandparents had written their memoirs. It would have been marvelous to have understood my history through their experience.

What’s next for you?
I have another book in mind. It, too, will be a memoir and if I’m able to write it well, a psychological thriller.

www.JKSCommunications.com
237 Old Hickory Blvd., Suite 201, Nashville, TN 37221
Ellen Whitfield
(616) 258-5537
ellen@jkscommunications.com

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/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PHILADELPHIA, Penn. – How does the popular kid—the Lacrosse star who has the perfect girlfriend—end up in rehab? Abbey Lee Nash takes on the realities of addiction and family discord in her stunning YA novel, “LIFELINE” (Tiny Fox Press, May 8, 2018).

Beautifully written from the perspective of a teenager, “LIFELINE” faces the reality of mental health issues, drug abuse, and the struggle to overcome your past. Nash’s breathtaking honesty and fast-paced prose unapologetically demands readers’ attention. Wonderfully researched and an insightful look into the frequently overlooked issues that plague teenagers as they grow up, “LIFELINE” is a perfect read for adults and teenagers alike.

About the Author
Born to parents with a serious case of wanderlust, Abbey Lee Nash has lived in some pretty weird places, including a Christian farming commune in rural Georgia, above a third-world craft store in Kentucky, and on a Salvation Army retreat center in the Pennsylvania mountains. She currently lives outside of Philadelphia with her husband, two daughters, and one very rambunctious Australian Shepherd. She received her MA in English from Arcadia University in 2011 and currently works at Bryn Athyn College where she teaches writing and literature. She is an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. “LIFELINE” is her first novel.

About the Book

Popular high school senior Eli Ross has the perfect life. He’s captain of the lacrosse team at LionsHeart Academy, and he’s dating Savannah, the hottest, most popular girl at school. But that life comes crashing down when he overdoses at a party and is sent to LakeShore Recovery Center, an inpatient substance abuse treatment program where he’ll spend the next twenty-eight days.

There Eli meets Libby, the sharp-edged artist whose freshly tattooed scars mirror the emotional scars Eli tries his best to ignore. Eli soon learns that if he’s to have any chance at a future, he’ll first have to confront his past.

LIFELINE
Abbey Lee Nash, May 8, 2018,Ÿ Tiny Fox Press
ISBN: 978-1-946501-06-6-1(Paperback)
Price: $12.95 (Paperback) |Ÿ $5.95 (Ebook)
Young Adult

Advance Praise
“Nash, in short, has pulled off a remarkable feat, taking a topic of great relevance and—without a hint of censure or denunciation—making it integral to a tale whose only demand is that it be read in one sitting.” —“Kirkus Reviews”

“LIFELINE’ plunges the reader into Eli’s rough journey—Nash doesn’t hold back. Buckle up.” —K. M. Walton, author of “Cracked, Empty, & Ultimatum”

“Tragically timely, this story dives deep into the brutal and heroic work that recovery requires. An addict’s self-denial and self-destruction is laid out with raw honesty and while the path back is steep, Nash shows redemption is well within reach. A gorgeously written and ultimately hopeful debut that will resonate with readers of any age.” —Karen Fortunati, author of “The Weight of Zero”

Excerpt from ‘LIFELINE’

2:30 AM

The air outside hums with music. All the lights in the house are on. If Alex’s parents have gotten any smarter since the infamous rager we threw after Winter Formal, the neighbors are on the lookout for suspicious activity. Everything inside me says we’re going to get busted any minute, and I have the worst possible timing in the world.
But right now, I don’t care about the neighbors or the cops or even Savannah. I just…WANT.
A couple of minutes are all I need. And then I’ll get Savannah out of the house, tell her to get home before the shit hits the fan. Just a couple of minutes.
I scrounge under my seat for the empty CD case, then reach into the glove compartment for the Burger King straw I’ve cut down to size. I hook a finger under the mat and feel around for the baggie. My phone buzzes in my pocket, but I ignore it. Sweat beads on my upper lip.
I crack open a pill, sprinkle it onto the plastic case. It doesn’t look like very much, definitely not enough, so fuck it, I crack open another.
My hands shake as I cut the powder with my driver’s license, scrape it into twin tracks.
A distant siren sounds.
Hurry, hurry.
There’s yelling from the house, and somebody’s turned off the music.
I prop the case on my knee, duck my head, and snort the powder through the straw.
One line. Then the other.
I squeeze my eyes shut until the burn in my nostrils fades to a steady chemical drip at the back of my throat, and the surge of heat spreads through my frozen body like liquid sunshine.
A siren screams; blue and red stars light up the night. Bodies flood out of Alex’s house like it’s on fire.
I shut my eyes and lean back against my seat.
The noise from the house fades. My body melts like crayons in the sun, colors merging in a puddle of rainbow wax. And I…
…can’t…
…feel…
…anything.

www.JKSCommunications.com
237 Old Hickory Blvd., Suite 201, Nashville, TN 37221
Ellen Whitfield
(616) 258-5537
ellen@jkscommunications.com

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/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHICAGO, Illinois – Seamlessly blending romance, drama and suspense against the picturesque backdrop of the Rocky Mountains, author Andrea Thome is releasing her third novel, “House of Belonging” on June 5, 2018, completing her award-winning Hesse Creek Series.

“House of Belonging” follows Laina Ming, a chef opening a new concept restaurant in Aspen, Colorado, as she unexpectedly and reluctantly falls for handsome local, Logan Matthews. Chemistry between them builds, despite Laina’s initial hesitation stemming from an upsetting breakup with her ex.

“I’ve enjoyed every moment I’ve spent with the characters in the Hesse Creek Series,” says Thome. “House of Belonging’ was the perfect vehicle to bring the stories of some old favorites full circle, while exploring new relationships at the same time. I hope readers will enjoy reading ‘House of Belonging’ as much as I loved creating it for them.”

“House of Belonging” is the final book in the Hesse Creek Series, and while each title in the series can be read independently, Thome’s dedicated fans will recognize some familiar characters who peppered the pages of her first novel, “Walland,” and her second book, “Seeds of Intention.” “Walland” won the National Indie Excellence Award in the romance category and bronze in the eLit Book Awards Popular Fiction. The book introduced readers to her sexy, witty style of storytelling and her ability to invoke a setting of tranquility. “Seeds of Intention” was recently named a finalist for the IBPA Benjamin Franklin Award.

ANDREA THOME is a former broadcast journalist, having covered both sports and news during her career. In her novels, she explores some of her favorite travel destinations, from the foothills of the Smoky Mountains to the Colorado Rockies, painting rich backdrops that become characters themselves. Thome lives in Chicago with her husband (a retired Hall of Fame baseball player and their two children. She spends her spare time traveling and pursuing her other passion—photography. See a sampling of her photography and learn more about her books at www.andreathome.com. “House of Belonging” follows “Seeds of Intention” and “Walland” in the award-winning Hesse Creek Series.

About the Book

“House of Belonging”
Andrea Thome | June 5, 2018 | Hesse Creek
Paperback ISBN: 978-09978504-4-4 | $14.95
Ebook ISBN: 978-0-9978504-9-9 | $2.99
Women’s Fiction

Renowned chef Laina Ming walked away from the culinary spotlight and an unhealthy relationship—one that still haunts her a year later. She’s trying to start fresh in the Rocky Mountains, opening a concept restaurant on the banks of the Roaring Fork River, where she hopes she’ll be able to express her passion for food and bury her heartache.

Horse rancher Logan Matthews moved to Aspen to be near his sister and her husband, grateful for his newfound family. Since a chance meeting with Laina the previous summer, Logan’s been enchanted. But she doesn’t want anything to do with him—which makes her all the more appealing.

Despite Laina’s efforts to protect her heart, Logan has been on her mind, too—and he has a way of turning up in the most unexpected places. Can they learn to trust one another and finally find the sense of belonging they’ve both been searching for?

An interview with Andrea Thome

What will fans of “Walland” and “Seeds of Intention” like about “House of Belonging?”
I’m hopeful that fans who’ve read the first two books will enjoy revisiting some of their favorite characters, while learning a little bit more about Logan and Laina, who they’ll get to know in this third book. I’m excited about how the series as a whole comes together in this story.

What do you want new readers to know about your books?
I write my books for my friends. Which means I write them mostly for readers who are looking for an escape and want to spend the precious free time available to them with compelling characters in beautiful places. And it’s no secret at this point that I love a happy ending. I’m hoping to balance out some of the negativity in the world with something that makes people feel good.

Why did you decide to set your newest book in Aspen, Colorado?
I consider all three of the books in the Hesse Creek Series to be destination love stories. The locations are as much characters in the book as the people are. I hope I was able to express my love for the beautiful, cultured, and still wild town that is Aspen. It remains one of my favorite places in the world.

One of the main characters in “House of Belonging,” Laina Ming, is a chef. Are you a foodie?
I’m not really a huge foodie, but I fancy myself someone who appreciates art, and in this case, food as art. My husband and I had the pleasure of experiencing Aspen’s Food and Wine event last summer, and I was blown away and obviously inspired by what the chefs created. It was fun to write about the food that Laina creates, and a blast to write my first “restaurant review.”

You’re the photographer behind all of your book covers. Where was the image of “House of Belonging” taken?
The image on the front cover of “House of Belonging” was actually taken in Tennessee a long time ago. It’s a nod to the genesis of the series having been set there. I thought it bookended the series nicely, and the symbolism of the single empty swing juxtaposed perfectly with my characters finally finding their sense of belonging as a whole.

“House of Belonging” is the third and final book in the Hesse Creek Series. Is this an emotional finale for you?
Yes and no. I’ve loved living in the world of Walland for these three books, but I’m excited to have the freedom to create something new. That said, the Hesse Creek Series will always hold a very special place in my heart, no matter how many books I go on to write.

Which character will you miss writing about the most?
I could never pick just one; I’ve loved them all so much!

What’s next for you?
I’m working on a brand new series, set in the Pacific Northwest. It centers around three brothers, and they are pretty interesting guys, so far.  I can’t wait to see where this first story leads me!

Praise for The Hesse Creek Series

“In her debut novel, author Thome writes with a winning charm and peppers her prose with a quirky wit…an enjoyably readable love story.” — Kirkus Review

“Thome’s followup to her well-received Walland takes readers on a gentle ride through a rustic Tennessee setting, perfect for cultivating romance as well as lush fields. Garrett and Willow’s relationship grows in a relatable fashion, with plenty of plot twists along the way. A cast of lovable if meddling friends are well drawn and highly endearing. The second book in the Hesse Creek series treats fans to new developments with old favorites, while also welcoming newcomers.” — RT Book Reviews

“Fans of Nicholas Sparks’ books will enjoy Andrea Thome’s writing. She manages to tell a classic romantic story that is interesting, vibrant, and surprising.” — Windy City Reviews

“Andrea Thome brings the glories of the intimate, nature-focused escape to the wonderful world of romance. Seeds of Intention is delightful escapist fare. This is one series that you are definitely going to want to own the physical copies of, because the covers are absolutely stunning.” — Hypable

“Seeds of Intention is a captivating, intricate love story with relatable, layered characters, well-drawn settings, and a satisfying ending. Andrea Thome is an excellent, graceful writer. Her characters are so real you’ll feel as though you’ve known them for years. Thome deftly builds the romantic tension and chemistry between Garrett and Willow, keeping readers engrossed until the end. A tasty treat for romance fans!” — NY Literary Magazine

www.JKSCommunications.com
237 Old Hickory Blvd., Suite 201, Nashville, TN 37221
Ellen Whitfield
(616) 258-5537
ellen@jkscommunications.com

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/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

INTERNATIONAL PHILANTHROPY’S ESSENTIAL GUIDE, ‘CROSS-BORDER GIVING’

ALEXANDRIA, VA – From ceaselessly evolving political climates, to labyrinthine tax codes, philanthropists active in the international arena face a litany of pitfalls unlike those who give domestically. The exponentially growing complexities of cross-border giving mean that grantmakers, without proper knowledge or experience, can potentially expose themselves and their donors to greater risks to their bank accounts and their reputations.

Realizing the need for a comprehensive educational resource for international philanthropists, a team of the industry’s experts selected by Charities Aid Foundation of America (CAF America) came together to present: “Cross-Border Giving: A Legal and Practical Guide”, the one stop shop for maneuvering every aspect of international giving. Written in precise, clear language by 17 experts in their respective fields, “Cross-Border Giving” is the comprehensive guide every grantmaker should have at their fingertips.

Ted Hart, ACFRE, CAP®, President and CEO, CAF America, brings 30+ years of experience in advising global philanthropy. As an internationally recognized speaker, Ted is an expert in both domestic and global philanthropic regulations and risk management. During his tenure as President and CEO, CAF America has witnessed exponential growth, significantly expanded its suite of services and dramatically increased the number of charities funded around the world. He has co-authored six books, including “People to People Fundraising”, “Internet Management for Nonprofits” and “Fundraising on the Internet”.

Kinga Ile is a human rights lawyer with 15 years of experience with multidisciplinary teams in the private and nonprofit sectors. During her time with CAF America, Kinga has become passionate about using human rights principles to motivate the private sector in seeking to deliver social benefits. Her experience spans from assisting businesses with their expansion strategies into new markets, to representing clients in international arbitration proceedings. Within the nonprofit arena, in her role with the Open Society Foundations, Kinga worked with human rights organizations worldwide focusing on international justice and minority rights.

About The Book

• “Cross-Border Giving: A Legal and Practical Guide”
• Ted Hart & Kinga Ile (Editors) | June 6, 2018 | Charity Channel Press
• Hardcover  ISBN-13: 978-1938077937 | Price:  $63.95
• Genre: Informational/Reference

In an interview the authors of “Cross-Border Giving” can discuss:

• 7 principles for ethical grantmaking
• The 3 Rs of grantmaking: regulation, risk and reputation
• The risk of charitable funds being diverted to terrorists
• Combating terrorist financing, money laundering, and bribery in philanthropy
• The effect of post-9/11 legislation on international charities
• The best practices for regulatory compliance in giving around the world
• The mechanisms for cross-border giving
• The importance of transparency in international philanthropy
• Considering cross-cultural differences
• Assessing the impact of philanthropic programs
• and much more!

An interview with the editors of “Cross-Border Giving”, Ted Hart and Kinga Ile

Where did the idea to compile this comprehensive guide come from?
The idea of “Cross-Border Giving: A Legal and Practical Guide” emerged from our aspiration to provide an up to date, comprehensive resource for those who are committed to international philanthropy. Since the last publication that addressed some of the concepts discussed in this book is more than seven years old, we felt that it was of utmost importance to mobilize the experts in the field to join us in creating this guide. This publication, in tandem with CAF America’s annual International Grantmaking Symposium – an executive training on the ins and outs of international grantmaking – will provide the most up to date and in-depth overview to everyone committed to international philanthropy.

CAF America has facilitated cross-border giving since 1992. As such, we have established an extensive technical and practical knowledge in the field. To effectively facilitate international giving, we have to be experts in the US rules and regulations governing this field. However, we believe this is insufficient . We also need to have a very good understanding of the norms governing the flow of foreign charitable funding into the countries around the world where our donors seek to support causes they most care about.

Deciphering domestic and international regulatory arenas and keeping abreast of the changes in these spaces is not only daunting, but also a costly endeavor. One of the options is to monitor the latest guidelines issued by the IRS, the new developments pertaining to anti- money laundering and terrorist financing regulations, and devote long hours to researching foreign legislation. Another option, albeit even more cost-prohibitive, is to engage outside legal counsel to provide guidance.

How and why did you decide to gather so many authors to create the book?
What facilitates cross-border giving is a complex and multifaceted process. Understanding the legal mechanisms for giving internationally, ensuring regulatory compliance, and meeting the anti-money laundering and terrorist financing requirements has to be done in a cross-cultural context, bearing in mind the recent trends in international philanthropy and aiming to remain within the boundaries of ethical grantmaking. We invited our co-authors, experts in their respective fields, to join us in this collaboration as we believe that their combined expertise ensured that each of these aspects are addressed to their full extent.

Along with giving specific instructions, the book offers examples of practical applications of the information. Why was it important to you that the book was more than a dry reference text?
Although a fairly regulated field, international giving is not an exact science. For example, while it is a legal requirement that we vet foreign charitable organizations to establish their eligibility to receive funding from US donors; conducting this due diligence can require grantmakers to make certain judgement calls. Verifying compliance with anti-money laundering and terrorist financing regulations, identifying possible fraudulent donations, communicating with recipient charities and collecting their reports are all aspects that rely heavily on lessons learned, systems changed and perfected. We believe that a comprehensive guide has to cover the soft science of cross-border giving.

www.JKSCommunications.com
237 Old Hickory Blvd., Suite 201, Nashville, TN 37221
Ellen Whitfield
(616) 258-5537
ellen@jkscommunications.com

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/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DENVER, Colo. – Bestselling historical fiction author Samuel Marquis is releasing Book 3 of his World War Two Series, “Spies of the Midnight Sun: A True Story of WWII Heroes” (Mount Sopris Publishing, May 29, 2018). The novel is the true story of overlooked Norwegian female Resistance operatives Dagmar Lahlum and Annemarie Breien and legendary British spy Eddie Chapman as they grappled to defeat the Nazi regime in Occupied Norway. Based on detailed historical research and Marquis’s award-winning narrative style, “Spies of the Midnight Sun” is the perfect read for fans of WWII history, historical fiction, and heroic women neglected by history.

“Spies of the Midnight Sun” is the true story of legendary British safecracker and spy Eddie Chapman, the British Double Cross Spy System, and Norwegian female Resistance operatives Dagmar Lahlum and Annemarie Breien. Known as Agent Zigzag, the most remarkable double agent of WWII, the fearless and roguishly handsome Chapman fell in love with and spied alongside the stunning 20-year-old model Dagmar Lahlum in Occupied Norway. Based upon recently released historical records from British and Norwegian archives, this WWII adventure and romance tale illuminates for the first time the intimate relationship between the two spy-lovers as well as the wartime exploits of Lahlum, Breien, and the Norwegian Resistance to liberate Norway and combat the Gestapo’s bloodhound investigator, Siegfried Fehmer. The contributions of Dagmar Lahlum and Annemarie Breien to the Allied war effort are many and incontrovertible—and yet history has never properly recognized these courageous Resistance women for their achievements. Until now. This book is their story and the story of the colorful Eddie Chapman in their efforts to defeat the Nazis.

SPIES OF THE MIDNIGHT SUN: A TRUE STORY OF WWII HEROES
Samuel Marquis | May 29, 2018 | Mount Sopris Publishing
Paperback ISBN: 978-1-943593-23-1 | Ebook ASIN: 978-1-943593-24-8
Historical Fiction

About The Author
The ninth great-grandson of legendary privateer Captain William Kidd, Samuel Marquis is the bestselling, award-winning author of a World War Two Series, the Nick Lassiter-Skyler International Espionage Series, and historical pirate fiction. His novels have been #1 Denver Post bestsellers, received multiple national book awards (Foreword Reviews Book of the Year, American Book Fest Best Book, USA Best Book, Beverly Hills, Next Generation Indie, Colorado Book Awards), and garnered glowing reviews from #1 bestseller James Patterson, Kirkus, and Foreword Reviews (5 Stars). Book reviewers have compared Marquis’s WWII thrillers “Bodyguard of Deception” and “Altar of Resistance” to the epic historical novels of Tom Clancy, John le Carré, Ken Follett, Herman Wouk, Daniel Silva, and Alan Furst. His website is www.samuelmarquisbooks.com.

The WWII Series

BODYGUARD OF DECEPTION (March 2016)
– Amazon Top 40 Bestseller – Historical Thriller
– Winner Foreword Reviews Book of the Year
– Award-Winning Finalist USA Best Book Awards

Can the American and British Allies stop a vaunted German spymaster and his U-boat-commander brother from warning Hitler’s High Command about the Allies’ greatest military secret? It is a secret that could win the war for Germany–or, at the very least, delay the outcome for years with an inestimable cost in bloodshed, physical destruction, and suffering. And it is a secret that the two contentious brothers must grapple with within their own Wehrmacht ranks, as they bring U.S. and British intelligence to their knees on America’s doorstep with the clock to D-Day ticking down. From a U-boat on the frigid North Sea to a brutal British interrogation center in heart of London to a remote German-POW camp and the world-famous Broadmoor Hotel overlooking the high plains and snow-dusted mountain peaks of Colorado, “Bodyguard of Deception” will keep you guessing until the final chapter. (ISBN 978-1943593125)

ALTAR OF RESISTANCE (January 2017)
– Amazon Top 40 Bestseller – Historical Thriller
– Award-Winning Finalist Foreword Rev. Book of the Year,
– American Book Fest Best Book Awards, and Beverly Hills Book Awards

In this second thriller in the bestselling WWII Trilogy, the Eternal City of Rome during the Nazi Occupation of 1943-1944 is a besieged city. In this perilous wartime setting, Rome is a tinderbox of four conflicting parties: the Allies—represented by Major John Bridger of the American-Canadian First Special Service Force—trying to capture Rome as the first Axis prize of war but encountering stiff opposition; the Germans—represented by Waffen-SS Colonel Wilhelm Hollmann, the German father of John Bridger—trying to throw the Allies back into the sea while holding Rome hostage and using it as a staging ground and supply line to the front; Pope Pius XII, deeply involved in the plot to remove Hitler from power while struggling to maintain Vatican impartiality, mediate between the West and Nazi Germany, save Rome from destruction, and protect the city’s Jews and others from extermination; and finally, the Partisans represented by Teresa Hollmann, the colonel’s daughter and half-sister of John Bridger, who during the German Occupation is transformed from a passive member of Rome’s aristocracy to an active Resistance fighter. (ISBN 978-194359303)

Talking Points

• Researching WWII history and developing a narrative recounting the real history
• Overlooked women in WWII history and the Allied Resistance Movement in Europe
• How the author learned about the real-life Dagmar Lahlum, Eddie Chapman, and Annemarie Breien, the three heroes of the book, and decided to write about them
• How each of Marquis’s WWII novels cover different time periods during the war

Praise for Samuel Marquis

• Denver Post Bestselling Author
• Foreword Reviews Book of the Year Winner
• Beverly Hills Books Awards Winner & Award-Winning Finalist
• Next Generation Indie Book Awards Winner & Award-Winning Finalist
• American Book Fest-USA Best Book Award-Winning Finalist
• Colorado Book Awards Award-Winning Finalist

“The Coalition has a lot of good action and suspense, an unusual female assassin, and the potential to be another ‘The Day After Tomorrow’ [the runaway bestseller by Allan Folsom].” —James Patterson, #1 ‘New York Times’ Bestselling Author

“Altar of Resistance’ is a gripping and densely packed thriller dramatizing the Allied Italian campaign…reminiscent of Herman Wouk’s ‘The Winds of War.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Marquis is a student of history, always creative, [and] never boring….A good comparison might be Tom Clancy.” —Military.com

“In his novels ‘Blind Thrust’ and ‘Cluster of Lies,’ Samuel Marquis vividly combines the excitement of the best modern techno-thrillers, an education in geology, and a clarifying reminder that the choices each of us make have a profound impact on our precious planet.” —Ambassador Marc Grossman, Former U.S. Under Secretary of State

“‘The Coalition’ starts with a bang, revs up its engines, and never stops until the explosive ending….Perfect for fans of James Patterson, David Baldacci, and Vince Flynn.”—Foreword Reviews

“A combination of ‘The Great Escape,’ ‘Public Enemies,’ a genuine old-time Western, and a John Le Carré novel.” —BlueInk Review (for “Bodyguard of Deception,” Book 1 of WWII Series)

“‘The Coalition’ by Samuel Marquis is a riveting novel by an uncommonly gifted writer. This is the stuff from which blockbuster movies are made! Very highly recommended.” —Midwest Book Review – The Mystery/Suspense Shelf

“Readers looking for an unapologetic historical action book should tear through this volume.” —Kirkus Reviews (for “Bodyguard of Deception”)

“Cluster of Lies’ has a twisty plot that grabs hold from the beginning and never let’s go. A true page turner! I’m already looking forward to the next Joe Higheagle adventure.” —Robert Bailey, Author of “The Professor” and “Between Black and White”

“If you haven’t tried a Samuel Marquis novel yet, ‘The Fourth Pularchek’ is a good one to get introduced. The action is non-stop and gripping with no shortage of surprises. If you’re already a fan of the award-winning novelist, this one won’t disappoint.”—Dr. Wesley Britton, Bookpleasures.com (Crime & Mystery) – 5-Star Review

“Marquis is the new Follett, Silva, and Clancy rolled into one.” —Prof. J.R. Welch, Editor of “Dispatches from Fort Apache”

“With ‘Blind Thrust,’ ‘Cluster of Lies,’ and his other works, Samuel Marquis has written true breakout novels that compare favorably with—and even exceed—recent thrillers on the ‘New York Times’ Bestseller List.”—Pat LoBrutto, Former Editor for Stephen King and Eric Van Lustbader (Bourne Series)

“Samuel Marquis picks up his World War II trilogy with ‘Altar of Resistance,’ a well-researched and explosive ride through war-torn Rome with Nazis, booming battles, and intense cat-and-mouse chases….Grounded in historical fact but spiced up with thrilling imagination with the fate of the world in balance.” —Foreword Reviews

“Reminiscent of ‘The Day of the Jackal’…with a high level of authentic detail. Skyler is a convincing sniper, and also a nicely conflicted one.” —Donald Maass, Author of “Writing 21st Century Fiction” (for “The Coalition”)

“Marquis writes quite well, but his real contribution with ‘Blackbeard: The Birth of America’ is historical….An engrossing and historically grounded yarn.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“In ‘Cluster of Lies,’ Samuel Marquis touches all the bases. He starts with a murder and the action doesn’t let up until the very last page in this compelling environmental thriller that is often uncomfortably realistic.” —Charles Salzberg, Author of “The Henry Swann Detective Series”

“In the richness of the texture of his material, Marquis far exceeds the stance of a mere raconteur and entertainer of the masses—he, in fact, becomes a public historian.”—Lois C. Henderson, Bookpleasures.com (Crime & Mystery) – 5-Star Review

www.JKSCommunications.com
237 Old Hickory Blvd., Suite 201, Nashville, TN 37221
Ellen Whitfield
(616) 258-5537
ellen@jkscommunications.com

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/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SAN FRANCISCO – Fay Stender was an extraordinary personality and giant in her field who has never — until now — been the subject of a full biography.  A middle class child prodigy, she abandoned the concert piano to become a zealous advocate for society’s most scorned and vilified defendants, from the Rosenberg espionage case in the early ’50s to Black Panther leader Huey Newton and revolutionary prisoner George Jackson, in the late ‘60s and early ’70s. Lise Pearlman’s comprehensive new book, Call Me Phaedra: The Life and Times of Movement Lawyer Fay Stender (Regent Press, June 5, 2018) examines Stender’s life, from her childhood to her amazing legal successes in a hostile environment, her pioneering work for prison reform, and her bitter falling out with the infamous radicals whom she molded into Movement icons. It also chronicles the experiences of her circle of committed activists who were deeply dissatisfied by the reality masked by the white-washed image of America shown on TV in those years and who committed themselves – like Fay Stender – to push society to live up to its stated goals of liberty and justice for all.

Lise Pearlman is a retired judge and prize-winning author of The Sky’s the Limit: People v. Newton, The Real Trial of the 20th Century? and American Justice on Trial: People v. Newton as well as a critically-acclaimed third history book released in November 2017, With Justice for Some: Politically Charged Criminal Trials of the Early 20th Century That Helped Shape Today’s America. Living her whole adult life in the Bay Area where Stender spent her legal career, Pearlman is uniquely qualified to write this definitive biography of Stender. Like Stender, Pearlman clerked on the California Supreme Court, served on the Board of California Women Lawyers and herself has been recognized as a pioneer. She graduated in the first class of women at Yale University, won publicity as the first woman managing partner of a California law firm and was appointed the first Presiding Judge of the state’s lawyer disciplinary court.

About the Book

Call Me Phaedra: The Life and Times of Movement Lawyer Fay Stender provides an inside view of activism during the McCarthy Era, the Civil Rights Movement, Free Speech Era, the rise of black power, and the Women’s Rights Movement. It chronicles the extraordinary life and career of Fay Stender, focused particularly on her work as a rare female criminal defense lawyer and ground-breaking prisoners’ rights advocate. The book focuses on Stender’s achievements and challenges representing two black revolutionary clients. Her work both won her international acclaim as a top Movement lawyer and propelled her to a tragic end. The saga of this feminine icon will fascinate those who lived through these eras as well as young adults today interested in the history of American activism and, particularly, women who challenged white-male monopoly power. Those who are working to change American society for the better today can draw valuable lessons from this important new biography and history book which reflects years of research, including access to several unpublished private collections and scores of exclusive interviews.

Call Me Phaedra: The Life and Times of Movement Lawyer Fay Stender
Lise Pearlman | June 5, 2018 | Regent Press
Paperback | 978-1-58790-435-6 | $29.95
E-book | 978-1-58790-436-3 | $12.95

Advance praise for Call Me Phaedra

“Moving, well written, at times almost poetic, Lise Pearlman’s new, often thrilling book tells the story of Fay Stender, a revolutionary pioneering woman lawyer dedicated to fighting to achieve justice for some of America’s most notorious prisoners. Fay was my friend from the time of our college days, through the years she rose to international acclaim and notoriety, until her untimely death stemming from the gun of a man who tried to murder her. Lise’s book grippingly sheds light on this remarkable woman’s courageous life and the turbulent time in which she made a significant impact on the arc of justice.” —Robert Richter, award-winning documentary filmmaker

“Lise Pearlman’s book generates great emotional traction  . . . recounting the heroic, tragic life . . .. and death . . .. of one of America’s most zealous, brilliant lawyers. It is written with clarity and precision … and is a necessary remembrance of an amazing woman.” —Penny Cooper, member of the California State Bar Trial Lawyer Hall of Fame

“Call Me Phaedra makes two major contributions to American studies.  It documents the life and times of a remarkable activist woman lawyer in the men’s world of mid 20th century law; Stender was a committed lawyer, exhausting and inspiring to work with. It also chronicles the experience of a strong circle of Progressives emerging from the ‘Red Scare’ in that  Cold War era who struggled to make society more just at a time when bucking conformity was not the norm.” —Peter Franck, former partner of Stender and 2017 San Francisco Lawyers Guild  “Champion of Justice”

An Interview with Lise Pearlman

How long have you been interested in Fay Stender?  
Decades. Our lives overlapped in the East Bay though we never met.  I recall hearing on the radio Memorial Day weekend 1979 the shocking news that she had just been shot in her home in Berkeley.  I understood she had earlier specialized in prisoners’ rights.  I first realized I wanted to know more of her life story after I joined the Board of California Women Lawyers in the 1990s, which gives out an annual award in her name to a lawyer selected for her courage and commitment to representing “women, disadvantaged groups and unpopular causes.” My interest was piqued when I attended a program on great trial lawyers at a judicial conference around the turn of the century where Chief Judge Marilyn Patel singled out Fay Stender as someone who should have been listed.

What was the most interesting thing you found out when you were researching Stender for the book? 
How many contradictions she embodied. She alternated bold, impetuous actions, with fearful paralysis.  She rejected as bourgeois the values of her parents and her sister, but, despite embracing radicals, time and again found herself leaning on the traditions she was raised with. By the time of her death, she had come full circle.  She rejected a career as a concert pianist but always found solace playing the piano. She turned some friends into enemies or “frenemies” and sometimes back again. She kept returning to her husband for security in a rocky, on again, off again marriage.  It was surprising to find out how much she valued her Jewish heritage throughout her life though she seldom attended services, how much she depended on her mother’s moral support despite their often-strained relationship, and how close she became to her sister.

What long term impact did Stender make on the legal system?
She was a pioneer among women lawyers seeking careers in criminal defense. She played a key role in revolutionizing the American “jury of one’s peers” so that nowadays that constitutional guarantee is drawn from a diverse cross-section of citizens instead of the traditional 12 white men.  Her brilliant work with her co-counsel Charles Garry for Huey Newton in his 1968 death penalty trial had instant results — seating mostly women and minorities, who then selected the first black foreman in any major murder case in the United States. Their jury selection techniques were memorialized in a 1969 handbook that became a “Bible” for criminal defense lawyers across the country. Fay Stender then was lead counsel on the Newton appeal and, remarkably, got Newton’s conviction reversed. She won the first change of venue in the history of Monterey County which saved three inmates at Soledad Prison (“the Soledad Brothers”) from near certain execution for the death of a guard if tried in conservative Salinas. With those two amazing achievements, she gained international fame as a Movement lawyer and inspired many young activists to go to law school. She arranged for her inmate client George Jackson’s edited letters to be published in a book, Soledad Brother: The Prison Letters of George Jackson, that became an international best seller.  She launched the Prisoners’ Rights Movement, filing numerous actions on behalf of inmates through staff lawyers, law students and mainstream lawyers she convinced to volunteer their time. Law schools began clinics for prisoner representation they never had before. She helped establish the rights of unmarried life partners and pave the way for lesbian adoptions.

Did the work on your previous books help when you were writing this biography?
Yes and no. I started this project first and put it aside to write the others. I talk about that in the author’s note in my book.  The filmed interviews for the documentary project “American Justice on Trial” added some key insights I lacked before – particularly from former Deputy Public Defender Penny Cooper, who observed part of the 1968 Newton trial, and from pioneering African-American journalist Belva Davis, who covered the trial as a cub reporter. I also found extremely valuable the perspectives of Huey Newton’s older brother Melvin, a great admirer of Fay’s skills and dedication, and those of prosecutor Lowell Jensen, who had great respect for her, both as an adversary in an era when women lawyers rarely represented defendants in criminal cases, and later as a star witness for the prosecution of her assailant.

What can people be able to learn from Stender? 
Both how a passion for a cause and persistence can pay off and a cautionary tale of the perils of unbridled zeal and reckless entanglements. She accomplished amazing results for Huey Newton and for George Jackson and in expanding legal services for prisoners. Personally, she took great risks and did not observe boundaries in her relationships with her black militant clients. Her presumptuousness in acting on behalf of George Jackson proved fatal.

What is the relevance of this book in the “Me Too” era? 
It is highly relevant. Fay Stender went to law school and practiced in a white-male world where women were often taken advantage of and demeaned. If Charles Garry had his way, she would have spent her whole career as his sidekick, never making partner. She is also an example of a woman who suffered greatly from mistreatment by two men – emotionally from being rejected in humiliating fashion by her client Huey Newton, and physically in a near fatal attack by a follower of George Jackson.

Do you relate personally to Stender? 
Yes and no. Both of us are of Jewish heritage from middle class intellectual families. Her dad was a devoted chess player, so were my mother and her father. Our fathers’ careers were both in the sciences.  My mother was an artist; her father painted as a hobby. We each had Polish grandparents who fled persecution for a new life in America. We both value our children above all and share a strong commitment to civil rights and justice. I am far more cautious by nature. I would not have taken the risks she did.

How do you find the time to do this kind of extensive research and write when you have so many other responsibilities?
I also share Fay Stender’s compulsion to juggle many balls in the air. I think it’s true that when you want to get something done you ask a busy person. If it appears worthwhile, they will make time.

Are there any other people you’d like to cover in future works? 
I started researching and writing another history book a while back, but put it aside. I am not ready to discuss its subject. I have thought about the possibility of collaborating on a book about my class of the first women who graduated from Yale, but have not pursued that idea.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell your readers?
I think that we are seeing echoes of the McCarthy Era today and a need for young people to step up again in the forefront of activism. It is heartening to see so many of them eager to lead the way. I hope my books provide some useful insights from those who were inspired to become active from the ’50s through the ’70s.

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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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