Happy Mother’s Day!

The number one indicator for literacy skills in a child is always the access to books in the home. We at JKS have so much to thank our mom’s for as our role models, friends, and book tastemakers from early on….without them we wouldn’t be the readers we are today! Read on for some of our staff reflections on mothers and reading.

 

Lana, Her Mom, and Sisters
lanafamily

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Lana Allen, Executive Administrator

Growing up Mom always had at least 3 books checked out from the library at any given time. Mom was the one who encouraged my sisters and I to volunteer at our local library when we were teenagers– we did, begrudgingly at first, but it ended up being an invaluable experience.

For my birthday this year Mom gave me a new book, called Killers of the Flower Moon, which details the true story of the investigation into the murders of several members of the Osage Nation in Osage County, Oklahoma (just one county over from my Arkansas hometown) in the 1920s. It’s absolutely fascinating so far, thanks Mom! I’m so glad that now that I’m (mostly) grown, books are still an important part of our relationship.

 

Angelle and Her Mom
angellefamily

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Angelle Barbazon, Lead Publicist

It would probably surprise most people to know that when I was a kid, I was sort of a reluctant reader. For a long time, I felt constrained to the list of books my English and literature teachers would assign in school. And while many of those books — classics that I’ve come to love and appreciate today — were valuable in my early education, my mother knew that I had a thirst for knowledge and entertainment that wasn’t being quenched. I can’t remember how old I was when my mom, who has always been a voracious reader, took me to the library to sign up for my own library card, but I distinctly remember holding it in my hand for the very first time and feeling a sense of excitement about the literary world that I had never experienced. Suddenly I had the power to pick out my own books and explore literature on my own terms. The library became a second home for me, and it still is. That one trip to the library changed my life forever, and I have my mom to thank for that.

 

Marissa and Her Mom
marissafamily

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marissa DeCuir, President
My mom has that motherly superpower of always having a way to make me feel better. Saltines and Sprite for an upset stomach, rubbing my head to help me fall asleep, and introducing me to my favorite children’s book to get me through the tougher times.

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day filled me with a lifetime of motivation to not sweat the small stuff (okay I’ll admit, that’s still easier said than done sometimes!) and to be so grateful for all the wonderful things I am so fortunate to already have. Who knew a few small pages could influence my entire life? But that’s what literature does of course, and my mom was the first to introduce me to all of my favorites. I suppose it’s no surprise that we still have a similar taste in books, and it’s always so fun to geek out over the stories together!

 


Max, His Mom and Siblings

maxfamily

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Max Lopez, Publicist
I’ve always associated stories with my mother. She would read to me and my siblings every night before bed, and if we’d read all the books we owned (which happened frequently,) she would make one up on the spot. My love of books can be directly traced back to the way she introduced me to them; as portals to different worlds, to be cherished and voraciously consumed. I’ll never be able to thank her for all that she’s done for me, and especially for giving me an adventurous love for literature!

 

 

Ellen and Her Daughter Maya
ellenfamily

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Ellen Whitfield, Publicist

When I was young, my mom used to make up stories for me featuring all sorts of fantastic characters — Tommy the turtle was a favorite. I think this is part of the reason I had such a great imagination as a kid, and I love to read and immerse myself in new worlds. Now that I’m a mom myself, I realize how hard it is to come up with tales from your own mind. I am always trying to think of fun stories to tell my toddler and coming up blank. Thank goodness she has so many books I can use as backup! And luckily, my mom takes care of her during the week so she can be told the some of the same stories that I was exposed to.

 

 

Hannah’s Mom Reading to Hannah’s Nephew
hannahfamily

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hannah Robertson, Junior Publicist
My mom has always been the point of inspiration for my love of reading. When I was young, she would gather my siblings and I and read to us before bed each night. I’ll never forget the way her voice would guide us through Narnia’s magical lands or the great fields Misty of Chincoteague ran through. Through these and so many other stories, my mom instilled a passion for reading in me that influences just about everything I do. She has always encouraged me to follow my dreams and step out of my comfort zones, in literature and in life. I owe her so much of who I am and what I love.

 

 

Sara and Her Mom
sarafamily

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sara Wigal, Senior Manager
I’m lucky that everyone in my family is a big reader, but I know that my work in Publishing comes from my mother’s encouragement in many ways. Her father worked for The New York Times his entire life, passing that interest in words down to my mother who was the editor of her high school or college newspaper and always loved literature…even though she’s actually a scientist by profession! Growing up she really honored my own interests in reading by taking my brothers and me to the library every week, letting me curl up everywhere with my books, and encouraging me to follow my dreams and study literature in college. She’s modeled what it means to be a literate woman in your own community, as a member of book clubs, school board volunteer, and other active ways to influence literacy and education. Now we compare notes on what we are reading all the time and pass books back and forth, which is really fun!

 

 

In Another Country, and Besides takes you on a sprawling adventure

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

“In Another Country, and Besides” takes you on a sprawling adventure that will leave you questioning and breathless
Maxwell Jacobs weaves a tense tale of love, desperation and uncertainty.

Zürich, Switzerland – “In Another Country, and Besides” opens with a startling and striking scene, and immediately launches into a piercing novel rife with tension, nostalgia and excitement.

Harry Hoffman, who is more than just the simple writer he wants to be, is a character you won’t soon forget. A somber and scarred man, he is desperate to escape a past that lingers in the corners of his mind. When he meets the exquisite Cleo, he sees a chance for a fresh start, but complications grow from their tenuous relationship, and Harry is tempted into behavior that threatens his new way of life. His love of Cleo and all that she offers is a powerful force that threatens to consume anyone and anything in its path.

What is hidden in Harry’s past that he is running from, and will those memories catch up with him? Does he have the strength to make himself a new man, or will he revert to his old patterns?

Maxwell Jacobs has created a vivid and moving experience that takes you across post-war Europe and into the mind of a character unlike any you have met before. “In Another Country, and Besides” is an expressive adventure that will linger in your mind and leave you questioning what is right, what is wrong, what is real, and what matters.

Maxwell Jacobs grew up in the north of England, before moving to New York to work in the publishing industry. Throughout his 20’s he lived in Paris to devote himself to writing. In his early 30’s he moved to Mexico, before moving to Switzerland to begin In Another Country, and Besides.

###

 


About the book

In Another Country, and Besides, tells the confessional story of Harry Hoffman, an expatriate living in post-war continental Europe. During a time of moral bankruptcy, dissolution, and unrealized love, Harry is a lost soul with a sinister past.

Our story begins in Venice, where our protagonist meets Cleo, who offers him an unexpected love affair and a chance to start over. But when this newfound happiness is threatened and their affair is strained by new passions, jealousies and other men, Harry slips back to his old ways and plots his revenge. This takes him on a great variety of adventures and experiences -from Zurich, and the Swiss Alps, to the Cote d’Azur and finally to Paris, irresistibly drawn back to the great, sprawling city he had once fled in bitterness and disgust.

From its violence, ignorance and cruelty, to its joy and mystery, In Another Country, and Besides is told in a language of great simplicity and power of loyalty and courage, love and defeat and the tragic death of an ideal that shows vividly Jacobs own expatriate experiences and by doing so, has created a story with the mass and movement of an epic novel.

“In Another Country, and Besides”
Maxwell Jacobs | Feb. 13, 2018 | Morgan James
Paperback | 978-1683505310 | $15.95
e-book | 9781683508397 | $9.99
Thriller

 

 


An Interview with Maxwell Jacobs

You’ve traveled a lot throughout your life. What is your favorite place to write? 
Having lived in Paris for most of my adult life, it was and is still, a very good place to work. But in general I have worked well everywhere. I enjoy writing in old hotels in the swiss alps and farm houses in Provence, France. But the best writing is certainly when you are in love.

What inspired you to choose the locations in the book? 
Good writing is about what you know and have experienced. If you make up a story, it will be real in proportion to the amount of knowledge that you have acquired. That’s what happened here. I was going through a tough time and then one night in Venice I just started and allowed the story to follow the events that were unfolding in my personal life. I stayed in Venice until Carnival had finished, then continued back in Zurich, where I was living at the time. After some months, the manuscript was up to 40,000 words, so I packed up the car and drove to the south of France for the summer. There I traveled to  Arles, Nîmes, and Antibes, all of which featured heavily in the story.

Harry is, as you’ve said, an “odd fellow.” How did you create a character with such unique characteristics?
Some ideas come from real life. Mostly I invent people from a knowledge and understanding and experience of people.

How do you separate fact from fiction when you are writing a book that’s partially based on real-life experiences? 
From things that have happened and from things as they exist and from all things that you know and all those you cannot know, you make something through your invention that is not a representation but a whole new thing truer than anything true and alive, and you make it alive, and if you make it well enough, you give it immortality.

Is there anything you do when you’re stuck in a writing slump? 
The best way is to always stop when you know what is going to happen next. Then you have the juice for the next time.

Why do you think the post-war backdrop is so perfect for this novel? 
I think men of a certain age after war and a result of their war experience along with social upheavals of the time creates a somewhat cynical and disillusioned environment without cultural or emotional stability which suited the story I have tried to tell.

The ending of this book is begging for a sequel – any plans for one? 
Sometimes you know a story. Sometimes you make it up as you go along and have no idea how it will come out and everything changes as it moves. This was not one of those stories. It was as real as anything. But it was a period of my past, and that’s where it should stay.

If you were able to sit down with three writers, who would you choose and what would you ask them? 
In company with people of your own trade, you ordinarily speak of other writers’ books. The better the writers, the less they will speak about what they have written themselves. I simply try to write better than certain dead writers of whose value I am certain. This would include Twain, Flaubert, Stendhal, Hemingway, Crane, Turgenev, Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky, Chekhov, the good Kipling, Zola, Joyce, Sarte, and Shakespeare.  .

Can you describe the mechanics of writing?
When you start to write you get all the kick and the reader gets none. After you learn to write, your whole objective is to convey everything, every sensation, sight, feeling, place and emotion to the reader. To do this well, you have to work over what you write. If you write with a pencil, you get three different views at it to see if the reader is getting what you wanted him to get. First when you read it over; then when it is typed, and again in the proof. This way, it keeps fluid longer so that you can make it better easier.

Do you know what is going to happen when you write a story?
Almost never. I start to make it up and have happen what would have to happen as it goes along.

How much should you write in a day?
The best way is to read it all every day from the start, correcting as you go along, then go on from where you stopped the day before. When it gets so long that you can’t do this every day, read back two or three chapters each day; then each week read it all from the start. That’s how you make it one piece.

What books should a writer have to read?

  • The Blue Hotel and The Open Boat by Stephen Crane
  • Midshipman Easy, Frank Mildamay and Peter Simple by Captain Marryat
  • Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
  • Kim by Rudyard Kiplin
  • Madame Bovary and L’Education Sentimentale by Gustave Flaubert
  • Dubliners and Ulysses by James Joyce
  • Le Rouge et Le Noir and La Chatreuse de Parme by Stendhal
  • Of Human Bondage by W. Somerset Maugham
  • War and Peace and Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
  • Buddenbrooks by Thomas Mann
  • Hail and Farewell by George Moore
  • The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
  • The Oxford Book of English Verse
  • The Enormous Room by E.E. Cummings
  • Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte
  • Far Away and Long Ago by W.H. Hudson
  • Tom Jones and Joseph Andrews by Henry Fielding
  • Portrait of a Lady and The American by Henry James

What advice do you have for young writers who are starting out?
Try and write something that has not been written before and write the book you want to read. Aside from that, side projects and hobbies are important.

What is the best early training for a writer?
An unhappy childhood.

How can a writer train himself?
Start with watching what happens around you. Remember what the noises were and what was said. Find out what gave you the emotion, what the action was that gave you any excitement. Then write it down and make it clear so the reader will see it too and have the same feeling you had. Also as a writer try not to judge situations, only understand them. When people talk listen completely. Don’t be thinking what you’re going to say. You should be able to go into a room and when you come out know everything that you saw and heard. If that room gave you any feeling you should know exactly what it was that gave you that feeling.

How do I get published?
Open up your cabinet of curiosities. Tell good stories. Learn to take a punch. Stick around.

 

www.JKSCommunications.com
2819 Vaulx Lane, Nashville, TN 37204
Angelle Barbazon
(615) 928-2462
angelle@jkscommunications.com

Partner with Your Publicist

Every author wants his or her book to be a success. Dreams of best-seller lists, grand book tours with sold out speaking engagements, and that coveted interview with Oprah, luxuriate in the backs (and often fronts) of many the writerly mind. But the process of connecting the dots between first draft and The New York Times Bestseller List often escapes even the most ambitious book author.

I’ve been watching the first season of Z: The Beginning of Everything this week, which is an entertaining show about Zelda Sayre, the socialite, writer, and wife of F. Scott Fitzgerald. It has struck me how much publishing has changed since the days of Max Perkins’ golden era—in the early 20th century and prior, a writer’s book-related responsibilities were often to simply write.

Read Full Blog Post

 

“Everybody Needs a Bridge” explores difficult choices faced growing up in the segregated South Colleen D. Scott releases a work filled with adversity and resounding courage

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WINDERMERE, Florida – “Everybody Needs A Bridge” is the story of how the bonds we form and the decisions we make when we are young shape our future self.
As a white, middle-class female growing up in a socially segregated Alabama town, Erin is raised to embrace people regardless of gender, class and race. But when those theoretical lessons become reality, she is faced with hard choices and no clear solutions.

Colleen D. Scott, basing her engrossing novel on real-life events, takes us on a coming-of-age journey through Erin’s high school years and beyond.
Admist racial tensions and societal pressures, Erin dreams of pursing a life free of oppressive expectations. As she grows, important relationships and life-changing events challenge her to determine her own path, despite the difficulties. In the face of unspeakable tragedy and enduring adversity, Erin must decide if what she wants is worth the consequences she will face.

Readers will undoubtedly empathize with Erin’s journey and the problems presented by growing up in a society grappling with change. Scott brings a unique perspective to a pivotal story about discovering who you are meant to be.

After decades spent pursuing a career in the corporate world and raising three incredible children, Colleen decided to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an author. Raised in southern Alabama, this new author artfully weaves compelling story lines with emotion evoking characters into biting social commentary. And like most southern women, Colleen enjoys great food, football and reading a great book on a sandy beach.

 

###

 


About the book

everybodyneedsabridgecover

High school is a difficult time for every teenager. When Erin enters a large public high school in 1980, she’s more than a little intimidated. Shocked by the realization that the legacy of her southern Alabama town isn’t a thing of the past, Erin struggles to find her way and in the process forms several important relationships. Brittany, whose genuine friendship and unconditional support help Erin navigate her unfamiliar surroundings. Shelby, whose strength and confidence challenge Erin to make her own decisions. And Emmet, whose magnetism and acceptance inspires her to dream of a different future.
As the years pass, Erin’s new bonds grow stronger. And together, they search for the answer to one important question: How do you define your own path, feel like you belong, and yet resist all of the social pressures and rigid expectations?
Tragically, after their time in high school ends, Erin becomes separated from these important friends. Alone, she struggles to find the courage to continue her journey. Ultimately, she is forced with a life-defining choice. Her decision will catapult Erin into adulthood, will test her faith, love and courage, and inevitably have an impact on the lives of those she loves most.

“Everybody Needs A Bridge”
Colleen D. Scott | Feb. 1, 2018 | NKD Ventures
Paperback | 978-1-947832-00-8 | $9.99
e-book | 978-1-947832-01-5 | $5.99
Young adult | Coming of age

 

 

 


An Interview with Colleen D. Scott

ColleenScottPhoto

When writing a book based on real events, how hard is it to keep fact separated from fiction?
The key element for me was to ensure that the events and experiences of the main character were factual. The novel is an obvious social commentary set in a specific place and time. But in order for the reader to identify with and connect with the main characters, their experiences had to be authentic. These events provide the necessary context for their actions and emotions. Once the core structure of truth was in place, it was easy to add the fictional elements by changing physical descriptions, locations, consolidating and eliminating characters and adding dialogue.

Three are a lot of negative things explored in the book about growing up in the South – what are some of the positives?
It’s important to keep in mind that the novel outlines a story emerging from the first generation to grow up after the civil rights movement. The primary characters don’t remember life before the civil rights act. And although the civil rights movement technically ended in 1968 when the civil rights act was signed, for the South, that was only the beginning. The subsequent desegregation of schools, organized busing and elimination of many Jim Crow laws, may have changed how people behaved in public, but it takes far more to desegregate society.

I provide that context not to excuse the behaviors and actions. But hopefully, after reading this novel, the reader will understand the struggle and recognize some of the causes of those behaviors. Many of which we still experience in society today. Specifically, I want the reader to examine how the fear of being ostracized socially, the fear of not measuring up to societal expectations, drive behavior.

I hope the reader can see some of the positive aspects of the South beyond the negatives. The ardent belief in the power of hard work, perseverance and dedication are just a few key values highlighted repeatedly throughout the novel. And it’s that level of commitment and dedication to hard work that it takes to bring about the level of change needed.

If you could sit down with three writers, who would they be and what would you ask them?
There are so many, it is difficult to narrow it down to three! I would love the opportunity to ask Pat Conroy how his family members reacted to the story lines of his novels. His novels high light the generational divide in a similar emotional way.

Catherine Ryan Hyde is one of my favorite authors to read. She is a great story teller and I would love to have a conversation with her about her creative process. I would also like to meet John Grisham. Although his novels primarily center on the legal aspects of similar experiences, he seems to have a similar relationship with the south. And if I am allowed to add a fourth, I would love to meet Jesmyn Ward too! I love her work and she grew up not too far from my hometown.

Why do you think it’s important for adults to read stories classified as YA?
Young adult fiction is my favorite genre. The story lines are compelling, many are thought provoking, and the stories are told without gratuitous sex and violence. Young adult novels not only reconnect the adult reader with their own adolescence, but they explore struggles which for most of us extend beyond our teens and twenties.

How hard was it to put yourself in the mind of a teenager?
It wasn’t difficult at all! I believe our young adult years are profound and transformational times in our lives. As a result, those emotional times, filled with life directing decisions, are permanently burned in our memories!

What is your writing process like?
I start by identifying a theme and a story line which best illustrates that theme. Once I have a general idea of the story, I use sticky notes stuck on a wall to outline the scenes and build a skeleton outline. From that skeleton of scenes, I isolate the main characters that give the reader the best perspective. Then I spend time visualizing the main characters and develop a relationship with them. Once I begin writing I let the story take over. Along the way, I tweak the outline, add and eliminate scenes, combine and develop characters, so it is helpful that the outline is made of sticky notes!

Do you have something you do when stuck with writer’s block?
The story wants to be told. So if I get stuck on a particular scene, I take a long walk. It helps me let my mind run free and allow the story to take back over.

Why did you feel like you had to write this book?
I strongly believe that it requires courage to live even an ordinary life. I wanted to write this novel in order to honor the people who give us courage along the way and demonstrate how critical those key relationships can be in our lives.

How are plans shaping up for sequels?
I have completed a second novel which is unrelated, titled Everybody Needs To Remember, which should be published later this spring. I expect to complete a sequel to Everybody Needs A Bridge by the end of 2018.

If you had to sum up your message in one sentence, what would it be?
Use your power of support and encouragement in your personal relationships for good not evil. Help the people in your life to live with courage.

 

 

www.JKSCommunications.com
2819 Vaulx Lane, Nashville, TN 37204
Angelle Barbazon
(615) 928-2462
angelle@jkscommunications.com

“Loose Ends” takes readers on a white-knuckle ride with two sisters on the run — from the law and from their past Caroline Taylor deftly tackles a tale of secrets and intrigue

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In the midst of Bicentennial celebrations, Carson Mahoney narrowly escapes a home invasion that reduces her house to rubble. In a West Virginia commune, her sister Cam kills the commune leader. Now both sisters must flee.

Already a suspect in her secretive husband’s murder, Carson fears the police will suspect her of arson and put her in jail. It happened before, back when the two sisters were teenagers, imprisoned in a foreign country. It cannot happen again.

But running away is also not an option. Cam needs to find the innocent whose life she has saved. Carson must find the thugs who destroyed her home and her livelihood. All too soon, the sisters learn how impossible it is to hide and how difficult it is to trust those who offer help. Will they survive long enough to clear their names?

Caroline Taylor has written a tightly woven thriller full of female empowerment and bravery, with strong women seeking justice and formidable opponents in their way. With twists and turns, jolting from the present to the past, readers will be holding their breath until the very end.

Caroline Taylor is the author of two mystery novels, “What Are Friends For?” and “Jewelry from a Grave,” one nonfiction book, “Publishing the Nonprofit Annual Report: Tips, Traps, and Tricks of the Trade,” and numerous short stories and essays, which are featured on her website at www.carolinestories.com. A collection of short stories, titled “Enough: Thirty Stories of Fielding Live’s Little Curve Balls,” is forthcoming from Literary Wanderlust in April 2018. A longtime resident of Washington, DC, she now lives in North Carolina.

 

 

###

 


About the book

Loose-Ends-BookCover

When armed gunmen invade Carson Mahoney’s Washington, D.C., home in 1976 and then blow it up, she decides she must disappear. She’s already a suspect in the murder of her former husband, so calling the police is not an option. Neither is jail. Carson turns to her sister Cameron for help.

But Cam has her own troubles. Now living in a West Virginia religious commune, she discovers the commune leader “counseling” a three-year-old girl with his fly open. She slashes his throat and flees with the child, only to be captured. But jail is no option for her either. It is a hell that stretches back ten years to a foreign country where both sisters were imprisoned for debt owed by their parents, a place where raping female captives is a job perk. Cam manages to escape the commune only to wind up cornered in a hotel room. The only way out is a three-story fall to the ground.

Meanwhile, the thugs who invaded Carson’s house reach her before she can summon help, and she learns that she is one of many loose ends to be tied up because of her former husband’s role in the assassination of Orlando Letelier.

“Loose Ends”
Caroline Taylor | December 7, 2017 | Moonshine Cove Publishing
Paperback | 9781945181269 | $13.99
Thriller

 

 

 


An Interview with Caroline Taylor

Caroline-Taylor-photo

You are an experiencedwriter, having tackled fiction, non-fiction and short stories. What drew you to write a thriller?
Did changing genres change your approach to writing? I am a big fan of Thomas Perry’s Jane Whitefield series, featuring a woman who helps people change their identity and disappear. I thought I might try my hand at something similar, based in Washington, D.C., where I lived for many years. It didn’t change my approach to writing, per se, although I did have a lot of fun putting my two main characters into a mess of trouble and then trying to figure out how to get them out of it.

Were any of the characters in your book inspired by real people?
Not so much real people as a desire to write about women who do not let victimhood define them. I also thought it would be interesting to make one of them a graphic designer, which I was, briefly, back when waxed galleys and press-type were the tools of the trade.

How did your experiences living abroad inform your plot line in “Loose Ends”?
It was a real eye-opener for me to learn that rights we take for granted as U.S. citizens do not extend beyond our own borders. And it shows how naïve some Americans traveling abroad can be, as recent incidents in North Korea and Mexico have shown. It seemed to me an excellent way to create the backstory that explains both sisters’ justifiable fear of incarceration.

What can readers learn from the strength of Cam and Carson?
They are both named after heroes (real and radio) of the Old West. In that way, they are throwbacks to a time when circumstances did not allow you to fall apart or whine or become immobilized by fear. You had to pick yourself up and press on, against whatever odds you faced, because surrender meant certain death.

What led to you to explore corruption within a Christian commune?
Mostly media accounts over the years of child abuse in religious cults. The images of women from these cults and how they are made to dress made me think they were powerless and probably unable to prevent the abuse. Perhaps they themselves were victims of abuse.

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.

If you could sit down with three authors, who would they be and what would you ask them?
Elmore Leonard: How do you manage to write such spot-on dialogue for your low-life characters? Alan Furst: Tell me your secret of writing a scene about sex that makes it both sexy and interesting but never graphic. Olivia Manning: Guy and Harriet Pringle are unforgettable characters — Guy for being such a useless, albeit charming cad, and Harriet for her blindness to what’s happening around her and her acerbic tongue. Were they based on people you knew or an amalgam of people you knew, or did they spring solely from your imagination?

There are so many storylines in “Loose Ends,” but you said you write without an outline. How did you keep everything straight?
With great difficulty. But I had no choice. I have tried to outline a plot, but it always winds up looking trite, derivative, boring, or all of the above. Once I write an opening scene, I take Ann Tyler’s advice and just let the characters take me where they want to go. Sometimes that works beautifully, as it did with Loose Ends. Other times, I have to stop their journey, turn them back, and start them down another path until I begin to see where they will end up.

Why did you decide to name chapters after songs?
The 1970s was awash in unforgettable music, and I wanted to pay homage to it. Some of the songs are of earlier vintage, but I tried to make the song titles as contemporary as I could while also having them suggest what is going to happen in the chapter.

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. One reviewer of Loose Ends thought my characters were cold and unfeeling because they didn’t cry or cave under duress. To me, they seem like strong women, women who have survived a terrible ordeal in the past and who have learned the hard way that it’s up to them to make a life for themselves, to find justice in an unjust world.

 

www.JKSCommunications.com
2819 Vaulx Lane, Nashville, TN 37204
Angelle Barbazon
(615) 928-2462
angelle@jkscommunications.com

When performer exits stage for politics in “Roll the Dice,” dark secrets are exposed and scandal is around every corner

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ENCINO, California – When Tyler Sloan, famed singer-songwriter and member of the Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame, retires from the Las Vegas stage to campaign for election as Nevada’s next U.S. senator in “Roll the Dice” (Fiery Seas, Nov. 28), intrigue and scandals bubble up from every corner.

Issues with his father, a former California governor who nearly became president, permeate their relationship and the campaign. Sloan’s attorney has one eye on protecting Sloan and the other on his own interests. Another musician blackmails him with a decades-old video sex tape of Sloan and two women, one of whom is his Republican opponent. Sloan’s edgy relationship with his attractive young media advisor borders on the edge of propriety, and his campaign manager is embroiled in legal troubles with the FBI.  Throughout this turbulent ride, Sloan tries to protect his 13-year-old daughter from all of this, but finds it difficult to shield her from her mother, who is becoming increasingly dependent on prescription medications.

Wayne Avrashow knows politics and campaigns inside and out, and it shows in his first novel. In pre-publication review, Kirkus awarded “Roll the Dice” as one of the year’s best unpublished manuscripts, and termed it “politics at its corrupt, dysfunctional best.” It is filled with dark secrets, family tension, blackmail and bribes.

Sloan is a unique character who runs as a political independent, refuses campaign contributions and disdains support from lobbyists. “Roll the Dice” takes the reader on a tense, thrilling ride through the campaign for a seat that will ultimately control the equally divided Senate.

Wayne Avrashow is an attorney, former campaign manager in Los Angles politics, government commissioner, and author of numerous op-ed articles on political and legal issues. “Roll the Dice” has received positive blurbs from a New York Times-bestselling author, a prominent movie producer and elected political figures, including the former mayor of Los Angeles. Avrashow is also the author of “Success at Mediation-10 Strategic Tools for Attorneys.” Find him online at www.wayneavrashow.com, on Facebook, and on Twitter, @WayneAvrashow.

 

###

 


About the book

AvrashowBookCover

What happens when one of America’s biggest rock stars leaves the Las Vegas stage to run for the United State Senate?
The ultimate celebrity candidate, Tyler Sloan is no stranger to politics – his estranged father was a California governor who narrowly lost a Presidential campaign. He runs as a political independent, refuses campaign contributions, and dismisses special interests and lobbyists.

Sloan is caught in a political campaign fraught with; sexual scandal, corruption and conflicting loyalties. Will he be able to navigate through political turbulence and his own past to win the race?

“Roll the Dice”
Wayne Avrashow | Nov. 28, 2017 | Fiery Seas
Paperback | 978-1-946143-32-7 | $18.99
E-book | 978-1-946143-33-4 | $7.99
Contemporary political thriller

 


An Interview with Wayne Avrashow

Was there an exact moment you knew you wanted to write a novel? Or was a feeling that grew over time?
I enjoyed political and legal books, fiction and non-fiction.  I read a political novel that received critical acclaim, and with all due modesty, thought I could weave a story based on my experiences and creative license of a novel.

Were Tyler Sloan or any of the other characters inspired by real life figures? 
A combination of political candidates I have known personally, and watched on tv.  I blended those characteristics with a few celebrities I have interacted with and also watched.  Sloan is not one person, but imagine your favorite fifty year old, rock or movie star with political sensibilities…that’s Sloan.

How does Tyler’s campaign differ from campaigns you’ve worked on? How is it similar?
I took a writing classes at UCLA Extension and the teacher had an expression “go big.”  I took my experiences and inflated them to “go big.”

How is the writing process for a novel different from writing your previous book “Success at Mediation-10 Strategic Tools for Attorneys?”
My mediation book was a more serious analysis, with casual examples of how-to for attorneys in mediations or any settlement discussions.  The novel is based on factual circumstances and then…boom…the creative juices flow.  The pleasure of writing a novel is the creative process, a LOT more enjoyment than drafting a legal document.

If you were able to sit down and have dinner with three political figures, who would you choose?
George Washington, he could share his recollections of all the founding fathers and how they created this perfect union.  It was a government masterpiece. Abraham Lincoln on how he held the union together.  His “malice toward none” is a stark contrast to today’s polarized politics.  I’ll tweak the question and listen as FDR and Winston Churchill discuss how to prevail in WWII.

Same question, but for authors. 
I marvel at how John Grisham and Michael Connelly can continue to remain fresh, with clever plot lines and characters after so many books.  J.K. Rowling created an alternative universe in Harry Potter…the creativity is mind boggling.  Her rise from abject poverty is also awe inspiring.

There are numerous plot lines in “Roll the Dice.” Did you have to devise a way to keep everything straight? 
I wanted a smart, but politically less knowledgeable candidate like Sloan to face an onslaught of attacks from various forces, angles and people.   Some of the attacks are legitimate, some nonsense, the current state of politics.  All of the plot lines weave together and are resolved.

What make Las Vegas and Nevada such good backdrops for a political thriller? 
Las Vegas is sui generis, Latin for unique.  It is internationally known, some love it, others loathe the city.  Nevada is a large state with vast open space.  In Reno and many of its smaller cities and towns, the state retains its westerly heritage and culture.

What advice would you give aspiring writers?
I just wrote a blog on that for my webpage, www.wayneavrashow.com.  Keep your creative dream, write frequently, educate yourself on your subject matter and how to craft your story.  Be patient, it is not a quick or easy process.

Can we expect more from you, and possibly Tyler Sloan, in the future? 
The sequel is being outlined as we speak!!

 

 

www.JKSCommunications.com
2819 Vaulx Lane, Nashville, TN 37204
Angelle Barbazon
(615) 928-2462
angelle@jkscommunications.com

Debut memoir ‘Loving Lindsey’ shares Linda Atwell’s inspirational story of raising her daughter with special needs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PORTLAND, Ore. – Linda Atwell’s debut memoir tells the beautiful, tumultuous coming-of-age story of her daughter with special needs, Lindsey. Written like a novel, “Loving Lindsey” blends the poignant realism of handling difficult situations with the joy of raising a child, creating a dynamic narrative that will have you hooked from the first chapter.

Dealing with the complex subjects of sexual relationships, independence, and family involvement for people with special needs, “Loving Lindsey” is an emotional story that lovingly brings hard-to-discuss topics to light. Atwell’s gorgeous storytelling puts you in the middle of every moment, leaving you laughing and crying as you follow Lindsey’s journey through the highs and lows of growing up.

About the Book: Linda Atwell and her strong-willed daughter, Lindsey—a high-functioning young adult with intellectual disabilities—have always had a complicated relationship. But when Lindsey graduates from Silverton High School at nineteen and gets a job at Goodwill, she also moves into a newly remodeled cottage in her parents’ backyard—and Linda believes that all their difficult times may finally be behind them.

Life, however, proves not to be so simple. As Lindsey plunges into adulthood, she experiments with sex, considers a tubal ligation, and at twenty quits Goodwill and runs away with Emmett, a man more than twice her age. As Lindsey grows closer to Emmett, she slips further away from her family—but Linda, determined to save her daughter, refuses to give up. A touching memoir with unexpected moments of joy and humor, “Loving Lindsey” is a story about independence, rescue, resilience, and, most of all, love.

Linda Atwell lives in Silverton, Oregon with her husband, John. They have two incredible adult children. Linda earned her BA from George Fox College, but it is her entrepreneurial and adventuresome spirits that have inspired her career goals. She owned a successful home décor business for ten years before switching to adjusting catastrophe insurance claims and climbing roofs for a living. Now she writes. Her award-winning work has appeared in print.

###

 


About the book

AtwellBookCover

“Loving Lindsey”
Linda Atwell • Sept. 26, 2017 • She Writes Press
ISBN: 978-1-63152-280-2 (print) • 978-1-63152-281-9 (ebook)
Price: $16.95 (print) • $9.95 (ebook)
Memoir

 

“Atwell’s evocative descriptions provide added depth to the characters, particularly Lindsey, whose voice emanates from the pages. A brutally honest, affecting memoir of family resilience.” —Kirkus Reviews

“As the older sister of a brother with special needs, I despair over those stories that portray people with disabilities as carefree candidates for sainthood. Linda Atwell’s ‘Loving Lindsey’ provides a candid look at what it means to be the parent of an adult child with special needs. She captures the complexity of her relationship with her daughter in prose rich with compassion and wit. Lindsey emerges from these pages as a real person–complicated, challenging, and absolutely delightful.” ~Melissa Hart, author of “Wild Within: How Rescuing Owls Inspired a Family and Gringa: A Contradictory Girlhood”

“Ms. Atwell writes with clarity and contemplation through the triumphs and tragedies of raising someone with special needs. Her memoir is a moving exploration of a mother’s resolve to keep her daughter safe, despite Lindsey’s determination to dance to her own off-beat drum, and how the love that bonds this mother and daughter will prevail against the odds. At times funny and always candid, ‘Loving Lindsey’ is a book every woman should enjoy reading, no matter where they fall on its relationship spectrum.” ~Kathleen Cremonesi, author of “Love in the Elephant Tent: How Running Away with the Circus Brought me Home,” winner of 2016 Gold Medal Independent Publisher Awards for Coming of Age/Family Legacy

“I LOVE this book so much! ‘Loving Lindsey’ is a brave and big-hearted story every parent should read. Linda Atwell writes with generosity and depth about what it means to fiercely love and accept each other.”  ~Ariel Gore, author of “The End of Eve, Atlas of the Human Heart”

“As the parent of a child with disabilities, I often wonder and worry about what the future holds for my son. Reading ‘Loving Lindsey’ has given me great hope. Linda Atwell’s tender, funny, real, and at times heart-wrenching memoir about her daughter—who as an adult woman still sleeps with a Cabbage Patch doll yet holds a job, gets a place of her own and falls in love, as doomed as it may be—portrays the self-sufficiency and experiences that I want my son to someday enjoy. I know there will be bumps along the way large and small, but ‘Loving Lindsey’ shows that it is entirely possible to have intellectual disability and also have a good life.” ~Ellen Seidman, author of the award-winning blog Love That Max

“A suspenseful heart-wrenching tale of broken dreams and incredible burdens, ‘Loving Lindsey’ is a first-hand account of raising a child with a diminished emotional and intellectual capacity who will never be a fully-functioning adult.  This harrowing journey—a page-turner that’s every parent’s nightmare—will stay with you long after you have put down the book. Highly recommended.” ~Barbara Donsky, award-winning author of “Veronica’s Grave: A Daughter’s Memoir” (Canadian version: “Missing Mother”)

“Loving Lindsey” is a mom’s heartbreakingly honest account of letting go of her daughter, Lindsey. Linda Atwell describes the increasingly rocky relationship between her and her daughter with special needs as Lindsey approached adulthood, along with difficult decisions Atwell and her husband faced as Lindsey matured and began making self-destructive choices. The heroes of this book are Atwell’s fierce and imperfect love for her daughter and Lindsey’s determination to be as independent as possible. “Loving Lindsey” offers parents of children with special needs a glimpse of the challenges their children will face in adulthood and food for thought about how to prepare and navigate them. ~Jolene Philo, author of “A Different Dream for My Child and Does My Child Have PTSD?”

“The reader gets to see this family in a world we don’t usually get to share—raising a teenage daughter compounded by the difficulties of developmental disability. Told with clear-eyed empathy for her daughter and the other members of her family, Atwell’s memoir is unflinchingly honest, allowing us to drop midstream into this remarkable family’s life.” ~Diana Y. Paul, author of “Things Unsaid”

“Loving Lindsey’ is provocative and it will leave you changed, which is the highest praise I can give a book.” ~Debby Dodds, author of “Amish Guys Don’t Call”

“Atwell shines a light on the complicated issues involved in loving and living with someone with special needs. Whether you are a family member of someone with intellectual disabilities or just looking in from the outside, you will be moved.” ~Teresa Sullivan, author of “Mikey and Me: Life with My Exceptional Sister”

“Told with astonishing honesty and candor, this is a story about the courage and bravery of daily life in a family bringing a “forever child” into adulthood. It’s a story about real love in real life.” ~Corinne Tippett, author of “Just a Couple of Chickens and When No One Else Would Fly”

“Atwell’s strong relationship with Lindsey, her adult daughter with special needs, carries her (and us) through heartbreaking times that include fear, frustration, and disappointment that are always tempered by unwavering love and a determination to equip her daughter with skills for an independent life. A riveting narrative of mother-daughter struggles and rewards.” ~Matilda Butler, memoir coach and award-winning author of “Rosie’s Daughters: The ‘First Woman To’ Generation Tells Its Story”

“Linda Atwell is a master storyteller, and does a phenomenal job of sharing the love and grievances that come with raising her daughter. The moments and years of joy and frustration every family feels are especially touching as she navigates life with her sweet, defiant girl. ‘Loving Lindsey’ is an exquisitely told account of a mother’s protection, pride, frustration, and is, ultimately, a story about never giving up. I highly recommend ‘Loving Lindsey’ to every parent.” ~Kristi Rieger Campbell, speaker, author, advocate, and Finding Ninee creator

“Linda Atwell is a beacon of light in her book about the richness of raising a daughter with special needs. Lindsey stories are woven into the midst of Atwell’s own very full life, and she truly tells it like it is. She shares her experiences through the lenses of love, humor, and the human condition.” ~Diana Dolan Mattick, special education teacher and learning specialist

“Raising a child with an intellectual disability is tough. When that child becomes an adult, the challenges can be insurmountable. Linda Atwell puts the spotlight on her daughter Lindsey — and herself — and never wavers, not in parenting her child or in telling her story. I couldn’t put the book down.” ~Amy Silverman, author of “My Heart Can’t Even Believe It: A Story of Science, Love, and Down Syndrome”


An Interview with Linda Atwell

AtwellAuthorPhotoWhat made you decide to write a book about raising Lindsey, and what do you hope to share with the world through this story?
I wasn’t a perfect mother. I failed my daughter on many occasions. Yet I also recognized that, like most parents, my motives were grounded with love. During the writing process, I learned to find a healthy balance between the daughter I thought I wanted and the one I got. Because of Lindsey, I have more stories to tell. Some of her shenanigans sure didn’t seem entertaining back in the day we were going through them, but with the passage of time, I can now find nuggets of humor. My daughter certainly has her own unique way of seeing the world, of speaking—and that amuses me.

I wanted so much for my girl—despite her intellectual disabilities—to get what a typical kid gets: independence, romantic love, purpose. Fortunately, Lindsey not only wanted, she demanded these things for herself. And, for the most part, she’s succeeded. But with such desires, such goals, sometimes there are pitfalls. Bad things can happen. Yet I hope “Loving Lindsey” readers will see the success people with special needs can achieve when offered parental, educational, and community support. They often have more abilities than we give them credit for. Lindsey continues to surprise us all the time.

Special education in the public school plays a prominent role in Lindsey’s life. How has education helped Lindsey, and what’s your perspective on its importance?
For several years, Lindsey had only been diagnosed with essential tremors. When she started preschool, her teacher voiced some concerns about Lindsey’s inability to make friends and do the work. At first I dismissed the teacher’s concerns because my daughter looked so typical. My initial reaction (I’m ashamed to say now) was that it must be the teaching, it could not possibly be my girl. Now, I realize this is a classic reaction by a lot of parents who’ve gone through similar situations.

Yet, as time went on and Lindsey had difficulty grasping her lessons and socializing, I realized she needed to be evaluated at Oregon Health Science University (OHSU), one of the most respected medical facilities in Oregon. Had my daughter not attended preschool and kindergarten, I don’t know how long it would have taken to recognize that she did indeed have challenges.

Once OHSU doctor’s diagnosed Lindsey, they also provided some suggestions for an Individualized Education Program (IEP). We tried different types of individualized learning: resource room, classroom aide, then special education classroom. We tried complete mainstreaming, then partially mainstreaming. Each decision had its strengths and weaknesses. By the time Lindsey reached junior high and high school, I realized that a lot of what I wanted for my daughter was ego based. Not hers. Mine. When I let go of my ego and decided to allow Lindsey to concentrate on Life Skills, instead of a traditional education track, things got a lot better in our household. Lindsey wasn’t as frustrated with the lessons she brought home each evening, which translated to a calmer home environment—a long-awaited and welcome change. Lindsey liked doing the hands-on projects much better. The school system also provided job shadowing and training. Her regular classes—choir, home economics, and physical education—were interspersed with the Life Skills program throughout her junior and senior years in high school.

I’m not suggesting our decision to go with the special education and life skills training is the correct route for every child who has developmental delays, but it did seem to work for our girl. One drawback was that Lindsey did not earn a high school diploma. Instead she earned a certificate of attendance. Making the decision to only receive a certificate of attendance was harder for me (again), than for Lindsey. After all, she just knew that she was attending graduation, walking across the stage, and receiving a certificate, exactly like all of her classmates. And in the end, it did not matter. A “real” diploma would not have made a difference in Lindsey’s future.

“Loving Lindsey” deals with a variety of complex subjects including living independently, romantic relationships, and tubal ligation. What perspective would you share with parents and caregivers struggling with the same issues?
I’m not a certified professional in this field, I’m just a mother who loves her daughter and wants what’s best for her. For the most part, in offering my perspective, others must understand, that is all it is: my perspective. Of course, each individual will have different issues and so what was right for Lindsey, for us, may not be the correct choice for another family in a similar situation.

So first of all, we are fairly liberal thinkers when it comes to social issues. Still, I do believe, that any and all subjects should be discussed with a child or young adult when they show interest, gearing the discussion to the age appropriateness of the individual. From our experience, these issues won’t go away if ignored. Most people with some sort of disability or special need still mature physically—just like the rest of us. And they have dreams and urges and needs that cannot—and should not—be ignored. I would highly recommend addressing all concerns and questions with the individual and try to come up with a solution that works for all. If you need more advice, I would chat with someone who knows your child the best: a doctor, a counselor, an education specialist, etc. They would know how to handle your unique situation the best.

Your community played a huge part in creating an environment for Lindsey to thrive. For people that do not have loved ones with special needs, how would you recommend they can encourage and help people who do?
This is a rather tough question. Individuals with special needs are more vulnerable. Many of us have taught our children about stranger danger. Still, our family has relied on the kindness of strangers on many occasions. And, as much of a cliché as this is, I believe it takes a village to raise a child. At least it has been true in our case.

So having said that, my daughter does love to chat. Especially when she feels safe. So if you have an opportunity to chat in a line at the bank or grocery store, Lindsey would likely be fine with that, and I can only assume others would be, too. Individuals with special needs often feel invisible. People are often uncomfortable being around someone different. So if you are comfortable starting up a conversation, it could be as simple as asking how he or she likes the weather or giving a compliment about an outfit.

If you live in an apartment complex or neighborhood, it is nice to get to know your neighbors. And if so, you could reach out, tell the individual that you’ve noticed them around and if she ever needs assistance, you would be available (please only say that if you mean it). You could share your phone number, HOWEVER, please note that a great deal of individuals with special needs do not necessarily understand boundaries or social queues. If you provide a phone number, she might call you. A lot. You will have to find kind ways to end a conversation that goes on longer than you wanted or intended. We often tell Lindsey, “Thank you so much for calling. This isn’t a good time right now, but do you have another time I might be able to call you back and chat?”

In our daughter’s case, she is generally not offended if someone tells her this is not a good time, or I only have a minute to chat and then I have to go, or please don’t call my house after eight at night or before 9 in the morning. Please explain/set boundaries with someone like Lindsey, otherwise you might have a new best friend. And one final thought, you might have to share these boundaries/guidelines several times. Sometimes the first time doesn’t register. You may be uncomfortable doing so, but if you do it kindly, you are doing a service to someone like my daughter.

How would you recommend parents of children with special needs reach out for support? What kind of support helped you the most as you raised Lindsey?
In some ways, while Lindsey was growing up in the 80s and 90s, we felt isolated from other parents who had kids with similar special needs. Back then, there was no Internet. Lindsey’s diagnosis was so vague that we didn’t have the support groups that parents who have a child with Down syndrome or Autism might have access to. The Internet has changed that scenario for a lot of parents. Now there are more support groups and they are just a Google search away. Sometimes you can chat online, which means you don’t even have to leave your home!

When Lindsey was first diagnosed, our doctor did offer advice. When she went though OHSU, it seems they had some sort of liaison who helped coordinate some of Lindsey’s early education intervention. But since Lindsey didn’t really require a great deal of medical attention, after that, the school system was our best resource.

As Lindsey approached her senior year, the director of the special education program recommend we apply for Social Security Disability for Lindsey. It seems like there were some advantages to applying before Lindsey turned a certain age. (Please check that out because it turned out to be excellent advice and the age may have changed since we applied.) The director also suggested we consider a caseworker who could help Lindsey transition into adulthood. That advice helped us learn about the resources available for our daughter, such as subsidized housing, food stamps, activities for people with special needs, and much more. These services are valuable because they help Lindsey live an independent life. Besides, one of our major concerns is: we don’t know how long we will be here on this earth. Therefore, we want to make sure that Lindsey can continue to live in the same manner as she currently does, whether or not we are here to help her.

You mention details of Lindsey’s special needs throughout the book. How was she diagnosed, and what would you recommend to parents whose child receives a similar diagnosis?
A year or two after her grand mall seizure, a neurologist diagnosed her essential tremors. When they got worse and we began to notice other things, such as not playing well with others, fine motor skill issues, her inability to concentrate on schoolwork, her inability to retain information, I insisted she be evaluated by doctors at Oregon Health Science University (OHSU). In 1985, Lindsey was selected for a nine-month study. At the end, the doctors concluded that Lindsey was mildly mentally retarded from an unidentifiable syndrome. They said she had a short in her neurological system and would never process information the same as her peers. First of all, the word “retarded” hurt my heart. It felt like someone hit me with a stun gun. And I couldn’t believe that my typical-looking daughter could have such a diagnosis, and for years, I didn’t believe it. I thought that if my husband and I worked with Lindsey long enough, she would outgrow this label. But that didn’t happen.

Fortunately, “retarded” has been phased out. Today, Lindsey would likely be identified as intellectually or developmentally disabled. Despite her diagnosis, we didn’t treat Lindsey any differently. We didn’t make excuses (for the most part) for her disabilities. We expected a lot of the same things from her as we did our typical son.

For someone who receives a similar diagnosis, I would recommend that they take the time to mourn the loss of the child they thought they were getting. It hurts. But it will get better. Seek counseling if needed. I’m so glad I went that route. In the end, she is still your child and you will still love the heck out of her. Then figure out the best ways to help your child to be all they can be. Whether you get through the difficult times by using various social services offered in your community or state, the educational system, or a religious organization—do what you need to do. Learn to accept that your child may have limitations. Ask yourself, am I doing this for my child, or for my ego? Yet, encourage her to do what she can; be your child’s advocate. No one will do that job better than you.

You mention how much you love to travel. Where is your favorite place you’ve traveled to so far, and what’s your dream trip?
This may sound like a cop-out for this question, but every single place I visit is my favorite while I’m there. I love different destinations for very different reasons. I love the national parks in the United States and am awed by the beautiful country I get to call home. I adore Europe because of all the old architecture. I love Mexico, Central and South America because of the inexpensive, incredible cuisine as well as a lifestyle that is so different from how we live in Oregon. However, if I were forced to pick one place, I’d have to say Cuba. I wanted to go there for as long as I can remember. Two years ago, after the U.S. relaxed restrictions, I made my reservation and am so glad I did. I wanted to see Havana (and other areas on the island) before the country was changed by tons of tourism. (For many reasons, I no longer feel that Cuba will change quickly—if and when U.S. citizens are able to travel there more freely.) The people, music, art, all exceeded my expectations. I would go back to Cuba a heartbeat.

My dream trip would be an extended African safari. I love animals. Being able to see lions, tigers, elephants, hippos—all the wildlife Africa has to offer (and in its natural habitat before it no longer exists)—would be a dream come true. And let’s not rule out exploring the distinctive landscape and authentic villages of that region. I definitely want to see those, too.

 

www.JKSCommunications.com
2819 Vaulx Lane, Nashville, TN 37204
Angelle Barbazon
(615) 928-2462
angelle@jkscommunications.com

W.J. Evans pulls you into the unstable world of finance where danger lurks around every corner “Dead Deal” delivers thrills as it delves into the mystery surrounding 3 dead bankers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

ATLANTA – In a time of uncertainty after the financial crisis of 2008, three bankers have been found murdered. The FBI’s lead suspect is a real estate broker with negative ties to all of the victims. W.J. Evans’ exciting new novel, “Dead Deal,” is a sexy thriller filled with twists and suspense.

Chaos rules in the days after the financial meltdown, and danger lurks around every corner for real estate broker Frank McCormick. When FBI agent Julia Harrow starts to track down leads on the dead bankers and hones in on Frank as a suspect, they begin to circle each other warily. As they continue to investigate, they uncover a criminal operation spanning the globe, and it puts them in more extreme danger than they could have ever imagined.

Evans’ sharp writing and fascinating characters will pull you in and keep you reading until the last page.

W.J. Evans is involved in various business interests including commercial real estate development, hotels and restaurants based in Atlanta, Georgia. He co founded the 50in50 in 2008, raising awareness for cancer by playing 50 golf courses in 50 days in all 50 states. Along with writing, in his spare time he enjoys golf trips, world travel and creating new projects for worthy causes.

 

###

 


About the book

Three dead bankers. Three dead ends.

W.J. Evans takes readers on a journey filled with green and retribution as FBI Agent Julia Harrow works to discover the connection between the three cases. But when “the coldest, most attractive woman to ever work for the Bureau” starts to suspect real estate developer Frank McCormick, things become infinitely more complex. Will he help her solve the case or end up killing her? As they work their way through the maze of twists and turns, Frank and Julia uncover an international criminal operation that put them both at risk for elimination.

Set in and unstable financial world after the stock market crash of 2008, Evans takes you on a sexy, exciting ride that you won’t soon forget.

 

 

 

“Dead Deal”
W.J. Evans | Sept. 21, 2017
Format ISBN: | Price:
Format ISBN: | Price:
Financial thriller | Mystery

 


An Interview with W.J. Evans

Do you remember the moment when you decided to write this book?
Yes, I was playing golf in Ireland a few years ago and came up with the crazy idea to start this project during the trip.

What makes the financial world the perfect setting for a thriller?
There are so many real life stories from the corruption and greed, it will always be a fertile ground for subject matter. The story is historical fiction based on the actual financial crisis beginning in 2008.

“Dead Deal” has a lot of complex characters. Are any of them based on real people?
I made it a point to create these characters from scratch, not from real people. People are complex in nature based upon so many factors. It’s a fun challenge to create characters for a story like this.

How did your success in the business world influence your book?
So much of my business is project based. As with any project, it takes focus and determination to complete. A few of my developments did have an influence on the main characters’ success, and failure in the commercial real estate business.

How do you think your approach to the thriller genre differs from other writers?
Every writer’s approach and style is different. My goal is to keep it interesting and entertaining. I think in this case, unlike some of the other writers, I had first-hand experience with the financial meltdown and the collateral human damage it caused.

What’s the best advice you got when you started writing?
Focus on character development. Don’t get too technical with the subject matter….I know that my eyes glaze over with information overload from some writers. Keep the chapters short so the book has a nice flow.

How did you put yourself in the mindset of a female FBI agent?
That wasn’t an easy task. Probably the most challenging of all the characters. Even though she is a specially trained FBI agent, she is still a human being with wants and needs like all of us. She has been shaped by her life experiences and that makes her who she is.

The ending of the book is open-ended. Will we see these characters again?
Yes, there will be a sequel and some of the characters will be reappearing. People got invested emotionally with these characters and I don’t intend to let them down.

 

www.JKSCommunications.com
2819 Vaulx Lane, Nashville, TN 37204
Angelle Barbazon
(615) 928-2462
angelle@jkscommunications.com

C.S. Taylor brings little-known all-female regiment to the spotlight in World War II novel, ‘Nadya’s War’

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Sarasota, Fla. – Set on the Eastern front of World War II, C.S. Taylor’s intense new novel, “Nadya’s War” (Tiny Fox Press, Sept. 19, 2017), dives into an often-overlooked force in the Red Army, the 586th all-female fighter regiment. A long-overdue story highlighting the combat roles of women, this female-centric novel ties intricate characters with a plot that matches both the fascination of a tumultuous time and the devastation brought by war.

Taylor’s mastery of character arcs and stellar pacing will leave readers with a dazzling glimpse into the past, enticing readers who love World War II fiction, female-empowerment stories, and unusual facets of history. Emotionally raw and meticulously researched, “Nadya’s War” finds its rightful place in the canon of World War II fiction.

About the Book: Nadezdah “Little Boar” Buzina, a young pilot with the Red Army’s 586th all-female fighter regiment, dreams of becoming an ace. Those dreams shatter when a dogfight leaves her severely burned and the sole survivor from her flight.

For the latter half of 1942, she struggles against crack Luftwaffe pilots, a vengeful political commissar, and a new addiction to morphine, all the while questioning her worth and purpose in a world beyond her control. It’s not until the Soviet counter-offensive at Stalingrad that she finds her unlikely answers, and they only come after she’s saved her mortal enemy’s life and fallen in love with the one who nearly kills her.

C.S. Taylor is a former Marine and avid fencer (saber for the most part, foil and epee are tolerable). He enjoys all things WWII, especially perfecting his dogfighting skills inside virtual cockpits, and will gladly accept any P-38 Lightnings anyone might wish to bestow upon him. He’s also been known to run a kayak through whitewater now and again, as well give people a run for their money in trap and skeet.

###

 


About the book

CSTaylorBookCover“Nadya’s War”
C.S. Taylor September 19, 2017 Tiny Fox Press
ISBN: 978-1-946501-01-1 (Paperback)
Price: $14.95 (Paperback) $8.99 (Ebook)
Historical Fiction World War II Fiction

 


An Interview with C.S. Taylor

How did you first learn about the Red Army’s 586th all-female fighter regiment, and what drew you to write a story featuring a member as the lead protagonist?
Initially, I stumbled upon an online article dealing with the Night Witches, who were part of the 588th Night Bomber Regiment for the Red Army Air. The 588th was also an all-female regiment, and they flew outdated biplanes into battle.

Their recounts and bravery astounded me, and I thought they’d make an excellent focus for a new book. In researching the 588th, I learned a lot about the other two female squadrons, the 586th and the 587th. Eventually, I settled on the 586th, as I always loved a good dogfight and the 587th and 588th were strictly bomber regiments and didn’t have any fighter planes.

How did your own military experience as a Marine play into your writing?
On the surface, being a grunt on the ground doesn’t share a lot of commonality with an officer in the air, seventy-plus years ago, fighting in a war and coming from a culture about which I can only read. That said, there’s still shared experiences common to all those in the military: being out in the field, operating under a fog of war, respecting chains of command, etc.

But what helped the most were the contacts I’d made in the Corps who knew a lot about the Eastern Front, or could point me to people who knew even more, to iron out sticky details.

You did an impressive job researching the Red Army and Nadya’s regiment. How did that research shape your plot, and did you have to change anything along the way to make it line up with the history?
Up until the Battle of Stalingrad, the 586th guarded targets behind friendly lines, so I had to come up with plausible reasons for Nadya to find herself patrolling or even assisting in strikes into German-held territory without them being a gross violation of what the 586th’s orders were at the time.

Second, I had to make sure who shot down what didn’t interfere with well-established events, such as which female pilot scored the first aerial victory, who made ace first, etc. while at the same time showcasing Nadya’s growing skills as a pilot.

What do you find to be the most interesting aspect of historical fiction, both as an author and as a reader?
I think that would be bringing to life something foreign in vivid detail. Though it’s natural, we see the world around us through a 21st century lens. I’ve always liked when that view shifts and a new take on life is had.

Did you ever find Nadya’s character challenging to write? How did you break through hurdles you faced?
Always. Without spoiling the plot, she decks an officer early on. I didn’t plan it, but when it came out on page, I couldn’t deny that’s what she’d do. From then on, she ran loose and destroyed my outline of what I wanted to have happen.

By the end of the first draft, I had her mostly down as a character, but it took a lot of revisions and many fantastic beta readers to point out all the reasons “this doesn’t work” or “that makes me hate her” until she got to where she is now.

Are there any other unusual historical topics that you might write about in the future?
World War II was such an interesting war, so the natural answer is to continue with the 586th or maybe jump to one of the other two sister regiments. However, there are a plethora of novels for that period in history, so finding untouched subjects can be difficult.

I’ve also been looking at some of the lesser-known sieges in history that are impressive in terms of what the attackers and defenders went through. There’s a lot to work with there, too, but not as many dogfights.

You mention saber, foils, and epees in your bio. For us fencing novices, what are the differences between the three, and how did you spark an interest in fencing?
I took an early interest in fencing in elementary school when I found my dad’s old fencing gear. I didn’t start fencing in any serious manner until high school, as there weren’t any clubs around until them.

Essentially, the three styles of fencing—foil, epee, and saber—come down to what duel they were modeled after. Foil mirrors a to-the-death encounter with a rapier, where points are scored only by sticking someone in the chest. Epee centers around first blood, so a stick anywhere on the body (big toe included) scores you a point. Last, saber models cavalry hacking at each other. Anything from the waist up counts, and unlike foil and epee, you can use the edge of your weapon as well as the tip to score.

www.JKSCommunications.com
2819 Vaulx Lane, Nashville, TN 37204
Angelle Barbazon
(615) 928-2462
angelle@jkscommunications.com

Women share stories of addiction in Lisa Boucher’s “Raising the Bottom” Book encourages readers to question their relationship with alcohol

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dayton, OHIO –– In “Raising the Bottom: Making Mindful Choices in a Drinking Culture,” author Lisa Boucher unearths the buried narratives of women’s addiction, shedding light on overlooked perspectives and the unique experiences of women’s complicated relationship with alcohol.

Boucher’s personal experience as the daughter of an alcoholic mother and her own recovery, alongside her professional experience as a nurse witnessing the effects and misdiagnoses of alcoholism, strengthen her ability to provide an honest narrative of addiction and its impact. Boucher along with dozens of mothers, daughters and health professionals profiled in “Raising the Bottom” courageously and vulnerably share their stories of addiction, and gives voice to an issue that’s often shoved under the rug or quietly pushed to the sidelines. Their willingness to turn the spotlight on themselves, while to the outside world their drinking still looked entirely normal, is what sets “Raising the Bottom” apart from the many addiction stories out there. Boucher not only establishes trust with “Raising the Bottom’s” readers, but also helps its stories rise above the run-of-the-mill statistics to help break down the stigma of addiction.

“If we better understood those stories, we could shed light on and help reduce the frequency of addiction,” Boucher says.

Boucher deftly encourages women to establish a mindful relationship with alcohol that challenges frequent and often excessive drinking ideas that have become normalized in our society. In addition, she helps women, and men, recognize the early signs of disordered drinking and ties alcohol to the many underlying mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, that might fuel the desire to use alcohol as a coping skill.

In her 28 years of sober living, Lisa Boucher has worked with hundreds of women to overcome alcoholism, live better lives and become better parents. Published by She Writes Press, “Raising the Bottom” is her fifth book and available at roughly 150 libraries throughout the United States. She was prompted to write “Raising the Bottom” when she realized after 20-plus years of working in hospitals, that doctors and traditional health care offer few solutions to women with addiction issues. She is the mother of twin sons and lives in Ohio with her husband. For more information, visit RaisingTheBottom.com.

 

###

 


About the book

Boucher_bookimage“RAISING THE BOTTOM”
Making Mindful Choices in a Drinking Culture

Lisa Boucher • June 20, 2017 • She Writes Press
ISBN: 978-1-63152-214-7 • $16.95 (paperback) • $9.95 (ebook)
Self-Help

Have you ever wondered if social drinking has unintended consequences to your health, family, relationships, or your profession? Have you ever thought that losing control of your drinking couldn’t happen to you or someone you love? All the women you know are too smart. Too rich. Too kind. Too together. Too much fun. Pick one.

We live in a boozy culture, and the idea of women and wine has become entrenched. Is your book club really a “wine club?” Do you crave the release a drink can bring to cope with anxiety, parenthood, the pressures of being a mom, a wife/partner, a professional? In “Raising the Bottom,” mothers, daughters, health professionals, and young women share their stories of why they drank, how they stopped, and the joys and rewards of being present in their lives once they kicked alcohol to the curb.

Praise for “Raising the Bottom”

“[Boucher] demonstrates that alcoholism is a disease that doesn’t discriminate by income level, education, or gender. Contrary to the thinking that women have to lose it all before making changes, she hopes that, by reading her book, women can recognize and deal with their potential alcoholism early on. Highly recommended.” ―Library Journal (Starred Review)

“Raising the Bottom brings to the forefront a very necessary and under-discussed subject. Our healthcare system is currently ill-equipped to deal with the complicated problem of alcohol and drug dependence. Now more than ever, it is imperative that physicians receive better training on recognizing, understanding, and treating addiction. Only then can we be truly effective at assisting our patients in their recovery.” ― Richard Saxen, MD, Internal Medicine

“Raising the Bottom is an excellent resource for anyone who suspects they or a loved one has a problem with alcohol. It doesn’t just focus on the problem of alcoholism, it emphasizes the solution and demonstrates that alcoholics can live wonderful, productive lives through sobriety. This is a book of hope.” — Leslie R. Dye, MD, President, Medical Toxicology Foundation

“Raising The Bottom provides a vivid glimpse of a family in crisis, but you’re left with a feeling of hope and an understanding that addiction is a disease. One cannot simply have the willpower to overcome addiction; it’s a battle that can be won through God’s grace.”
―Jill Kingston, Executive Director, Brigid’s Path

“Spoken from the heart. Raising the Bottom is a refreshing take on the issues women have as caretakers and enablers. Boucher writes in a straightforward manner that both the long-time worker in our industry and those new to recovery can comprehend. The stories are relevant to the trials that all women share. Entertaining as well as educational!” ― Stanley Stone, President, Resources for Recovery

“Extremely helpful to women (and men) who have been in the grip of alcohol and drugs, Raising the Bottom will help alcoholics understand why they do what they do, and provide hope and courage for them to take the steps to overcome. I can especially relate to the stories in the book as they are so similar to my own victory over addiction. Boucher outlines the steps and principles that help so many to rise above the hopelessness of addiction and take back control of their lives.” ― Norbert H. Kox, visionary artist

“Raising the Bottom reveals the truth about alcohol in a bold and personal way. Boucher shares the warning signs to help women before it’s too late. It gets to the heart of the problem, but offers hope for recovery and a life after alcohol.” ― Barbara Daniel, Publisher/Editor, The Cleveland Women’s Journal

 


An Interview with Lisa Boucher

The stories shared in “Raising The Bottom” demonstrate that alcoholism does not follow a single narrative, that people from all walks of life can be affected in one way or another. What do you hope people will better understand after reading your book?
I purposely choose to highlight women who were professionals, mothers, teachers, and grandmothers. I wanted to show that the stigma of addiction is what keeps so many people out there drinking. Women, especially, are terrified to think of themselves as an “alcoholic” so they continue to drink even when many are so dissatisfied with their lives. Women don’t realize that much of their unhappiness may be due to drinking too much. Alcohol is a depressant. Too many women fail to make that connection. Instead, they go to the doctor and start on antidepressants. The drinking and the unhappiness ensues. It’s a vicious cycle. I wanted to show that women don’t have to live like that and that there is a great life awaiting them on the other side of the booze.

Why did you decide to write “Raising the Bottom” at this point in your life? 
My mother had passed in 2011. I believe this is the book she’d always hoped I’d write some day. Many times, when I wrote fiction she’d ask, “Why don’t you write a book about alcoholism? So many families are in trouble.” I think I needed to wait until I had the angle and the perspective that I have now. After working with so many women for so many years, I realized that almost all of the women I helped were employed. They had families. They went on vacations. They shopped and cooked and did all the things that other people do. These women had lives that looked nothing like the life of what people think of when they hear the word “alcoholic.” It was time to show the other side alcoholism to help end the stigma.

How did your own personal experience as both a recovering alcoholic and the daughter of a recovering alcoholic impact the way you approached this topic?
I watched my mother for 21 years look to medical professionals to help her. None of them ever did. In fact, they made things worse with all the medication they prescribed. I got sober very early in my disease because I didn’t want to hit a low bottom like my mother did. She broke her neck when she fell down the steps. The other lie people believe about this disease is that a person has to lose it all before they will quit. I lost nothing. I didn’t hit a low bottom at all. I quit before I was even a daily drinker. I never blacked out. People hear that and immediately think, well then you can’t be alcoholic. My hope is that if people could understand what early alcoholism looks like, maybe they could make a better choice and stop drinking before it destroys their life, and the lives of their family. One alcoholic in the family impacts everyone in some way, and you don’t have to ruin your life before you decide to get sober.

How much of a role did your professional experience as a nurse contribute to your motivation for writing this book?
It contributed mightily. I got sick of watching doctors do the same thing day after day to other people that they did to my mother. I don’t believe the medical professionals are malicious; most doctors don’t understand alcoholism so they do what they were trained to do and that’s prescribe medication. Too many people come to the hospital with drugs and alcohol in their systems. The doctors NEVER or only rarely address the substance abuse. Also, even if they do acknowledge it, they still don’t do the right thing. You cannot medicate someone into sobriety. Doctors also enable patients by allowing them to come to the hospital over and over again without talking to patients about their drinking and drugging. I’ve yet to see anyone get well. Instead, the hospital has an abundance of repeat business. They offer a place for customers to come instead of cures.

Why did you choose to focus on women, specifically, in your book?
The biggest surprise is that men have loved the book as well as women. There are a few men in “Raising the Bottom,” but I wanted to focus on women because that’s what I know. Men may have some different issues and feelings and I didn’t think I could speak to that as accurately since most of my experience has been in working successfully with women.

Why do you think women’s drinking is under-discussed?
The alcohol companies spend $3.45 billion on advertising, and it’s working. Wine companies are now starting to use gender based marketing. Wine is linked with yoga, painting, available at salons and bridal boutiques. “Wine Time” is all over t-shirts. Plastic wine glasses that have bright colors with lids are everywhere. People now drink at times and places that were never acceptable before, like toddler play-dates. Adults even sneak alcohol into games at kids sporting events. Parents come home from work and drink every night. It’s all so over the top and it’s not normal, but we’ve normalized daily drinking, and for too many, it’s how alcoholism starts. Furthermore, it’s under discussed because all the advertising and marketing has people believing they can’t have fun without alcohol. Women are also afraid to stand up to the nonsense because they fear if they do, they will lose friends.

Where do you personally draw the line between social drinking and disordered drinking? 
When you have to drink around your children. When you have a toddler on your hip and you keep pouring more wine. If a woman has to drink “to calm her nerves” or “relax,” these can be early signs that alcohol has become their coping skill, and it’s a very good indication that their drinking will escalate at some point in their life. Social drinkers never use alcohol as a reward or a coping mechanism.

What are some of the early signs of disordered drinking that others might not recognize?
The woman who always complains of depression and anxiety. The person who is emotionally immature is often a drinker. The person who can’t seem to ever get it together even though they may have all the necessary education and whatnot; the person who can’t hold a job because of their “attitude” problems. The person who has conflict in all of their relationships—alcohol is often the underlying reason. The person who dates abusive partners may have low self-esteem and use alcohol as a means of coping. The person who goes to the doctor constantly may be drug seeking. The person who makes everything an excuse to have a drink may be too attached to alcohol. The person who never wants to take personal responsibility and often blames others for everything could be someone who drinks a lot and is heading into alcoholism. People who buy foldable wine bottles to hide in their clothes, or people who buy purses with spouts so they can hide wine boxes. People who drink a lot are often very controlling. If someone is a control freak, my first reaction is always, I bet they’re a drinker, and most times the assumption is correct, or they’re a doormat and allow people to walk all over them. Those that are self-absorbed are often people who drink a lot. The party-people who think about no one but themselves and the next party. That sort of mindset is not healthy, and alcohol is already a significant player in that person’s life. Healthy people don’t have the need to micromanage or control others. Quantity does not have to be the only factor. The emotional immaturity is often more telling than even how much booze they drink. People don’t understand the way that alcohol stunts a person’s emotional growth.

The subject of alcoholism can be intimidating. What would you tell people who might be hesitant to read this book, whether due to denial or stigma?
Don’t be afraid! I have yet to meet one woman or man who decided to address their issue with alcohol who wasn’t thrilled with their life on the other side. It’s the fear of the unknown that keeps so many people stuck. People fear a new life because they feel they still need to control how things will go, and sobriety is all about the letting go.

The book is not just for alcoholics though. We all need to understand addiction, what it can look like, how it manifests in people’s lives, and what to do about it. There is a solution—and it’s not more medication. If people could walk away from the book with even that, I’d be thrilled! Besides, more and more families are having to deal with the issue. Everyone has that friend, coworker, significant other or spouse who may need help. Alcoholism is only intimidating when you ignore it.

I also did a chapter to highlight how kids feel about their parent’s drinking. I think parents need to be more mindful of what they role model. Kids do pay attention. The drinking culture helps cultivate future addicts and alcoholics. What else do these kids see but their parents and friends drinking quite a lot and quite often? Parents are stunned when their kids start drinking or end up on heroin. If we don’t dial back the drinking culture and show them something different, how can we continue to be surprised?

 

www.JKSCommunications.com
2819 Vaulx Lane, Nashville, TN 37204
Angelle Barbazon
(615) 928-2462
angelle@jkscommunications.com