Odessa Cleveland

Ms. Cleveland is a retired National Board Certified teacher from LAUSD, actress, writer, model and poet. Her first children's book, Thank You encourages children to say “thank you” in different languages.

Her new book, Water Colored Soul is divided into three sections. "To Love Or Not To Love" the poet acknowledges love and rejects love. "In The Lens" focuses on images of people in live. "Notes on Conflicts" deals with social issues...war, homeless, music, STD, Alzheimer, domestic violence and other issues relevant in our society.

Available brom AuthorHouse

Cynthia J. Cordell

Cynthia J. Cordell is the author of “Sharing Short Stories”, a group of uplifting shorts that is sure to brighten one’s day.  Crafted with a diligence towards making the reader smile, the collection is peppered with computer knowledge she gleaned from computer programming. In the late 1990’s, she worked with computers at Jet Propulsion Laboratory.  That indelible computer knowledge she gained also gave her an interest to write her first science fiction novel, soon to be completed.

Each short story in this literary collection is a one of a kind find.  “Wonder Mom” is a story about role models.  “Sandra the Sleuth” takes you into the realm of internet crime.  “Eden” is about the appreciation of beauty.  “Andrew and Sherry” is a journey that ends with triumph over depression.  “Karen Sylvester” sheds light on materialism.  “Into Marissa’s Life” is a quirky take on fashion.  “Prison Rules” explores renewed lives.  “Lola’s Wedding” captures a beautiful wedding.  “Maven” is a futuristic look at young love.  “Sense of Familiarity” is a about the sense of belonging.  “Sunshine Surprise” tells about the writing of a memoir and “Delving Closer” looks into the lives of an engaged couple.

Charles Domokos has taught post-production classes at the University of Southern California (U.S.C.) School of Cinema & TV and at the U.S.C. Summer Production Workshop from 1988 to 2003 (various Avid platforms). He has also taught TV and post-production courses at Loyola Marymount Univ. (Avid & FCP) and (currently) at Los Angeles City College School of Cinema-TV. He has served as an Avid consultant to TV post-production houses and edited short-form and long-form projects including TV documentaries and independent features. His most recent film RETURN TO VIETNAM won a 2007 Silver Telly (highest award) in the feature tv documentary category.

“Non-linear Editing: The Cutting Edge” provides the foundation for the college-level media student to make the leap into the world of film and HD-based professional post-production, as practiced in the Hollywood media community. This soft-cover text covers basic techniques and generic procedures fundamental to popular visual non-linear editing software from AVID, ADOBE and FINAL CUT and PRO TOOLS audio editing software. This book teaches the basic procedures including synchronization of audio to visuals, film-to-tape conversion, output to tape, output to film, standard definition (SD) to high definition (HD) conversions, and everything in between. There is special emphasis given to sound editing techniques to achieve professional level sound quality. “Non-linear Editing: The Cutting Edge” has been chosen to be part of the Los Angeles Public Library film book collection.

Gardner’s Guide to NLE: The Cutting Edge: ISBN 1589650212; available from www.Amazon.com, www.Barnes & Noble.com, and the Garth Gardner Publishing Company,
1 866 GO GARDNER or www.GoGardner.com

Hugo Fruehauf

Hugo Fruehauf immigrated to the United States from Germany in 1952. As a skilled electronics engineer and executive MBA graduate, he has enjoyed a fascinating technical career as chief engineer and president of several global-reach companies in the communications and aerospace field. Concurrently with his career, he has been a dedicated student and teacher of Judeo-Christian biblical writings and has traveled extensively in the Middle East.

God Without Dogma is abook is in the personal growth and spiritual self-help category. It is all about the ills of religious dogma and how a believer in God can be freed from it.More often than not, when fervent believers become disenchanted with their religious group, chucking it all is the response. These disillusions usually have very justifiable reasons, but because of the believer's lack of knowledge, feelings of guilt, and the pressure from faithful peers, the separation is usually traumatic. However, this life-changing period can be turned into a rewarding spiritual experience and this is where this book comes in. It analyzes religious dogma, how it begins, what perpetuates it, and demonstrates how dogma is the result of man-made religious procedures that in time become God. The outcome of all the analysis is a path for the troubled believer to embrace a new and spiritual walk with God, one not imposed by others.

Having been a teacher, leader, and elder at several fundamental Christian churches, he is well versed in the topic of his book. He currently is the COO and VP-Engineering of a high tech company in Southern California and an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University’s graduate school. He is married, has two children, and five grandchildren.

Martin Goss

While in his final year of high school, Goss discovered how much he enjoyed writing as well as reading (though he readily admits his command of the English language is due in part to compensate for the dyscalculia which was a barrier to him during his school years), and in 1995, he was moved to begin writing his first novel.

THE TETRAD is set in his native West Los Angeles. Although ostensibly about a clash of cultures, the story is punctuated by Goss’ characteristic jabs at human foibles. Unlike most other alien-invasion science fiction tales, in the Tetrad, the invaders win.

The story centers around the character Vera Quenby Stilwell, an intelligent and beautiful—albeit outcast—teenage girl who finds validation in an extraterrestrial civilization of ruthless traders, whom she unwittingly contacts via amateur radio, and she subsequently agrees to help them conquer Earth. The humans resist at first, but prove to be no match for the extraterrestrial invaders, who wreck the global economy with help from human sympathizers.

It is not always clear who the story’s villain is. Vera initially uses the invaders to exact revenge upon other humans whom she holds accountable for various wrongs done to her: the invaders are nonviolent but have seemingly no regard for earthly institutions; and the humans who resist the extraterrestrial incursion eventually turn to conspiracies and outright terrorism in their desperation to restore the status quo.

In all, the Tetrad is a less-detached form of science fiction than those which never involve ordinary people: it is Goss’ own telling of what could happen if Earth was ever invaded by outsiders who do not fit our pre-conceived notions.

The Tetrad is fully annotated, with a glossary and introduction by the author.

Mary Jo Hazard

Finally, a book about The “Notorious” Peacocks of Palos Verdes!

March 2010 – Palos Verdes, CA – When a unique story begs to be told, Mary Jo Hazard listens. The much celebrated and often maligned peacocks of Palos Verdes garner lots of press, but until now no one has written a book about them.  The Peacocks of Palos Verdes is cleverly written and beautifully illustrated with vibrant photographs of the peafowl on their own turf in the upscale community, where the “infamous” birds have enhanced the lives of peninsula residents since 1916.
           
     Hazard became fascinated with the peacocks when her grandchildren were young.  The fact that no one had ever written a book about them prompted her to research and chronicle their origins and life on the Palos Verdes Peninsula.  A local photographer, Bryce Lowe-White, shared her passion and spent endless hours patiently photographing them all over the hill.  They collaborated for two years to produce this exceptional photo essay. Local residents may enjoy ambiguous relationships with the peacocks, but because of Hazard and Lowe-White their legacy continues uninterrupted for children of all ages to enjoy.           

Further information can be obtained by calling (310) 831-5002 or visiting the website www.peacocksofpalosverdes.com

Peter Louis

  Peter Louis Libertone has taught art, chess and guitar all over the Southern California area in after school programs. He has also appeared in numerous movies, television commercials and shows as a principal, hand model and stand in for actors such as John Goodman, Dom Deluise and John Candy. Along with appearing on Babylon 5, the Flintstones, Seinfeld and The Man Show to name a few.

Peter can be currently found driving through the western regional area states in search of a literary agent and publisher while subsequently spreading the news of his recently completed books. His novel "Pr3destined" a non-fiction story based on actual events in a familiar setting in the Southern California area is a shocking tale which may have the ability to help others & his modern day magical fairy tale with a thoughtful moral "Life Rocks" for children and adults of all ages which is receiving a positive and warm welcome due to the short stories uplifting positive message for all. Not to mention it was written from cover to cover all in one day.

   Peter is now working out the details on drawing the illustrations himself in the vane of "Where The Wild Things Are" by Maurice Sendak. "But I'm no artist" Peter says. Then again, Maurice's story was supposed to be about horses and since he self-admittedly couldn't draw them, the characters ended up being exaggerated monsters reminiscent of the his childhood relatives.

Info or questions: StealthOwlmedia@gmail.com

Gillian Lee Hutshing knows a good story when she sees one. As a feature film editor in Los Angeles for over twenty years, she has worked with acclaimed directors Ridley Scott, Peter Weir, Kevin Costner, among others.

Ms. Hutshing has also worked on many films for children including Ferngully: The Last Rainforest for 20th Century Fox and Oliver & Company for Walt Disney. Ms. Hutshing grew up in La Jolla, California, and attended the University of California at Davis.

Sparky the Wonderfish: A story of how love creates magic is her first children’s book. She is currently working on a series of books to teach children big words in a fun and humorous way. Sparky the Wonderfish: A story of how love creates magic is a charming story of triumph over adversity. Based on a true story, Sparky the Wonderfish is about a little girl who manages to save a tiny feeder fish from becoming dinner for six ferocious Oscar fish. Although feeder fish aren’t expected to live longer than a few days, the real-life Sparky lived happily for thirteen years in his bowl. Thanks to the little girl in the story, the fictional Sparky thrives as well, proving that with love, truly anything is possible!

Ms. Hutshing was a featured author and title at the Book Expo America New York and has had numerous signings at Borders Bookstores throughout Los Angeles. She is currently promoting her book with readings and signings at schools, libraries, bookstores and more. Ms. Hutshing lives in Santa Monica, California, and cooks, photographs, gardens and is hard at work on her next children’s book.

Get more Sparky at www.GillianLeeHutshing.com or Amazon.com or Borders Bookstores

Tom Miller

Tom Miller is a consummate adventurer. He has completed over 1,000 dives as a recreational scuba diver and over 1,000 hours piloting everything from small Cessna’s to Lear jets. He has sailed over 65,000 miles throughout the Pacific, including the Hawaiian Islands. He has also run three marathons. He frequently lectures on cruising the canals of Europe as well as sailing the South Pacific. Miller has a degree in Geology from the University of Southern California. He is a member of the International Thriller Writers and the Greater Los Angeles Writers Society. THE WAVE is his first novel.

Brief Synopsis:
The Big Island of Hawaii is surrounded by undersea landslides of unimaginable size, some of them over 1,000 cubic miles. If spurred by the force of an earthquake or volcanic eruption the unstable flanks of the islands many volcanoes have the potential to generate staggering tsunamis—perhaps even more staggering than the ones that rocked the prehistoric world. Scientists have recently identified deposits left by ancient waves towering an incredible 1,200 feet above sea level. While the last mega-tsunami struck the Hawaiian Islands about 100,000 years ago, that doesn’t mean the next one couldn’t strike tomorrow. When it does strike, despite modern seismometers and other state-of-the-art devices, there may not be any warning…or any hope of surviving its cataclysmic impact.

Inspired by harrowing scientific facts, Tom Miller presents a taut, gripping work of fiction, THE WAVE (Sherman Asher Publishing; $18.95; Paperback Original (SBC Distributors). Set in present day Hawaii, this action-packed epic unfolds through the eyes of its narrator and reluctant hero, 38-year-old Chuck Palmer. A newlywed with a precious baby daughter and a booming business as a fitness trainer, Palmer is thrust out of his dream life in Malibu, California, and into an unthinkable, inescapable, real-life nightmare. Fast-paced and unflaggingly breathtaking, THE WAVE follows Chuck through a succession of nail-biting events. From nearly crashing and burning in a sabotaged Cessna to getting trapped in a submersible and nearly dying from lack of oxygen, from narrowly escaping an exploding sports-fisher with only his boxer shorts to getting stuck on a plane, in a clownish pair of borrowed coveralls, sitting in the direct path of devastation, Chuck rebounds to face the worst scenario imaginable. Could Mauna Loa collapse in a fiery rage and provoke a 2,000-foot tsunami to spread across Hawaii and beyond? Could this violent act of nature wind up wiping out the entire population of the Pacific Rim? Could it mark the beginning of the dreaded end of the world? Will Chuck find a way to see the wife he loves—and forgives—and hold his darling daughter before they all die?
Driven by a cast of vivid, flawed, and likable characters, THE WAVE is an impressive debut page-turner. For fans of Nelson Demille, Michael Crichton, Clive Cussler, and Tom Clancy, Tom Miller is definitely an author to seek out, avidly read and watch.

Learn more and order books at: www.tommillerauthor.com

Leslie Ann Moore

Ms. Moore is the author of Griffin's Daughter, her debut novel and the first in her romantic fantasy Griffin's Daughter trilogy, was named 2008 IBPA Ben Franklin Award Winner for Best First Fiction. Griffin's Shadow, the second book in the series, has been officially endorsed by both Publisher's Weekly and The Library Journal. Both books are available online at Amazon.com and at local booksellers everywhere.

A native of Los Angeles, Ms. Moore received her doctorate in Veterinary Medicine from the University of California at Davis in 1988. Dr. Moore lives and works in Los Angeles, CA and in her spare time, she practices the beautiful and ancient art of belly dance.

Griffin's Destiny, the third and final volume of the Griffin's Daughter Trilogy is now available in paperback direct from the publisher. You can order a signed personalized copy by going to www.ridanpublishing.com

Visit Leslie Ann's website at www.leslieannmoore.com/

Michael P. Naughton

Michael P. Naughton was born in Detroit. He is the author of the satirical mystery Deathryde Rebel Without a Corpse(published by Gilded Hearse Press, available on Amazon.com and at Barnes & Noble) and the forthcoming book The Deadbeat Alchemist ( June 2010). He is also the owner/editor of 13 Hands Publications, the exclusive publisher of actor Michael Madsen’s poetry and photography (The Complete Poetic Works of Michael Madsen, Vol I: 1995-2005, Signs of Life and American Badass). Michael Madsen is best known for his work with Quentin Tarantino in Reservoir Dogs and Kill Bill. Prior to publishing he had done corporate sales and author events for many years at Borders. He has appeared in the Mystery Readers Journal and is a professional screenwriter and musician.  Deathryde: Rebel Without a Corpse is written in the hip, offbeat style of Carl Hiaasen, Gregory Mcdonald (Fletch) and Elmore Leonard.

Deathryde: Rebel Without a Corpse
"If you have a taste for slambang satire that plays games with the names of dead celebrities from James Dean to Barbara Stanwyck and a hearse driver with the marvelous name of Coffin Joe,Michael P. Naughton's Deathryde: Rebel without a Corpse (Gilded Hearse Press, $12.95, 183 pages),is your kind of book. It's the story of a gang of criminal undertakers engaged in a caper known as "Harold and Maude" involving a group of Hollywood funeral homes and an ancient but unforgotten mafia heist. Mr. Naughton is a professional screenwriter and you can tell. He is flip and quite often funny and understands the value of brevity as few current writers do. This is the kind of book that can even take your mind off flying as you try to decipher the short takes of the plot." --The Washington Times

mnaughton@earthlink.net

Nora Novak

Nora Novak is a mixed media artist, actress and writer. Novak has worked in both commercial galleries and a contemporary art museum. Originally from Antwerp, Belgium, she currently resides in Newport Beach and has recently published her first novel of contemporary fiction, Art Damaged which received the Editor’s Choice award.

Art Damaged is a glossy insider’s tale that is set behind the scenes of the contemporary art world in Orange County. The story follows Nina Valliere, a glamorous and alluring artist who works in a contemporary art museum. Nina copes with a man-hungry boss from hell, an alcoholic director and juggles the men in her life while pursuing credibility as an emerging artist. Complications arise and a scandalous turn of events threatens to compromise the museum and Nina’s future. A stylish romp through the recesses and chicanery of the art world, museum administration politics, and inner office intrigues, Art Damaged is an insightful debut novel that gives the reader a peek into the life of an up-and-coming mixed media artist.

For more information on Nora Novak and Art Damaged, please visit:

noranovak.com  |  artla.com |  artdamaged.net

Kathy Porter grew up in Endicott, NY the birthplace of IBM and only a short distance away from where one of her favorite TV series creator, Rod Serling was raised.

Kathy's lifelong interest in Science Fiction ignited when her father, a science teacher, showed her craters on the moon and taught her the constellations. She grew up watching science fiction movies and TV shows. Ray Bradbury's "Martian Chronicles" was her first delve into a science fiction novel and she has been hooked ever since.

"I think I was born telling stories," Kathy explained during a recent interview. "As second to the oldest of seven children, the girls all slept in one bedroom. I loved making up bedtime stories, with an eerie edge to and frightening my sisters. Things about fairies, leprechauns, and aliens even back then."

In September of 1961 reports of Barney and Betty Hill's alien abduction claims took the media by storm. Kathy has been fascinated by their story of science fiction turned reality and "are we alone" ever since. "Earth's Ultimate Conflict concept initially came to me in a dream that lingered in my mind for hours. Finally I told my husband about it over coffee and explained to him that if it were a book I would love to read it. He said 'if you want to read it you have to write it'. With his encouragement and support Earth's Ultimate Conflict came to fruition."

Earth's Ultimate Conflict is the first novel in Kathy Porter's Gray Guardians Series. Escape From Nuur, the second in the series will be released next year.

What if the treat of a world-wide pandemic, increased seismic activity, and global warming, were all linked to alien abduction?

In the near future this frightening senerio forces Rosa De Angelo t flee Earth with her three alien hybrid children. In doing som she leaves behind Tony, her soul-mate and husband. Ellen McCarthy is faced with the agonizing choice of abandoning her love-starved hybrid children or finding a way back to her three-month-old human child Griffin, before it’s to late.

With Earth’s inhabitants faced with seemingly insurmountable illness and destruction, two rival alien species offer them salvation. The United States President Barbara Unger will make the ultimate decision of who to trust the Grays or the Guardians.

www.grayguardians.com
http://www.booktour.com/author/kathy_porter

Deborah M. Pratt is a significant force in Hollywood. She is a five-time Emmy nominee, a Golden Globe nominee, and the recipient of The Lillian Gish Award from Women in Film, The Angel Award, The Golden Block Award, and Six B.E.N. Awards. From the award-winning series Quantum Leap to the internationally acclaimed Masterpiece Theatre's Cora Unashamed, Deborah M. Pratt’s vision is an inspiration to audiences worldwide. A master storyteller with a spiritual dream for a better world, Deborah M. Pratt breaks the mold of science fiction and creates a genre of science fantasy with the soul of the universe and a key to the human heart. Intricately layered with scientific fact and fascinating detail, The Vision Quest is a riveting journey.

The Vision Quest Trilogy opens when the harmony of Book One’s The Age of Light is torn into factions of the beings—human and the array of new species that now share our planet—who must grapple with forces and technologies at once ancient and frighteningly new. Here we find seventeen-year-old Cole “Lazer” Lazerman, a young man bent on both revenge and redemption. With his beloved father murdered and his Atlantian home under the control of the biodroid Black Guards and their evil leader, Five, Lazer enters a series of explosive battlefields—spiritual, virtual and real. His personal fight to control his own emotions can ultimately bring salvation or the world’s impending doom.

In Book Two’s The Odyssey Lazer, along with his friends—and the newfound love of his life—must master the Visionistic Arts, harness the limitless power of the human mind and spirit, survive the perilous odyssey to get home in time to save himself, his mother, his war torn home in Atlantia and ultimately the world from Five and his biodroid army.

The Vision Quest is an action-packed, Science Fantasy adventure based on the science and technology of today--projected into a very probable tomorrow. Get your books here »»

Emma Price

Emma L. Price is a retired elementary school teacher, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Formerly of North Carolina, she now lives in Southern California. Mrs. Price has published several professional articles in journals and newspapers. Portia’s Incredible Journey is her first published children’s book.

Portia’s Incredible Journey:
“When Portia turns eleven, her life explodes in several different directions. She faces crisis after crisis, but her strong spirit and Grandma Ruth’s unconditional love and sage advice keep her moving ahead on the right path. Both girls and boys will relate to Portia’s problems and learn from the ways she resolves them.”
  -Mary Jo Hazard, M.A., M.F.T., author of The Peacocks of Palos Verdes

Learn more and order books at:: www.elpbooks.net

Darlene Quinn

Darlene Quinn is an author and journalist from Long Beach, California. Her current novel, Webs of Power, published September 2008, is the Winner of the 2009 National Indie Excellence Award for Fiction and Finalist for the National USA Best Book Award for General Fiction.

Webs of Power is a character-driven novel about three strong, but very different women, whose worlds are rocked by a high stakes corporate struggle. Destiny bring them together.  Based on real events that brought Wall Street to its knees and traumatized the retail industry in ways that are still being felt today.

Set in the 80' - the most greedy and predatory times in our history, until now. During this period many of our favorite department stores began to vanish and loyalty between companies and there employees started to crumble.

Webs of Power is for readers who enjoy feeling smarter about things they have heard or read about while sharing the lives of fascinating character and being entertained. {Concept ~ Devil Wears Prada meets Wall Street}

As part of a nine-member management team for the Bullocks Wilshire Specialty Department Store Division, Darlene Quinn has the insider's perspective on the rise and fall of major department stores. She is now working on the sequel, titled Twisted Webs.
In addition, she has published articles in both "Inskeeping World" and "Savvy Magazine", highlighting the business knowledge she gained during her time as Corporate Training Director for the Bullock's Department Stores and as Director of Personnel/Organization Development for Bullocks Wilshire.

Quinn’s first published novel, which she titled Sizzling Cold Case, was a labor of love for her dear friend, Buddy Ebsen, who passed away on July 5, 2003, at the age of 95. Buddy had been working on a Barnaby Jones novel, and Quinn was thrilled when Dorothy, his widow, asked if she would complete Buddy’s work-in-progress. Having assisted him with his first novel and other writing projects, she was familiar with Buddy’s style, and able to write in his voice. She says she found this somewhat unusual collaboration an engaging project. The actual manuscript was 37 pages long, therefore, she needed to add a few words, characters, and sub-plots to craft a novel. However, she remained true to Buddy’s concept and felt as if he was right beside her and would have approved of the creative license his widow allowed. The core story is his, as well as some of the dramatic scenes. Since this was written in Buddy’s (or perhaps Barnaby’s) unique voice, Quinn says she is no longer certain which scenes came from Buddy’s pen and which were her additions. “Sizzling Cold Case is not a ghost written book,” Quinn states, “nor did the multi-talented actor need one.” Sizzling Cold Case was published in January of 2007.

Quinn became interested in storytelling at an early age but did not begin writing until her adult life. Prior to being an author, Quinn was a teacher in the public school system, a self-improvement and modeling instructor, a private contractor for various department stores (Bullock's/Robinson's) and hospitals. She has two children, John and Jodie, and happily lives with her husband, Jack, in Long Beach, California.

The sequel to Webs of Power, Twisted Webs, will be released in September of this year.

Learn more and order books at:www.darlenequinn.net

Dr. Brandi Roth is the co-author of four books. Choosing the Right School for Your Child (Revised edition 2008) is a nationwide guide and workbook for families selecting elementary and secondary schools for their children. Secrets to School Success, Guiding Your Child Through a Joyous Learning Experience provides practical tools to encourage children and families to have a joyous and effective school experience. Role-Play Handbook, Understanding and Teaching the New Reality Therapy Counseling with Choice Theory Through Role-Play is designed for counselors and teachers using role-play techniques emphasizing William Glasser’s Choice Theory ideas. Relationship Counseling with Choice Theory Strategies, a seminar workbook, presents tools and tips to guide couples toward successful and happy connections.

Dr. Roth is a Psychologist in private practice in Beverly Hills, California. Her counseling practice specializes in conflict resolution with adults, and families. She assists children and adults with academic and behavioral interventions and advocacy.

Dr. Roth previously worked in education as a regular and special classroom teacher. She is a popular media and seminar presenter and frequent guest professor at local universities. Her books are based on 40 years of professional experience.

Excerpts from reviews: “…exceedingly useful book for parents…unique for its focus on the needs of all children and their parents.” William Glasser, M.D. and Carleen Glasser, M.A. “…a must for parents who intend to optimize their child’s education.” Geraldine Markel, Ph.D., author of Defeating the Demons of Distraction”

Learn more and order books at: www.associationofideas.com

Tom Ruck

Late in 2004, Tom Ruck had an idea for a book to honor the American Veteran and scribbled the idea down on a cocktail napkin.  The next morning he read the napkin and decided he had to make this idea a reality and started the process of creating and publishing that idea. Since he was not a known author or photographer, the journey to publication was difficult and most interesting. He created this book as a labor of love to honor the truest of American heroes, our veterans. The result of Tom’s efforts, "Sacred Ground, A Tribute to America’s Veterans," was released by Regnery Publishing and achieved a #5 ranking on Amazon in its’ category.

Acting Secretary of Veteran’s Affairs Gordon H. Mansfield presented Ruck with a Special Commendation Award in Washington, DC.  “Tom Ruck has brought honor and recognition to America’s heroes and the VA,” said Mansfield. “His respect and admiration for the service and sacrifices of our veterans and their families is reflected on every page of this book. Sacred Ground has heightened the public’s awareness of the courage, commitment and sacrifices of America’s Veterans.”   

Mr. Ruck is a frequent guest speaker to veteran support groups around the country and has appeared on over 100 radio and television stations promoting the causes of our America’s Veterans. In 2008, Tom was honored to deliver the opening remarks at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery on Memorial Day, presented the keynote address at Irvine College on Veterans Day, and was a guest speaker at the Defender of Freedom Symposium in Washington D.C. Most recently, Tom served as the Master of Ceremonies at the Riverside National Cemetery program this past Memorial Day and was the Keynote Speaker at the 2009 Los Angeles National Cemetery Veterans Day event “Honoring all Veterans.”

Mr. Ruck has been presented to the President of the United States for consideration to the position of Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs in the Department of Veterans Affairs. If the President nominates Mr. Ruck, he would require Senate confirmation before assuming the post.

Sacred Ground was awarded with a Gold Medal from the Military Writers Soceity of America in non-fiction for 2009. It was named the Overall Grand Prize winner at the Branson Stars & Flags Book Awards, which is part of America’s largest veteran celebration, The Branson week-long “Celebration of Veterans.” And as the Winner in the 2009 USA Best Book Awards in the Military History category.

Learn more and order books at: Barnes & Noble , Amazon and other fine booksellers.

Claudia Santorelli-Bates

Claudia Santorelli–Bates was raised in Long Island, New York. She is the eldest of six children. Claudia attended Marymount Manhattan College where she studied child psychology, but she also had a love of the arts.

In 1999 she wrote and produced an award-winning independent feature film entitled Loser Love. She has also written three other feature films as well as an article for Bride magazine. This is her first children’s book.

After years of trying, she finally conceived her first daughter through the help of IVF. Going through this very difficult treatment opened her eyes to the idea that the story of how her daughter came into the world was different. And so she created I Can’t Wait to Meet You.

Claudia now resides in Santa Monica with her husband Ben and their three daughters.

Learn more and order books at: www.icantwaittomeetyou.com

Enilde "Ginger" Ingels-Van Hook is the author of "The Kingdom of Nuts and Bolts", is a story about a families living in Argentina in the 1930’s told from the perspectives of a fly, a witch, a seagull, an angel, a demon and two little boys.  This story explores the fictions and mythologies of the South American culture of Argentina’s rich grasslands and spiritual histories. This is a comedic look at the eccentricities of vivid human characters interplaying with colorful imaginative creatures from the spirit world. It is a journey  through rich folklore and magical realism as the characters go  about their lives in community activities where magic spells go wrong on occasions and the Virgin Mary makes appearances.

The themes throughout the novel explores nuts and bolts in a delightful approach to how things are invented and produced.  The spirit of invention (Hector) conflicts with the spirit of destruction (Torech). By the end of the battle between the two forces, there are new chairs, tapestries on the walls and cutting boards all created out of thin air. This story is the first in a series of adventures.

Written works by Enilde Ginger Ingels-Van Hook:
Waiting in the Wings Poetry - 1991,
The Trilogy of Private Showings:  Poetry - 1992,
Gypsy Spurs, Twisted Rainbow,
The Haughty Naughty Tipsy Gypsy
A Magnetic Attraction Poetry - 2004,
      by Ginger & Luke Van Hook
The Kingdom of Nuts & Bolts - A novel - 2004
A Sliver of My Private Thoughts - 2007

www.gingervanhook.com | http://gingersartjournal.blogspot.com | www.enildeingelsvanhook.com

V.J. Waks

V.J. Waks has been telling stories since childhood. This normally can get one into trouble unless you write the stories down. Society then forgives, and people begin to notice.

And so came TAU 4, Book One in this author’s series of sci fi novels. A story of deceit and betrayal, of obsession and determination, TAU 4 takes the reader to savage worlds of storm and jungle, the life and death struggle of a warrior people and the inevitable conflict of creator and created.

Nothing is as it appears to be in TAU 4 or in HAMMERSPACE, Book Two, of the series.The continuing story of Gerda Tau takes a deadly and unforeseen turn. A new, more dangerous enemy surfaces in this taut drama of conspiracy, world domination and revelation for the creature made by Dyle Carzon.

Scheduled for launch in early summer 2010, HAMMERSPACE will be available through Amazon, Borders, Barnes and Noble, and all major distributors, as well as from the author’s site at vjwaks.com, where readers can sample both books.

The author of TAU 4 still finds time to pen a script or two.  A Nicholl’s Fellowship Screenplay Competition Quarterfinalist, this native New Yorker now abides in a haunted carriage house in Los Angeles.

Learn more and order books at:

Mina Wildfeuer

Mina Scheller - Wildfeuer was born in Poland (Ukraine) and was educated as a teacher in Germany. As a young adult, she immigrated to the USA.
     Writing always had been her passion, interrupted only by raising five children. As a student in college, Mina was editor of a school paper and wrote short plays for school productions. Since then, she had published short stories in magazines and newspapers.
      Mina also has a shorter version of her memoirs ON THE OUTSIDE LOOKING IN in print. Three novels CHANCE ENCOUNTER -- GRIEVOUS DECEPTION and HUBRIS are underway. Mina studied psychology and likes her characters to be complicated.

ODDS AGAINST ME is not only a memoir; it is also an illuminating portrayal of a lost generation’s history. It depicts the plight of refugees from the perspective of a youngster whose idyllic childhood was cruelly interrupted by air raids on the very first day of WW II. It narrates a homeless odyssey of six years, always on the forefront of a raging war. It shows life during the Nazi era and a short encounter with its evil leader -- Adolf Hitler.
     It continues to describe immigration to the USA and the consequential culture shock. It gives a witty account of an adventurous camping trip through Central America. It tells further of three failed romances -- one with a gay man in the unforgiving 1959s and marriage to a gambler. Compellingly, it shows the victory over a personal demon -- alcohol addiction.
 It is the true story of a survivor.

Learn more and order books at: www.oddsagainstme.com --Amazon -- Borders.com --BarnesandNoble.com--Sony Kindle e-book

Frank Zanca

Frank Zanca is President of Destiny Horizons, Inc. He began working in local television at the age of 22 when he became a Promotional Producer for Channel 9, the Orlando ABC affiliate. During this time he wrote and produced thirty second spots for the news cast and syndicated shows such as Geraldo and Sally Jesse Rapheal. Later he worked as a Production Assistant on NBC's Gonzo Games and Dick Clark's Sea World Summer Spectacular.

In 1995 Frank created and wrote his first comic book, which was distributed internationally, under the name of Shadow Raven. He moved into marketing where he became CFO and later President of two Independent marketing firms. Frank also designed Shadow Raven: the Combat Card Game, based on the comic series and wrote a Shadow Raven novel accompanied by a full-cast audio book.

In addition, he has written half a dozen screenplays including a theatrical play that was performed for the Orlando Fringe Festival and was recently optioned by a local theatre company.  Frank has authored two other novels, one of which is a Holocaust biography entitled Escape from Berlin: The Diane Jacob’s Story. The book has enjoyed great feedback and received coverage by CBS. He has since partnered with the Producer of That ‘70s and 3rd Rock from the Sun to create the webisode platform – StayTunedTV.net.

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