Havana Hangover by Randy Richardson

"French Kiss" by Steve Bassett

Steve Bassett was born, raised and educated in New Jersey before joining the dwindling number of itinerant newsmen roaming the countryside in search of just about everything. Stints as a featured reporter with newspapers in New Jersey, Illinois and Salt Lake City were followed by Associated Press assignments in Phoenix and finally as Investigative Reporter in San Franciso. Then came CBS television news, three Emmy Awards for his investigative documentaries, and the prestigious first Medallion Award, presented by the California Bar Association for “Distinguished Reporting on the Administration of Justice.” Along the way he found time to author The Battered Rich (Ashely Books), exposing seldom discussed but widespread marital abuse among the affluent; Father Divine’s Bikes and Payback-Tales of Love, Hate and Revenge, the first two books of his Passaic River Trilogy. He lives in Placitas, New Mexico.

Learn more about Steve Bassett and his work at: https://stevebassettworld.com/

TOPICS OF CONVERSATION

• A unique perspective on the Cold War era in France
• Research and investigation involving over 250 live interviews
• Grand Narratives - sharing some of the personal stories of how the Americans and French fell in an out of love
• Reflecting on the significance of the air base Deols-Chateauroux - when it opened and after its closure
• ...and more!

FRENCH KISS - Blurbs from reviewers:

“I belonged to a communist family and I remember walking in the streets with petitions against the U.S. intrusion in France. People later realized that the Americans were manna from heaven who improved their lives. They were happy because of them. But I must say, I am surprised that it is an American not a Frenchman that is giving an in depth account of this period.” --Leandre Boizeau, Communist publisher of “La Bouinotte,” a leading regional magazine in Central France.

As the only American who has tackled the task, Steve Bassett, in his book "French Kiss" has provided a one-of-a-kind insight into the sixteen year life of an extraordinary air station closed by Charles de Gaulle's imperial edict. I found it fascinating reading and an accurate portrayal of military life that will probably never be seen again. --Air Force Major General John Riddle (Ret.)

“Steve Bassett's book demonstrates to his readers that across the Atlantic, in a provincial town of France, the memory of this American period is very long-lived.” --Jean-François Mayet, a member of the French Assembly, Senator l'Indre County, Mayor of Châteauroux

“Your book is one of a kind. There have been many books written by French authors about the Americans in France during the Cold War, but never one by an American writer. I know the books that have been written and have read many of them myself. There has been nothing to match what you offer.” --Mme. Lydie Gerbaud, press secretary for Jacques Chirac during his tenures as French President and Prime Minister.

Steve Bassett sadly notes in his book, “Thousands of jobs for the French supported the local economy which grew by more than 33% in a few years with Uncle Sam…There was a time where one in six Berrichon received a cheque from the Golden Ghetto." And all that remains today is nostalgia. --Jean-François Donny, French journalist and author whose books include “U.S. Go Home.”

CONNECT WITH STEVE BASSETT

Website: https://stevebassettworld.com/ X (Twitter): https://mobile.twitter.com/SteveBassett19 Facebook: Steve Bassett Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevebassettauthor Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/bassetts474

"680 Miles Away" by Tara J. Stone

Tara J. Stonestarted writing fiction when she was in first grade and discovered the thrill of screenwriting when she studied Communications Media at John Paul the Great Catholic University. Screenplays are her favorite way to tell stories, but novels are quickly gaining. She hopes her writing will contribute to a revival of Catholic fiction.

After successfully self-publishing two screenplays as paperbacks and ebooks, she partnered with two of her former film professors to create Story Masters Film Academy, which offers online courses in screenwriting and directing.

Tara resides in Colorado, and in 2016, she became a Consecrated Virgin Living in the World in the Diocese of Colorado Springs. In addition to making things up and writing them down, Tara enjoys praying, hiking (definitely not running), going to the symphony (especially movies at the symphony), discovering new craft brews, and spending time with family and friends.

Learn more about Tara J. Stone and her work at https://tarajstonewriter.com/.

TOPICS OF CONVERSATION

• About "680 Miles Away," the inspiration behind the story and title!
• The protagonist's journey
• Integrating music into the storyline
• The unbreakable bonds of sisterhood.
• Writing a sequel to satisfy current fans and new readers.
• What's next for Tara J. Stone?

680 Miles Away

Summary:

The follow-up to6 Blocks Homeis a powerful story about confronting old wounds, embracing new possibilities, and the triumph of unrelenting love.

Evie is a musical prodigy who has a habit of running away when things get hard. Or messy. Or just plain awkward. Like the time she ran away from home when she discovered the devastating truth about her past.

Now, at twenty-three, Evie is content with the quiet life she’s carved out for herself—working at a music store, teaching violin lessons, and joking around with her coworker and best friend, Finn—but her world is about to get hard and messy and awkward again.

A chance encounter with a stranger sets Evie on a crash course with the very past she’s spent years running from. An old flame reappears. And most terrifying of all, she’s beginning to suspect Finn is more than just a friend.

As events beyond her control force Evie to choose between running and risking it all, she will discover the heartache of betrayal, the strength of true friendship, and the unbreakable bonds of unconditional love.

CONNECT WITH TARA J. STONE!

Website:https://tarajstonewriter.com X:@tjswriter IG:@tjswriter

"TALES OF ASTERRA" by Michael Frank Rizzo

Michael Rizzo is a fantasy fiction writer who works in finance during the day and often spends evenings writing and creating his fantasy world. He published his first book,Tales of Asterra, in early 2023, and he continues to build upon the established lore of this magical world in his spare time. He is currently working on his second book,To Sow a Fallow,whichwill bethe second adventure set in Asterra, with many more soon to follow. When Michael is not writing, he enjoys playing guitar in his band and relaxing with his family, friends, and dogs. His inspirations for writing come from a variety of different sources: classic literature, mythology, old-world language studies, video games, fantasy literature, music, and other sources.

Learn more about Michael Rizzo and his book at https://www.talesofasterra.com/

TOPICS OF CONVERSATION:

• About "Tales of Asterra" and the inspiration behind the book
• Writing a short story anthology
• Using a narrator to connect the stories
• Building realms and languages, exploring magic
• Working with an illustrator to bring the stories to life
• Advice for new authors
• What's next in the world of Asterra?

TALES OF ASTERRA - SYNOPSIS

Welcome, adventurer, to the wondrously magical world of Asterra-where no two roads are the same and life blooms and beckons around every bend. Join Penniforth 'Penny' Rodgers as he regales you with tales of the events, people, currencies, and beliefs that have shaped this mystical land.

From the pirate infested shoals of Del' San Cove, to the dark depths of the Ochre Halls and the fairy forests of Faeril, there is a story for everyone. All that is missing is for you to create your own adventure within Asterra. So, what are you waiting for? Penny has already marked the first destination on the map.

CONNECT WITH MICHAEL RIZZO!

WEBSITE: https://www.talesofasterra.com/ FACEBOOK: TALES OF ASTERRA INSTAGRAM: TALES OF ASTERRA

"The Blue Iris" by Rachel Stone

RACHEL STONE writes stories of hope and redemption, often set against vibrant Canadian backdrops. Her debut novel, THE BLUE IRIS, was named a BookLife Editor's Pick and placed second in the 2024 Feathered Quill Book Awards. Her award-winning lyric essays have appeared in international literary magazines, journals, and blogs.

Rachel holds degrees in psychology and industrial relations, and once worked seven summers at a flower market. She's an active member of the Women's Fiction Writers Association and the proud co-founder of a local volunteer initiative supporting new moms and newly-immigrated families in need. She lives near Toronto with her family and on weekends you'll find her along the shore of Georgian Bay, belting nineties pop rock off-key from her paddleboard.

Learn more about Rachel Stone and her work at:www.rachelstoneauthor.com

TOPICS OF CONVERSATION

• About "The Blue Iris" and the inspiration behind the story
• The chosen family
• Love, loss and healing
• Writing from multiple perspectives
• The delightful characters
• Feedback from readers
• What's next for Rachel Stone?

THE BLUE IRIS

Sometimes, uprooting the thorn-filled past is the only way we bloom...

Tessa Lewisis set to embark on a Big-Time Career and marry Toronto'sfastest-rising lawyer, who loves her to pieces. But when a visit to a flower market from her childhood sparks memories of the mother she lost too soon, Tessa puts her bright future on hold to work there, determined to come to terms with her past.

At the Blue Iris Flower Market, everything is blossoming except the rag-tagcrew, each hiding deep scars of their own. When Sam, the beloved but troubled man incharge, takes off and leaves the market reeling, Tessa and her unlikely newfriends come face-to-face with their most uncomfortable truths, uprooting lives carefully cultivated-and just maybe, unearthing everything they've ever wanted.

Told from multiple perspectives,The Blue Irisis an intricately wovenexploration of love tested beyond its limits, chosen family, and the beauty thatgrows in letting go.

CONNECT WITH RACHEL STONE!

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/rachelstoneauthor

Website: www.rachelstoneauthor.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/racheystone

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100030081772132

X: https://twitter.com/rachestone

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelstoneauthor/

"Welcome to Bellechester" by Margaret Blenkush

Margaret A. Blenkush writes from her childhood home in South Saint Paul, Minnesota where she enjoys the changing seasons. Always a writer at heart, it was the COVID pandemic that challenged her to seek publication of her first novel, The Doctor of Bellechester. Enthusiastic response as in "When's the next book coming out?" and receiving an honorable mention for Best Catholic Novel in the 2023 Catholic Media Awards encouraged Margaret to continue writing about the adventures of Dr. M.E. Senty.

A proud graduate of the College of St. Benedict (B.A.) and St. John's University, Collegeville (M.A. in Theology - Systematics), she became an Oblate of Saint Benedict's Monastery in 2010. A life-long learner who loves books and libraries, Margaret earned a Masters in Library and Information Science from the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee in 1991. In 2004, she contracted a rare auto-immune disease that forced an early retirement from her dream job as Director of the Instructional Services Center for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis from 1992-2004.

When not writing, Margaret enjoys spending time with family, playing card and board games, gardening, volunteering and solving word and sudoku puzzles. She and her identical twin sister, Mary are enrolled in the University of Minnesota Twin Study where they participate in many and varied research projects. Currently, they are participating in a study on twins and aging.

You can learn more about Margaret Blenkush and her work athttps://www.margaretablenkush.com/.

TOPICS OF CONVERSATION

• About Welcome to Bellechester and the inspiration behind the story
• The importance of setting to the story
• Research around medicine and sleuthing in 1959
• Learning more about the characters
• The writing process and drawing inspiration from personal experience
• What's next in the Dr. M.E. (Mary Elizabeth) Senty series?

WELCOME TO BELLECHESTER

Meet the lovable and quirky residents of this idyllic 1959 Shropshire County village as Dr. Mary Elizabeth Senty arrives to join Dr. Harold Merton's medical practice. Detective Inspector William Donnelly has recently transferred to Bellechester from London's Metropolitan Police Service to deal with the rash of jewel thefts in the area. When local socialite Lady Beatrice Brantwell is enlisted to throw a gala as a ruse to flush out the thieves, she pairs the newcomers in hopes of kindling a romance. Despite the police's best efforts, jewels, including Mary Elizabeth's precious agate pendant, are stolen in an intricately planned heist.

Can William and his officers solve the case and return the jewels to their rightful owners? Does love stand a chance between the career- minded doctor and duty-bound chief inspector? Find out in this gentle, cozy sequel toThe Doctor of Bellechesterwhich is sure to keep readers turning the pages.

CONNECT WITH MARGARET BLENKUSH:

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/marge.blenkush/about/

Website:https://www.margaretablenkush.com/