Bestselling Author And Award-Winning Film Maker Dr Barbara Becker Holstein Announces Semi-Finalist Placement For Film , No Charge Ebook Giveaway

A special screening of the film was held July 1 in Redbank, NJ. Women's Freedom, Unfinished Love Stories, will be available at no charge in ebook form July 27 and 28, 2026 at Amazon.

Bestselling author and award-winning film maker Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein has announced her latest film, I Had An Affair With My Husband, is a semi-finalist in the Filmonaco 2026 online film contest.

A special screening the film was held July 1 at Basie Center Cinemas Theatre in Red Bank, NJ and opened to rave reviews, due to the film's clever and emotionally rewarding premise.

The story explores a unique and humorous dynamic between a married couple. The wife finds herself falling in love with a new voice her husband has developed, which leads to an improved intimate life but also triggers intense jealousy in the husband toward his own voice. The narrative follows their journey as they navigate these unusual feelings, eventually seeking help from a therapist to address the disconnect between the husband's persona and this new "identity."

Ultimately, the couple reaches an honest understanding. They realize that while the voice is a fantasy they can occasionally enjoy—and perhaps even expand upon with other personas—their real love for one another remains the foundation of their relationship.

The film is a lighthearted romp that uses an unusual scenario to explore real themes of honesty and fantasy within a marriage.

The film will be released later in 2026.

"I'm so excited about our film," Dr. Holstein stated. "I'm excited to make it available soon. There is an earlier version of the story on Vimeo. As a psychologist my interest in love and relationships is very important to me. Another one of my films is Can Dreams Come True? The film is about a couple who fight, feel awful and then come around to better times. This film has been in film festivals and received honorable mention several times. I have also made it available to the public on Vimeo at https://vimeo.com/658354129. Films and talking about love and marriage and relationships in general never get old. I hope viewers enjoy the film and I hope dreams come true for everyone."

She also announced that the ebook version of one of her latest books, Women's Freedom, Unfinished Love Stories, 2nd Edition, will be available at no charge July 27 and 28 at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Barbara-Becker-Holstein/author/B001JXEZ8U. In this book, Holstein explores the struggles and desires of young women in the 1960s: the complexities of sexuality, identity, and self-discovery.

Dr. Holstein introduces readers to three college students navigating the intricacies of their sexual energies and the paths to their futures. Their journeys are a mirror to the experiences of women throughout history, highlighting the universal longings and challenges that have shaped previous generations.

Readers may find themselves reflecting on their own rights, needs, and the societal influences that have influenced our perceptions of women and their place in society.

Dr. Holstein is known for wrapping Positive Psychology concepts in forms of media that people find engaging, relatable and inspiring. These include:

Six bestselling, award-winning books (perfect for school libraries)

Four self-esteem workbooks for girls 8 and up

Award-winning films and coming of age selfie films

Podcasts

Dedicated websites

Stage plays

A library of articles

Ted-style talks

As a school psychologist and in her private practice, Dr. Holstein has worked with many children and parents, helping them to develop life skills in decision-making, recognition of their own talents, feel more courageous, and helping both kids and parents develop more successful inter-generational skills. Her last book, ‘Conflict and a Bit of Magic’, helps kids build self-esteem though reading the journal of a girl, identifying with the girl, and understanding they have more courage and resiliency than they thought they had. The book is based on the experiences of the already famous “girl” from 'The Truth, Diary of a Gutsy Tween' and 'Secrets, Diary of a Gutsy Teen', and achieved bestseller status in the multi-generational families category.

Dr. Holstein’s latest workbook for kids, ‘Secrets’ achieved bestseller status in the ‘Teen & Young Adult Nonfiction on Depression’ category.

Dr. Holstein's cutting-edge presentations, most recently based on the Covid-19 pandemic issues, can be found on both YouTube, Vimeo and on the Roku channel and Amazon Fire TV, titled as 'The Enchanted Self Presents'.

Dr. Holstein created The Selfie Showcase, a new project emerging from The Selfie Project, that allows young people to voice their opinions on subjects that matter to young people, including the pandemic.

The Selfie Showcase allows kids, teens, and young adults ages 13 to 18 to candidly express their concerns, worries, observations and possible solutions by creating selfie videos or films around important subjects using a smartphone. Dr. Holstein's mission is to help rectify, in several ways, some issues young people face by giving them a chance to engage with others in meaningful ways about the anxiety and stress they must grapple with constantly.

Dr. Holstein is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at barbara.holstein@gmail.com.More information about the Selfie Showcase is available at http://www.selfiefilmmakers.com. Selfie videos and selfie films can be uploaded at the site. Potential podcast guests can contact Dr. Holstein by email. More information is available at her primary website at http://www.enchantedself.com.

Profile:

Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, internationally known Positive Psychologist is the creator of The Enchanted Self ®, a positive psychology method for happiness and a pioneer in Selfies as Film. Dr. Holstein's Enchanted Self website was included as one of the best websites in positive psychology. She is in private practice in Long Branch, New Jersey with her husband, Dr. Russell M. Holstein.

Dr. Barbara can be found on the web, interviewed, writing articles and posting video 'TED' style talks on Happiness, Positive Psychology, Relationships and Parenting. Her Roku channel is: The Enchanted Self Presents.

She has been a contributor to Your Tango, Heart and Soul, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Honey Good, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Redbook, Real Simple, Women’s World, The Wall Street Journal, Psychcentral.com, Time online, Readers Digest, Parade, The Today Show and Family Circle Magazine.

Contact:

Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein
barbara.holstein@gmail.com
http://www.enchantedself.com 

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Call For Angel Stories For Inclusion In New YouTube Channel, Upcoming Book By Award Winning Author Jody Sharpe

Submitted angel stories will be considered for Sharpe's YouTube channel, Angel Stories, and the story may be fictionalized and included in her next book.

Bestselling author Jody Sharpe has been collecting angel stories for a very long time. Some of these stories are her own experiences, while others were submitted to her. Many find their way into her bestselling books. Sharpe was a 1st Place Winner of the 2023 National Association of Press Women's Communications Contest Award for Fiction For Adult Readers - Novellas, and the 2024 National Association of Press Womens's Communications Contest For Fiction - Novellas. She is now making it official.

Sharpe has issued a call for angel stories. The stories can be submitted at her website at https://jodysharpe.com. Not all stories are accepted. If accepted, the story will be included on her YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1zFlB6SCAJg&t=14s, and may be included in her next book.

"I have heard so many angel encounters from others that I’ve been compelled to tell them in my novellas and on my channel," Sharpe stated. "I am writing a new novella, a prequel to the Mystic Bay series, and I will weave more of new stories people tell me and those of my own into the book."

Her latest book, New Angel In Town, is based on stories she has heard throughout the years. These fictionalized stories are embedded throughout the book.

In this book, a secret still lies in Mystic Bay, California. Angels live as humans there. But more miracles happen when Angel Ken and others help Ron, a new angel as he swoops into town. Guardian Angel Ron flies down to live a human existence to make sure his charge, Evan, a boy in foster care, finds a forever home.

Meanwhile, writer Noah Greenstreet is writing a film showcasing the townsfolk’s angel encounters. With twists and turns and a bully to turn around, Angel Ron has to decide if he will stay in the harmonious town. Will Evan find a forever home? Will love and goodwill help Angel Ron decide to stay? With angels at the helm, readers ride along on another miraculous story of the angels of Mystic Bay.

Readers and reviewers have lavished praise on the new book. One Amazon reviewer said, "Just when I thought I couldn't love the Mystic Bay series more, Jody released the most breathtaking installment yet! Book 7 is a masterclass in child advocacy, true love, & angel-ology that blends emotional depth with a community of compassion.

The concept of angels living among us as humans is handled with such grace and wit. As always, I felt deeply immersed in the world of merciful Mystic Bay. Jody’s character development is phenomenal. Experiencing these heavenly beings grapple with human love, fear, & joy is pure magic. It’s heartfelt, sizzling, & absolutely un-putdownable. The reader will come away believing in Angels!

This book is a stunning addition to her magnificent series. It is a radiant reward of Jody’s keen dedication to bringing the love of angels into our world."

Another said, "The angel experiences shared in the book seem real and remind the reader of the meaning of love and how it can change lives. Surely we can put the values illustrated in this beautifully written book in our own lives and make our world a better place for all."

The book is available at Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jody-Sharpe/author/B00DPL3382?.

Other books by Jody Sharpe include:

To Catch an Angel - Jody is also the author of 'To Catch an Angel', written in memory of her late husband Steve. In 'To Catch an Angel', miracles happen in Mystic Bay, California, the town with the psychic and angel vibe. Angels are calling. Psychic Maggie Malone returns home to find she's swept up in the miracle of it all. She can't imagine why her mother left or who her father might be. But these questions pale in comparison to the wonder of the angels. Maggie meets writer, Noah Greenstreet. They realize they've met before, but where? Maggie and Noah embark on a journey to find our world is all awash with angels.

Town Of Angels - it's angel vs. Bully in the town of Mystic Bay, California, where a well-kept secret lies. Angels live as humans there. After angels appeared to three children, all was blissful in the town full of psychics, and ordinary folk. But as brute, Klaus Waxman, comes to town, angel Ken Leighton, a storeowner, must carefully guide his flock of humans not to give in to the bully's efforts.As Klaus opens a store mocking the resident angel sightings, angel Ken guides psychic Justine Greer, and her family to thwart his efforts. And with the help of the indomitable oldest psychic in town, Madam Norma, the bully meets his match through the soft voices and intuitive minds of his neighbors.

Town Of Angels Christmas - The bully never wins. A secret lies in Mystic Bay California. Angels live as humans there. Angel Ken, a storeowner, fears the secret will be revealed when vet, Jordana Hart, a woman with special healing abilities moves to town.

Years before Angel Ken materialized as an old man, changing the course of her life. Will Jordana recognize Angel Ken as the man from her past as they work together on a rescue mission to bring twenty-two horses to Mystic Bay before Christmas, will they see what lies before them, a Christmas story only the angels could write.

The Dog Who Came For Christmas - Meteorologist and psychic, Gayle Force Knight, proves to be a force to be reckoned with once more. While Gayle was sleeping, an angel sent her a vision of a future event. With her intuition, Gayle wonders, will she really meet the dog in her dream and save another one?

With the help of her intuitive husband, Alex Knight, and friends, Gayle sets on a course to rescue many more. But with surprising twists and turns of intrigue, both Gayle and Alex find there are always angels at the helm as they ride on their coattails.

20 Moon Road, An Angel's Tale - Miracles still happen in the town of Mystic Bay California. Angels live as humans there. Angel Ken, a former football coach, is surprised when his late best friend, the indomitable psychic, Madam Norma, appears in spirit form and asks him to write the story of her life through her memories she will send him. Surprising to Angel Ken, Madam Norma saw thousands of angels since childhood.

Special Needs Children followed her children's book about angels, When The Angel Sent Butterflies. The new book helps children understand that love from their parents and others surrounds them. Love conquers fear, and believing that angels are near can help sweep any childhood fear away. This concept is presented in the book when Angel Ken sends Jones and Kate butterflies. The book, appropriate for ages 2 to 7, is now available at Amazon and Ingram.

One of her latest books, Summer Of Angels, is a mystery novel. Meteorologist and psychic, Gayle Force proves a force to be reckoned with as she moves back to her beloved Mystic Bay, California. While sleeping, an angel sent her a vision in a dream of a future event. Gayle realizes she must use her intuition to save an old man from drowning. But who is this old man?

With the help of intuitive attorney, Alex Knight, she finds they are caught in the middle of a future crime. But can Gayle and Alex solve the case and save the old man before it’s too late? With surprising twists and turns of intrigue and love, Gayle and Alex find there are angels at the helm as they help prove the bully never wins.

In addition, on the "Tuesdays With The Angels" section of her site, Sharpe presents stories of real-life encounters with angels. The stories are available at Sharpe's website at http://www.jodysharpe.com.

Sharpe hopes to create a collection of angel stories that involve sightings of angels, interaction with angels, miraculous angel encounters, and other types of accounts or stories. Everyone is welcome to submit angel stories. All submissions will be considered, but inclusion is not guaranteed. Stories may be submitted at http://bit.ly/2FV8amd.

Sharpe's YouTube channel brings all of this together, offering segments on all of these topics. One topic of special interest is bullying, specifically as it relates to special needs children.

In addition to the National Federation of Press Women’s award, Jody was chosen as a winner in the annual "50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading" Book Awards. She was chosen from a field of hundreds of authors through a public voting process.

Jody also announced recently that two new screen treatments of her books are now available: The Angel's Daughter and Town Of Angels Christmas.

Jody Sharpe is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at sharpejody76@gmail.com. Angel stories can be submitted at http://bit.ly/2FV8amd. All of her books are available at online book retailers. New quotes will be added every Tuesday to the "Tuesdays With The Angels" section of her blog, which can be found at her website at http://www.JodySharpe.com.

Profile:

Jody Sharpe had a rewarding career as a Special Education teacher. Writing about angels became healing after losing her daughter and then her husband. The valuable lessons she learned about moving forward and loving life in the now have set her on a mission to tell the stories with love, humor and spiritual awakening. The fictitious town of Mystic Bay has given her an avenue to put characters and themes together hopefully enlightening the reader towards contemplation of the precious life and memories we are given.

Contact:

Jody Sharpe
sharpejody76@gmail.com
http://www.jodysharpe.com 

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Aftermath Of WWII: Trauterose, The Award-Winning Memoir By Elisabeth Haggblade, Offers A First Person Account Of Post-World War II Germany

Elisabeth Haggblade's eyewitness account, winner of the 2024 Indie Reader Discovery Award, will likely be regarded as one of the best accounts ever written about post-World War II Germany.

Though not often found in our history books, in the immediate aftermath of World War II, Germany confronted a crisis of epic proportions. By 1945, the end of the war had left the state vulnerable to political disintegration, severe economic ruin, and profound social dislocation.

Although scholarly and popular literature addresses Germany’s wartime experiences, comparatively fewer studies and narratives examine day-to-day conditions and psychological consequences endured by ordinary individuals in the subsequent postwar period.

Trauterose, an award-winning book, presents such an account through the first-person testimony of Elisabeth Haggblade. Orphaned at birth during the height of World War II, she spent the first eleven years of her life in the household of a former S.S. officer and his family. The book offers readers an unusually rare perspective on postwar Germany—one grounded not in retrospective reconstruction alone, but in an experiential record of survival, adaptation, and loss.

The work has also received notable recognition, including the 2024 IndieReader Discovery Award (Memoir category) and First Place Non-Fiction in The Authors Show 2024 Book Cover Awards. More than a personal narrative, Trauterose provides a sustained and insightful window onto a pivotal historical moment, illustrating how daily life was continually shaped by instability and deprivation.

As reflected in her testimony, Haggblade—along with others she encountered during childhood—was marked both physically and psychologically by wartime violence and its aftermath. In a period when Germany’s social institutions and material conditions were especially fragile, the effort to navigate everyday existence often required constant negotiation. Yet the narrative emphasizes, as well, the enduring roles of faith and communal support in sustaining resilience.

Elisabeth writes, “One person aiding and delivering faith: The late Pope Benedict XVI, known then as Herr Joseph Ratzinger, teacher of catechism in our fourth-grade class in the 1950s. After he left our school, his hand-written letter spelled out the proper path to follow in growing up : ‘If one buttons one’s coat the wrong way, one would have to undo all of it and start over again to make it right. So it is with life,’ admonishing us ‘to choose the right beginning.”’

“I wrote this book as a reaction to reports and pictures of that time that I saw: Glamorous portrayals in German magazines of the postwar years,” Haggblade stated. “More importantly, I wanted to respond to positive comments I kept hearing from Americans about their understanding of the postwar years. Both impressions were in contrast to my experience growing up and those I came in contact with. They told only one side of the story.

“On a personal level, I wanted to bring the reader into the picture: How life had to go on, war or no war. I let the rooms and the furniture be witnesses to our family’s daily struggle.

“By looking back, we learn how Germany has reckoned with its past. We can trace the changes the country has undergone and what it has become politically, sociologically, and economically on account of its size and influence in Europe and in the world today. Baruch Spinoza exhorts us: ‘ To understand, not judge.’”

In a recent talk for the AAUW book club members in Santa Barbara, CA, she described in detail some of the challenges faced during that time.

“One had to make an effort to establish a routine, to bring some kind of order into one’s life. What was it like to get up in the morning, trying to find soap, comb, toothbrush, warm water–not a small task in those times.

“We had to find food and ways to cook it.

“One still had to go to school, without public or private transportation, in all seasons. Find a place to do homework. Find proper clothes and shoes to wear; gear for rain, clothes for winter; Find thread for mending clothes. And we had to deal with sickness and death in the family.

“All the while, people still had to suffer the usual annoying indignities of adolescence, middle age crises, old age problems.”

In short, 'Trauterose' is the account of one person's search for humanity in existence—a cautionary tale on the inherited guilt created by rampant nationalism, and a painfully honest and often humorous view of the world through the eyes of a young woman who found her way to freedom and purpose.

Readers and reviewers have expressed praise for Trauterose. Craig Jones of IndieReader wrote, "TRAUTEROSE (Growing Up in Postwar Munich) by Elisabeth Haggblade offers an uncompromising, moving, and elegiac memoir of a deprived childhood in postwar Germany." Midwest Book Review said, "Libraries seeking powerful, personal memoirs that hold political and social lessons and insights will find Trauterose a study in adaptation, survival, and growth. It also deserves attention from young adult and adult book clubs seeking memoirs that reflect not just individual experience, but a sense of the culture and times."

One Amazon review stated, "The book is extremely well written, and I would recommend it highly." Another said, "I highly recommend this book. It will touch your heart." Another wrote, "It offers an unforgettable window into a time and place that few Americans know about."

Elisabeth Haggblade is available for media interviews and can be reached at don@freepublicitygroup.com. 'Trauterose' is available in both print, ebook and audiobook forms at Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Elisabeth-Haggblade/author/B0CTRXLF9G?. More information is available at her website at https://www.trauteroseauthor.com.

About Elisabeth Haggblade:

Elisabeth Haggblade holds a B.A. in German, a B.A. in Russian, a Master's in Linguistics from California State University, Fresno, and a PhD in English Philology from the Freie Universität Berlin. She retired from teaching part-time English and Linguistics at California State Universities and the Freie Universität Berlin. Her publications began with academic articles and book reviews as well as book reviews of fiction in The Los Angeles Times. She resides in California.

Contact:

Elisabeth Haggblade
don@freepublicitygroup.com
https://www.trauteroseauthor.com 

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Bestselling Author Gina Iafrate Announces Her Latest Romantic Fiction Novel, Love And Betrayal

Gina Iafrate writes sweeping family sagas that allow readers to escape to faraway places through engaging storylines and richly detailed narratives.

Award winning author Gina Iafrate has announced that her latest romantic fiction novel, Love And Betrayal, is now available in print and ebook form at Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Gina-Iafrate/author/B00MRZ8Y9A.

Love and Betrayal is the third in the series, following The Professor's Daughter.

Gracy thought she had found her true eternal love. This manifested deep in her faithful heart.

Unfortunately, later in her married life, this happiness turned disenchanting. Alvaro’s promises of his vows, for better or for worse, in happiness and sorrow, until death do us part, had all changed. Fate delivered his unfaithfulness with pain and suffering. His behaviour brought catastrophic consequences along the way, influenced by someone else’s greed, jealousy, and revenge. Gracy’s emotional journey of survival turned challenging.

Later in life, in solitude and despair. the universal bliss tested her with waves of courage. With the intervention of caring people, she finally found, once more, love, peace, and support. Her heart finally rejoiced in comfort once more until her terrestrial journey came to an end.

The Professor's Daughter is the sequel to her first award winning book, The English Professor. Set in Italy, this romantic fiction novel allows readers to immerse themselves in the life of Gracy and her adventures in love and the trials and tribulations she faces.

In this book, Gracy Robertson is the love child of an intense love affair.

At birth she was taken from her dying mother and left in the care of the devastated Professor, her dad. Living in hiding for years, they managed to avoid the long reach of the corrupt mobsters who had taken her mother’s life.

Once the threat was gone, they believed that peace could return to their lives at the place where the professor’s passion and love for her mother had resulted in Gracy’s conception.

Once there, just as a peaceful life and a sense of normalcy seem long lasting, the professor’s life journey comes to an end. Gracy, grief stricken by the loss of her dad’s love and his devotion, is challenged to overcome the heartache and the fogginess of her empty world.

Her destiny once more takes her across the ocean where she finds love and affection. However, fate is not done with her, and it strikes with both people and difficult situations that threaten her peace of mind, her heart, and her life. These threats and dangers are appeased only when her heart finds its home in her denied lover’s devotion.

Gina Iafrate's Strong Women series features a number of romantic fiction novels that feature characters who have managed to overcome staggering odds and yet emerge from overwhelming circumstances to build lives that can serve as models for women everywhere.

Gina Iafrate writes sweeping family sagas that allow readers to travel the globe without leaving home. Like fine pieces of music, her books are layered, providing readers with intricately formed mental images, punctuated by dramatic movements. In the tradition of writers like Nicholas Sparks and John Grisham, Gina's extraordinary story lines reveal the richness of the human experience told through the eyes of finely drawn characters. Nearly all of her story lines involve rich and tactile descriptions of exotic places, placing the reader in the very midst of those locales.

Iafrate's travel and life experiences have set the scene for much of her writing. Known for her quick-paced narration and descriptive atmosphere, Gina's words take the reader on unforgettable journeys, along with the characters she creates.

Books in the Strong Women series also include:

The Girl From The Cornfield

It is 1950 and Giuliana Ferrante is growing up in a sleepy town deep in the Italian mountains.

In this coming-of-age saga, her young life is rocked to its core by a vicious attack that shatters the peaceful existence that she and many around her have always taken for granted.

Giuliana, determined to make a future for herself, flourishes by working tirelessly toward her education, securing a legal degree and ultimately a successful position in the business world.

She conquers all with kindness and love, managing to rise above the painful memories of her youth.

This sweeping, inspirational tale hurtles across time, countries, and characters as it explores how love can heal, reconcile, and restore.

The English Professor:

Andrew Robertson, an introverted, middle-aged professor leaves his unremarkable London life to embark on a journey to Sicily where strangers welcome him kindly. In this sensuous Mediterranean setting, he develops a burning infatuation for another man's wife. Falling into each other's arms, Andrew and Francesca both satisfy and heighten the emotional and physical longing they have felt all their adult lives. Their union results in a child. But Andrew must go back to London and Francesca must protect herself, Andrew and their child from the violent reach of her husband.

Bestowed By Love And Splendour:

A breath-taking story of a broken-hearted wife and mother who unexpectedly finds the universal bliss takes her away from a tormented life, far across the ocean. On the exotic island of Sardinia, she becomes hypnotized by nature's beauty; the cloudless sky, the emerald-blue hues of the sea and the gentleness of the people.

But fate strikes once more. Destiny takes over and transports her to a world beyond her imagination . . . allowing her to find peace, love, and splendour.

Iafrate is also the author of Releases From My Soul, a new collection of anthologies, crafted through a distinctive and intriguing combination of true stories, adventures and experiences from her life.

Gina gifts us with poems drawn from the depth of her soul. Some of the factual novellas were drawn directly from the author’s interesting life experiences, events and travel. Others were drawn purely from imagination.

She is currently working on her seventh novel, The Shoeless Boy. 

Gina Iafrate is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at delsan06@sympatico.ca. A resident of Niagara, Ontario, she has been featured in local publications such as the Niagara News. Her books are available at online retailers and traditional brick and mortar bookstores. More information is available at her website at http://www.ginaiafrate.com.

About Gina Iafrate:

Gina Iafrate is bilingual. She writes in both Italian and English. Originally from Italy, Gina Iafrate now divides her time between Hollywood, Florida; Niagara, Ontario; and Europe. Gina’s works have been exhibited at The Pier 21 Museum in Halifax, and in Phoenix Magazine, The Horizon, and Author’s Voice. She is a 2016 Book Excellence Award Finalist. She has appeared in the annual Writers Forum and Niagara Area Artists, and at numerous libraries and book clubs.

She lives with her husband in Hollywood, Florida, and Niagara, Ontario, Canada.

Contact:

Gina Iafrate
delsan06@sympatico.ca
http://www.ginaiafrate.com 

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Award Winning Novelist Rusty Blackwood Announces Release Of New Novel, Before The Grandeur: The Making Of A Horsemaster

The new book is the prequel to the Autumn series of books.

Award-winning novelist Rusty Blackwood has announced the release of Before The Grandeur: The Making of a Horsemaster.

Every legacy begins with a choice - Before the grandeur came the master.

The village of South Wood Chester, Gloucestershire, England, offered little for its residents, and for the deprived young Englishman, Cyril Landon, born into this stricken world of poverty, the road in every aspect appeared hopeless.

A chance for success in any field appeared far removed from his grasp. But life underestimated this young man, for he was filled with determination, grit, and an endless drive to achieve much better than his station in life was offering, and he would not settle for less.

A labourer’s situation at a local farm provided a window into a possible future that he had never given thought to, as he stepped through an opened door that would open many more. Little did he know at that time how far his choice would take him.

In his review, Richard Prause of Readers Favorite said, "It doesn't depend on manufactured plot twists to drive the story. Instead, it focuses on the simple, powerful moments of a man earning the trust of a stallion. It’s a perceptive exploration of ambition and loyalty, indeed. If you appreciate character-driven historical fiction, this novel is well worth your time.

Another reviewer, Asher Syed stated, "Overall, this will be a boon for readers who are already fans of the series, and a brilliant introduction to fans-in-waiting."

"It gives me great pleasure to bring you, Before the Grandeur: The Making of a Horsemaster", stated Blackwood in introducing this prequel to her Autumn series of books. "This trip down memory lane was a journey thoroughly enjoyed on my behalf, as it opened a well-defined observation into Cyril Landon's early life, from birth, through a difficult, poverty-stricken existence, to the acclaimed, celebrated Horsemaster you meet in The Perils of Autumn." Blackwood went on to say, "A prequel usually precedes a story that is told over a series of books instead of following, but I felt the need to give the readers, and supporters of the well-received Autumn Trilogy, a detailed account into a character that provides the successful life that the entire Autumn cast cherishes. It is my hope you will enjoy the experience you will have and applaud this character that has come to mean so very much to me, his author."

The new book is available at Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rusty-Blackwood/author/B0092XLBRM.

For The Perils Of Autumn, the first book in the series, Blackwood was named as a finalist in the Fiction Romance category by International Book Awards in the 2019 International Book Awards, the 10th annual awards program. She was also named a finalist in the American Book Fest's 2019 awards program in the same category. The first book also received a 5-star rating from Reader's Favorite.

The first book in the series, The Perils Of Autumn, set primarily in the early 1970’s, centers on a young Kentucky woman. Autumn Leeves is born in 1946 to Abigail Leeves, an unwed mother who struggles to make ends meet. Shunned by society of the time, mother and daughter find themselves in peril until they meet a kind old shopkeeper who takes them in.

By 1970, Autumn graduates nursing school and is sent on assignment by the local hospital to care for the terminally ill wife of middle-aged English equestrian master, Cyril Landon. Landon is the owner of Landon Lawns Stables, successful Thoroughbred racing stable located just outside Lexington, Kentucky. Duff Taylor, world renowned jockey lives full-time at Landon Lawns and enjoys the many benefits it brings. Duff has a dark secret surrounding an unsolved racing incident from his past that he will go to any length to protect.

Autumn arrives at Landon Manor in time to be thrown into the fray and finds herself caught in the ongoing disruption that ensues. Cyril and Autumn find themselves attracted to each other, but their ensuing romance is plagued by those trying to stop it, but they rise above it and marry. However, peril again knocks at the door when Abigail suddenly dies, leaving a pregnant Autumn to mourn her loss while fighting to not miscarry her baby who is born through a perilous birth.

Reviewers have also lavished praise on 'The Perils Of Autumn'. Ray Simmons said, "Romance and good writing come together perfectly in Rusty Blackwood's 'The Perils of Autumn'. A great read." Trudi LoPreto said, "This book has it all and more. Please do not pass up 'The Perils of Autumn' - you will not be sorry."

Blackwood's previous 5-star rated romantic fiction novel, 'Willow's Walk', followed the release of 'Passions in Paris: Revelations of a Lost Diary'.

Willow's Walk:

Willow's Walk' is a gripping tale that holds readers captive from the very first page. Set in the beautiful city of Ottawa, Canada in 2003, this touching story centers on the life and times of a woman determined to prevail at all costs, regardless of what is set before her, the result of which is certain to leave the reader reeling in its wake.

'Willow's Walk' also received a number of 5-star reviews from professional reviewers. Maria Beltran stated, "I highly recommend this book." Gisela Dixon said, “I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the life of a person presented in such a wonderful manner." Another said, "Brutally honest. I was touched by the bittersweet conclusion that sometimes purpose and happiness are only found through great tragedy ..."

Passions in Paris:

Blackwood's first romantic fiction novel is a sweeping saga written in the tradition of Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' and 'What Dreams May Come'. It has been compared to Erich Segal's 'Love Story' and Nicholas Sparks' 'The Notebook'.

'Passions in Paris' likewise received rave reviews. Linkk Kula Kane said, "Passions in Paris I think stands its ground with these other powerful romantic stories like 'The Notebook' by Nicolas Sparks." Reader Fred Pifer stated that “'Passions', is a fascinating book of a love story that seemed to be written with me in mind. In the book 'Love Story' by Erich Segal, he told of a deep abiding love story that reminds me of Cullen and Joy’s in Ms. Blackwood’s book, but the twists of intrigue and mystery that she adds keeps the reader on edge throughout."

Information on all of Blackwood's work is available at Blackwood's site. Readers can download paperback and Kindle versions of her books at Amazon sites worldwide, including Amazon.ca. 'Rusty Blackwood, A 3 Part Retrospect' is available at her website and on YouTube.

Rusty Blackwood is available for interview in the Toronto and Niagara areas and can be reached using the information below or by email at writerrusty@hotmail.ca. More information is available at her website at http://www.rusty-blackwood.com. All of her books are available at Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rusty-Blackwood/author/B0092XLBRM.

Profile:

Rusty Blackwood is a prolific Indie author of romantic fiction, short story comedies, contemporary and traditional poetry and children's books. Her first love is romantic fiction, but she crosses genres with ease.

Contact:

Rusty Blackwood
http://www.Rusty-Blackwood.com
writerrusty@hotmail.ca 

Leia Mais…

Bestselling Author Donna Louis Announces New Translations For Her Series Of Award-Winning Christian Books

Louis is the bestselling author of six inspirational Christian books. Louis’ books reveal God’s desire for our happiness and joy. The new books help readers cope with modern day challenges such as unforgiveness, trust issues, patience, lack of gratitude, and hatred.

Bestselling author Donna Louis has announced the release of new translations of her series of Christian books, eBooks and audiobooks. These include:

Book of Proverbs – Proverbs For The Modern Day - English, Italian, & Portuguese

Empowerment & Encouragement For Living In A Fallen World - English, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish

Pearls of Wisdom Inspirational & Motivational Bible Verses For Challenging Situations - English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish

The Rain Falls On The Just & The Unjust - English, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish

Thriving In Every Season Of Life With God - English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish

All of the books are available in paperback, Kindle and audio versions.

Life is difficult and we all face challenges. Some of these challenges - money, unemployment, sickness - can be temporary. Other struggles run even deeper - suicidal ideation, anxiety, hopelessness, depression, addiction and others. Constant exposure to negativity can have a profound impact on our mental and emotional well-being, making it difficult to see the positive aspects of the world.

Surprisingly, the answer to these and many other challenges have been around for thousands of years. That is the core message of Louis' series of books. Based on sound Biblical teachings, her inspiring Christian books can be a refuge and a guide: they remind us we are not alone, strengthen our faith with truth and hope, and offer words that steady the heart when circumstances cannot. Through Scripture-inspired encouragement, practical wisdom, and stories of perseverance, her books can help us reframe suffering, find courage for the next step, and trust God’s presence even when the path ahead is unclear.

Louis is the author of six inspirational Christian books:

'Book of Proverbs: Proverbs For The Modern Day' recently ranked #1 in Best Sellers for Christian Inspirational, #1 in Best Sellers for Christian Devotionals, and #2 in Best Sellers for Christian Spiritual Growth. The book received a 5-star rating from Readers Favorite.

'Book Of Proverbs: Proverbs For The Modern Day' delves deeply into the timeless human quest for wisdom. As all Christians know, the primary purpose of the Biblical Book of Proverbs is to teach wisdom. The Book of Proverbs provides intellectual depth, insights, and exceptional wisdom on how to live a meaningful, joyful and tranquil life by honoring and respecting God as omnipotent.

This updated version of 'Book Of Proverbs: Proverbs For The Modern Day', discusses all chapters in Proverbs 1-31 and brings insight, clarity, and basic meaning to several verses in each chapter. It clarifies why wisdom is not only essential, but mandatory in life, if one hopes to live a blessed life, versus living destitute, empty, or feeling lost or hopeless. The book is rated 4.9 on Amazon. One reviewer stated, "If you want to gain wisdom this book is yours. Great book."

Another of Louis’s books, ‘Pearls of Wisdom, Inspirational & Motivational Bible Verses For Challenging Situations’, a bestseller in the Christian Spiritual Growth category, provides readers with a plethora of motivational and inspirational quotes from some of the greatest people that ever lived. Some have traveled through their journey of life and many others still are and they have gifted us with some of the greatest thoughts, examples, and testimonies for life ever. The book received a 5-star rating from Readers Favorite.

The greatest book ever created, the Bible, is also referenced with some thought-provoking guides on how we should carry ourselves and live our lives. We are constantly in thought like the statue “The Thinker” about what we should do with our lives, how to live our lives, and the choices that we make are critical because they will determine our destiny. This is not something that we just want to flip a coin and see if it comes down heads or tails. We need to be grateful for the life God gave us and live it to his glory.

This book is a road map on how to handle challenging situations that arise in our lives. There are also prayers that you can read and say over these situations that will inspire you, bring you peace and bless your life incredibly.

Another bestseller from Donna Louis is ‘The Rain Falls On The Just And The Unjust’. As much as Christians or believers of God would like to believe that just because we acknowledge God in our lives, we should never have any sorrow, that is untrue. Just believing this makes us commit sin, because then we are not humble but haughty. We will all have challenges, disappointments, and unfair situations arise in our lives but as believers of God, we are to handle ourselves so that unbelievers will want to become like us. We are to trust, have faith and believe that God has our back and will keep us lifted above, fight our battles, and always cause us to Triumph. The book received a five-star rating from Reader's Favorite.

Donna Louis’ previous best-selling book, ‘Thriving in Every Season of Life with God’, gives us a road map to create a mindset - a new life in which we can learn to prosper in any circumstance, however dire. This book achieved bestseller status in two categories: Spiritual Self Help and Motivational Self Help.

To understand what it means to "thrive," we must look beyond the dimension of finances. The concept of thriving can be applied to our health, our relationships, our habits and our peace of mind. God wants us to thrive. But it does not just happen - we must take action to make it happen.

Set against the backdrop of four "seasons of life", Louis, in the tradition of writers such as Joel Osteen and Joyce Meyer, discusses how you can thrive, prosper, and flourish. Much like growing crops, we prepare in spring, grow in summer, harvest in fall and rest in winter. At times, we must nurture and cultivate, at other times we bloom and reproduce, and at other times we harvest and replant.

'Thriving In Every Season Of Life With God' is a book that can be read in just a few hours and provides readers with powerful ideas and concepts that can be implemented immediately, allowing them to thrive in the midst of adversity. The book received a five-star rating from Readers Favorite.

Empowerment And Encouragement For Living In A Fallen World: This book delves into the fact that we are all presently living in a fallen world.

How do we climb back into the light? By following Jesus. This book focuses on seven biblical people in the Bible and what was so important about how they lived their lives and why it is vital that we duplicate them because in doing so we are duplicating Jesus and we will be abundantly blessed in all areas of our lives by doing so.

Donna Louis' first book, 'Miracles of Direction, Miracles of Conquest, Miracles of Provision and Miracles of Purpose' helps readers explore miracles both past and present. The book explores biblical miracles that took place while Jesus was here on earth. She then references miracles that take place on a daily basis in the modern world. She separates these miracles into four categories and presents insightful examples of each type, taken directly from the Bible.

Louis knows her subject well, as she has personally experienced four miracles. As the result of those life-altering experiences, she began an in-depth study of some of Christianity's most well-documented miracles. In her book, she attempts to expand upon and explain both the purpose and the direction of those miracles.

'Miracles' has received rave reviews from readers. One review called it "amazing, uplifting and inspirational". Another stated, "I was profoundly impressed by the writing."

Louis has won a number of industry awards. She was chosen as the winner in the 2018 Top Female Author Awards in the Religion/Philosophy/Spiritual category. Louis was chosen from an international field of contestants by a panel of judges. She was also a winner in the 2018 50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading Awards.

Louis' recent wins follow three awards in the 50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading Awards contest (2015, 2016 and 2017), and two nominations in the Top Female Authors Awards.

Donna Louis is available for media interviews and speaking engagements and can be reached using the information below, or by email at donnalouisgodsmessenger@aol.com. More information is available at her website. Select books are available at Barnes and Noble at http://bit.ly/2LECI1h, and at Amazon at https://amzn.to/38wW82l. More information is available at her website at http://www.miraclebook.net.

About Donna Louis:

Donna Louis is happily married to her husband of 41 years Patrick Louis and currently resides in Florida. She lives to accomplish the task that God created her for and on a daily basis to follow Proverbs 3:5-6. "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."

Contact:

Donna Louis
donnalouisgodsmessenger@aol.com
http://www.miraclebook.net 

Leia Mais…

A Traitor Leads Us To Tyranny And Despotism Says Elizabeth Graham, Author Of Bestselling Book, From Democracy To Democrazy

Having sold his soul to Russia, Trump now "rots the soul of our nation."

Bestselling author Elizabeth Graham is an authority on the Trump/Putin relationship. Her articles have appeared worldwide, have been published on the websites of thousands of traditional media outlets and she writes a very popular Substack (egraham.substack.com) on topics relating to democracy, Russia, and U.S. politics.

Kirkus Professional Book Reviewers said: "Graham's book is an intriguing and informative ‘must read’ from a woman who is probably the best-informed American on the terrifying realities concerning Vladimir Putin's motivations and his control over Trump.” The ebook version will be available at no charge July 8 and 9 at Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Elizabeth-Graham/author/B0CMY189NT.

In a recent substack post, she wrote in part:

I spent nearly twenty years in Russia, Central Asia, and Ukraine. In this process, I became bi-cultural – a Russian who also intimately saw the good and bad of both my homeland and of Russia.

Saturday, July 4th and the U.S. holiday to celebrate our independence will be remembered as a time when one of the greatest countries in the history of mankind has succumbed to the tyranny and despotism of one man and a small group who holds absolute and unrestricted power and who is controlled by our enemy.

The Roman civilization lasted 2,200 years from its inception. Toward the end of this historical period, Marcus Tullius Cicero (who lived from January 6, 106 BCE to December 7, 43 BCE) said: “A nation can survive its fools, and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within. An enemy at the gates is less formidable, for he is known and carries his banner openly. But the traitor moves amongst those within the gate freely, his sly whispers rustling through all the alleys, heard in the very halls of government itself. For the traitor appears not a traitor; he speaks in accents familiar to his victims, and he wears their face and their arguments, he appeals to the baseness that lies deep in the hearts of all men. He rots the soul of a nation, he works secretly and unknown in the night to undermine the pillars of the city, he infects the body politic so that it can no longer resist. A murderer is less to fear.” Cicero is best known for uncovering a conspiracy against the Roman Republic in 63 BCE.

Our unsettling reality is that many Americans not only doubt Trump is a traitor but continue to dispute this claim indefinitely. Mark Twain, an American hero, had a “famously complex and humorous relationship with ignorance, and is widely attributed with the proverb: “It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It is what you know for sure that just ain’t so.”

As many Republicans cling to the party rhetoric, they are unknowingly persuaded by propaganda techniques used 100 years ago in Russia. As Stalin persuasively convinced Russian farmers to give up their own farmland for communes in the 1920’s and 30’s, this same deed was repeated by Gorbachev in the late 1980’s using “perestroika” (restructuring) and “glasnost” (openness) to convince American Presidents Reagan and Bush that the Cold War ended. It was a hoax – a smokescreen that has deliberately led American un-worldly minds to now believe Donald Trump - a con man, a criminal, and a self-proclaimed religious prophet. His convicted crimes include business fraud - with rooms filled with financial evidence; 34 felony counts - a case where he attempted to cover up his payments (hush money) to a prostitute by burying them in his business accounting; and sexual assault - where evidence showed that he attacked E. Jean Carroll in a department store dressing room. Due to this last case, he is legally labeled a ‘sexual predator’.

America is now led by a convicted criminal and a traitor. He daily “rots the soul of our nation,” and his reign may end only with his demise. Those of us still clinging to ‘justice and the rule of law’ should know by now that Mr. Trump is well on his way to be our first dictator. He is quickly transforming our government into a reflection of how the Kremlin operates. I am among the few Americans who recognize this transformation. I know this because I lived it.

When the USSR/Russia realized it could not defeat the US militarily, it began in earnest a “disinformation and deception” campaign. Russia is the world’s foremost organized propaganda machine – a lavish "fake news" apparatus, and Vladimir Putin spent a lifetime learning to practice the art of deception.

Donald Trump sold his soul and our country to Russian-style graciousness, flattery, and promises of business. He also fell for beautiful Russian women – all who offer sex and work for the KGB/FSB. As foolish Americans go, he was at the top of the list and in a short period of time became the KGB’s top asset in the U.S. He thought he was invited to Moscow to search for sites to build a Trump hotel. Instead, he was invited, wined and dined, and then trapped. This was verified by Oleg Kalugin, a senior KGB operative in the U.S. for decades. (Interview with Craig Unger for American Kompromat).

My oldest daughter Lize was the bookkeeper at the Beverly Hills nightclub and casino in Moscow - it was owned by Russians but managed by Chuck Norris Enterprises. They provided underage prostitution to western men, and yes Trump visited. Photos were taken. Today, Donald Trump, responds to Putin’s wishes: (1) remove US troops from Germany, (2) kidnap Venezuela’s president, (3) a war in Iran resulting in the withdrawal of sanctions on Russia’s gas and oil, (4) a campaign to negate NATO, (4) the closure of USAID, and so on. All of these actions weaken the United States - financially and on the world political stage.

In my twenty years working on USAID multi-million-dollar awards in Russia, Ukraine, and Central Asia, I was the senior manager responsible for contractual reporting. Such reports contained not just programming and spending information, but local demographic, political, and government facts. USAID was the US government source of intelligence information fed to the CIA from 130 countries masked as humanitarian aid. Putin knew this. USAID was also the organization that funded the democratic restructuring of the Russian Constitution. Putin, who controlled Russian banks, stole millions of dollars from this program that were later used to implement the newly formed Russian FSB - and used to plot against the United States and other NATO countries.

Elon Musk visited Moscow, and two weeks later USAID was closed. The Lancet and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health have reported that approximately 22 million preventable deaths are predicted by 2030 directly due to the closing of USAID in Africa. The majority of these deaths are children. Both Musk and Rubio testified to Congress that “no child has died on their watch.” A LIE. Assuming this projected number is correct, this exceeds the savage number of bloodthirsty deaths caused by Stalin or Hitler. Please consider this carefully and pass these facts on to others. This deliberate murder of Black people is no different than when Hitler massacred Jews or when Stalin starved to death millions of souls primarily in Ukraine. Without provocation or remorse, Mr. Trump orchestrated the mass extermination of millions of people - for the sole reason that their skin is darker than his own.

When Putin was elected President of Russia in 2000, he was to legally serve one term of six years. Twenty-six years later he is still in control of this vast country and the Russian people. I will not be surprised when Trump attempts this same malicious deception in 2028. Trump orchestrated the attack on the US Capitol to prevent the legal processing of election results, and he has continually attempted to disrupt our voting processes.

Mr. Trump sold his soul and our country to Russia. When Trump was facing his 7th bankruptcy, the Russians bailed him out with depositing $100 million in the Trump Organization bank accounts. Both his elder sons have verified this. (www.vanityfair.com, www.businessinsider.com) Russian Organized Crime in the US earns $3 billion dollars annually from gambling and drug distribution. (The Guardian, Dec. 4, 2024). This money is laundered through cash transactions purchasing Trump condos worldwide. Trump receives a hefty fee. His net worth has increased by $2 billion in the last year alone. (Forbes, Sept. 9, 2025).

The full post is available at her Substack at https://egraham.substack.com

'From Democracy To Democrazy: A Warning To All Americans' has received rave reviews from readers and reviewers alike. One Amazon reader said, "From Democracy To Democrazy is an excellent book about the threat that Russia poses to America. This is an urgent warning; If you care about our country and the survival of our democracy, you should read this book ASAP because our government under the Trump administration is not on our side. Most Americans are so overwhelmed by the fire hose of distractions by Trump's wars, schemes, and corruption that they aren't aware of the ongoing collusion between Trump and Putin whose primary goal is to destroy America. The evidence described in this book by the author Ms. Graham is substantial. "

Another stated, "This book is a must read to understand how the President in name only is clearly tied to Putin’s world, Putin’s plan to destroy America from the inside out. It is not a hard book to read as the writing is plain and easy to read about personal and professional details of life in Russia doing brave and courageous work at a high level that helped women and non-profits and much more. To live and work under dictatorships for 20 years gave her an understanding like no other of what is happening to our country and is beyond anything else I’ve read."

Clare Harwood, a publisher remarked: “Some books are written to entertain. Others are written because the author feels responsible for speaking. Democrazy is clearly the latter. . . Graham draws not from theory, but from lived experience in authoritarian and communist countries. . . When she writes about Donald Trump’s similarities to leaders she encountered overseas, it does not read as partisan commentary.”

More is available at https://substack.com/@elizabethgraham. Subscribe for $5/month at www.egraham.substack.com to receive Graham's daily or weekly Substack messages which draw on her decades of experience in Russia.

All of this information and much more is available in Graham's book, 'From Democracy To Democrazy: A Warning To All Americans', now available at Amazon, and more information is available at her website at https://democrazy2020.org/.

About Elizabeth Graham:

Elizabeth Graham lives in a quiet rural city in northern Arizona. She had 4 children and has 3 grandchildren. Her oldest daughter died July 16, 2016 - three months before the U.S. 2016 election and while living/working in Japan. The Tokyo Police ruled her death a homicide by an unknown substance – possibly a poison - which is the signature lethal method used by Russians. There is more about her death in From Democracy to Democrazy.

Elizabeth was indoctrinated at a young age by her father who was a senior manager working undercover with the CIA. Her college days were in Los Angeles with the desire to become a high school teacher. However, she was destined to study Russia, Russian language, and live a life of Top-Secret clearances and undercover work. This led to senior nonprofit management positions and consulting jobs in strategic places like Moscow and St. Petersburg in Russia, all the former Soviet - Central Asian countries, and Ukraine, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and many other locations. In this process of living and working abroad, she became bi-cultural - American to Russian and back – only to find that her birth country was in the process of losing its democracy and becoming a dictatorship.

Contact:

Elizabeth Graham
https://democrazy2020.org
https://egraham.substack.com
graham1elizabeth@aol.com

 

Leia Mais…

Bestselling Author And Award-Winning Film Maker Dr Barbara Becker Holstein Announces New Film, I Had An Affair With My Husband, No Charge Ebook Giveaway

A special screening of the film will be held July 1 in Redbank, NJ. Women's Freedom, Unfinished Love Stories, will be available at no charge in ebook form June 28 and 29, 2026 at Amazon.

Bestselling author and award-winning film maker Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein has announced a special screening for her new film, I Had An Affair With My Husband. The screening will be free and open to the public and will be held Wednesday July 1 at 6 pm at Basie Center Cinemas Theatre, 36 White Street, Red Bank, NJ.

The story explores a unique and humorous dynamic between a married couple. The wife finds herself falling in love with a new voice her husband has developed, which leads to an improved intimate life but also triggers intense jealousy in the husband toward his own voice. The narrative follows their journey as they navigate these unusual feelings, eventually seeking help from a therapist to address the disconnect between the husband's persona and this new "identity."

Ultimately, the couple reaches an honest understanding. They realize that while the voice is a fantasy they can occasionally enjoy—and perhaps even expand upon with other personas—their real love for one another remains the foundation of their relationship.

The film is a lighthearted romp that uses an unusual scenario to explore real themes of honesty and fantasy within a marriage.

"Both myself and my husband, Dr. Russell Holstein are very excited about the film," Dr. Holstein stated, "The film developed in our minds as we found ourselves reacting to some things that happened to ourselves. Without giving the plot away let me just say that the story that developed was one that we lived through. We were the patients in real life that had to work through what we felt. As psychologists we ended up believing that there are many facets to romance that are difficult but also can be fun and amazing. And this is so important as most people in a relationship really hope it can work.

"This film makes clear how some amount of confusion can also lead to fun and challenges that can be handled. In fact, get ready to laugh your way through this film. It is funny and reveals how some of life's romantic difficulties can be handled and better understood."

The film will be released in late June, 2026.

In Women's Freedom, Unfinished Love Stories, 2nd Edition, Positive Psychologist Barbara Becker Holstein explores the struggles and desires of young women in the 1960s: the complexities of sexuality, identity, and self-discovery.

In this compelling book, Dr. Holstein introduces readers to three college students navigating the intricacies of their sexual energies and the paths to their futures. Their journeys are a mirror to the experiences of women throughout history, highlighting the universal longings and challenges that have shaped previous generations.

Readers may find themselves reflecting on their own rights, needs, and the societal influences that have shaped their perceptions. Dr. Holstein's insightful exploration of sexuality and emotional growth will captivate you, challenge you, and ultimately empower you.

The ebook version of Women's Freedom, Unfinished Love Stories will be available at no charge, June 28 and 29, 2026 at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Barbara-Becker-Holstein/author/B001JXEZ8U.

Dr. Holstein is known for wrapping Positive Psychology concepts in forms of media that people find engaging, relatable and inspiring. These include:

Six bestselling, award-winning books (perfect for school libraries)

Four self-esteem workbooks for girls 8 and up

Award-winning films and coming of age selfie films

Podcasts

Dedicated websites

Stage plays

A library of articles

Ted-style talks

As a school psychologist and in her private practice, Dr. Holstein has worked with many children and parents, helping them to develop life skills in decision-making, recognition of their own talents, feel more courageous, and helping both kids and parents develop more successful inter-generational skills. Her last book, ‘Conflict and a Bit of Magic’, helps kids build self-esteem though reading the journal of a girl, identifying with the girl, and understanding they have more courage and resiliency than they thought they had. The book is based on the experiences of the already famous “girl” from 'The Truth, Diary of a Gutsy Tween' and 'Secrets, Diary of a Gutsy Teen', and achieved bestseller status in the multi-generational families category.

Dr. Holstein’s latest workbook for kids, ‘Secrets’ achieved bestseller status in the ‘Teen & Young Adult Nonfiction on Depression’ category.

Dr. Holstein's cutting-edge presentations, most recently based on the Covid-19 pandemic issues, can be found on both YouTube, Vimeo and on the Roku channel and Amazon Fire TV, titled as 'The Enchanted Self Presents'.

Dr. Holstein created The Selfie Showcase, a new project emerging from The Selfie Project, that allows young people to voice their opinions on subjects that matter to young people, including the pandemic.

The Selfie Showcase allows kids, teens, and young adults ages 13 to 18 to candidly express their concerns, worries, observations and possible solutions by creating selfie videos or films around important subjects using a smartphone. Dr. Holstein's mission is to help rectify, in several ways, some issues young people face by giving them a chance to engage with others in meaningful ways about the anxiety and stress they must grapple with constantly.

Dr. Holstein is available for media interviews and can be reached using the information below or by email at barbara.holstein@gmail.com.More information about the Selfie Showcase is available at http://www.selfiefilmmakers.com. Selfie videos and selfie films can be uploaded at the site. Potential podcast guests can contact Dr. Holstein by email. More information is available at her primary website at http://www.enchantedself.com.

Profile:

Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein, internationally known Positive Psychologist is the creator of The Enchanted Self ®, a positive psychology method for happiness and a pioneer in Selfies as Film. Dr. Holstein's Enchanted Self website was included as one of the best websites in positive psychology. She is in private practice in Long Branch, New Jersey with her husband, Dr. Russell M. Holstein.

Dr. Barbara can be found on the web, interviewed, writing articles and posting video 'TED' style talks on Happiness, Positive Psychology, Relationships and Parenting. Her Roku channel is: The Enchanted Self Presents.

She has been a contributor to Your Tango, Heart and Soul, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Honey Good, Cosmopolitan Magazine, Redbook, Real Simple, Women’s World, The Wall Street Journal, Psychcentral.com, Time online, Readers Digest, Parade, The Today Show and Family Circle Magazine.

Contact:

Dr. Barbara Becker Holstein
barbara.holstein@gmail.com
http://www.enchantedself.com 

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Donald Trump's Corruption Leads America To Moral Decline Says Elizabeth Graham, Author Of Bestselling Book, From Democracy To Democrazy

Kirkus Professional Book Reviewers said: "Graham's book is an intriguing and informative ‘must read’ from a woman who is probably the best-informed American on the terrifying realities concerning Vladimir Putin's motivations and his control over Trump.”

Bestselling author Elizabeth Graham is an authority on the Trump/Putin relationship. Her articles have appeared worldwide, have been published on the websites of thousands of traditional media outlets and she writes a very popular Substack (https://egraham.substack.com) on topics relating to democracy, Russia, and U.S. politics.

In her eyes, "Trump's political dishonesty - bribery, graft, and malfeasance - has resulted in a state of moral decline in the U.S. – all while our citizens want truth, justice, law and the American way."

In a recent Substack post titled, "Corruption", she wrote in part:

How do successful anti-authoritarian movements work? They strongly attack corruption – framing the regime as dishonest, self-serving, and morally rotten. At the same time, they reclaim patriotic or national symbols and stories. This tells the world that they are not just ‘against’ the regime, but also ‘for’ the nation’s true values and identity.

I used to think that I knew our nation’s ‘true values’ and they were aligned with a democracy – truth, justice, and honesty. Over the past decade – with Mr. Trump serving as the central presidential figure for much of that time, the values of our nation have come under increasing scrutiny. Veracity – the habit of being accurate; Verity – a fundamental truth or reality; and Factuality – the quality of being based on fact, have nearly disappeared. Just laws relay the truth, and society’s legal system needs to recognize and uphold the truth. Laws play a pivotal role in maintaining social order and in protecting individual rights. While LAWS promote justice, Mr. Trump believes he is above the law.

The Epstein Files Transparency Act, a U.S. federal law (Public Law 119-38) enacted on November 19, 2025, was approved by a unanimous vote of Congress. It requires the Department of Justice to publicly release investigative records and documents related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The legal deadline to release all records was December 19, 2025. “Amid an indefinite wait for the full release of the case files, some attention has shifted to a group of federal agents: The U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Inspector General. These agents and investigators monitor fraud, abuse, and weaknesses inside the Justice Department. (CBS News, January 8, 2026, written by Scott MacFarlane). Trump has managed to evade and dodge the full disclosure of this information - through one war after another to fill the news. And while the American media spotlight, ever enthralled by the Trump-created sensationalism of the moment, time marches on. Trump’s deceit and general avoidance have circumvented justice.

From our early roots and our democratic beginnings, the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson, states that “all men are created equal, and endowed with fundamental inalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” At the time Mr. Jefferson wrote this glowing and almost Biblical phrasing, he owned over 600 slaves. This fundamental lie of American equality has set a countrywide standard of dishonesty and deceitfulness for generations of Americans. While considered a cornerstone of human rights, at no time in our post-Civil War history has American leaders and our society been more disoriented.

Our current president is a bigot – someone who is obstinately or intolerantly devoted to his own prejudices – daily treating others – whether world leaders or recent immigrants - with hatred and bias. In the case of Donald Trump, he closed USAID specifically to stop all aid to Africa. That was one year ago, and today it is estimated that about 15 million people will die by 2040 due to this bigotry. (The Lancet, by DM Cavalcanti) His inhumane treatment of immigrants to the U.S. is based on fanatical political views and his own intolerance to anyone whose skin is one shade darker than his daily sprayed on tans. There is no understanding of the hardships endured by immigrants, or to the fact that this entire country commenced through the hard work of individuals who traveled to this land to escape injustices in their own countries.

Today, President Donald Trump’s “public plea to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has quickly blown up in his face. Trump was humiliated as his public plea quickly falls flat,” (MSN, The Daily Beast written by Leigh Kimmins, June 7, 2026) Now, sirens blare over Israel and Iran launches missiles in response to Israel’s continued bombing of Lebanon. Trump has pleaded with Israeli Prime Minister to stop the attacks on Lebanon, but his requests have fallen on deaf ears. This is the same man who promised the American people in his first week as the President in his second term, that “he could end the war in Ukraine in one day.” (CNN, Fact Check, April 25, 2025). In fact, he said the same thing 53 times. (Ibid, CNN) Does this mean he doesn’t comprehend what he says?

Does Trump ever learn? Or for that fact, does the American people ever grasp that Trump is corrupt? This ingrained corruption is demonstrated in everything he does and says and is in plain sight. “The Trump administration has exchanged government benefits, appointments, pardons, and policy decisions for financial contributions from wealthy individuals, corporations, and foreign governments, creating an unprecedented pay-to-play culture.“ (The American Bar Association, March 4, 2026) If key reforms are not passed, and if Trump is not held accountable, this corrupt political culture will do more than distort government – it will steadily destroy American’s faith in their democracy. This is exactly what Vladimir Putin wishes for.

The full post is available at her Substack at https://egraham.substack.com

'From Democracy To Democrazy: A Warning To All Americans' has received rave reviews from readers and reviewers alike. One Amazon reader said, "From Democracy To Democrazy is an excellent book about the threat that Russia poses to America. This is an urgent warning; If you care about our country and the survival of our democracy, you should read this book ASAP because our government under the Trump administration is not on our side. Most Americans are so overwhelmed by the fire hose of distractions by Trump's wars, schemes, and corruption that they aren't aware of the ongoing collusion between Trump and Putin whose primary goal is to destroy America. The evidence described in this book by the author Ms. Graham is substantial. "

Another stated, "This book is a must read to understand how the President in name only is clearly tied to Putin’s world, Putin’s plan to destroy America from the inside out. It is not a hard book to read as the writing is plain and easy to read about personal and professional details of life in Russia doing brave and courageous work at a high level that helped women and non-profits and much more. To live and work under dictatorships for 20 years gave her an understanding like no other of what is happening to our country and is beyond anything else I’ve read."

Clare Harwood, a publisher remarked: “Some books are written to entertain. Others are written because the author feels responsible for speaking. Democrazy is clearly the latter. . . Graham draws not from theory, but from lived experience in authoritarian and communist countries. . . When she writes about Donald Trump’s similarities to leaders she encountered overseas, it does not read as partisan commentary.”

More is available at https://substack.com/@elizabethgraham. Subscribe for $5/month at www.egraham.substack.com to receive Graham's daily or weekly Substack messages which draw on her decades of experience in Russia.

All of this information and much more is available in Graham's book, 'From Democracy To Democrazy: A Warning To All Americans', now available at Amazon, and more information is available at her website at https://democrazy2020.org/.

About Elizabeth Graham:

Elizabeth Graham lives in a quiet rural city in northern Arizona. She had 4 children and has 3 grandchildren. Her oldest daughter died July 16, 2016 - three months before the U.S. 2016 election and while living/working in Japan. The Tokyo Police ruled her death a homicide by an unknown substance – possibly a poison - which is the signature lethal method used by Russians. There is more about her death in From Democracy to Democrazy.

Elizabeth was indoctrinated at a young age by her father who was a senior manager working undercover with the CIA. Her college days were in Los Angeles with the desire to become a high school teacher. However, she was destined to study Russia, Russian language, and live a life of Top-Secret clearances and undercover work. This led to senior nonprofit management positions and consulting jobs in strategic places like Moscow and St. Petersburg in Russia, all the former Soviet - Central Asian countries, and Ukraine, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and many other locations. In this process of living and working abroad, she became bi-cultural - American to Russian and back – only to find that her birth country was in the process of losing its democracy and becoming a dictatorship.

Contact:

Elizabeth Graham
https://democrazy2020.org
https://egraham.substack.com
graham1elizabeth@aol.com 

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Big Ears Jack And Friends By Bestselling Author Earl Vincent de Berge Announces Finalist Status In 2026 Children's Book International Awards

'Big Ears Jack and Friends' is a collection of tall tales featuring extraordinary animals and plants from the Sonoran Desert of Baja California that can bring young people's love for nature to life, generate interest in wildlife, and foster respect for environmental issues.

Bestselling author Earl Vincent de Berge has announced that 'Big Ears Jack and Friends', his bestselling book for young readers, has attained finalist status in the Children's Book International Book Awards, in both the Fable and Nature categories.

'Big Ears Jack and Friends,' is a captivating story that weaves together a delightful tapestry of tales inspired by the flora and fauna of Baja California's Sonoran Desert. This enchanting collection introduces readers to a vibrant cast, including clever coyotes, playful foxes, whimsical boojum trees, and elusive bobcats. Each story not only entertains but also educates, making it a rare gem that sparks curiosity and wonder about the natural world.

Among Jack’s friends readers will meet Nosey and Wag, mischievous coyote brothers; Blue Dasher, a racing dragonfly; the Kangaroo Rat Chorus; tree-lizard Boris; Giro the dust devil; Hawk Conchita and the red ants; Lady Treble Clef, a watchful cactus; Paulina, the puma poet; Diana the musical tarantula; Lady Chrona, a sea lion who dreams of flying; a scheming sea gull named Swindler; the beautiful bobcat Miss Mucha Purrs; Mr. Shellie the chatterbox tortoise; and Young Red Fox and his sweet love, the beautiful rabbit Adorna -- along with many others.

These personalized plants and animals appeal especially to youngsters, capturing their imagination and making the stories engaging and relatable. The narratives’ charm keeps young readers hooked, inviting them to explore the adventures of these lively characters. Each fable is built with an educational backdrop that teaches children about this fascinating ecosystem. Through storytelling, the book subtly introduces concepts related to nature, biodiversity, and environmental awareness. Readers learn about the characteristics and behaviors of these animals, fostering a deeper appreciation for wildlife and their habitats.

Earl's own adventures in Baja California ignited a profound passion for the desert’s extraordinary wildlife, driving him to share these magical stories with young readers. His own deep appreciation for the Sonoran Desert’s unique plants and animals inspired him to create a chapter book that invites youngsters to explore, learn, and dream, making every tale a gateway to adventure. Older readers enjoy the fun and charm of the stories and find joy in reading them aloud to younger kids.

‘Big Ears Jack and Friends' is available in print and ebook form on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Earl-Vincent-de-Berge/author/B09R6M1G4Y.

In a review of 'Big Ears Jack,' an AWA reviewer said, "One of the book’s greatest strengths is its world-building. De Berge weaves the flora and fauna of Baja California into the narrative, making the setting feel like a character itself. Talking cacti, dust devils playing tag, and wise desert tortoises enrich the stories, placing readers in an enchanting ecosystem where the line between reality and fantasy blurs.

"The themes of community, creativity, and environmental respect run throughout the collection. Young readers will enjoy the magical adventures and witty dialogue, while adults will appreciate the underlying messages about cooperation, individuality, and harmony with nature."

In his review on Amazon Mark Winheld stated, "If you're up for more fantasy fun, you'll be tempted by chapter titles like 'Sheriff Diamondback and the Egg-Thieving Coyotes,' or 'Dianna the Musical Tarantula,' or 'Swindler (a thieving seagull) and Big Umpo the Sea Lion,' or 'Lady Treble Clef and Dust Devils Rescue a Javelina Family,' and many more."

Reviewer Essien Asian said, "The author presents educational information in detail while using the dialogue between the characters to stimulate young readers' imaginations. The mix of strategically placed pictures, an engaging narrative style, and thought-provoking subplots regarding these animals ensures that young readers will learn vital lessons in diplomacy and survival from 'Big Ears Jack and Friends' while enjoying a captivating adventure.”

'Big Ears Jack And Friends' is available on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Earl-Vincent-de-Berge/author/B09R6M1G4Y and other online book retailers. More information is available at https://www.earldeberge.com/otherbooks.

About Earl Vincent de Berge:

Author Earl Vincent de Berge is an Arizona native, writer, photographer, and poet. With a master’s degree in political science from the University of Arizona, he founded Behavior Research Center, Inc. and created the respected and widely published Rocky Mountain Poll (RMP), of which he was Editor for 35 years. Earl’s photographs, logbooks, and essays reflecting on life experiences serve as foundations for his prose and poetry. He has recently published three collections of his poems, “Allegro to Life,” “Swans to Carry Me,” and “Wind in the Elephant Tree,” which touch on nature, human nature, love, desert silence, and life in Guatemala. He is currently assembling “The Man Who Ate His Dreams,” a biography of a rags-to-riches businessman, artist, and poet, as well as the first of possibly many sequels to “Big Ears Jack and Friends.”

Earl and his wife Suzanne split their time between Arizona and Guatemala where they founded the nonprofit Seeds for a Future to help low-income rural women improve their families’ access to adequate food and nutrition (www.seedsforafuture.org).

Contact:

Earl Vincent de Berge
https://www.earldeberge.com/
edb1326@hotmail.com 

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Trauterose: Award-Winning Book Offers A First Person Account Of Post-World War II Germany

Elisabeth Haggblade's eyewitness account, winner of the 2024 Indie Reader Discovery Award, will likely be regarded as one of the best accounts ever written about post-World War II Germany.

After the dust settled from World War II in 1945, Germany found itself in the eye of a storm. The country grappled with profound challenges —political fragmentation, economic devastation, and societal upheaval.

While numerous books explore Germany's wartime history, few delve into the profound struggles of its people in the aftermath of World War II.

'Trauterose' is the compelling first-person account of Elisabeth Haggblade, who was orphaned at birth at the height of World War II and spent the first eleven years of her life under the care of a former S.S. officer and his family. History enthusiasts will be captivated by this book, as very few books can offer a view of post-war Germany from the perspective of one who lived through the storm.

'Trauterose' garnered critical acclaim, winning the 2024 IndieReader Discovery Award in the Memoir category and securing First Place Non-Fiction in The Authors Show 2024 Book Cover Awards. It is a compelling story that transcends the ordinary and offers a fresh, profound look into a pivotal era in our history.

Like many she knew and met during her formative years, Elisabeth was marked both physically and psychologically by the traumatic events of the war and its aftermath, where negotiating daily life during the most tenuous time in Germany's history often felt like a balancing act. Yet through it all, faith and the help of others prevailed.

Elisabeth writes, “One person aiding and delivering faith: The late Pope Benedict XVI, known then as Herr Joseph Ratzinger, teacher of catechism in our fourth-grade class in the 1950s. After he left our school, his hand-written letter spelled out the proper path to follow in growing up : ‘If one buttons one’s coat the wrong way, one would have to undo all of it and start over again to make it right. So it is with life,’ admonishing us ‘to choose the right beginning.”’

“I wrote this book as a reaction to reports and pictures of that time that I saw: Glamorous portrayals in German magazines of the postwar years,” Haggblade stated. “More importantly, I wanted to respond to positive comments I kept hearing from Americans about their understanding of the postwar years. Both impressions were in contrast to my experience growing up and those I came in contact with. They told only one side of the story.

“On a personal level, I wanted to bring the reader into the picture: How life had to go on, war or no war. I let the rooms and the furniture be witnesses to our family’s daily struggle.

“By looking back, we learn how Germany has reckoned with its past. We can trace the changes the country has undergone and what it has become politically, sociologically, and economically on account of its size and influence in Europe and in the world today. Baruch Spinoza exhorts us: ‘ To understand, not judge.’”

In short, 'Trauterose' is the account of one person's search for humanity in existence—a cautionary tale on the inherited guilt created by rampant nationalism, and a painfully honest and often humorous view of the world through the eyes of a young woman who found her way to freedom and purpose.

Readers and reviewers have expressed praise for Trauterose. Craig Jones of IndieReader wrote, "TRAUTEROSE (Growing Up in Postwar Munich) by Elisabeth Haggblade offers an uncompromising, moving, and elegiac memoir of a deprived childhood in postwar Germany." Midwest Book Review said, "Libraries seeking powerful, personal memoirs that hold political and social lessons and insights will find Trauterose a study in adaptation, survival, and growth. It also deserves attention from young adult and adult book clubs seeking memoirs that reflect not just individual experience, but a sense of the culture and times."

One Amazon review stated, "The book is extremely well written, and I would recommend it highly." Another said, "I highly recommend this book. It will touch your heart." Another wrote, "It offers an unforgettable window into a time and place that few Americans know about."

Elisabeth Haggblade is available for media interviews and can be reached at don@freepublicitygroup.com. 'Trauterose' is available in both print and ebook forms at Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/stores/Elisabeth-Haggblade/author/B0CTRXLF9G?. More information is available at her website at https://www.trauteroseauthor.com.

About Elisabeth Haggblade:

Elisabeth Haggblade holds a B.A. in German, a B.A. in Russian, a Master's in Linguistics from California State University, Fresno, and a PhD in English Philology from the Freie Universität Berlin. She retired from teaching part-time English and Linguistics at California State Universities and the Freie Universität Berlin. Her publications began with academic articles and book reviews as well as book reviews of fiction in The Los Angeles Times. She resides in California.

Contact:

Elisabeth Haggblade
don@freepublicitygroup.com
https://www.trauteroseauthor.com 

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