Book: "Washington, A Life" by Ron Chernow Podcast: American History Tellers, Season 5, Revolution If you have been following my blog series on American History: President x President, you are aware that I have been wondering, how did we get from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution to where we are today? How have our political parties evolved into a torrent of conflict and violence? How has our country become so divided? Or, I wonder--4 presidential biographies and 2 detours into my passion project--have I been naive in viewing the birth of our nation in a romantic hue? Do I need to come to terms with the fact that little has changed over the last two-and-a-half centuries?  Is the answer to my questions as simple as, people remain the same and the only change from the days of our founding fathers and mothers is the current ease of disseminating information, the narrowing of the wide-reaching world, the unchecked availability of automatic weapons......

Read More of #1 George Washington: American History, President x President...

[Read More...]

I don't know exactly how I came up with this idea but it involved Laura Linney, one of my favorite actresses. Perhaps it was an article about her that I read, or an interview I heard, but she talked about her role as Abigail Adams in the HBO miniseries "John Adams" and how reading about our founding fathers was learning about American History. Maybe she said something about reading biographies on all the presidents or maybe she didn't, but I decided that's what I would do. I would read a biography on each president, in order, so I could get a history lesson on America.  The idea came at a perfect time. I had received my MFA in creative writing from the University of Tampa and my historical novel, "Bee King", about the first person diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease in the United States, was published. I had put all of me into that book and into achieving my MFA that I needed a writing break. One richly deserved after writing novels for over thirty years, studying the craft of wri......

Read More of Introduction: Reading American History, President x President...

[Read More...]

I was a young prosecutor when I wrote Forbidden Room, rising at 5 each morning to write and then heading to work. With a red carpet beneath my feet and stars in my eyes, I thought I had the world figured out. I’ve learned since then that we actually know nothing, that each day is unpredictable and brings a surprising mixed bag of happiness and sadness or, if we’re lucky, contentment. When my dad would call and ask what was going on and I would respond, “nothing,” he’d say, “that’s good.” Three decades after Forbidden Room was published, I understand that “nothing” is a gem. I’ve published ten books since then, including a second and improved edition of Forbidden Room, Forbidden Night, book two of the Forbidden Trilogy and now Forbidden Horses, the final book of the trilogy. I didn’t realize it was a trilogy until working on the second edition of Forbidden Room when I unde......

Read More of Forbidden Trilogy...

[Read More...]

Writing a book is a difficult task! You have to be in a certain mental space to complete a book. You aren’t thinking about how get an ISBN number, or how to upload your book to some website, or how to format your book for print, you’re thinking about...

[Read More...]

Bambiline Jelly got its name from Dandelion Jelly.  When children are young they are look at the world as though everything is a miracle and dandelions are one of those miracles.  They race out and pluck off their spikey, yellow heads and bringing them back to their parents proudly.  Do children know something we don’t?  The dandelion is one of nature’s many miracles offering medicinal and nutritional value to our bodies.  A fun way to introduce nature’s gifts to young children is to make Dandelion Jelly.  When we first made this jelly my kids couldn’t pronounce it properly so it became known as “Bambiline” jelly in our house.  It was incredibly fun watching them race through the green grass to the yellow flowers poking up and placing them in their little baskets.  Attached is a recipe for this fun activity, just make sure that you always harvest dandelions in a yard or field that has not been treated with chem......

Read More of Bambiline (Dandelion) Jelly...

[Read More...]

This note is being posted in appreciation for the professional services you [the team at Telemachus Press] provide with Telemachus Press. With the publication of my second book "Estate of the Heart," you have once again exceeded my expectations in pr...

[Read More...]

Telemachus Press was selected, ahead of multiple other publishing services companies, to be my publisher and adviser for “Odyssey Uncharted,” my maiden memoir. I clearly made a good choice. Steve Himes and MaryAnn Nocco made sure that al...

[Read More...]

Working with Telemachus Press was absolutely seamless and stress-free. Their high professionalized staff worked tirelessly to explain the publishing process, helping me, the author, make key decisions on all aspects of my book. Their patience, exce...

[Read More...]

Telemachus Press did an outstanding job in bringing my story to life! Their expertise, attentiveness and patience allowed the process of the rough draft to the published piece an enjoyable one. I've already recommended Telemachus Press to aspiring w...

[Read More...]

It has been a pure pleasure working with Telemachus. No surprises, no panic and all deadlines met. (Especially after I learned to listen.) Note for authors: It is IMPOSSIBLE for an author to proof his own stuff. Get outside editing/proofing package.

[Read More...]