The historical narrative is a dramatic unfolding of events that are factually accurate. The characters are living the story; the author is not telling us what to think about what actually happened historically.
The true sign of a good book is when the reader proclaims: “I didn’t want it to end.” My definition of a great book is when I say: “I need to keep it by my side in some small, inconspicuous place so I can secretly read it again.”
St. Mary’s Church (The Church of the Immaculate Conception) is the oldest Roman Catholic parish in the city of Yonkers. More than an ordinary church, St. Mary’s is often called the "Cathedral of the Hudson River Valley." And for good reason. Humble but elegant, the church is larger and grander than any other Catholic church in Yonkers. But right now the church is under wraps and slated to close its door on July 1, 2024.
There is something perverse and horrifying about scanning the news on our phones, seeing babies dying in Gaza, juxtaposed next to gossip about celebrities wearing wigs, and an ad for Scope Mouthwash. Dishing up tragedy, trivia and trash in the same screen creates ambiguity, a false take on reality, and it is eroding our consciousness. The news has become a trigger for anxiety, depression, anger, and despair.
Willa Cather’s hard-to-find collection of essays harkens to a gentler time when ladies of letters shared their access to the pinnacle of culture within the rank and file of their rarefied worlds.
We all know of people who have died as a result of using Fentanyl and/or Meth. “The Least Of Us” is an amazing narrative that explains why so many are dying.
Whenever I’m writing a book, the research I do to enrich my story’s authenticity takes me to new heights. My latest novel about an artist depicts Arcis, an artport for art storage. Arcis is a tax haven that shields mega high-net-worth art collectors from having to pay taxes (sales tax to the city of New York and duty to U.S. Customs.)
My granddaughter Quinn was born on November 4, 2023. Quinn’s birth made me twice the Nonna that I used to be. (My grandson Wyatt was born November 25, 2021.) Becoming a Nonna (Grandma in Italian), made me embrace the fragile complexity of life that is especially evident in these tender children. As a Nonna, a writer, and a giver of life, I can help to make a better world, that ultimately benefits all children. So, I came up with a list of simple beliefs that #Women Believe.
Most of this slim book focuses on the rescue efforts made to save two baby hummingbirds, who have been orphaned. The ensuing drama reveals both the fragility and great strength of these magical creatures.
