Tony Morelli has finished his book talk at the central library auditorium in Palermo. He had noticed a man in the audience who looked familiar, but can't place him. Afterward, he recognizes the man by his limp as a childhood friend, Todd Kenilworth. He confronts the man who knocks him out and flees. Later, Tony researches the name at the hotel computer and finds that Todd Kenilworth, a Chicago attorney, had committed suicide in February while on a trip with his sister, Laura, and niece, Rebecca. His agent/friend Mick picks him up at the airport in Chicago. Tony shares his encounter with Mick who suggests that Tony investigate Todd Kenilworth for his next book. Mick surprises Tony with a brand new Jeep Cherokee, an anniversary gift from Tony's live-in girlfriend, Pauline. She is a popular blues singer currently on tour in France and due back in a week.
Clown Town is true story/social Chicago history of a baby boomer's struggle with death phobia filtered through a child's perspective. The title refers to an imaginary world created by the young protagonist, Pudgie, to pacify his younger friend's curiosity about the real world of school. Pudgie's real world, however, is a horrific world of indignity, humiliation, anger, and fear. Clown Town is a utopian world of fantasy for young boys growing up in a Chicago suburb during the 1950s. The Prologue establishes the adult first-person narrator in the present tense. He is forced to reminisce about his youth when the eminent death of his mother rekindles old fears and personality quirks that had haunted his life. His journey backward leads the reader to the death of a neighborhood man, the death of Pudgie's grandfather, and the death of a schoolmate in a historic Chicago school fire of 1958. Pudgie also struggles with a volatile temper when teased about his crossed left eye. The temper threatens his existence in a "normal" school. Along the way, the narrative treats the reader to a nostalgic look at the 1950s (the music, the cars, the TV shows, the movies, the mores), a naive child's interpretation of sex, and an adult perspective of childhood adventures such as smoking, competing in sports, and participating in petty crime.
INSPIRED BY A TRUE STORY Tony Morelli's latest project, the biography of actor and multi-millionaire entrepreneur Sal DeVanno, thrusts him into a Hollywood world of fraud, forgery and murder. Author Tony Morelli's agent, Mick, calls in the middle of the night. Their high school friend/Hollywood actor Sal DeVanno is dead. Mick suggests that Tony write Sal's biography. Several obstacles challenge his decision: a beautiful girlfriend who threatens to leave him, Sal's family's protection of "the secret," a PI investigating his will disappears, Sal's suspicious "friends." Tony's choice propels him into danger, sex, and shocking revelations . . . inspired by a true story. ..".In Search of Sal ... arrived last night and I made the mistake of reading the first couple of pages and then could not put it down till I finished it. A friendship that develops in High School between Tony and Sal and then gets lost after graduation takes you on a journey that involves mystery, suspense, murder, fraud, love affairs and courage. Compelling reading. Bravo Home Boy, Bravo!"-Tom Dreesen, entertainer, actor, author. "Hop aboard this La-La Land express and enjoy the ride."-Robert Goldsborough, author of Archie Meets Nero Wolfe, a prequel to Rex Stout's classic detective series. "In Search of Sal has a nostalgic heart and a noir soul."-Clare O'Donohue, Author ofThe Kate Conway Mysteries & The Someday Quilts Mysteries, President of Midwest Mystery Writers of America, www.clareodonohue.com.
Clown Town is true story/social Chicago history of a baby boomer's struggle with death phobia filtered through a child's perspective. The title refers to an imaginary world created by the young protagonist, Pudgie, to pacify his younger friend's curiosity about the real world of school. Pudgie's real world, however, is a horrific world of indignity, humiliation, anger, and fear. Clown Town is a utopian world of fantasy for young boys growing up in a Chicago suburb during the 1950s. The Prologue establishes the adult first-person narrator in the present tense. He is forced to reminisce about his youth when the eminent death of his mother rekindles old fears and personality quirks that had haunted his life. His journey backward leads the reader to the death of a neighborhood man, the death of Pudgie's grandfather, and the death of a schoolmate in a historic Chicago school fire of 1958. Pudgie also struggles with a volatile temper when teased about his crossed left eye. The temper threatens his existence in a "normal" school. Along the way, the narrative treats the reader to a nostalgic look at the 1950s (the music, the cars, the TV shows, the movies, the mores), a naive child's interpretation of sex, and an adult perspective of childhood adventures such as smoking, competing in sports, and participating in petty crime.
TWO MEN...ONE LOVE... Brutally exposed to the naked facts of life, Katie Raspanti fled the dingy hovels of the slums to become a kitchen maid in New Orleans's most elegant household. She was no more than a child, but all too soon she became the tantalizing beauty who commanded the hearts of two brothers, both willing to abandon family and fortune to be at her side. Never, ever, did Katie dream that she would be the one to ignite the passions that would divide the legendary Eagan family, that would drive the Eagan boys to greatness, that would propel her to the top of New Orleans society and beyond... NIGHT JASMINE
Teddi Mervis lost her fight with cancer when she was 12 years old. Beginning with the diagnosis of her brain tumor, the story tells of her three-year battle for life--a struggle she eventually lost. Although Teddi passed away, her memory inspired those who had helped her to deal with her suffering to band together to aid other children who are facing cancer. These people and thousands of others inspired by Teddi's story--from construction workers to college students to bank presidents--helped form an organization whose primary purpose is to make the lives of children as happy and rewarding as possible. The organization, Camp Good Days and Special Times, Inc., has become one of the largest and most successful organizations of its kind in the world. It is credited with breaking down the barriers for children with cancer and creating pioneering new programs. The 2001 Edition carries the story forward from 1990 with new photographs and an afterword. This book serves to teach and guide those who must cope with the devastating ordeal of childhood cancer.
In 1979, nine-year-old Elizabeth "Teddi" Mervis was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Not able to experience even the simplest joys of childhood, she felt frightened, isolated and alone. Her father wanted to change all that, not only for his daughter but also for other children with cancer. With the support of thousands in and outside of Rochester, New York, Camp Good Days created a new world for those touched by cancer, violence or any other affront to a child's dignity. The spirit and legacy of Teddi Mervis live on in the success of the organization she inspired.
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