MAVERICK AND THE BIG GAME

Maverick has played in many hockey games, but today is different—it’s the championship game! As he laces up his skates, Maverick feels excited, but also a little nervous. What if he misses a shot? What if he lets his team down?

Follow Maverick as he faces one of his biggest challenges yet and learns that being brave doesn’t mean not being scared—it means playing your best, no matter what!

Will Maverick help his team win the championship?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Gina Usufzy is a passionate storyteller and youth hockey advocate dedicated to inspiring young readers through engaging and meaningful stories. As the creator of The Adventures of Maverick the Hockey Player series, Gina combines her love for hockey with her commitment to fostering resilience, teamwork, and perseverance in children. With years of experience running youth hockey programs, Gina has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of sports in shaping character and life skills. Her books, including Maverick and the Big Game, aim to entertain while imparting valuable lessons about dedication, sportsmanship, and believing in oneself. Gina’s work has resonated with young athletes, parents, and educators alike, making her a strong advocate for literacy and youth development. When she’s not writing, she’s actively involved in the hockey community, helping young players reach their full potential on and off the ice.

Learn more about Gina Usufzy and connect with her at www.maverickshockeyadventures.com. And learn more about the Hockey for Kids Scholarship Program here: www.hockeyforkids.org. 

TOPICS OF CONVERSATION:

The Real-Life Inspiration Behind Maverick

Themes of Sportsmanship, Teamwork, and Life Lessons

Hockey as a Lifestyle and Community Mission

Writing for Relatability and Emotional Connection

Expanding the Maverick Brand

ANTUMBRA

Welcome to the ÜberCube! It’s the perfect society where everyone enjoys fun social gatherings every night; where everyone enjoys tasty, expertly balanced nutritious food; where everybody has a job and a home of their own, complete with the latest model EMILY personal helper to manage all those parts of life you don’t need to; where you can buy the latest must-have items and have them delivered immediately to your personal Cube the very second they are announced by the NewsFeeds!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paul L Merryfellow is a British-Irish author and software engineer based in London, UK. His love of science fiction stems from authors such as Ray Bradbury, Philip K Dick, and Douglas Adams, and he further enjoys a variety of authors in other genres, such as P G Wodehouse, Franz Kafka, and James Herbert.

Paul is a keen (though lousy) archer, and he spends much time examining the nuances of communication and societal norms through language and culture. He is a Licenced Lay Minister under the Church of England, a puppeteer, and plays the guitar, ukulele, and banjo (in various degrees of "terrible").

Paul is at his happiest when discovering something new and bizarre to investigate!

CONNECT WITH PAUL MERRYFELLOW!

https://linktr.ee/PaulMerryfellow

THE LAST SINGLE COUPLE IN AMERICA

A wasp infestation. An impending 30th birthday. These are minor catastrophes for Jude, a 29-year-old gay man and Francine, his 30-ish, straight best friend, especially after Jude unknowingly sleeps with the same man Francine also slept with and was hoping to begin a relationship with causing a breach in their friendship. Then, losing his job, Jude decides to visit a childhood friend in San Francisco, possibly starting a new life there. He gets embroiled in some bizarre misadventures, including a misconstrued interview with a gay porn production company, and involvement with a whip-wielding professor into bondage and worst of all to Jude - a foot fetish. After several months of attempting to get a job, and learning of his father's ill health, Jude returns to upstate New York. Once home, Jude meets and falls in love for the first time with Chase Allgood, a handsome gay bar owner. When Jude's father dies, he is reunited with Francine. She informs Jude about Douglas de Chambeau, a debonaire, wealthy jewelry store owner she is involved with. They bask in the glow of their rekindled friendship and mutual happiness, but will Chase's quest for financial security his ex can offer end Jude's happily-ever-after? And will a long-kept secret Douglas hides sabotage Francine's chance for love rendering Jude and Francine the last single couple in America?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Martin Sacchetti received a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in film and creative writing. While living in New York City, he attended the Gotham Writer's Workshop. He is an avid reader, has been to all 50 states and 25 countries (and counting), and is a staunch supporter of animal advocacy. He lives in upstate New York with his partner, David, and the spirit of their two Italian Greyhounds, Caesar and Dante. 

Martin is now an award-winning author with The Last Single Couple in America, being a Storytrade finalist for LGBTQ+ Book of the Year and receiving the Literary Titan Book Award.

Follow Martin Sacchetti on Facebook, X, and Instagram:

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100008265436442

https://www.instagram.com/sacmar1025/

https://x.com/MartinSacc94992

TOPICS OF CONVERSATION

Book Overview and Inspiration – Discussion of The Last Single Couple in America, its premise, and the inspiration behind it, including personal experiences and influences like Carrie Fisher.

Themes of Friendship and Singlehood – Exploration of the central friendship between Jude and Francine, the significance of singlehood, and the bittersweet nature of relationships.

Setting and Nostalgia – The novel’s setting in 1990s Albany and San Francisco, the role of nostalgia, and the importance of accurate cultural and geographic details.

Character Development and Writing Process – Insights into Jude’s personality, supporting characters, humor vs. drama balance, and the author's freeform approach to storytelling.

Future Projects and Recognition – Discussion of awards, reader feedback, and upcoming writing projects, including a new book and a one-act play adaptation.

TOO MUCH is the gripping true story of a woman driven to the brink, sacrificing everything—love, loyalty, and sanity—in the name of retribution.

I wonder if it all started with a single impulsive decision: joining the U.S. Army for "free" medical school. But the reality of military medicine was far different. I found myself trapped in a system that values hierarchy, patriarchy, and conformity over compassion and care. My mental health deteriorated. Addictive habits became my crutch.

TOO MUCH is the story of my battle to reclaim my sanity and my voice. It's a raw and honest look at the dark side of medicine and the challenges of mental illness. It’s a story that will remind you how a brighter future is possible, even when it feels like everything is broken.

This is my story.  But maybe it’s your story, too.

Dr. Cindy Lee Neighbors is a retired US Army physician and writer whose work centers on mental health advocacy. Her debut memoir, TOO MUCH, chronicles her experiences navigating mental health challenges and a toxic work environment within military medicine. She's also a passionate children's book author, with her debut title, Benji and Briana Become Booger Doctors, and the creator of the coloring book series, "Adventures in Surgeryland." Cindy's mission is to inspire others to overcome adversity and find their voice through storytelling.

You can learn more about Cindy and her work at https://www.cindyleeneighbors.com

TOPICS OF CONVERSATION

The Inspiration and Purpose Behind Too Much – Cindy Neighbors discusses why she wrote her memoir, emphasizing her struggles with mental health during her surgical residency and her desire to break the stigma surrounding these challenges.

The Role of the Ocean as a Symbol in the Memoir – Cindy explains why she opened the book with a scene on a Hawaiian beach and how the ocean serves as a recurring motif representing transformation, reflection, and healing.

The Challenges of Writing a Memoir – Cindy talks about working with her developmental editor, making difficult decisions about what to include and exclude, and the emotional difficulty of revisiting traumatic experiences.

Her Journey Through Mental Health Struggles and Addiction – She details her experiences with substance use, the breaking point that led her to seek help, and how rehabilitation ultimately set her on a different path.

What’s Next: Fiction Writing and Children’s Books – Cindy shares her plans to write fiction, her recent children’s book (Benji and Brianna Become Booker Doctors), and her efforts to remain engaged in the community through creative projects.

THE UNFORGETTING

Ten years ago, Reagan’s friend died in a tragic accident.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Bonnie Traymore is the Amazon charts bestselling author of eight domestic/psychological thrillers. Her thrillers feature strong but relatable female protagonists who peel back the layers of suburban American life and give readers a peek inside. The plots explore difficult topics such as jealousy, infidelity, murder, and the impact of psychological disorders, but she also includes bits of romance and humor to lighten the mood from time to time. 

Bonnie loves Hitchcock movies, psychological thriller novels, coffee, and dark chocolate, not necessarily in that order and sometimes simultaneously. She has a doctorate in United States history and resides in Honolulu with her family. She's an active member of International Thriller Writers and Mystery Writers of America.

Learn more about Bonnie Traymore and her work at: http://www.bonnietraymore.com/ 

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GHOST MUSIC finds the fictional Orchestra of London beset by difficulties. Zimetski, their fiery Polish conductor, drives musicians simultaneously to greater performances and personal desperation, while Pete, the orchestral manager, attempts damage control.

William Mellor, a cellist, buys an antique cello at auction only to discover that it has supernatural qualities. A mysterious young woman then joins the orchestra, captivates the conductor and attempts to captivate William, who's struggling to get back together with his estranged wife. In the end, no force, whether earthly or otherwise, can keep William from confronting the cello’s true nature – as well as his own.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Alice McVeigh has been published by Orion/Hachette in contemporary fiction, by UK's Unbound using a pen name in scifi, and now in multi-award-winning Austenesque fiction. Her books have been honoured at the most recent London Book Fair in the UK Selfies Book Awards, runners-up for the prestigious Foreword Indies "Book of the Year" and joint runner-up for Writers Digest ebook awards. She is married, and lives in London. Previously, she played all over the world with London orchestras, including the BBC Symphony and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - which inspired this work.

LEARN MORE ABOUT ALICE MCVEIGH AND HER WORK AT: https://www.alicemcveigh.com

Connect with Alice McVeigh: https://www.linktr.ee/ASTMcVeigh

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'Darren has reached deeply into the very bottom of toilet humour.'

Born Darren Edward Watling, Subiaco, Western Australia, 1966. Darren excelled in English, maintaining ‘A’s, throughout his schooling and wrote a play, ‘Laughing Gas’, for his school at the age of 10. Credited with a few small, published articles, Darren found inspiration and reward, arriving at his latest piece, ‘2nd Last Chance’.

He completed an apprenticeship, as a fitter, at Princess Margaret Hospital, while continuing his passion for short story writing.

Travelling Australia for three years on a private bus gave Darren a beginning to the experiences and continued, humorous outlook he has on life.

Darren approached Jill Stubbs Mills and asked for her blessing to take her short story, ‘Deception’, and rewrite it into a novel. (The feedback from Fremantle Press about her story was exceptional). Jill agreed to her son’s request. Sadly, Jill now suffers with dementia, but, laughably, keeps her sense of humour.

Various forms of employment, including a movie extra, a welder on a crocodile farm, a drummer for a touring band and currently a roof plumber, gave Darren considerable, ‘fuel’, for a comedic novel.

Darren has had several passions over the past 50 odd years while walking this Earth. Drums, Karate, Tennis and continuing today- comedic writing.

You can learn more about Darren E. Watling and his books on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/darren.watling.37/ and Instagram at  https://www.instagram.com/darren.e.watling/

TOPICS OF CONVERSATION

DASHIKI - A cozy mystery with a dash of romance set in the vibrant world of jazz. 

During an interview with reclusive jazz singer Betty Brown, journalist Virginia Farrell is shown priceless tapes from the iconic 1957 Thelonious Monk-John Coltrane gig at the Five Spot. When Betty is found murdered, Virginia is determined to recover the tapes and uncover the truth behind Betty’s death.

In the spirit of Nancy Drew, Virginia teams up with her six-foot blonde roommate to investigate the various suspects. Detective Robert Smith from the Hoboken Police Department joins the case, quickly becoming absorbed by an unsolved murder possibly linked to Betty Brown’s death, as well as an undeniable attraction to Virginia.

Dashiki is a cozy mystery laced with romance, immersing readers in the captivating world of jazz, where musicians, journalists, scholars, and enthusiasts intersect in an entertaining whodunit.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Florence Wetzel was born 1962 in Brooklyn, NY.  She writes in different genres, including her release Sara My Sara: A Memoir of Friendship and Loss, which was published in July 2024. Her novels include the thriller The Woman Who Went Overboard and the Swedish mystery The Grand Man. She has also authored horror short stories, a book of poems and memoir essays, and co-authored jazz clarinetist Perry Robinson's autobiography.

Learn more about Florence Wetzel and her work at https://linktr.ee/FlorenceWetzel 

TOPICS OF CONVERSATION

THE PASSENGER

Burdened with her empathic gift, Elizabeth Reilly wants to be free of it and fit in with normal people. Nevertheless, when the spirit of an old man asks for her help, she travels across the country to help him return home. Gio Clemente is still angry with his father who abandoned him as a child. To help the father pass on, Elizabeth must persuade Gio to let go of his anger. Though he resents her intrusion, they are both stunned to find themselves fighting a profound attraction. Elizabeth can accept his headstrong brand of love, but can Gio accept her gift-and believe in her?

Award-winning author, Joie Lesin is a life-long fiction writer and poet. She has long been fascinated by anything otherworldly, including mermaids and ghosts. Joie writes character-driven, emotional, atmospheric tales about heartache and hope.

Originally from Massachusetts, at six years old, Joie moved to her mother's birthplace, Minnesota. By eight, Joie lost her New England accent, however, it's gradually returning as the years go by. She grew up in Minneapolis but now resides in St. Paul with her husband and their blended family—which includes a rambunctious grand-corgi.

Joie misses the ocean, but she often finds herself walking by one of Minnesota's many lakes and travels to one of the coasts as often as she can. In fact, she considers California her home away from home. When she's not writing, reading, or walking, you can find her listening to music. She absolutely loves music—especially live—and songs have sparked most of her story ideas.

To learn more about Joie Lesin and her work, visit her website at jlesin.com

TOPICS OF CONVERSATION

The Story and Inspiration Behind The Passenger

Blending Historical and Supernatural Elements

Themes of Loss, Healing, and Identity

Character Development and Symbolism in the Setting

The Writing Process and Future Projects

CONNECT WITH JOIE LESIN!

Website: https://www.jlesin.com

Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/joielesin.bsky.social

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjoielesin

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/JoieLesin

Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@joie.lesin

Mutuality-the Future of Trust: The Executive's Handbook, Enabling Mutuality to Cognitively Transform Organisations

In today’s organizations and society, two major challenges stand out: declining trust and the need to adapt to increasing complexity. Research highlights a shift from judgment and dependability to relational trust, built on mutuality—principles fostering deep social bonds through care, support, and shared responsibility.

True mutuality requires cognitive evolution, not just behavioral change. After two decades of research, we've identified six archetypes that hinder relational trust, limiting safe and productive workplaces. This book offers practical strategies to navigate challenges, drive transformation, and boost organizational effectiveness.

Matthew Byrne is a University of Technology Sydney and Harvard graduate and works with the Australian Graduate School of Management as adjunct faculty and Program Director of the iconic General Manager's program. Matthew specialises in aligning personal strategies with corporate aspirations, equipping executives to envision and seize value through innovative leadership. He empowers leaders to navigate economic challenges proactively, optimising financial and human capital for enhanced organisational success. Matthew has been collaborating with Denis Jenkins for over 15 years in corporate education and helping dysfunctional corporations engage their people to better build corporate trust and move managers from process-thinking to strategic-thinking.

Denis Jenkins is a pioneering figure in the field of neuroplasticity, known for his innovative approach to transforming neuropathways through cognitive training. Beginning his career as an educator in the Australian school system, his passion for helping students with learning difficulties unlock their full potential led him to collaborate with Helga Rowe from the Max Planck Institute in pioneering advancements in learning acceleration and understanding learning dysfunction. Recognised with the Australian Centennial Medal for his significant contributions to learning and behavioural change, Denis continues to work with individuals ranging from high school students to CEOs, empowering disadvantaged learners to become effective leaders in both communities and organisations. The executive leadership blueprint in building trust and strong organisational cultures is the foundation of his work.

To learn more about the authors and their work visit: https://mutualitythefutureoftrust.com/

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