Nothing Like a Good Book

An original screenplay by Norman McCombs based on his historical novel, "A Reason To Be" picked up the Best SCI-Fi Screenplay Award from the LA Film Awards. Mark revisits with Norman sharing the power of this Novel and how he survived his wife's demise with Alzheimer's.

‘A Reason to Be’ Garners Best Sci-Fi Screenplay from Los Angeles Film Awards

 New York, NY—An original screenplay by Norman McCombs, based on his historical novel A Reason to Be, picked up the Best Sci-Fi Screenplay Award from the Los Angeles Film Awards. This autobiographical novel creates parallel stories as the protagonist, suffering deeply from the loss of his lifelong sweetheart, starts a redemptive journey through family history reaching back centuries from North America to the Scottish Highlands.

A Reason to Be also picked up Official Selection honors at the CFK International Film Festival and a Best Script award from the NY Independent Cinema Awards, which is sponsored by New York Arts & Cinema.

With the enormous success of the Outlander books and TV series, Scottish history has become a popular topic. Contributions by Scottish emigrants have been vital to the enormous success of the United States and Canada. Those of Scottish descent are famous for a deep-seated streak of independence and intellectual vigor that has changed the world. Following the Battle of Culloden, in 1745, hundreds of thousands were cleared from the Scottish Highlands and scattered to all points of the compass.  

McCombs connections to the famed Highland Clans forms the foundation of a journey through history which, in no small way, saved his life. Representing one of those great Scottish/American success stories, he has over two hundred patents worldwide, primarily for air separation technology used for a myriad of oxygen applications around the world. In 2011, as McCombs stood outside the East Wing of the White House before receiving the National Medal of Technology from President Obama, he asked himself a simple question: How did I come from the circumstances of my birth to the steps of the White House?

That moment prompted McCombs to search for deeper connections to his ancestry!

A five-minute audiobook sample, including a bit of Scottish brogue, can be heard at  https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08D2DYXVX/.

More About the Author:

Norman McCombs was born in Amherst, New York, in a home built by his immigrant father. He graduated from Amherst Central High School where he met his late wife, Grace. Norman went on to earn an AASEE from ECTI, along with a BSME and an ScD from the State University of New York at Buffalo, while serving in the New York State National Guard.

He is a Fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, which honored him with the EDISON Medal, their highest patent award. He has received numerous awards for technical achievement, including the National Medal of Technology and Innovation from President Obama for developing the portable oxygen concentrator credited with saving and extending the lives of millions with lung diseases.

As Norman stood outside the East Wing of the White House, he asked himself a simple question: How did I come from the circumstances of my birth to the steps of the White House? That moment prompted Norman to search for deeper connections to his ancestry.

Norman has over two hundred patents worldwide, primarily for air separation technology used for a myriad of oxygen applications around the world. He is also an Officier Commandeur of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, as well as a sculptor, classical guitarist, and avid fan of opera and the fine arts.

You can find more information on Norman McCombs at NormanMcCombs.com.

He wrote the The 21st Century Man to help men feel great, look good and have better physical intimacy. But this book is a whole lot more than that. This Frank and enlightening interview brings out the best in this physician, surgeon, teacher and leader along with 60 other unique health specialists. Listen now!

Dr. Judson Brandeis is an award-winning urologist and sexual medicine expert, clinical researcher, physician educator, and a caring clinician and surgeon. A graduate of Brown University and Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, with Urologic Surgery residency at UCLA and a post-doc fellowship at Harvard, today he specializes in the emerging field of sexual health and medicine.

 Over the course of his 25-year career as a board-certified urologist he has performed thousands of surgeries and pioneered surgical robotics. In February of 2019, he opened Brandeis MD, a national leader in technology and sexual medicine innovations for men. Brandeis MD engages in ongoing clinical research to improve wellbeing and provide tools for men to live their best lives.

 Dr. Brandeis is dedicated to helping his patients and men everywhere feel great, look good, and have better physical intimacy. He brings this wealth of expertise and care to his first book, The 21st Century Man: Advice from 50 Top Doctors and Men’s Health Experts to Help You Feel Great, Look Good and Have Better Sex. A native New Yorker, Dr. Judson Brandeis now resides in Northern California.

Learn more about The 21st Century Man and Dr. Judson Brandeisat brandeismd.com or https://thetwentyfirstcenturyman.com/

Magic, Mystery, and Secrets Entwine in this Coming-of-Age Adventure - Aline and the Blue Bottle. This award winning first volume of 7 is a perfect story for middle schoolers who are also coming of age and finding their place in the world. A modern day fantasy that follows the title character through many different worlds and encounters.

Aline and the Blue Bottle, by Carolina Ugaz-MoránMagic, Mystery, and Secrets Entwine in Coming-of-Age Adventure

“Most families have secrets…”

Los Angeles, CA – What if your family was entrusted with the keeping of a deep and powerful secret? Are there other worlds, filled with more power and magic than one could possibly imagine? And what if everything you knew about yourself, your family, and your world suddenly changed? Debut author Carolina Ugaz-Morán weaves these questions throughout her spellbinding fantasy novel Aline and the Blue Bottle, a coming-of-age story of identity, discovery, and the power of love, family, and friendship.

Aline and the Blue Bottle, the award winning first volume of Carolina Ugaz-Morán’s captivating middle grade fantasy series, is told through the eyes of Aline. A misfit who is bullied and ostracized, Aline is different than her peers. Though well loved by her mother, grandmother, and dogs, Aline longs for acceptance and friendship and struggles to understand why she doesn’t fit in anywhere.“You are very unique and beautiful,” Aline’s grandmother tells her. “Being unique is a very good thing.”

“This is a perfect story for middle schoolers who are also coming of age and finding their place in the world. It’s a modern day fantasy that follows the title character through many different worlds and encounters. You’ll fall in love with Aline and the other characters she comes across on her epic adventures in this world and the next.”

John Kelly, Detroit Free Press, 5-stars

Ugaz-Morán, who was born in Spain, and lived in Argentina, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and Peru before moving to the United States at age 14, knows what it is like to be an outsider. “As a child, I moved a lot and was often bullied,” she says. “The only constant was my family…Now I have a family of my own and they are my constant. There is a lot to be said about the simple power of love and family.”

But Aline’s family is far more unique than she could begin to guess, the keepers and guardians of a long hidden secret – Aline herself. On the evening of her twelfth birthday, everything changes when her grandmother suddenly tells her she’s in danger and drags her through a portal into a magical world. Here Aline realizes that she has been surrounded by secrets her whole life and that nothing, including her family, is what she thought. She learns about the One World, the evil warlock Dashiok, and the magical war that shattered the One World into eight kingdoms. She discovers that she possesses strong powers which might be the key to defeating Dashiok, if she can unlock them. But before she has even identified all of her powers, much less mastered them, Aline and twelve other Quest Carriers are forced to set off in search of a mysterious and powerful blue bottle which Dashiok seeks to control. Can Aline and the Quest Carriers find the hidden bottle? Will Aline be able to identify and master her powers in order to protect the Quest Carriers? When the forces of darkness attack, can they unite their powers to defeat their foes?

“…I'm hooked on Aline and the Blue Bottle. I love the evolution of young Aline, cautious, strong, simultaneously fearful and fearless.”

Elaine C. Pereira, New York Times Best-Selling Author, 5-stars

Aline and the Blue Bottle kicks off the lyrical and enchanting Adventures of Aline series, which depicts a unique universe infused with elements drawn from ancient Incan mythology and languages. “It all started with a dream,” says Ugaz-Morán. “I was so intrigued by this dream that it triggered a series of dreams. I stitched these together to create an outline for a series capturing Aline’s adventures.”

Ugaz-Morán combines elements of traditional fantasy with strong female characters and a backdrop distinctly her own. “I believe that girls need more female protagonists who are role models and can make anything happen,” says Ugaz-Morán. “They can have great adventures and attain what they set their minds to, realize their own achievements and have fulfilling lives.” As a vivid and meticulous world builder, she has included linguistic guides, glossaries, and maps to help readers become part of Aline’s journey.

“Carolina…draws the reader into learning while being entertained…Very highly recommended!”

Grady Harp, Amazon Top Contributor: Children’s Books and Hall of Fame Top 100 Reviewer

“I hope readers will be as enamored as I am with Aline, her friends, and the many worlds and adventures she encounters,” states Ugaz-Morán. “I also hope they will be excited and optimistic that the challenges they face and the choices they make will lead them to fantastic adventures.”

Equal parts coming-of-age adventure, epic fantasy, and journey of self-discovery, Aline and the Blue Bottle hits all the right notes for a middle grade audience. Carolina Ugaz-Morán skillfully wraps lessons relevant to young adults everywhere – the power of love and family, diversity, racism, and the importance of our choices – in the form of a fun, feel good quest that will keep readers engaged from start to finish.

“Aline and the Blue Bottle is a one-of-a-kind mixture of culture, magic, science, and fantasy that keeps kids wondering what will happen next. With such a great introduction to this world and many more mysteries and secrets to uncover, I can’t wait to see how the rest of the Adventures of Aline series unfolds!”

Jessica Tofino, Educator and Writer, 5-stars

Aline and the Blue Bottle, ISBN:1734072806 (ebook) $3.40, (Paperback) $12.99, 2019, 274 pages, available at Amazon.

Have you ever asked yourself, "Who am I", How do I find and Pursue my heart's desire"? Kenny G Down addresses these questions and a lot more in his profound and beautiful new book, The Mirror, the Window, and the Wall: The Life Changing Power of Finding Your True Self.

BIO and Overview

The Mirror, the Window, and the Wall is brief but engaging, centered on a female character whose experiences and suffering will resonate with readers, providing revealing opportunities for self reflection. Down proposes that readers read the book over and over to get the maximum benefit, a Spiritual Quest of self-discovery that will bring new insight with each read. Layers of deep-seated meaning and profound wisdom are intended to meet the reader wherever they may be along the spiritual path.
“I want to invite you to see your True Self in the mirror,” encourages Down. “The person created to shine. Not the negative image that has been thrust upon us by society and our own wrong thinking. Once we clearly see the right and true image, we find liberty and are released from the need to control what others think…From this place we can realize and pursue our deepest heart’s desires.”

The Mirror, the Window, and the Wall: The Life-Changing Power of Finding Your True Self (ebook) $2.95, ISBN: 9781735662824 (Paperback) $9.95, 2021, New Thought Life, 62 pages, available at Amazon.

Kenny G. Down is a bestselling author, speaker, and an awakened spiritual seeker. This identity has been hard won, coming out of many years of addiction to drugs and alcohol and subsequent recovery. The insights and spiritual principles in his writings are ones he has practiced over the course of thirty years of recovery and helping many others on their journeys of spiritual awakening and self-discovery.

His works include Darko: The Sacred Heart of One Johanee Darko, Awakened Giant, Sleeping Spirit, and The Care and Keeping of a Shan. Darko and Awakened Giant, Sleeping Spirit both won the Firebird Book Award for 2021 and 2020, respectively. In all of these works, he shares from his own experiences and encourages others to rid themselves of harmful thinking and create the lives they were meant to live.

Kenny G. Down, Author of The Mirror, the Window, and the Wall.

When he’s not writing, Kenny may be found spending time with his most valued treasure – his family. Kenny and his wife live in Seattle, Washington, where he has spent most of his life. They have two adult children.

Find more information about The Mirror, The Window, and the Wall and Kenny G. Down at newthoughtlife.org

Media Contact: For a review copy of The Mirror, the Window, and the Wall or to arrange an interview with Kenny G. Down, contact Scott Lorenz of Westwind Communications Book Marketing at [email protected] or by phone at 734-667-2090. Follow Lorenz on twitter @abookpublicist

I dedicate this book to Darlene Narkiewicz, a woman who found her True Self and showed many more how to awaken to their authentic purpose in life.

She continues to inspire us all.

"The Accident" captures the sweet, playful and giggly personality of a two and half year old little girl who suffers a traumatic scolding and burn recovery period in youth and young adulthood with all of its trials and tribulations. An inspiring autobiography you must read!

“The Accident” by Gayle Fein Petrillo

The Accident

captures the sweet, playful and giggly personality of nearly three-year-old Gayle Fein Petrillo, off with her mom to a grown-up tea party.

Her life is unexpectedly changed by the physical and emotional scars left after a terrible accident. We all know someone or someone who knows someone who has had a terrible burn accident.  

This author shares her compelling story of turning obstacles into opportunities as she faces challenges to overcome her resulting fears of people and ordinary situations.

Anyone who has ever felt alone or different will relate to her extraordinary path to personal and professional success.

Gayle Petrillo, President
First Impressions, Image Consulting and Career Coaching
[email protected]

www.firstimpressions1.com
602-621-0042



Author and Speaker

The Accident 

https://booklocker.com/11593

El accidente

https://booklocker.com/11681

(My Story as a Burn Survivor - From Tragedy to Triumph)

YOU NEVER GET A SECOND OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A FIRST IMPRESSION - MAKE IT A GREAT ONE!

Stay Safe. Be Healthy. SHARE SMILES!

Christopher Taunton the author has written the 2021 version of "A Wonderful Life" with this classic autobiography of Bew White 111 Founder of Summer Classic outdoor furniture and Chairman of the Board of Gabriella White Brands including Summer Classics, Gabby and Wendy Jane!

A Summer Classic: The Bew White Story explores these questions and more through a biographical examination of the life of William Bew White III, the founder of Summer Classics, a premier manufacturer of “modern outdoor furniture crafted for a lifetime of livable luxurySweeping Biography of Summer Classics Founder and Entrepreneur Examines Love, Life, and Business

Birmingham, Alabama- What does it mean to live a truly substantial life? Can you look at the sum of your successes and failures and say that they were a job well done? A Summer Classic: The Bew White Story explores these questions and more through a biographical examination of the life of William Bew White III, the founder of Summer Classics, a premier manufacturer of “modern outdoor furniture crafted for a lifetime of livable luxury.”

The biography, written by Christopher Taunton, delivers a detailed examination of Bew’s childhood, college years, early professional life, and the successes and failures that got him to where he is today.

At just 28 years old, Bew left his job at his family-owned business, Avondale Mills, and started a sales representative company in 1978 called Vista Corporation, specializing in selling outdoor furniture. In 1987, Bew started multiple companies in an effort to expand from selling on the road to building a national brand. One of those companies was Summer Classics, which was created around Bew’s thought of designing and manufacturing products that he would want for his own backyard. With a business model based on creating products that were consumer driven, would stand the test of time, and would not go out of style, Summer Classics officially took off in 1987.

“Starting a business can be very challenging,” says Bew, “but perseverance and support from others can help you succeed.”

Integral to his life is his enduring relationship with his wife Wendy. She has truly been his rock, encouraging him in his endeavors and keeping his spiritual life alive. Taunton does an excellent job of illustrating this romance for the ages.

A Summer Classic becomes an inspiring ‘classic’ of how to climb the ladder to success, with all the important aspects of that assent related in the life of Bew White. Very highly recommended.

Grady Harp, Amazon Top 100 Hall of Fame Reviewer: 5-stars

This book released on Amazon in the fall of 21 teaches "Intentional Conception" How to Bond with your child before Conception and be able stay Connected forever. This is not 'Woo ~Woo' but Quantum Science that would make Einstein smile! www.intentionalconception.com from MD Jorge Cassir.

About Jorge Cassir, MD

A physician who grew up in a dysfunctional family, facing many ego shadows consisting of self-limiting beliefs and furthermore, he survived two near-death experiences resulting in deep spiritual dives that resulted in his awakened consciousness. Now you may ask, is this another NDE book?

The answer is NO! As a tribute to his grandchildren, he wishes to share with young parents, the lessons that he learned, so that they bring up children devoid of ego-ladened burdens that will cause suffering for the children later in life.

Jorge Francis Cassir, MD, Author, Coach. He grew up in Colombia, South America. Graduated from Medical School 1969. Attended: Universidad de Valle, Cali, Colombia.

He did his Post-Graduate Training in Radiation Oncology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065

He grew up in a dysfunctional family that broke up after his father was unable to give up his gambling addiction. His mother had warned him for several years to quit gambling, because she was unwilling to risk the financial security of the family to a gambling table. Jorge grew up with many fears and self-limiting beliefs. Jorge had a calling from his heart to continue his career as a healer, not of bodies… but of families, to teach the young prospective parents of today to prepare for parenthood by being conscious parents, who conceive conscious children who are happy, loving, imaginative and confident, and who know how to create the family and lives of their dreams.

Co-authored by his daughter Jackie Cassir Maese this Amazon release is dedicated to his four grandchildren and the future children of the world.

Intentional Conception - How to Bond with Your Child before Conception and Say Connected Forever.

Go to www.intentionalconception.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jorgecassirmd
Handle is /jorgecassirmd

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4ZYJVfRGC4uLmHqvBTqg_Q
Jorge Francis Cassir, MD

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jorgecassirmd
/jorgecassirmd

About Phil Granchi:



Phil Granchi has spent most of his life avoiding novel writing. His many distractions have included collecting fossils in Antarctica, performing a completely improvised university lecture at comedy festivals around the world, working as a freelance graphic artist in direct marketing agencies and producing online educational games for a now-defunct dotcom startup.



Phil is currently a practicing radiologist and is the president of Mother Lode Diagnostic Imaging, a small private practice radiology group where he fills roles ranging from IT to HR.

He earned BS and MS degrees in Geology from Purdue University. He later returned to school, achieving an MD from West Virginia University School of Medicine.

Living in rural northern California, he enjoys spending time in the wilderness with his wife and favorite travel companion, Melissa Granchi.

About Scott Shay:

Scott Shay, author of CONSPIRACY U

Scott A. Shay is a leading businessman, thought leader, and author of two widely read books. Scott is the co-founder and Chairman of Signature Bank, well known as one of the best banks in New York for private business owners and as a leader in the emerging digital currency ecosystem.



Scott earned a BA in Economics and a master’s in management from Northwestern University, a valuable experience due to the commitment of his professors to high academic standards and the ideals of the university’s motto.



He is a distinguished leader in the Jewish community and an avid student of religion and its application to the world outside of the synagogue, church, or mosque.



These interests are reflected in Conspiracy U, as well as his previous two books, In Good Faith: Questioning Religion and Atheism and Getting Our Groove Back: How to Energize American Jewry. Scott lives in New York City, NY.



Learn more about Scott and Conspiracy U: A Case Study at scottshay.com



Conspiracy U: A Case Study, 288 pgs, Wicked Son Publishing, October 2021, ISBN 1637580924 available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and quality independent bookstores.

A person standing in front of a plane

Description automatically generated with medium confidenceAbout Kevin Schewe: Kevin L. Schewe, MD, FACRO, is a board-certified cancer specialist who has been in the private practice of radiation oncology for over 34 years.



He is an entrepreneur, having founded Elite Therapeutics and Bad Love Cosmetics Company, LLC.



He also serves as Chairman of the Board of a small, publicly traded, renewable energy and animal feed company called VIASPACE, Inc.









A long-time history buff, Schewe is the author of the Bad Love Book Series, a young adult sci-fi adventure that spans much of early 20th century history.



The series includes titles such as Bad Love Strikes, Bad Love Tigers, Bad Love Beyond, and the newest in the series, Bad Love Medicine.

His series has garnered international critical acclaim, including the Wishing Shelf Book Award Red Ribbon. He has also adapted Bad Love Strikes into a feature-length screenplay, earning him multiple accolades, including Best Original Screenplay for Young Adults from the South Florida International Film Festival, Best Sci-Fi screenplay from the LA Film Awards, and a Gold Script Writing Award for Sci-Fi Adventure from the Depth of Field International Film Festival.



You can connect with Kevin Schewe through his website KevinSchewe.com or on his Instagram, @realkevinschewe.



Bad Love Medicine, ASIN: B098TN6GKC, Broken Crow Ridge Publishing, July 6, 2021, available on Amazon and www.jancarolpublishing.com in ebook and paperback, 258 pages. Be sure to watch the exciting book trailers for the first three books here: https://bit.ly/BadLoveStrikes-Trailer and https://bit.ly/BadLoveTigers_Trailer and https://bit.ly/BadLoveBeyondTrailer





Media Contact: For a review copy of Bad Love Beyond, or previous books in the series, or to arrange an interview with Dr. Kevin Schewe, contact Scott Lorenz of Westwind Communications Book Marketing at [email protected] or by phone at 734-667-2090. Follow Lorenz on Twitter @abookpublicist.