Category: Non-Fiction

Memoir – Meet the Principal

Memoir – Meet the Principal

 

My Journey Beyond the Curriculum

 

Memoir, Education

Publisher: Alt Publishing

 

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Almost all of us have experience with school, either as a student, a parent or maybe as a teacher. But few have the experience in school as a principal. Meet the Principal: My Journey Beyond the Curriculum is a collection of stories from the life of a principal. All principals have stories like these. Some are funny, some are sad, some may surprise you and some may touch your heart. When you put them together hopefully you will have experienced what happens in a school beyond the curriculum.

Read an Excerpt

“It was the day before students would arrive for the beginning of school and classroom assignments had already been posted in the windows of the lobby. I slowly drove back to school after purchasing several items for my new office and, after getting out of my car, looked out at the expansive lawn and huge sycamore trees, admiring Baxter’s serene setting. The walkway to the double door entrance was inviting with flowers some of the teachers and I had freshly planted last week. Doing that gardening project together had been a great way to become better acquainted.

What a whirlwind this last month had been getting to this point!

And now school was set to begin tomorrow. I looked forward to the challenge facing me with nervous excitement. Thousands of questions still raced through my mind as I walked toward the entrance. Was I prepared for this job? I had never been a vice principal, so didn’t have much experience preparing me for principalship. I was about to find out in the morning when all 720 students would arrive.

I took a deep breath and as I approached the large glass doors of the lobby I could see several people inside. I recognized Don, Leann, the Assistant Superintendent of Business, Wayne, and Tim. Standing with them were 4 unfamiliar men dressed in suits.

Don greeted me. “Welcome to Robinson, Jane. Your school is contaminated with asbestos and classes can’t begin here tomorrow.”

I stared at him. His serious expression told me he was not kidding. I felt a tightness in my chest. Everyone was staring at me. I took a deep breath to maintain my composure. This was no time for feelings to take over. My head was swimming with questions. Did I hear him correctly? What does this mean? What do we do if we can’t open school tomorrow? How do we notify parents? etc, etc, etc…

What was probably 4 seconds seemed like an eternity. Don put his hand on my shoulder. “Let’s go into your office where we can talk.”

As the nine of us squeezed around my tiny conference table, Don introduced everyone.

This is Wayne Spencer and Justin Blackman from the Department of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and Jared Broadman and Martin Espinosa from Parmen, a local engineering firm. We’ve been walking through the classrooms to see what the situation is and how it can be rectified.”

I was trying to process what this meant. Workers had just finished re-roofing the school. Rusty had alerted me that the force of nailing had caused asbestos particles from the ceilings to filter down into some classrooms. I knew asbestos could be an issue but they had cleaned everything up and I thought the problem had been resolved.

Don continued, “We’ve brought these gentlemen in to look at the ceilings and let us know if the classrooms are safe for students. Apparently they’re not and they need to be fixed, so school can’t begin until the ceilings are repaired.”

I sat quietly and listened as the group discussed what to do with the students and teachers. Don asked if there were empty classrooms at other schools. Could the students arrive at Baxter and then be bused to different schools? Tim listed the various empty classrooms throughout the district, some at elementary schools, some at middle schools and some at the high school. “Yes, that would work,” he said. “We have enough classrooms to house all students and their teachers.”

You have got to be kidding, I thought. My teachers have spent hours preparing for school starting tomorrow, all of their teaching supplies are in their classrooms, and they can’t get into them because of the asbestos. You can’t spread them out all over the city, with no materials and no support. What about the buses, how would they transport our students all over town?

I fought back frustration as I tried to keep calm while expressing these concerns to the group. I felt vulnerable. All these people sitting around the table were experts in their fields with years of experience, and here I was, a brand new principal on the job for less than three weeks. “

 

 

About the Author

Jane Blomstrand is a retired educator. She has held many different positions in education including Classroom Teacher, Literacy Specialist, Elementary School Principal and Director of a Teacher Credentialing Program. She currently coaches new administrators. Jane and her husband live in Northern California.

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Memoir – The Making of a BO$$

Memoir – The Making of a BO$$

 

Non Fiction / Memoir

 

Date Published: June 25, 2020

Publisher: Jackson Publishing

 

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In this riveting book, Chelley Roy tells the story of her mother’s
secret identity as the underworld crime boss “Lady D.” Readers
will follow Lady D from her early years as a suburban teenager through her
death at the hands of an organized crime syndicate. Unlike Lady D, we have
the privilege of seeing the outcome as her daughter takes her mother’s
murder investigation into her own hands and becomes involved in one of the
biggest trials of the century.The author’s life story may be
extraordinary, but many will see themselves in her account of her
mother’s life as a crime boss, her untimely death, and her family’s
troubled relationships. We see the thinness of the line between mundane
suburban life and the criminal underworld in the struggles of Lady D’s
unwed teenage daughter and the tactics employed by her family to survive
in the time when D.C. was known as the nation’s Murder Capitol at the
height of the drug epidemic. Today, Chelley Roy – Lady D’s Daughter – is
an entrepreneur, the CEO and founder of the lifestyle coaching brand Get
Tea Waisted, and a proud wife, mother, and grandmother. She seeks to
provide her family with the safety and security she didn’t always have
growing up, and to share her story with others who may feel alone in their
struggles.

About The Author

Chelley Roy is an author who lives in the United States with her husband,
son, and granddaughter. She grew up in the nation’s capital of
Washington DC, where she went on to complete her education with a Business
Degree in Computer Information Systems from Strayer University. Chelley
defied the odds, and proved everyone wrong, by overcoming various
different traumas, abuse, and many major setbacks. Through these
tragedies, she found her passion by helping to inspire, motivate and
uplift women through one on one coaching and guidance. She’s also a
successful Multiprenuer of brands such as real estate investor, fitness
coach, and wardrobe stylist.

 

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Non Fiction / Memoir – phill and Into the Wind

Non Fiction / Memoir – phill and Into the Wind

Non Fiction / Memoir

Date to be Published: 10/15/20

Publisher: Acorn Publishing

 

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It’s 1973. Our nation is torn apart by the Vietnam War, and the massacre of
unarmed students at Kent State. The Vice President has resigned for bribery
and tax evasion. The President is being investigated for engaging in
criminal activity.

At twenty-three, David Reed has become embittered by political strife and
corruption. Disenchanted with his future, he wants out. Along with new
friends, Rusty and Susie, David leaves everything he knows to cross the
United States with little more than his bicycle and a camera.

The trio gets more than they bargain for, with menacing animals, extreme
weather, and astonishing encounters.

Uphill and Into the Wind recounts an odyssey that spans 5420 miles on
bicycles. It chronicles the sudden and surprising glories of nature, the raw
beauty of the land, and the majesty of the mountains. But that is just the
start. Through it all, the three are changed forever, in ways they did not
expect, by their long journey into the unknown.

 

Excerpt

In a few days I’m going to begin riding a bicycle across the continent. Having been a stonemason for the last two years, I’ve finished my last day of work, and drive down the rural, two-lane road in my vintage 1950 Studebaker, windows open to the faint stirrings of early spring greens. Blasting Steely Dan’s “Rikki Don’t Lose That Number” from my AM radio, I’m singing along, excited to begin a new chapter of my life.

As I walk into our grand bachelor apartment, known for its legendary parties, my roommates Henry and Kevin ask if I have plans for the evening. When I ask why, they announce that they are throwing our bike trippin’ threesome—Rusty, Susie, and me—a bon voyage party.

Kevin is my best friend; we’ve been together since kindergarten. He’s short and stocky like me, but with dirty-blonde hair, a booming laugh, and parents who are “lace-curtain” Irish.

I grew up next door to Henry, the most upbeat guy I know; his freckled face is set in a permanent grin. Henry takes karate and teaches me the horse stance, great for strengthening a bicyclist’s quad muscles.

Our dearest friends attend the party and shower us with encouragement. These are our blood brothers and soul sisters we’re leaving, to set out into the great unknown, terra incognita, on an asphalt ribbon of highway. We feast on lasagna, and drink Anchor Steam beer.

Henry gathers everyone in the living room, raises a frosted mug and shouts over the hubbub. “A toast to Susie, Rusty, and David. May you have clear skies and easy climbs. And take all the love in this room with you.”

The room erupts. “Here, here!”

Kevin chimes in with an Irish toast. “May the wind be always at your back.”

“It won’t be,” quips Toby from the crowd. “You’re heading west.”

Laughter.

“Then may the road NOT rise up to meet you,” replies Kevin.

More laughter.

Susie looks sidelong at me and whispers, “I hope I’ll do okay.”

“You’ll be fine,” I say.

I turn to Kevin and Henry. “I’ll miss you guys—and the apartment. We’ve had it great here.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll take care of the place ’til you get back,” says Henry, beaming.

“Whenever that is,” snorts Kevin.

The morning of April sixteenth, still just spring, is mostly cloudy and chilly. We circle around in the street, testing the balance of our hauling loads. This is going to take some getting used to, like driving a semi after you’re used to a VW bug. Still, we set off about eleven a.m. after a group photo in front of my apartment, whooping excited cries and waving goodbye to our friends. I feel a great sense of adventure heading west, from East Orange through Orange and West Orange, from the haze and smog of the inner city to suburbia where the air is fresh and clear.

Our first climb, aptly named First Mountain, is steep and just over a mile long. Halfway up, I stop to find Susie, she’s way down at the bottom, walking her bike up the grade, only three miles into the trip.

 About the Author

David Reed has spent a lifetime studying the natural world, from his youth
in the woods, his University training, his apprenticeship as a stonemason,
and his travels on a bicycle, to his career as an award-winning landscape
architect.

A career highlight includes re-designing four major gardens in San
Diego’s jewel, Balboa Park.

A visual storyteller, David has guest lectured at the San Diego Museum of
Art, Rutgers University, Kansas State University, The New School of
Architecture, and other venues. His professional work has been published in
Sunset Magazine, Garden Design Magazine, and Building Stone Magazine.

Uphill and Into the Wind is David’s debut memoir. But his work has
been published in A Year in Ink, the San Diego Writers, Ink Anthology and
awarded at the Southern California Writers Conference.

David believes that life is “out there,” in the forest, and on
the land, not inside the box.

He currently resides in San Diego with his wife and family.

 

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Non Fiction – Man… F@#k!

Non Fiction – Man… F@#k!

Non Fiction / Entrepreneurship (Books) / Business Management (Books)

Date Published: July 16, 2020

 Publisher: MindStir Media

 

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 #1 in the Entrepreneurship Management

#1 in Sales & Selling.

#1 Hot New Release in both categories

Ranked Top 1000 in the entire Kindle Store.

 

Man…F@#K! shares the honest and often unspoken reality of
entrepreneurship while serving up a large dose of much-needed hope and
inspiration to all business owners and entrepreneurs trying to take their
companies to the next level. Unlike most other books on business, this book
clearly defines the difficulties of life and the challenges of managing and
building a brand from virtually nothing into a potential global company. It
also accurately illustrates the struggles of working with a family business
and the expectations of starting in a small market and what it takes to
overcome those challenges and achieve personal and professional goals on a
larger scale.

It’s a fun, yet realistic story of what it takes to keep your head up in
times of trial – when all you can think is Man…F@#K! out of frustration –
in order to ultimately make your dreams a reality.

Excerpt 

Title “A love for business early on”

 

“I was so excited after our first year in business that for the next
school year, I was allowed to pick out my own attire from the JC Penny’s
catalog. I knew instantly that there would be no more jeans and T-shirts for
me; I chose the slacks and polo shirts, with matching belt to be sure. I was
going to be a business professional and certainly needed to look the part.
The only thing missing was a briefcase. I asked my parents if I could buy
one, but like most startup companies, money was tight, and the answer was
no. Even at a young age, however, it was evident that I thought outside the
box, and I noticed a backgammon game that nobody played with anymore. I
simple emptied the contents, and although it was a little small, I filled it
with a calculator, pens, paper and some business cards and… voila, a
briefcase! I know you’re probably thinking ‘What a nerd’; but I like to
think I was a pretty cool nerd!”

 

About the Author

Rod F. Marchand is the president and CEO of Marchand Retail Group, Inc.
operating multiple businesses including retail, wholesale, and
manufacturing.

As a second generation, family-owned business operation, he is excited to
welcome his sons into the transition of a third-generation ownership group.

Rod is a proud husband and father of seven children and currently three
grandchildren, dedicated to inspiring other entrepreneurs to seek out
achieving their dreams and goals!

 

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Self-Help – Conversations With the Past

Self-Help – Conversations With the Past

 How to Let Go of the Past, Redefine Your Present, and Create a Positive
Future

Non Fiction / Self-help

Date Published: Sept 17

Publisher: Rainbow Ridge

 

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There are no accidents in this life—and the more aware we become, the
more we’re able discover the patterns that challenge, elevate, and
enlighten us. In “Conversations with the Past,” Dr. Aura Imbarus
delves into many of the profound experiences she’s had over the
years—from emotional breakdowns to spiritually elevated
states—in order to help people discover and understand their own
purpose in life. Through this exploration, we will all be inspired to
examine our own lives and take the necessary steps to enhance our happiness
and well-being.

Emotional, physical, and spiritual experiences are all part of the
intricate, interwoven tapestry of existence. And though it may sometimes
feel like finding our life’s purpose is difficult and elusive, Dr.
Imbarus demonstrates how it can, and will, be revealed to the curious mind
and willing hear.

 

 About the Author

Dr. Aura Imbarus is an awarded educator, freelance journalist, motivational
speaker, and author of the critically acclaimed Amazon best-seller and
Pulitzer Prize entry, Out of the Transylvania Night: A Story of Tyranny,
Freedom, Love and Identity (Bettie Youngs Books, 2010), a memoir detailing
her life in Romania during the Communist regime and an upcoming self-help
book, Conversations with the Past: A Journey Home (Rainbow Ridge Books,
August 2020).

She is also the President and Founder of See Beyond Media, a company
focusing on adolescents’ challenges in the 21st century, having as its
launching platform See Beyond Magazine (www.seebeyondmag.com).  See
Beyond Media also offers life coaching and author coaching
(www.seebeyondmedia.com).

Dr. Imbarus has a BA in Foreign Languages; MA in American and British
Studies and a PhD in World Humanities. Since 1998, she has been teaching
high school and college level classes in So. Cal. Dr. Imbarus is a licensed
hypnotherapist, having trained with Dr. Brian Weiss and Dr. Wanita
Holmes.

She was featured on NBC, ABC, CNBC, Good Morning San Diego, Forbes Romania,
etc.

In 2019, she received President’s Volunteer Service Award signed by
President Donald Trump.

Aura Imbarus is the President and Co-Founder of RAPN – Romanian
American Professional Network and one of the founding members of RACC
– Romanian-American Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles Chapter. She sits
on the Advisory Council of CA Ballet, is a member of Royal Society of St.
George, SACC – Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce. She was a mentor
for Scott L. Schwartz Children’s Foundation, a non-profit and
professional organization whose mission is to help children with
disabilities, and she sat on the Board of Wesley Foundation UCLA and Blue
Heron Foundation.

She writes for Palos Verdes Pulse, The Global Woman Magazine (London);
Elephant Journal, Beverly Hills Times Magazine, The Immigrant, Hermannstader
Zeitung in Transylvania and also works as a freelance journalist for
Entertainment and Sports Today.

In her free time she likes to go dancing, hiking, skiing, yoga, gym,
sailing; she loves traveling.

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Self-Help – Conversations with the Past

Self-Help – Conversations with the Past

  How to Let Go of the Past, Redefine Your Present, and Create a Positive
Future

Non Fiction / Self-help

Date Published: Sept 17

Publisher: Rainbow Ridge

 

photo add-to-goodreads-button_zpsc7b3c634.png

 

There are no accidents in this life—and the more aware we become, the
more we’re able discover the patterns that challenge, elevate, and
enlighten us. In “Conversations with the Past,” Dr. Aura Imbarus
delves into many of the profound experiences she’s had over the
years—from emotional breakdowns to spiritually elevated
states—in order to help people discover and understand their own
purpose in life. Through this exploration, we will all be inspired to
examine our own lives and take the necessary steps to enhance our happiness
and well-being.

Emotional, physical, and spiritual experiences are all part of the
intricate, interwoven tapestry of existence. And though it may sometimes
feel like finding our life’s purpose is difficult and elusive, Dr.
Imbarus demonstrates how it can, and will, be revealed to the curious mind
and willing hear.

 

 About the Author

Dr. Aura Imbarus is an awarded educator, freelance journalist, motivational
speaker, and author of the critically acclaimed Amazon best-seller and
Pulitzer Prize entry, Out of the Transylvania Night: A Story of Tyranny,
Freedom, Love and Identity (Bettie Youngs Books, 2010), a memoir detailing
her life in Romania during the Communist regime and an upcoming self-help
book, Conversations with the Past: A Journey Home (Rainbow Ridge Books,
August 2020).

She is also the President and Founder of See Beyond Media, a company
focusing on adolescents’ challenges in the 21st century, having as its
launching platform See Beyond Magazine (www.seebeyondmag.com).  See
Beyond Media also offers life coaching and author coaching
(www.seebeyondmedia.com).

Dr. Imbarus has a BA in Foreign Languages; MA in American and British
Studies and a PhD in World Humanities. Since 1998, she has been teaching
high school and college level classes in So. Cal. Dr. Imbarus is a licensed
hypnotherapist, having trained with Dr. Brian Weiss and Dr. Wanita
Holmes.

She was featured on NBC, ABC, CNBC, Good Morning San Diego, Forbes Romania,
etc.

In 2019, she received President’s Volunteer Service Award signed by
President Donald Trump.

Aura Imbarus is the President and Co-Founder of RAPN – Romanian
American Professional Network and one of the founding members of RACC
– Romanian-American Chamber of Commerce, Los Angeles Chapter. She sits
on the Advisory Council of CA Ballet, is a member of Royal Society of St.
George, SACC – Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce. She was a mentor
for Scott L. Schwartz Children’s Foundation, a non-profit and
professional organization whose mission is to help children with
disabilities, and she sat on the Board of Wesley Foundation UCLA and Blue
Heron Foundation.

She writes for Palos Verdes Pulse, The Global Woman Magazine (London);
Elephant Journal, Beverly Hills Times Magazine, The Immigrant, Hermannstader
Zeitung in Transylvania and also works as a freelance journalist for
Entertainment and Sports Today.

In her free time she likes to go dancing, hiking, skiing, yoga, gym,
sailing; she loves traveling.

Contact Links

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Instagram

 

Purchase Links

Amazon

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Spirituality – 21 Days

Spirituality – 21 Days

 

The Random Thoughts of a Brother in Mourning

Spirituality, Religion

Published: October 2019

Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing

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How would you react if given only 21 days to live?

21 Days: The Random Thoughts of a Brother in Mourning is just that, random
thoughts about death, faith, and God.

21 Days is the chronological countdown to David’s death as described by his
brother, Donald. His written thoughts document what was happening to his
brother David as he quickly succumbed to esophageal cancer. Donald describes
his emotional turmoil in dealing with his brother’s untimely and unstoppable
death. He asks a powerful, rhetorical question that makes everyone ponder
their mortality. What would you do if doctors told you, you or a loved one
only have twenty-one days to live? How would you react? Donald reacted by
questioning his faith in God and God’s power over cancer during this
countdown.

 

About the Author

Donald R. Dragovich has always used writing as a way to express himself and
his feelings. Writing was easy and seemed effortlessly for Mr.
Dragovich.

For his education, he has an associate degree in advertising technology,
and in his work experience, he is a NACE certified coatings inspector where
he writes detailed and descriptive reports daily which has both helped hone
and define his writing skills. Just like with his daily work reports, Mr.
Dragovich’s writing captures the readers’ attention and brings
them into his mind as if they are there experiencing what he experiences.
Through his writing, Donald hopes to make the readers feel what he feels,
think the way he thinks, and react the way he reacts. Donald has been
married for thirty-three years, has three adult children (a deceased infant
son), and three grandchildren. His family is his life. He writes about his
personal family experiences during tragic and faith challenging events. The
life tragedies that Donald has endured are ones that everyone can relate to
and many may have experienced, as well. Mr. Dragovich uses his writing as a
coping mechanism during these tragic times, and ultimately as an inspiration
for others. “Forever in our Hearts” is a song that Mr. Dragovich
wrote after the death of his infant son, Donald, Jr. Mr. Dragovich’s
brother David, composed the music, performed the song and recorded it. The
song was used at infant death counseling events as a theme song in
Youngstown, Ohio. Donald’s writing is multifaceted as he has written
short stories, poems, and a children’s book. Donald also has a blog,
we-the-people-have-spoken.net, where he writes about current events. His
ultimate goal is to share his experiences with others and to inspire, help,
and educate people who read his writing.

 

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