Wednesday, April 17, 2024
On tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club: Yellow Bird’s Song by Heather Miller #AmericanHistory #NativeAmericanHistory #BlogTour @HMHFR @cathiedunn
Tuesday, April 16, 2024
On tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club: The Viola Factor by Sheridan Brown
Monday, April 8, 2024
On tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club: Find Me in the Stars: a CĂ©venoles Sagas novel - Book Two of the Huguenot Trilogy by Jules Larimore
Friday, March 29, 2024
On tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club: Covered in Flour by Charles Presti #HistoricalFiction #coveredinflourjourney #comingofage @cathiedunn
Join me in a cosy chat with author, Charles Presti
What inspired you to start writing?
The inspiration for "Covered in Flour" came from the people closest to me. They encouraged me to put to paper the stories I'd often share around the dinner table. The setting of the 1960s adds an extra layer of complexity, mirroring a period that was pivotal for me and my generation.
What was the hardest part about writing this book?
Translating thoughts to paper was a humbling process. "Covered in Flour" was always there—in my memories, conversations, and personal experiences. The real challenge was giving it structure, making it a story that others could relate to. And as a first-time author, that was daunting.
Does one of the main characters hold a special place in your heart? If so, why?
I loved all of the characters. The one character that popped into my mind when I first read the question is Aunt Nina. A magical and charismatic personality, she always seems to make me smile. Her warmth, humor, and unconditional love for Carlo make her an unforgettable presence throughout the story. Aunt Nina's character represents the importance of family, resilience, and the power of laughter in the face of life's challenges.
If your book was to be made into a movie, who are the celebrities that would star in it?
That’s a fun question! Here are my casting suggestions for the key roles in a movie adaptation of "Covered in Flour":
1. Carlo Pozzi (Protagonist, Narrator) - Jacob Tremblay (as a child), Timothée Chalamet (as a young adult)
2. Nick Pozzi (Dad) - Leonardo DiCaprio
3. Catherine Pozzi (Mom) - Anne Hathaway
4. Nina Enzonino (Aunt Nina) - Maya Rudolph
5. Michelle Franco (Aunt Michelle) - Melissa McCarthy
6. Julia (Aunt Julia) - Margo Martindale
7. Stefano Pozzi (Uncle Stefano) - Stanley Tucci
8. Netty Geppeta - Meryl Streep
9. Miss Veezi – Emma Stone
These acclaimed actors would bring depth, nuance and star power to the rich, complex characters in this coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of a close-knit Italian-American family in the tumultuous 1960s.
What do you hope your readers take away from this book?
When I set out to write "Covered in Flour," my deepest hope was that readers would not only be entertained by the story but also find themselves reflecting on their own lives and the world around them.
At its core, this book is about the power of compassion, the danger of prejudice, and the importance of embracing our shared humanity despite our differences. Through Carlo's eyes, we witness the transformative impact that a single teacher, Miss Veezi, can have by encouraging her students to question assumptions, celebrate diversity, and lead with kindness.
I want readers to come away with a renewed sense of the beauty and complexity of the human experience - how each of us is shaped by our unique family histories, cultural backgrounds, and personal struggles. By delving into the Pozzi family's story, with all its joys and sorrows, triumphs and failings, I hope to foster empathy and understanding.
Most of all, I want readers to feel inspired to confront bias in themselves and the world at large. Carlo's journey illustrates that change starts within, by acknowledging and unlearning the prejudices we inherit and unconsciously harbor. It takes courage and humility to challenge the status quo, but as Miss Veezi shows us, small acts of love can create ripples of transformation.
Ultimately, my wish is that "Covered in Flour" leaves readers with a sense of hope - that even in the face of adversity and injustice, the human spirit can rise above, that healing is possible, and that together, we can build a more compassionate world.
Amazon
Charles Presti, emerging from the sun-drenched shores of Pensacola, Florida, crafts narratives that echo with the richness of his varied life. His journey from a USF College of Medicine graduate to a storyteller is as unconventional as it is inspiring. Drawing from his days as a physician and informatics specialist, Charles infuses his writing with a rare blend of scientific precision and heartfelt emotion. His debut novel, "Covered in Flour," is a vivid tapestry of his Italian-American heritage, his experiences in the whirlwind era of the 1960s, and his personal journey as a gay man. These elements converge to create stories that not only entertain but resonate deeply with themes of family, discovery, and the delicate dance of life's everyday moments.
Charles's passion for storytelling is paralleled only by his commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion. Alongside his husband, Mike Bruce, and their beloved Wheaton Terrier, Zoey, he is a vibrant force and founder of "Sunday's Child," a local charity dedicated to nurturing inclusion and empowering LGBTQ+ and other marginalized communities through grants to local charities. A pillar in the Emerald Coast Writers group, he continually explores the nuances of identity, heritage, and a sense of belonging. Discover more about Charles's captivating world and "Covered in Flour" at www.coveredinflour.com, where each story is a window into a life lived fully and authentically.
Thursday, March 28, 2024
On tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club: Exsilium by Alison Morton #RomaNovaSeries #EXSILIUM #AlternativeHistoricalFiction @alison_morton @cathiedunn
It is with the greatest of pleasure that I welcome author, Alison Morton onto the Whispering Bookworm.
Thursday, February 29, 2024
On tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club: Lighten the Load: A Pioneer Western Adventure by David Fitz-Gerald #HistoricalWestern #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub @AuthorDAVIDFG @cathiedunn
It is with the greatest of pleasure that I welcome author, David Fitz-Gerald, once again, onto the Whispering Bookworm.
After a devastating tragedy, Dorcas Moon faces brutal choices in the unforgiving wilderness.
An unsolved hometown murder casts a foreboding shadow over the journey. Mounting responsibilities weigh heavy on Dorcas' shoulders while navigating the trail along the Platte River. Family, friends, and neighbors can't seem to get along without her help.
The gruesome trail exacts a heavy toll. A sweeping grass fire blazes across the prairie. A doomed wagon careens down a treacherous hill. A fellow traveler is gored to death while hunting buffalo. Each disaster pushes the pioneers to the brink. Amidst the chaos, Dorcas grapples with the realization that she must dump her precious cook stove and her husband's massive safe. The oxen can no longer haul the heavy weight of unnecessary cargo.
When her daughter mysteriously disappears while the wagons are at Fort Laramie, Dorcas Despairs. She is desperate to help her daughter when the troubled youth is found in the arms of a Brulé man in Spotted Tail's village.
Secure your copy of Lighten the Load and delve into an unforgettable saga of empowerment, sacrifice, and the haunting echoes of the American frontier. Rejoin Dorcas Moon on the adventure of a lifetime as she confronts the challenges that shape her destiny.
Series: Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail (Book 2)
Author: David Fitz-Gerald
Publication Date: January 31, 2024
Publisher: David Fitz-Gerald
Page Length: 203
Genre: Western, Historical Fiction
Thursday, February 22, 2024
On tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club: Cinnamon Girl by Trish MacEnulty #HistoricalYA #ComingOfAge #HistoricalFiction @pmacenulty @cathiedunn
It is with the greatest of pleasure that I welcome author, Trish MacEnulty, onto the Whispering Bookworm.
Winner of the Gold Medal in YA Fiction from The Historical Fiction Company!
When her beloved step-grandmother, a semi-retired opera singer, dies of cancer in 1970, 15-year-old Eli Burnes runs away with a draft-dodger, thinking she's on the road to adventure and romance. What she finds instead is a world of underground Weathermen, Black Power revolutionaries, snitches and shoot-first police.
Eventually Eli is rescued by her father, who turns out both more responsible and more revolutionary than she'd imagined. But when he gets in trouble with the law, she finds herself on the road again, searching for the allies who will help her learn how to save herself.
"The book is a fantastic read: fast-moving, full of smoothly woven historical detail and rich characterizations, all told in Eli's appealing voice." — Sarah Johnson, Reading the Past
Author: Trish MacEnulty
Publication Date: September 11th, 2023
Publisher: Livingston Press
Page Length: 311
Genre: Historical YA (but boomers love it, too)
Trish MacEnulty is the author of a historical novel series, literary novels, memoirs, a short story collection, children’s plays, and most recently, the historical coming-of-age novel, Cinnamon Girl (Livingston Press, Sept. 2023). She has a Ph.D. in English from the Florida State University and graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Florida. She currently writes book reviews and features for the Historical Novel Society.
On tour with The Coffee Pot Book Club: Yellow Bird’s Song by Heather Miller #AmericanHistory #NativeAmericanHistory #BlogTour @HMHFR @cathiedunn
It is with the greatest of pleasure that I welcome author, Heather Miller , onto The Whispering Bookworm. Rollin Ridge, a mercurial figure...
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The Yanks are Starving (A Novel of the Bonus Army) by Glen Craney Two armies. One flag. No honor. The most shocking day in American history....
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It is with the greatest of pleasure that I welcome author, David Fitz-Gerald , once again, onto the Whispering Bookworm. After a devastat...
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It is with the greatest of pleasure that I welcome author, David Fitz-Gerald , onto the Whispering Bookworm. Embark on a harrowing trek a...