Author Interview with Gene P Abel and more...

I was a fan of the science fiction genre as a child. Because I discovered Nancy Drew and the Bobbsey Twins I lost touch with science altogether. I rediscovered the genre a few years ago when I joined The Insecure Writer’s Support Group (insecurewriterssupportgroup.com) and met Alex J. Cavanaugh (alexjcavanaugh.com)

Recently, I met Gene P. Abel and was excited to learn about his series The Defenders of Time.

 The 3^rd book in the series, The Aliens Step In, was released today.

Meet the author:

Gene Abel is not satisfied with the status quo and has always been at the forefront of change. He earned a B.S. from Penn State in finance/economics and an MBA from Lehigh University. He was a distinguished military graduate and received a regular army commission as a second lieutenant in the field artillery branch of the Army.

Upon returning to civilian life, he became an officer of a 2-billion-dollar bank where he oversaw the bank operations at over 50 locations. Mr. Abel returned to education and was appointed Dean of Business Services at the Reading Area Community College.

His last position was as the chief operating officer for one of the largest school districts in Pennsylvania. During the more than 12 years he served as the chief operating officer of the Central Bucks School District, he built over $120 million of new schools in addition to running this rapidly growing school system.

He is the best-selling author of several books, including The Defenders of Time series.

You can visit his Amazon author page here: Amazon book page: Amazon.com: Gene P. Abel: books, biography, latest update

He resides in New Jersey with his wife.

About the book:

 In the final installment of the Defenders of Time science fiction trilogy by Gene P. Able, The Aliens Step In, everything changes.

Agent Lou Hessman and his team discover parts of their time travel facility are disappearing. The Chinese spies behind this event have successfully altered the past-and because they are using means beyond current human technology which could prove disastrous for the time and space continuum, the U.S. Team must visit the past.

With only a small window of opportunity, before their time travel operation is completely erased, the U. S. team successfully visits the past and tries to erase the Chinese attack before it happens. The impacts of interfering with time go far beyond anything Agent Hessman and his intrepid team of time defenders could have imagined worlds beyond, in fact. Their efforts bring them face-to-face with an alien being, Sonsa Tabbak, who arrives to stop human time travel before a universal catastrophe can occur.

What happens next changes everything, and everywhere, forever. We are not alone.

Book Link Amazon: The Aliens Step In: Abel, Gene P: 9781954676558: Amazon

Interview Questions for Author, Gene P. Abel

Where did you grow up and do you have any siblings?

Allentown, Pa. I was an only child.

Did you grow up in a reading and, or writing family?

My mother was a reader.

As a child what did you want to be when you grew up?

I always wanted to be in the military.

How and when did the writing bug bite you?

When I retired from the Central Bucks School District, the storyline popped into my head and inspired me to write a romance novel: The Inn of Destiny.

If this book series were to become a movie or a TV series who do you envision playing the protagonist? The antagonist?

I’ve thought of and imagined a possible movie or TV series but I never thought about who would play the parts. I suppose that should be left to the producer.

If I were a Hollywood producer and you had one paragraph to convince me to produce this series:

The Defenders of Time series is action-packed, infused with ample amounts of drama and a bit of romance. Each character is well-developed. Movie audiences and TV viewers are currently all in when it comes to well-written science fiction, fantasy, and time travel. This series has it all.

What was the first science fiction book you remember reading and what was the first science fiction movie you remember seeing?

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea.

What was the weirdest thing you’ve done in the name of research?

I tried to get into the background and claims, the day after Roswell.

If given the choice would you visit the past or the future and why?

The past. I have so many questions but am not sure I would like to know what was going to happen. It would be nice to take the winning lottery number back with me.

Let’s play. What is the government keeping from us UFO, alien related?

I think they are afraid of how the public will react. They know we have and are being visited by aliens.

How do you keep up with current trends in sci-fi?

I read many articles and books. I also watch the history and science channels.

Should sci-fi writers be inspiring students in STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) and other science-related disciplines?

YES!

What are you working on now and when can we expect it?

I may expand my UFO documentary and I’m also hoping for the opportunity to bring The Defenders of Time to a streaming service.

Do you have a favorite TV guilty pleasure to watch?

No.

What is your favorite local restaurant and what are you ordering off the menu?

Luna Rosa Italian Restaurant and I mainly order veal dishes.

Luna Rossa Biagio Lamberti – Luna Rossa Biagio Lamberti (lunarossalamberti.com)

For more information go to: genepabelbooks.com

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Another Day, Another Month, Another Year…

               A personal series on medical gaslighting, cancer, forgiveness, and healing. New posts in this series will appear on Wednesdays.

I used to be such a devoted blogger. Even when life was hard, good, or too busy I was committed to those two posts a week. But the end of 2021 & 2022 nearly broke me, not nearly it did break me.

“You have a large cancerous tumor, and it is strangling you.” I was relieved to finally have a diagnosis after two years of feeling sick and numerous hospitalizations. Relief quickly turned to terror. I’ve heard the “C” word before. Recurrence can’t be good.

What happened?

For four years I had some form of abdominal pain every single day. I pretty much convinced myself I was a hypochondriac. For two years I had reflux occasionally, then once a week, and then every single night. ER doctors said it was caused by my Celiac disease, and or diverticulitis.

My primary doctor said my bloodwork was all good. He prescribed anti-acid medication. It did nothing.

Was I being Gaslighted?

Frustrated with no specific reason for my pain, or a plan to make it stop I made an appointment with my primary doctor in November of 2021. I was filled with determination and a side of anger. I wasn’t going to leave without a specific diagnosis and a plan to make the pain stop.

Symptoms of Medical Gaslighting

• When a doctor makes light of or ignores your symptoms.
• They may dismiss your feelings and possibly suggest you may be under too much stress.
• Are you starting to wonder if you may be imagining your symptoms?
• You have a nagging feeling that something is terribly wrong and your doctor brushes your feelings off.

The experience can be humiliating. You may even begin to question your own sanity. If you have a nagging feeling something is seriously wrong, find a doctor who will listen and is interested in solving the mystery of your pain.

Medical gaslighting can happen to anyone but statistically women wait 33% longer in Emergency rooms than men that present with the same symptoms.  research published in Academic Emergency Medicine.

When women have symptoms of heart disease they are twice as likely to be diagnosed with mental illness as men with the same symptoms.

Women are less likely to receive CPR

My doctor was out of the office on the day of my appointment, so I saw the physician’s assistant. I’d never seen her before. She listened to me carefully and then went to the computer and looked over my chart. “Doreen, you’ve had markers in your blood that could indicate cancer. Looking at your history, you need a colonoscopy immediately.”

She seemed stunned and so was I!

Twenty-three years before I was diagnosed with and had a cancerous tumor removed from my large intestine. It was found extremely early and by accident, thanks to my infected appendix. The tumor was removed, no further treatment was needed, and I went back to my life determined to live healthier.

The feeling that it had come back was more than a subtle nagging. I knew.

I explained to the PA that I had been trying to schedule a colonoscopy, but they are not being done because of covid. With her help, I was able to schedule one for April 2022. (It was November 2021)

She performed an EKG and set up an appointment for me to have an MRI of my heart. (My heart was fine, but the report stated I had a hernia. (My first thought was could this be the cause of my reflux?)

The PA tried to get me in sooner but was unable to. So, I waited…

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 I met Allison through the Facebook group Moms Who Write.  She’s fabulous, I hope you think so too!

About the Author

Allison Wells is a wife, mother, and sweet tea addict. She writes in two genres – Christian Women’s Fiction and Sweet Romance. “Gritty Christian fiction,” is what she calls books that show the hard truths of life but ultimately are stories of redemption in the end. Her sweet romances are clean and fun with a dose of laughter (the best medicine). She loves to bring words of hope to readers worldwide. Her motto is, “Life is short, eat the Oreos.”

Interview Questions

What was it like to hold your first and your latest published book in your hands? Where was the first place you put them and photographed them once you could put them down? 

Holding my first book was surreal. I had written it something like 14 years prior to it being published, so it was a crazy feeling! My last book is in e-format only right now, so I haven’t held it at all! I think I photographed my first one in my hands with my mouth wide open! Ha!

If you could only choose one of your characters to have dinner with, who would you choose and why? 

Bell from Bell of the Night. She’s my favorite character, a young woman who had been sold into prostitution as a child. Someone who thought she had given up all hope, but in reality, she still held onto a sliver of it, and it grew.

Which character would you scold for giving you a hard time? 

Birdy from a book that hasn’t been published yet because I can’t figure out the end of her story!

From idea to finished manuscript, how long does it take you to write a book?

Anywhere from 2 months to 14 years apparently. If I was better disciplined, I could write a book every two to three months.

Do you have a ritual, something you do before you sit down to write? Your favorite space to write?

I really need no interruptions when I write. My amazing husband built me a Paperback Palace (she-shed) in our yard, so I have a quiet sanctuary in which to work.

If you could be a member of any fantasy race, which would you choose? What would be your superpower and your weapon of choice?

A centaur would be cool. Easier to get around, and faster. I’d be my own transportation. I think my superpower would be telekinesis and my weapon would be my words.

Where did you grow up? Did you grow up in a reading or writing family?

I grew up in rural Maryland as an only child, so books were my constant friend. My family isn’t big into reading or writing, but we are very artistic.

What is your guilty TV pleasure?

Okay, hear me out, I love to watch this sheep farmer on YouTube named Sandi Brock. Her channel is Sheepishly Me and I *adore* watching the baby lambs running around. She’s my hero!

What is your favorite neighborhood takeout and what are you ordering?

Japanese food – hibachi steak with broccoli and carrots.

What are you writing now?

The answers to these questions! I have two works in progress right now – a sweet rom-com novella that’s part of a multi-author project and a fun retro romance that features a genie!

What advice would you give yourself if you could go back to when you first sat down to write your latest book and what advice would you give to yet-unpublished writers who are writing their first book?

Trust the process. Hire a good editor. It’s okay to take a break as long as it’s not too long. And you can always go back and change things up until it’s published.

Visit and follow Allison here:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07FXXZGLV

http://whatallisonwrote.com/

https://www.facebook.com/whatallisonwrote/

https://www.instagram.com/whatallisonwrote/

The post Meet Allison Wells appeared first on Doreen McGettigan.

     

I grew up vegetarian. As a teenager after school friends and I would gather at Jack in the Box, or a bowling alley and I became a fan of hot dogs and hamburgers. A few years ago I was diagnosed with Celiac and less than a year ago was diagnosed with colon cancer. The diagnoses have had me researching and reading anything I can find on healthier eating. I was excited to receive A Taste of Plant-Based.

The Author

The Book

This is a curated collection of 50+ plant-based recipes that work for everyday meals, but you can use them for your Veg Pledge or your Meatless Mondays! 50+ Recipes on 86 high-quality full-color 100 lb. silk text paper with 120 lb. gloss soft touch laminate cover. Wire-O bound for ease of use while cooking. Made in the USA.

As a teen, you saw a PETA video, and you vowed to stop eating meat. What was your parent’s reaction?

My parents thought it was a phase I would quickly grow out of. Decades later, my mom still points out all of the items I am able to eat on the menu when we are out to eat together!

Can you explain exactly what vegan is? What is the difference between vegetarian and vegan?

A person who does not eat any food derived from animals is considered vegan. There are several types of vegetarians: some exclude meat but will eat by-products such as dairy or eggs. I called my cookbook a Taste of Plant-Based because being plant-based is a more flexible approach and is not about being restrictive. Being plant-based is eating more foods like vegetables, fruit, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds. Ideally, you want them to resemble how they are found in nature, but realistically, that is difficult to do! Consider this cookbook a shortcut to plant-based eating.

What inspired you to write this book?

My husband Ryan decided to commit to a vegan lifestyle, and my children said they would give it a try. I would print recipes off the internet, jot down adjustments or substitutions I made to them, note which meals the entire family enjoyed, and throw out the ones they didn’t. I needed a quick and easy reference for mealtimes but couldn’t find one. So, I made my own!

Authoring a book is not for the faint of heart, what were the writing and the publishing process like for you?

I had so much fun! I got to cook with my kids and try lots of different recipes, and then design a beautiful cookbook with Rebecca Trauger who I now consider a close friend!

When your husband and children decided to join you, and commit to a vegan lifestyle how did you determine, and how difficult was it to figure out what nutrients were needed to keep your family healthy?

I left that up to a professional – I hired a nutritionist to teach my family how to read food labels and decipher nutrition facts. She also explained serving sizes and daily nutrient requirements.

The recipes in this book would also be helpful for non-vegan families that participate in meatless Monday, and for those that observe lent. Which recipe would you suggest they start with?

I would suggest the Chik’n & Rice (pg. 58) for those that truly don’t want to give up meat, and for more adventurous eaters like my husband, the Creamy Avocado Carbonara (pg. 62) is quick and really delicious!

What suggestions do you have for moms looking for grab-and-go vegan snacks for their children?

Grapes, sliced apples with peanut butter, veggie sticks with hummus, or there are some fabulous plant-based protein bars like Zing Bars.

What is your favorite local restaurant and what are you ordering?

Anything from Luhv Bistro in Hatboro, Pennsylvania where my order typically includes their Energy soup (made with chickpeas, quinoa, kale, lentils, sweet potatoes, wakame seaweed, and tomatoes) or the Portobello Melt which is sautéed Portobello mushrooms, onions and spinach with vegan American cheese on a ciabatta roll. I’m drooling.

Where can readers find you online, and where can they purchase the book?

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/atasteofplantbased

Amazon:  A Taste of Plant-Based

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

 Will you write another book?

Possibly – I am collecting new recipes all the time!

And I always ask what is your favorite TV guilty pleasure?

Anything on Bravo – Housewives, Below Deck, Southern Charm…I happened to be in NYC at the same time as BravoCon and spotted Olivia from Southern Charm and fanned out!

What was the last book you read?

Duke and the Lonely Boy was written by Lynn Langan, who is a friend of mine. She’s extremely talented and the book kept me engaged all the way through!

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About the Book

Victimized by identity thieves, DJ was urged by coworkers to sign up with an identity theft protection agency. One notification from the company took him by surprise. Someone deposited several million dollars in a foreign bank account in his name. His coworkers suggested he make the trip to withdraw his money. After all the account was in his name!

The Author

David Tayoun is the son of a powerful Philadelphia politician, who also owned a Middle Eastern Restaurant that employed many immigrant employees.

He graduated from Julia R. Masterman High School in Philadelphia and received his bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Temple University. He then attended Capitol Law School.

David worked in the Philadelphia Courts working with Parolees in the First Offender Drug Unit Program.

He became a member of the Atlantic City Police Department & was awarded Officer of the Year. He retired due to injuries sustained when he was struck by a stolen car during a chase.

Involving himself in politics in Atlantic City he amassed a loyal voter base. David was appointed as Director of Neighborhood Services for the City of Atlantic City, which oversees all business licensing and regulations and all aspects of the construction industry.

After leaving public life David started a successful Kitchen Cabinet and Granite shop employing many local, residents in need of a second chance.

He currently heads a development group TBC Enterprises LLC and runs Tayoun’s War House LLC.

The Interview

Which of the characters in STUNG do you relate to most, and why?

I most identify with Jimmy the retired cop due to the simple fact that the story is based on true events throughout my life and career in Law enforcement, as a Public Official in the City of Atlantic City, and my involvement in politics in the South Jersey area.

If you are planning a sequel, can you share a tiny bit about your plans for the plot?

Yes, the sequel is the logical follow-up to what would occur at the end of the first story, but just like the first story, there are multiple plot twists that send the story in its own compelling way.

How did you come up with the title?

STUNG is how most victims feel after being the victim of a crime.

When was the last time you Googled yourself and what did you find out?

Recently only to see if the book would come up. I found nothing that I did not already know but some information that I could have added to one of the stories. That said, I also saw some information that opens the door for one more book maybe a book three that involves my dad’s extraordinary life and career in Philadelphia politics.

If your book is made into a movie, which actors and/or actresses would you like to see portray the main characters?

Most likely I’ll leave it to the professionals because my life and business activities during the last few years have gotten in the way of the luxury of time to take in who the current actors and actresses are and their qualities like I did as a kid.

Where did you grow up? Any siblings? Did you grow up in a reading or writing family?

I grew up in Philadelphia. My five siblings and I spent our summers at the Jersey Shore. We grew up in a very entrepreneurial and politically active household.

My father published an informational book about going to prison to inform people headed to prison knew what to expect. The title is “Going to Prison. He also finished a memoir but passed away before getting it published. That gave me the idea of combining the stories and making it a third in this series.

You live in a shore town, when was the last time you walked on the beach, or the boardwalk, and when was the last time you went to a casino?

I decided to make our vacation home our year-round home. Now the problem with that is my everyday life gets in the way of being able to get away from daily life to enjoy it as we did on vacation. That said I do try to get to the beach in the summertime especially when family comes down. I do enjoy exercising on the boardwalk. As far as casinos go, I never was one for gambling although do take in the occasional show or restaurant.

Where and what is your favorite local restaurant? What are you ordering?

Being from a family that owns a very successful restaurant with Mediterranean cuisine I find myself enjoying homemade meals. This allows me to enjoy family and friends in my home that is on the water. What better ambiance than looking out the dining room window at ducks and boaters and the like?

What was the last TV series you binge-watched? Last book you read?

I like Rick and Morty, but the last TV series binged I would have to say Bosch a detective show.

The last book I read was on Edgar Cayce, an American clairvoyant.

STUNG involves a few major crimes, one being identity theft. Do you have any advice for someone who believes they may be the victim of identity theft?

Victims are extremely susceptible to continued attacks because their information continually gets re-sold. It’s an underground system like the one telemarketers use to buy lists of phone numbers. The best advice is to sign up for credit protection and to continually change your password (Yes it is a huge pain). Do not get frustrated when your credit takes the hit because there is little you can do about it. Stick to a couple of local banks and use their visa, not debit cards. You need to have a relationship with your bank and let them know your credit should be based on your use of their card for the foreseeable future.

EARLY REVIEWS

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