Tiffany Blues

Tiffany Blues

by M J Rose

Atria Books

Jenny Bell is a gifted young artist with a harrowing past making a new life for herself in New York City. She thinks her history will stay buried until her best friend, wealthy socialite Minx Deering, contrives to gain their admittance to the prestigious Tiffany Foundation. An annual eight-week summer event held at Laurelton Hall, the fabulous estate of Louis Comfort Tiffany, the Foundation is a hothouse for artistic talent. Whoever wins the jury's accolade at the end of the term is set for a glittering artistic career.

Even at Laurelton Hall with all its wonders Jenny feels adrift until she meets Oliver Tiffany, the great man's grandson, and falls in love for the first time. Oliver draws Jenny out of herself and away from her serious monochromatic style of art to embrace color as she embraces him. Champagne flows like water and jazz fills the air, but a series of unnerving incidents intimates that someone among the contestants knows of Jenny's past and is using their knowledge to handicap her chances to win the prize. Jenny doesn't know if she can trust Minx any more. Is her best friend back to using opium, an addiction she supposedly kicked? What kind of influence is Minx's boyfriend Edward having on her, and why is he so hostile to Jenny? Events culminate one night into a confrontation that threatens to ruin everything, and only a desperate act of love can avert disaster.

Tiffany Blues is a story as elegantly crafted and as colorful as Tiffany's own artwork. M J Rose brings Jenny, Minx and Oliver to life along with the heady, sometimes desperate lifestyle of the Lost Generation. 

Bernie or Bust: Pioneers of Electoral Revolt

Bernie or Bust: Pioneers of Electoral Revolt

by @BernieOrBust with Patrick Walker.

Dorrance Publishing Company.

Of the events that occurred during the contentious 2016 Presidential election, the blatant rigging of the Democratic Party primaries against Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont is at the top of the list in importance. The Bernie or Bust movement was one of the prime movers in public debate on the issue of the Democratic nominee selection process and its aftermath – the nomination of Hillary Clinton, a deeply flawed candidate with a mass of political baggage, who represented the status quo during a time when the American electorate desperately wanted change.

The author and his associate Patrick Walker started the Bernie or Bust grassroots movement in 2016 with a manifesto aimed at effecting real change for the better in the American political system. The objective was – and is – the use of leverage to force the Democratic Party to heed the will of the American people, not that of Big Business. This book recounts a warts and all picture of the movement from the inside. It doesn’t flinch from admitting the mistakes and conflict involved in seeking a way forward, nor does it flinch from scathing and justified condemnation of the Democratic party machine that helped elect Donald Trump.

Where the book scores highly is in the wealth of advice included for activists, voters, and future progressive movements. This is a valuable resource which can be dipped into for guidance, inspiration and a wealth of ‘how to’ examples. It is also an important historical document in its own right for all who wish to understand more about the 2016 election, those involved, and the consequences. Highly recommended. 

http://bookstore.dorrancepublishing.com/bernie-or-bust/