One woman's memoirs of 53 Years fighting to survive, sometimes sad, sometimes humorous. A life story to give other's hope and inspiration....a message to truly never give up! Despite a most difficult start in life, I am a born fighter, my instinct to thrive plus a childhood promise to myself to create a better future life, led me to experience some of the most unbelievable encounters and events with people that beggar belief! This is not so much my Biography as an 'Adventure' through the first five decades of my life with tales to make your hair curl, make you smile, make you laugh out loud and let you perhaps take strength from the fact that if I could battle on through this lot...then you too can cope with just about anything flung at you! I hope you enjoy Volume I, The Pre Dog years.... Maria

The Advocate is a lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) monthly newsmagazine. Established in 1967, it is the oldest continuing LGBT publication in the United States.

American fashion designer.

A group of friends start a secret society in this “intense page-turner” (Kirkus Reviews) from the author of The Telling and The Creeping that examines the all-consuming love of lifelong friendship—and what someone is capable of when they’re afraid of losing it. Izzie loves nothing more than her three best friends, Viv, Graham, and Harry, and the bond the four of them share. And she’s terrified of their friendship falling apart next year when they go off to college. To bind them together, she decides to create something that will belong only to them, a special thing that they’ll always share between the four of them. And so they dream up the Order of IV, a secret society devoted to mischief that rights wrongs and pays back debts. At first, it works like a charm—but when the Order of IV’s escapades get recognition beyond their wildest expectations, other people start wanting in. And soon, what started as a game of friendship is spiraling into something dangerous and beyond their control—and before it’s over, they’ll pay the ultimate sacrifice.

“If you love reunion stories, then I’ve got the book for you.” — The Romance Reader (4 stars) ◊ Can Dena and Gabe overcome their past for a second chance at love? The boy named Most Likely to Succeed back in high school? That would be handsome, wealthy Gabe Moreau. Everyone assumed Gabe’s devotion to girlfriend Dena Devlin was mere puppy love, a rebellious stroll on the wrong side of the tracks. Dena was, after all, the janitor’s daughter. Unfortunately, even a love as strong as theirs couldn’t withstand Gabe’s act of betrayal. At their 15th high school reunion, Dena comes face-to-face with the cheating boyfriend who broke her fragile young heart. The good news is, Dena is now a self-made millionaire, thanks to the pet-resort empire she built, inspired by her love of dogs—a true Cinderella story! The bad news is, Gabe is sexier than ever. Well, no worries. She’s no longer the shy, self-conscious girl she was back then. She can handle one awkward evening. What she doesn’t count on is a full week at a Long Island B&B with Gabe and a quirky cast of characters from the old days. One of their housemates is the girl Gabe cheated with all those years ago, the “appropriate” girl his parents always intended for him to settle down with. Well, so what? Dena is over him. Really. All she wants is to get through the week and never lay eyes on the infuriating man again. If only there weren’t all those unanswered questions, all the doubts and longing she’s repressed for so long. If only she could ignore the magnetic attraction that still hummed between them. Forgiveness and do-overs were far from her mind when she signed up for her high school reunion. How is she supposed to get through a whole week under the same roof with Gabe? A feel-good romantic comedy, originally published as A Class Act.

Mann looks at the influence of gay actors, directors, and set and costume designers on the development of the motion pictures.

The second Volume of my autobiography detailing the first five decades of my mad, crazy crumpet life! Live the experiences with me as each page unfolds....be prepared to be amazed, open mouthed, laugh out loud and maybe even shed a tear or two as I describe what life has thrown at me these past 53 years. If I could survive all of this I hope it gives just one person the strength to march on in life and find a way to survive.... as I HAVE! Volume I, The Pre-Dog Years received rave reviews....you've read NOTHING yet, trust me! I hope you enjoy The Cherry Tree Years....Maria.