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Associated Press
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
Nick Berg's Powerful Debut Novel, "Shadows of Tehran," Officially Released Today.
04/22/2025, Charlotte, North Carolina // PRODIGY: Feature Story // Nick Berg's Powerful Debut Novel, 'Shadows of Tehran,' Officially Released Today, Acclaimed for its Gripping Portrayal of Resilience and Courage Fortis Publishing is proud to announce the official release of the highly anticipated debut novel Shadows of Tehran: Forged in Conflict by author Nick Berg. Available now through major retailers and independent bookstores nationwide, the novel has already garnered widespread critical acclaim for its powerful narrative, authenticity, and profound exploration of resilience and human courage in times of extreme adversity. Inspired by true events, Shadows of Tehran intimately portrays the turbulent period of Iran's 1979 revolution through the eyes of Ricardo, a young Iranian-American struggling to find his identity amidst a backdrop of escalating violence, political upheaval, and personal tragedy. As the Shah's regime crumbles and revolutionary forces reshape his homeland, Ricardo endures familial betrayal, abuse, and persecution, driving him to escape the oppressive environment that threatens his life. His journey ultimately leads him from the embattled streets of Tehran to the ranks of the United States Special Forces, where he dedicates himself to the relentless pursuit of freedom, justice, and redemption. Critics have praised Berg's debut for its emotional intensity, thrilling narrative, and undeniable authenticity. Kirkus Reviews commended the novel as 'a very impressive debut,' adding, 'Berg has earned entrance to this genre club—readers will hope for further adventures.' K.C. Finn of Readers' Favorite applauded its powerful blend of action and emotional depth, describing it as 'a story that kept me hooked from start to finish, balancing vivid high-stakes action with deep, emotional storytelling that hits you hard.' Bestselling author Damien Lewis enthusiastically endorsed the book's authentic depiction of special forces operations, stating: 'Gripping and heartfelt, this is thriller writing from one who has walked the walk and talks the talk. Nail-biting stuff, in the spirit of all highly experienced elite forces operators, this drips authenticity and tradecraft.' Lauren Hayataka from Independent Book Review highlighted the novel's thoughtful exploration of resilience and strength, describing it as 'a blistering account of survival, identity, and resistance against the tide of history.' She further emphasized its narrative strength, observing, 'Berg captures the essence of personal strength and courage that emerges in the face of seemingly insurmountable adversity.' Early readers have echoed critics' enthusiasm, emphasizing the novel's profound impact. One Goodreads reviewer noted, 'From the very first page, it pulled me in completely—I looked up, and suddenly, I was finished, desperate to know what happens next.' Shadows of Tehran stands out not only as a gripping tale of survival and resilience but also as a timely exploration of the complexities of identity, duty, and human spirit amid geopolitical upheaval. Author Nick Berg, drawing deeply from his personal experiences and insights into military operations, vividly brings to life a narrative that resonates with authenticity and emotional resonance. For more information about Shadows of Tehran or to learn more about author Nick Berg, please visit Media Contact: Kate Schnak Email: [email protected] Website: Instagram: @ Disclaimer: This content does not constitute an offer to sell, a solicitation to buy, or a recommendation of any security, product, or service. Furthermore, nothing in this press release should be interpreted as a suggestion to buy, sell, or hold any investment or security, or to participate in any specific investment strategy or transaction. It is your responsibility to assess the suitability of any investment, investment strategy, security, or related transaction based on your individual objectives, financial circumstances, and risk tolerance. Please consult your financial advisor, attorney, or tax advisor for guidance on your specific financial, legal, or tax situation. For more information, contact [email protected]. Source published by Submit Press Release >> Nick Berg's Powerful Debut Novel, 'Shadows of Tehran,' Officially Released Today.
Boston Globe
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Supreme Court story time: Justices consider children's books with LGBTQ+ themes
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Montgomery County Public Schools, Maryland's largest school system, added the books in 2022 to the curriculum for students from prekindergarten through fifth grade. The school system's list included, its lawyers told the justices, 'a handful of storybooks featuring lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer characters for use in the language-arts curriculum, alongside the many books already in the curriculum that feature heterosexual characters in traditional gender roles.' Advertisement At first, the Montgomery school system gave parents notice when the storybooks were to be discussed, along with the opportunity to have their children excused from those sessions. But the school system soon eliminated the advanced notice and opt-out policy, saying it was hard to administer, led to absenteeism, and risked 'exposing students who believe the storybooks represent them and their families to social stigma and isolation.' Advertisement Parents of several faiths sued, saying the books violated the First Amendment's protection of the free exercise of religion. The books, their complaint said, 'promote one-sided transgender ideology, encourage gender transitioning and focus excessively on romantic infatuation.' The parents said they did not seek to remove the books from school libraries and classrooms but only to shield their children from having to discuss them. (The school system has since withdrawn two of the seven books, including 'Pride Puppy.' In court papers, officials said the books had been reevaluated under standard procedures but did not elaborate.) Billy Moges, a member of Kids First, an association of parents and teachers that is a plaintiff in the case, said in an interview that the books were 'teaching things that are exactly in contradiction with what we believe in.' 'It steals their innocence,' she said of the impact the books have on children. 'It destroys the foundation that they have, the structure of who they are, in God and in our faith. And it just makes absolutely no sense. It just defies common sense.' Moges said she has withdrawn her three young children from public schools and has sent them to a private one that she helped found that would, she said, 'not brainwash kids with these ideas.' Still, she said, 'I want to send my kids back to Montgomery County schools because we don't have the resources that they do.' Jodie Patterson, author of 'Born Ready,' said she was flummoxed by the controversy. 'My initial reaction was, 'My little book? How is that harming anyone?'' Advertisement Her book, about a transgender boy who wins a karate tournament with the support of his family and a school principal, was well received when it was published in 2021. Kirkus Reviews said it 'shines with joy and affirmation' and amounted to 'a triumphant declaration of love and identity.' On reflection, Patterson said she felt the parents' objections amounted to erasing the experiences of some families. 'When certain religions and certain religious people say, 'This is not appropriate for my religion,'' she said, 'it's problematic.' 'Not because I don't want to respect people's religions,' she went on, 'but because reading stories about children who are different is fundamental.' In recent cases, the Supreme Court has expanded the role of religion in public life, sometimes at the expense of other values such as gay rights. The court has ruled in favor of a web designer who said she did not want to create sites for same-sex marriages, a high school football coach who said he had a constitutional right to pray at the 50-yard line after his team's games, and a Catholic social services agency in Philadelphia that said it could defy city rules and refuse to work with same-sex couples who had applied to take in foster children. Some legal scholars said that accepting the logic of the Maryland parents' arguments would have broad consequences for the ability of public schools to manage their curricula, citing cases in which parents unsuccessfully challenged course materials on evolution and the big bang theory, and storybooks about wizards and giants. 'The First Amendment does not shield public school students from the mere exposure to ideas that conflict with their personal views, whether secular or religious,' Justin Driver of Yale Law School and Eugene Volokh of the Hoover Institution at Stanford University wrote in a brief supporting the school system. Advertisement The school board, in its Supreme Court brief in the case, Mahmoud v. Taylor, No. 24-297, wrote that the dispute was based on a misunderstanding about what lessons students are intended to draw from the books. 'The storybooks themselves do not instruct about gender or sexuality,' the brief said. 'They are not textbooks. They merely introduce students to characters who are LGBTQ or have LGBTQ family members, and those characters' experiences and points of view.' The books supplement rather than replace other children's stories such as Sleeping Beauty, Cinderella, and Goldilocks, which, the brief noted, also depict families, communities, and relationships. 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Associated Press
27-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR DAN E. HENDRICKSON RELEASES THRILLING NEW NOVEL: BRANDY, DAME OF THE CARIBBEAN
'This romping escapade succeeds on the backs of its well-developed characters.' — Kirkus Reviews LANCASTER, PA, UNITED STATES, January 27, 2025 / / -- Bestselling author Dan E. Hendrickson unveils his latest high-seas adventure, Brandy, Dame of the Caribbean: Book 2 The Pirate Princess Saga, a captivating tale of courage, intrigue, and redemption. Set in the tense and tumultuous year of 1854. his novel plunges readers into a world where abolitionist ideals clash with the looming specter of war in the United States, and the Caribbean becomes the stage for extraordinary heroism. According to Kirkus Reviews: 'This romping escapade succeeds on the backs of its well-developed characters. Famed English Sea captain and his infamous pirate wife return in a new adventure set against the backdrop of the American Civil War in Hendrickson's rollicking historical novel.' Brandy, Dame of the Caribbean is the second book in the Pirate Princess Saga after the award-winning first book 'Brandy, Ballad of a Pirate Princess' which won the 2022 Online Book Club Historical Fiction Book of the Year, 2022 Feathered Quill Silver Medal Winner Romance and Bronze Medal Winner Women's Fiction. In Brandy, Dame of the Caribbean, Brandy, the Pirate Princess of the ship The Morning Star, faces her most formidable challenge, alongside Captain John Edwards. Brandy's abolitionist efforts to disrupt the slave trade have gained widespread attention, painting a target on their backs for those who seek to silence them. But danger escalates when a ghost from Shaolin Priest Zhang Yong's past returns to haunt him. With the stakes higher than ever, it may fall to Brandy to confront this threat head-on. The story takes a gripping turn as Brandy sets sail to face the infamous butcher of the South China Sea, the feared pirate known as the Jaded Empress. What unfolds is a breathtaking journey across the Caribbean and beyond, filled with peril, resilience, and the triumph of justice over oppression. 'Brandy's journey is one of courage, determination, and standing up for what's right in the face of overwhelming odds,' said Dan E. Hendrickson. 'Her story isn't just about adventure; it's about the strength it takes to confront the past while fighting for a better future.' Dan is a celebrated author who has written nine award-winning books across genres including Brandy, Ballad of a Pirate Princess', where heroes and villains collide in this swashbuckling romp through historical fiction and Brandy comes face to face with Great Britain's most beloved sea captains and his enigmatic first officer. To learn more about his other award-winning books, visit his website Fans of Hendrickson's work will find all the hallmarks of his storytelling in the latest book: richly developed characters, thrilling action sequences, and a deep exploration of the human spirit. Set against the breathtaking yet perilous backdrop of the Caribbean, Brandy, Dame of the Caribbean: Book 2 The Pirate Princess Saga is a must-read for lovers of historical fiction, nautical adventure, and tales of daring heroes. X Instagram Legal Disclaimer:
