Books digest

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Salem author offers marriage secrets

SALEM — Ohio author and marital counselor Greg Violi has released a new book, “The Secrets of a Fantastic Marriage.”

In the book, Violi reveals God’s plans to help couples overcome life’s burdens by turning to the cross. He says he has seen hundreds of marriages revolutionized all over the globe by the secrets he reveals.

Violi and his wife, Marie, travel the world as teachers and counselors, driven by their passion to strengthen marriages.

Married nearly 30 years, they live in Salem and have four daughters and three grandchildren.

Published by Tate Publishing and Enterprises, the book is available at bookstores nationwide and can be ordered through the publisher at www.tatepublishing.com/bookstore, or by visiting www.barnesandnoble.com or amazon.com.

There is also an eLIVE title, so each copy contains a code redeemable for a free audio version.

For more information, contact Jim Miller, marketing representative, at (888) 361-9473 or e-mail jim@tatepublishing.com.

Parents write handbook on those with disabilities

AUSTINTOWN — A committee of parents with special sons and daughters has written a book, “The Parent/Guardian Handbook,” to help the next generation of families affected by developmental disabilities.

Superintendent Larry Duck of the Mahoning County Board of Developmental Disabilities approved the printing and copyrighting of the book.

Families wishing to get the book, which is free, can call Paul Iden at MCBDD, (330) 797-3051 or stop in at the board office on Woodbridge Drive.

The book is also available to download on MCBDD’s Web site, www.mahoningdd.org.

STATE

Author will sign book, a humorous look at aging

MASSILLON — Ohio author Susan K. Yund will sign her new book, “Black Socks and Sandals: Age is No Excuse,” from 3-5 p.m. Friday at Backlist Books in Massillon.

The store is at 39 Lincoln Way East. Free parking is available on adjacent streets and in nearby city lots.

In addition to writing talents, Yund is an award-winning baker with dozens of state and county fair blue ribbons. She will serve sweet confections at the signing.

The paperback includes 175 tips for looking good, grooming, happiness, wellness, staying alert, driving safely, exercising financial savvy and dealing with family.

Yund, CNP, RN, works as an adult psychiatric nurse practitioner, which puts her in touch daily with seniors and their issues with aging.

To get the book, e-mail the author at susank42@aol.com or visit Backlist Books, the Village Bookshelf, Massillon Area Chamber of Commerce, or the Museum Shop.

nation

Former area resident has Edgar nomination

NEW YORK — Michael D. Beil, a Youngstown-area native who attended Youngstown State University, announces that his first novel, “The Red Blazer Girls: the Ring of Rocamadour,” was nominated for an Edgar award.

The awards are presented by the Mystery Writers of America each April. His novel is in the Juvenile Mystery category and is intended for a middle-school audience.

Beil resides in New York City and teaches English at an all-girls Catholic high school in Manhattan.

The publisher is Random House.

Moffie will sign book in New York City

YOUNGSTOWN — Sam Moffie of Youngstown will autograph his latest release, “The Book of Eli,” at 5 p.m. Feb. 26 at the famed Murphy’s Law, which is on New York City’s Upper East Side, 417 E. 70th St.

Moffie has now written four novels, and New Yorkers will be the first to get autographed copies.

“The Book of Eli” has been described as “a compelling tale of heaven, hell and all that’s in between.”

Moffie said, “Special thanks to Dan Murphy and Stephanie Hoffman-Murphy for making every author’s dream come true of having a book signing in New York City.”

For more information, contact Moffie at (330) 550-4281, at ue10409@aol.com or visit www.samsstories.com.

AWARDS

National Book Critics Circle finalists are announced

NEW YORK — Man Booker Prize winner Hilary Mantel and National Book Award finalists Jayne Anne Phillips and Bonnie Jo Campbell were among the nominees announced for the National Book Critics Circle prize in fiction.

Other finalists include memoir writer Mary Karr, former U.S. poet laureate Louise Glueck and former National Book Award winner William T. Vollmann.

Joyce Carol Oates will receive a lifetime achievement prize, and a special award for criticism will be presented to New Yorker dance critic Joan Acocella.

Winners in six competitive categories will be announced March 11. There are no cash awards.

The National Book Critics Circle, founded in 1974, is a nonprofit organization with around 600 members, “book reviewers who are interested in honoring quality writing and communicating with one another about common concerns.”

For a complete list of the finalists in each category, visit www. /bookcritics.org/blog/category/nbc news.

Costa Book of the Year

LONDON — Poet Christopher Reid was awarded Britain’s Costa Book of the Year Award for a poetry collection written in tribute to his late wife.

Reid’s “A Scattering” — inspired by his wife’s death from cancer in 2005 — beat four other finalists for the $48,426 prize, which aims to reward the most enjoyable book in the last year by writers based in the U.K. and Ireland.

The book was chosen from five finalists, each already an award winner in separate Costa genre categories: novel, first novel, poetry, biography and children’s book. Each category winner receives $8,000.

The prizes — known until 2006 as the Whitbread Book Awards — were established in 1971. They were renamed in 2006 after sponsorship switched from retail and leisure group Whitbread to the Costa coffee shop chain. They are open to residents of Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

HOT OFF THE PRESS

NY company sues in Detroit over KISS photo book

DETROIT — You gotta file a lawsuit in Detroit Rock City.

A company that controls photos and posters of the rock group KISS is suing to stop the sale of a book with pictures of the performers.

KISS Catalog Ltd. says trademarks are being violated by “Vintage KISS Photos: 1974-1981.” The lawsuit names Marc Scallatino of Blackwood, N.J., and photographer Janet Macoska of Cleveland.

KISS Catalog, based in New York, is asking a judge to shut down vintagekissphotos.com.

Macoska says she sold some KISS images to Scallatino but warned that he couldn’t use them for a book. E-mail messages seeking comment were left with Scallatino.

The lawsuit was filed recently in federal court in Detroit, where part of the 1975 KISS album “Alive!” was recorded at Cobo Arena.

Vindicator staff/wire reports