Book is based on battle of bulge

Book is based on battle of bulge

WARREN

Stephen Hosaflook of Warren, a self-proclaimed “King of the Yo-Yo Dieters,” has written a book about his lifelong battle with obesity. The book chronicles his struggle to lose 100 pounds, only to put it back on four times, and of his ultimate victory.

The retired local janitor and first-time author has recently lost more than 150 pounds. He shares his experiences, and provides encouragement for others who are overweight, in his book, “Lion Unleashed: A Journey of Weight Lost and Courage Found.” The book is available online at Amazon.com.

Photographer takes a novel approach

NILES

Art Outreach Gallery in the Eastwood Mall, 5555 Youngstown-Warren Road, will bring Mark Toro, a Niles native, back to the area to sign copies of his first book, “Una Storia Amore: A Love Story by Way of New York.”

Toro, who lives in Columbus, will take part in a book signing and reading for family and friends from 6 to 8:30 p.m. Nov. 5, and for the public from 2 to 5 p.m. Nov. 6.

Writing has been a hobby for Toro for years and he has had numerous music reviews published. He was surprised how the miracle of words poured out and his attempt to write a small memoir of living in New York turned into his first fiction novel.

Toro is a professional photographer and some of his choice works will hang in the gallery through Nov. 7.

Farcical story told in free-verse poetry

Vincent Dean, a lifelong resident of Northeast Ohio, learned early on that the key to living here happily is to have a thick skin, to nurture rather than reject, and to have the ability to laugh at one’s self.

His findings are shared in his hysterical new book, “Cuyahoga River Anthology.” Through his farcical story telling, Dean brings many colorful characters to life in funny and somehow vaguely familiar free-verse poetry.

The humor in his book is truly outrageous and he takes a nothing-is-sacred approach that skewers everyone and everything, regardless of age, race, political persuasion or class.

A first edition version of “Cuyahoga River Anthology” is available for advance purchase and digital download at Lulu.com and will be available at area bookstores and through Amazon.com in early November.

Author illustrates his imaginative book

WARREN

Allen Williams, a professional fantasy and horror illustrator, who lives with his family in Warren, has not only written a novel but has fleshed it out with 40 of his stunningly detailed illustrations.

His novel, “The Witches’ Kitchen,” is a perfect read for the Halloween season. The main character is Toad, who has the vague idea that she wasn’t always a toad, but has no memory of her life before she came to the Kitchen.

The Kitchen is an infinite and ever-shifting world filled with unbelievable creatures, where nothing leaves alive.

Allen will appear at the Buckeye Book Fair on Nov. 6 in Wooster, where he will sign copies of his book.

Vindicator staff reports