For Immediate Release:
For Immediate Release:
“RUMORS,” Novel by Travel Industry’s Stephanie Abrams, Gets High Praise from Library Director & President of Black Caucus of the American Library Association!”
February 11, 2025 – Del Norte County, California
Today, the President of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association and Director of the Sharon Hill Public Library in Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania, Richard Ashby, Jr., announced in a review he wrote about the novel, RUMORS, by Stephanie Abrams, that, “This Librarian LOVES this book!” Travel Expert and broadcaster for over two decades of radio’s “Travel WITH Stephanie Abrams” which produced over three thousand hours of acclaimed radio programming and executive producer and host of “Travel TV WITH Stephanie Abrams,” which produced twenty-four one hour nationally syndicated television episodes representing domestic and global destinations, Stephanie Abrams percolated with joy, glee and excitement as she noted, “This is HOT!”
Abrams states that she was thrilled when Ashby showed interest in reading her novel which is in the great minority of stories of fiction that include multicultural characters in storyline. Abrams has commented on the air that the was much discussion about why publishers aren’t publishing more novels with characters of diverse backgrounds and Abrams has long believed that the fault does not belong with the publishers.
Abrams believes that the reason for the low numbers of books written with characters of diverse backgrounds is that, as she explains, “You really have to know and understand people if you’re going to write about them. You need to know what pushes their buttons and how they would react and what they would say in so many situations and interactions.” She goes on to explain that when a character is faced with a challenge or a difficult situation, “the author needs to know how that character, and that character’s mother, sister, grandmother and spouse, among others, would react to what happened and how they would react to how that character deals with the situation at hand. Most people who work with or leave in close proximity to people of differing backgrounds really don’t mingle with the people they cooperatively work with or attend meetings with or go to school with. There is ‘social distancing’ between too many people of differing ethnic and cultural backgrounds that is much greater than any ‘social distancing’ we self-imposed during Covid-19!” Abrams notes.
Asked why her novel, RUMORS, is distinguished for the diversity of its characters, Abrams responds, “My characters stepped up to the page and pushed their way into inclusion. There was no way to write RUMORS without those diverse characters,” Abrams goes on to explain. “Actually, my entire life is a colorful tapestry of people of varying backgrounds woven into my background as the essential threads that give strength, weight and bring value to my life. I can’t imagine writing a novel with them!”
Remarkably, Abrams notes that those who hadn’t read RUMORS were often quick to offer skepticism in her ability, as a white woman, to write authentically about experiences her Afro-American characters were engaged in. “When that happens, I know that the critic hasn’t read RUMORS yet and I advise them to read the book and then call me. The first time that happened, I really didn’t expect to hear from the critic but eighteen months later I got from the gentleman whose first words were, ‘I owe you an apology,’ and when I asked, ‘What for?’ he said, ‘I read your book.’ That was the beginning and a wonderful friendship,” Abrams notes. “I always know when an email is from this well-known ‘word-master’ because his salutation is generally, ‘Dear Talented Sister.’ You have to love that!”
Ashby has proposed to Abrams that he organize online meetings so that the author can meet with librarians, especially those who are members of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association in hopes that RUMORS will be part of every library’s fiction collection. Abrams notes that Ashby’s remarks to her about RUMORS include what she describes as, “What every author wants to hear about their work! Nothing sets my heart to singing more than hearing someone tell me how well written it is, how authentic the characters are, and that the novel, while meant to be part of relaxing ‘down-time,’ is entertaining and educational and leaves the reader with some things to ponder.”
While Ashby echoes so many readers’ reviews noting that the story is fast-paced, filled with unexpected events and is constantly presenting intriguing scenarios that keep the reader interested, Abrams assures the reader that more is on the way as she is working on RUMOR’s sequel, titled SECRET and, as she notes, “Everybody has one!”
Many of the characters will reappear in SECRET, some new characters emerge in this Long Island, NY community and among those who have relocated to Florida, and, regrettably, some have died off but their spirit and legacy live on so that even Rose Winston , whom Abrams notes is, “one of my favorite characters who is loved by all my readers,” will continue to have impact on characters who live on in the sequel. And while SECRET is inching closer to publication, Abrams tells us that she has copious notes stacking up outlining the third in the series whose working title is, “LIES.”
Will there be more, we ask? “As my grandmother would have said, ‘ God Willing!’ In my head, I see the stories that should fill the pages of a run whose titles, in addition to RUMORS, SECRET and LIES, will be titled, LOVES, LUST and GREED. The big challenge is having the discipline to make the time to get the job done! At this point, SECRET needs to be put together like a jig-saw puzzle making logical sense of sequences and storylines of the characters. I’m just about finished with the writing but the editing and assembly of the story will follow the same design of scenarios and people woven together into a colorful and exciting tapestry and that’s where the time, effort and intensively focused work really begins. Writing the story, itself, of each of the characters is the easy-breezy part, actually! What goes into making it play through like a well-edited movie is the part where the real work begins. Writing the stories of the characters I find so much easier because, in actuality, I find myself taken over by the characters and they write the story themselves as if I am the vessel through which they flow. It’s a process I can only describe as ethereal! And I’m so appreciative of the over 70% of readers who have rated RUMORS as a 5-star or 4-star read and especially thrilled about such positive feedback from Richard Ashby, Jr. whose review of RUMORS is worth its weight in platinum!” Abrams concludes.
For our visitors convenience, the review that Richard Ashby, Jr. has posted at RUMORS’ page at Amazon.com is posted in its entirety below. Click on the link below which will take you to the Amazon.com page where his review is posted.
Stephanie Abrams expresses her sincere and deep gratitude for Richard Ashby, Jr. taking the time and having the interest to read RUMORS, to write a thoughtful review of RUMORS and for offering to spearhead a campaign to make RUMORS available in every library!
THANK YOU, RICHARD! YOUR REACTION TO RUMORS AND YOUR SUPPORT IN BRINGING IT TO THE ATTENTION OF LIBRARIANS ACROSS AMERICA IS VERY MUCH APPRECIATED!
Sincerely,
Stephanie Abrams
Richard Ashby, Jr.’s Review of RUMORS by Stephanie Abrams as Posted at Amazon.com
5.0 out of 5 stars This Librarian loves this book!!
Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2025
Rumors” by Stephanie Abrams is a romantic suspense novel that explores the intricate dynamics of a Long Island community entangled in a web of conspiracies, secrets, lies, and scandals. The narrative centers on Frank and his young wife, Maisy, whose lives take a tumultuous turn after Frank accepts a job offer against the cautionary advice of Maisy’s father, a retired Nassau County police officer. This decision sets off a chain of events that not only jeopardizes their own lives but also impacts their family and friends.
Readers have lauded the novel for its engaging storytelling and multifaceted characters. One reviewer remarked, “Rumors by Stephanie Abrams was such a unique read. It was filled with mystery, deceit, love, friendship, passion, and of course rumors.” Another reader highlighted the book’s pacing, stating, “A fast-paced, engaging romp through the lives of people intertwined in their communities and relationships.”
The novel has garnered favorable ratings across various platforms. On Barnes & Noble, it holds an average rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars. On Amazon, it has received a 4.5 out of 5-star rating. Goodreads users have given it an average rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
Stephanie Abrams, recognized as a travel expert and one of the 100 Most Powerful Women in Travel, brings her storytelling prowess to this novel. Her background as a travel journalist and broadcaster enriches the narrative with authentic settings and relatable characters.
“Rumors” is available in both paperback and eBook formats across various online retailers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and ThriftBooks.
In summary, “Rumors” offers a compelling exploration of how unverified information can disrupt lives and communities, making it a thought-provoking read for those interested in romantic suspense intertwined with social commentary.