​Now that Wounded Angels is "In the Can." I've turned my attention to things like publicity, formal reviews, the "Launch," and the "Book Tour." Because so much is happening so fast, I'm sending these announcements out twice each month for a while, hence the funny looking "November / 1" above. As always, I want to keep things focused on what you want to hear rather than what I want to say, so right now, this is what it looks like:

• First, "Headlines." What seems most significant right now.
• Next, more "Themes and Snippets" from the book, as I imagine that is what would most interest you in reading it.
• Next, "Reviews." Any time I buy something important, I read what other people say about it. If you feel the same, here they are. 
• Then, "Media." Someone once told me, "It ain't real until it's in the papers." Well, here is what the "papers" and other media have to say about Wounded Angels.
• Finally, "Upcoming Events." Here is where, when and to whom I'll be talking. Many of these events are open to the public. If you would like to organize one for your own group, write to me and let me know.

That's the lineup for now. I'd be interested in what works best for you, so please let me know how I'm doing. And now, here's what is "Up and Coming."

​Wounded Angels touches on a number of important themes. I presented a few in each of my previous posts. along with a sample of the writing that addressed each theme. Here are a few more.
Separation - In Wounded Angels, Maureen and Frank return from their Atlantic City honeymoon to find Fran's notice inducting him into the draft for WWII. That is based on the real-life experiences of my mother and father-in-law, Charlotte and Fred. 

Over the next three years, we saw each other for a total of three weeks, one after Frank completed basic training and two more just before he went overseas. On our last night before Frank shipped out to the Pacific, I asked him to promise that he would come back to me.
“As much as I want to, you know I’d be lying if I said could control that.”
“I’m not looking for honesty,” I yelled. “I want you to tell me that you will come back no matter what.”
He answered, “I promise you this, Maureen: I’ll do everything in my power to come back to you and if I do, I will never ever leave you again.”

War Brides- While Maureen and her best friend, June, wait for their husbands to return, they try to support their men on the home front. 

While our husbands were half-a-world away, we kept vigil at home. We served in the USO, helped with warbond drives, and even joined the Cadet Nurse Corps. I didn’t stay there very long. The training was rigorous and we both handled the academics well, but when we started interning at the hospital, the reality of the war overwhelmed me. “Hurry it up, Russo,” the head nurse yelled as I stared at the mangled stump of a soldier’s missing leg, “that dressing isn’t going to change itself.” Some men were blind, others were terribly disfigured. In addition to the physical wounds, many suffered from severe mental and emotional disorders. Many of them accepted their conditions with
unbelievable courage but I saw Frank in every one of them and within a few weeks, I dropped out."

PTSD - Like many combat veterans, Frank returns from the war haunted by the things he's seen and done. Maureen patiently tries to help him "come home." 

I slept at the other edge of the bed, afraid that if I touched him he might react violently. Instead, when he started thrashing, I whispered softly, “Frank, you’re home now, you’re safe.”

Then, when I thought it was safe enough, I reached across the bed and lightly touched his arm. If he jerked suddenly, I withdrew and waited before trying again. When he calmed, I whispered, “It’s me, Frank, Maureen. I love you,” and slowly moved in closer, gently rubbing his arm until his breathing deepened to a peaceful rhythm. Then I snuggled next to him and stroked his hair. It was often moist with sweat and at times, his whole body was wet. “It’s all right,” I murmured, “you’re safe with me,” and then I cradled him in my arms like a child and rocked him gently. As I did, I sometimes heard him sobbing in his sleep, “I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”

​Brian Jud, founder of the Connecticut Authors and Publishers Association and
Executive Director of the Association of Publishers for Special Sales

Brian M. Johnson wrote this wonderful article about Wounded Angels. The article was printed in the October 24, 2019 edition of the New Britain Herald and under the title "Book based at senior center helps process grief" in the Bristol Press.

​I am thrilled to be co-launching Wounded Angels along with Rev. Gordon Ellis's launch of his newest song album, LOVE HEALS, created by him and his brother, Mark. The launch will be hosted by First Congregational Church of Southington and take place in the church's Memorial Hall from 3 to 5:30 pm on Saturday, January 25, with a snow date of Sunday, January 26, at the same time. At the launch, I will be presenting the "Story Behind the Story " of Wounded Angels, including a slide presentation, and I will be reading excerpts from the book. Gordon will be discussing the development of LOVE HEALS and performing selected songs from his album. For anyone who wants, copies of both items will be for sale and Gordon and I will be happy to sign and personalize them for you. There will be many other highlights, and refreshments will be served, so if you are in the area, come and join in the celebration!

​That does it for now. Thank you for spending this time with me. If you or others you know are interested in keeping apprised of these updates, please sign up on the CONTACT page of website at https://www.authorchuckmiceli.com/ and / or Like my Facebook author's page at https://www.facebook.com/authorchuckmiceli

My goal is to provide you with information that you find interesting and enjoyable. Feel free to jot me a note telling me what you think of these updates and what you would most like me to cover in them. 

Until the next time, warmest regards, Chuck

Elm Hill has notified me that anyone interested in preordering copies of Wounded Angels from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other sites, can do so starting December 18, 2019. Copies will be available for direct purchase on-line and in book stores on January 14, 2020. 

Wounded Angels touches on a number of important themes. I presented a few of them in my August post along with a sample of the writing that addressed each theme. Here are a few more.

Love - Wounded Angels is based on the real-life experiences of people who lost a significant other after many years in a close, loving relationship. My protagonist, Maureen, is based largely upon my mother-in-law, Charlotte and the scene where she first meets Frank is based upon the actual way Charlotte met her husband, Fred.

"MAY I HAVE this dance?”
I recall those words and the way they were said as clearly now as when I first heard them. The Cypress Avenue Roller Rink was popular with neighborhood families and local high school students. For fifteen cents, you could skate all Saturday afternoon. I didn’t have to look up to see who asked; I had memorized that voice. Even merged with the rumbling of dozens of roller skaters and Fred Astaire's “They Can’t Take That Away From Me” booming through the giant roller rink, it stood out." 

Trust - The suicide of Maureen's father leaves her with a deep-seated fear of abandonment and she remains leery about placing her trust in other men. Those fears are severely tested when Frank suggests lifting her over his head as they practice dancing on roller skates.

"I turned to face Frank. He was in position and ready. Then he gave me a reassuring smile and nodded for me to come. As I skated toward him, I felt outside my own body, conscious only of the sound of my skate wheels and the look in Frank’s eyes. Then I realized that I had lost track of my speed. I’m going too fast, I thought. He won’t be able to stop me. We’re both going to come crashing down! There was no time to adjust. I was only inches from Frank so at the last moment I closed my eyes and jumped skyward." 

Prejudice - Wounded Angels explores a number of instances of prejudice. In the following example, as Maureen and Frank become closer, their relationship is tested when Maureen's mother, who is German, finds out that Frank is Italian. 

“He acts very nice,” she said.
“Oh, he is mom. He’s thoughtful and considerate, he’s very smart, and he’s Catholic.”
“Good. All Italian men act nice at the beginning but after they get comfortable, they change. You cannot keep seeing him.”
“What! Mom, you don’t even know him.”
“I don’t have to know him. He’s Italian and he can’t help it. All Italian men are after the same thing and they are not going to get it from my daughter.”
“Frank isn’t like that. He’s been nothing but a gentleman.”
“For now, but you don’t hear him when he’s talking with his friends and bragging about how far he’s getting with you.”
“He’s not getting anywhere with me and it's not just up to him. Don’t you trust me?”
“You think you love him, don’t you?”
“Well… yes.”
“Then no, I don’t trust you.” 

I very much enjoyed this compelling novel written by the talented, Chuck Miceli. The story's humanity touched me deeply as it constantly tugged at my heartstrings and walked me through some of my own bittersweet memories. I grew to care more and more about Maureen Russo and what she was going through as she gave all that she had to offer. Wounded Angels is a book that is sure to grip its readers and not let them go until well after they flip past the last page and finally lay down this masterpiece.
​
Dan Blanchard - Bestselling and award-winning author,  speaker, educator, and TV host.

​Wounded Angels, is a novel of resolve, resolution and recovery.  Chuck Miceli’s “autobiography” of Maureen Bower, traces her life from childhood in 1930s Brooklyn, New York through near-present day Connecticut. She chronicles her experiences through World War II and the Viet Nam era and the losses that leave her feeling abandoned by those who loved her. One “abrasive” woman simply refuses to let her sink into despondency and in the process, they “save” each other.  Based on real-life, Wounded Angels provides many points and examples that strike true to the reader’s heart and mind. It’s an enjoyable, engaging read and well worth the time.
 
Charles I. Motes, Jr., M.S., M.P.H, R.S.
Former Director of Health, town of Southington and city of Bristol, CT