The Park Awards

Best New Author 2012: Charles ODonnell.

Being a genius gets you noticed - not always in a good way. Matt Bugatti has cracked the Internet's most secure code. Chinese and American spies are racing to learn his secret. Unaware of their power struggle, Matt wants only to control his own destiny. When faced with a life-changing decision, Matt meets Gina, a woman with a secret of her own, and his choice seems clear - until the international conflict escalates and Matt finds himself threatened and alone. Then Matt discovers Gina's secret and his world turns upside-down. Pursued by two nations, running for his life, Matt does whatever is necessary to regain control - and learns who he can trust in a world where no one is who they seem.

"You will find 'The Girlfriend Experience' a fast, fun-filled read that will leave you looking forward to the sequel or next book from O'Donnell" - Franc Woods, Amazon

"It is a fast moving and exciting read - peppered with facts and real world details that but amuse and satisfies a technically versed reader." - Keith McLaurin, Amazon

"Excellent character development and I especially love the main character, Matt. I highly recommend this book." Robin - Goodreads

"I can see where this story could easily be adapted into a movie. I am hoping to see more writings from the author. I say Great Job!" - Ty, Goodreads

Buy it here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ARXTGN2

Author Interview: Bill Bernico

The Cooper Collection
by Bill Bernico
Interview by Daniel White

Daniel White: How much have you written and how long have you been writing?

Bill Bernico: I’ve been writing since 1982 and so far I’ve written 243 short stories, 1 novel, 188 newspaper columns, 100+ magazine articles and 100+ songs. Sometimes I can pound out a story all in one sitting, but there have been times when I’ve started a story, got stumped, and didn’t finish it for several years. I’ve since disciplined myself to concentrate on my work and no story since then has sat dormant for more than a week.

Daniel White: What first drew you to putting your life and events down on paper?

Bill Bernico: Twenty years ago I paid a visit to my boyhood home in Illinois and when I got home I wrote about the experience. My older sister read it and suggested I write about my childhood, growing up in our dysfunctional family of 9 kids. That became my novel, “The Nine Musketeers.” It took me nearly 14 years to get the whole story down on paper. The other eight siblings kept contributing their memories, which eventually became part of the story.

Daniel White: How much of your stories are fiction and how much is true life? Do you ever mix the two together?

Bill Bernico: Good question. “The Nine Musketeers” is supposed to be a chronicle of my childhood, but like I tell people who question whether it’s fact or fiction, “It’s 95% fact with 5% embellishment for humor’s sake.” As for the short stories, they are mostly fiction, but some scenes are based on events that actually happened to me over the years.

Daniel White: What advice would you give someone who wanted to follow in your footsteps and write in the same genre?

Bill Bernico: Don’t get too hung up on other people’s advice. If I listened to my wife and sister, I’d never write another horror story. I guess mine was too graphic for them. Mostly I write crime fiction even though I’ve never been involved in any crimes like the ones I write about. They’re all products of a vivid imagination. And I never use an outline. I never know how a story will end until I get there. Even if I start out with a specific story line, it could, and often does change as I write and new ideas come to me.

Read more about Bill Bernico and his stories in his blog at billbernico.tripod.com