360 Degrees of Love, a new book by Rita Stewart Lynum and De Vaughn La Bon, has been released by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc.

360 Degrees of Love is a romance novel with strong themes of spirituality, religion, perseverance, and destiny. Reata La Rue and The Man are the novel’s main characters. They meet and it is true love. They were not ready for each other the first time they met, and became separated due to circumstances beyond their control. As fate would have it, twenty years later they finally do entwine their destinies again after a chance meeting in California. The solitary trails that they took over the previous years have brought them back around 360 degrees and back to each other’s arms as they continue together on their journey on the trail of what is not a trail of 360 Degrees of Love. Seeing each other again some twenty years later, they found that their love for each other was even stronger, more mature, more magnetic. Their renewed love for each other took on the force and effect of an “atomic love connection,” best described as something in the “Twin Flame” and or “Soul mate” realm. Their love is a beautiful thing to behold. Follow them closely as they continue along the final trail together, but this time with 360 Degrees of Love.

360 Degrees of Love is a 200-page paperback with a retail price of $16.00. The ISBN is 978-1-4809-5057-3. It was published by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For more information, or to request a review copy, please go to our virtual pressroom at www.dorrancepressroom.com or our online bookstore www.bookstore.dorrancepublishing.com.

GET IN TOUCH
Jessica Stillwell
Dorrance Publishing

http://www.dorrancepublishing.com

Release ID: 263178

ceciliadincetate@mysoul.com: Collection of Poetry, a new book by Cecilia Dincetate, has been released by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc.

From the author: “I was born in Romania in one of the still inhabited medieval small towns in Europe, Sighisoara. My pen name, “Cecilia Dincetate,” translates to “Cecilia of Citadel.”

“I published three collections of poetry in Romania: Men and Sky, The Lares of the Days, and Trial Soul. In my new, free world I published poems with The International Library of Poetry and in the American Poetry Anthology.”

“Poetry is my soul’s hobby and engineering is my mind’s hobby. I designed high accuracy position sensors for major space and defense programs, such as The Hubble Telescope, International Space Station, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution, surveillance satellites-SBIRS Program, and Abrams and Bradley tanks.”

“Paradoxically, poetry and science meet under the auspices of creativity. I am fascinated by the carving of the aerial marble of words and numbers to create a micro-universe, to energize it, and to be overwhelmed by its multiplied power and vision. A good poem, a good tool, is a work of love and belief.”

“My soul and mind are unified by enlightened words and numbers. I write and count, therefore I am. Designer of soulful bytes.”

ceciliadincetate@mysoul.com: Collection of Poetry is a 30-page paperback with a retail price of $11.00. The ISBN is 978-1-4809-4800-6. It was published by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For more information, or to request a review copy, please go to our virtual pressroom at www.dorrancepressroom.com or our online bookstore www.bookstore.dorrancepublishing.com.

GET IN TOUCH
Jessica Stillwell
Dorrance Publishing

http://www.dorrancepublishing.com

Release ID: 263273

CINCINNATI – First Transit, a leader in mobility solutions, announces the appointment of Fadi Chakbazof as senior vice president of operations for the west region, effective immediately. In this role, Chakbazof will be responsible for all operations in the west region, reporting directly to Beverly Edwards, chief operating officer.

“Fadi has an impressive track record delivering operational excellence and innovative solutions for transit agencies,” said Edwards. “We are excited to add such a talent to our executive team and look forward to him applying his leadership in transportation for our customers.”

Chakbazof has more than 17 years of transportation experience in areas such as operations, finance, legal, labor negotiations and customer engagement and leadership. He most recently was a senior vice president for MV Transportation Inc.

Chakbazof earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of Southern California and a juris doctorate from Western State University College of Law. Chakbazof has two children and resides with his wife in Glendora, Calif.

Nick Promponas, currently senior vice president of operations for the west region, will support Chakbazof through the summer. In the fall, Promponas will assume a new role as senior vice president for all North America transit management operations continuing to enhance service delivery to First Transit’s customers.

Rick Dunning, senior vice president of transit management operations and with more than 40 years of distinguished service at First Transit, has announced his retirement. Throughout his career, Dunning has been active with various transit industry associations and trade groups, and will continue to make significant contributions to our customers until the end of year. First Transit recognizes the extent of Dunning’s impact on the transportation industry and communities across North America.

About First Transit:
First Transit, Inc. has 60 years of experience and is one of the largest private-sector providers of mobility solutions in North America moving more than 350 million passengers annually. First Transit, Inc. provides operation, management and consulting for more than 300 locations in 39 states, Canada, Puerto Rico, Panama and India for transit authorities, state departments of transportation, municipalities, hospitals, universities and private companies. First Transit employs more than 19,500 dedicated transit professionals. For additional information, please visit FirstTransit.com.

GET IN TOUCH
Jay Brock
First Transit
5133624600
http://www.firsttransit.com

Release ID: 263281

Men Explain Religion to Me, a new book by Mrs. Paul Owczarek, has been released by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc.

Years ago author Mrs. Paul Owczarek attended Mass every Sunday and nearly all holidays for five years with her two children and nearly always put a check in the collection basket. She signed her children up for CCD and sacraments and made a point of waiting for the teacher and filled in when a teacher didn’t show. The moment she married her agnostic, Catholic-school-raised husband and convinced him to come to Mass, she became a non-entity to the Church. The contribution envelopes came addressed to Mr. and Mrs. Husband’s Name, so she wrote this book using the only name the Church recognizes. Mrs. Owczarek noted a grave disorientation and great confusion of many faithful regarding extremely important matters for the life of the Church. Men Explain Religion to Me was inspired by Pope Benedict and the actions of the Vatican, bishops, and clergy for the last eight years.

About the Author
Mrs. Owczarek is a 50+ year old engineer who grew up in the Bible Belt of the Midwest, and now dutifully protests against the blatant paganism displayed by the Church hierarchy and the ‘Christian’ Right clustered around the president. Growing up her hero was the character of Edith Bunker on All in the Family. Her hobbies include church choirs, reading, Bible Study, volunteering, science fiction/fantasy, and sewing. She is currently fleeing in terror from the Roman Catholic Church.

Men Explain Religion to Me is a 202-page paperback with a retail price of $37.00. The ISBN is 978-1-4809-4708-5. It was published by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For more information, or to request a review copy, please go to our virtual pressroom at www.dorrancepressroom.com or our online bookstore www.bookstore.dorrancepublishing.com.

GET IN TOUCH
Jessica Stillwell
Dorrance Publishing

http://www.dorrancepublishing.com

Release ID: 263134

Outsider Cops: The Caribbean Case, a new book by J. Gary Shaw, has been released by RoseDog Books.

The Caribbean Case was supposed to be an easy one for Chief Detective Curtis Cole and his partner Detective William Strong – solve eight suspicious deaths, plus assist two United States Drug Enforcement Agents to take down an international drug cartel. But it was not easy. They quickly discovered that the Palm Island Police Service would not help them. The Commissioner of Police was a greedy dictatorial, lying, despicable person who was coercing his staff and the public to facilitate an international drug cartel. Cole had to use every trick learned from years of experience to stay alive, and get the job done. Each day became a new challenge to find who to trust. As the window of opportunity started to close, he planned a historic raid. Detective Strong exclaimed, “This is war!”

Sun, sea, sand, sex, and murder – the mission was not a holiday!

About the Author
J. Gary Shaw, was born and educated in Canada. He is a CPA who holds a degree in Honors Business Administration and a Canadian Securities Course Certificate.

He has visited many countries world-wide. During those times he dealt with many people who were honest, but also, many who were dishonest and wished they had never met Mr. Shaw. Consequently he chose to write this novel. Nothing is beyond his imagination.

Outsider Cops: The Caribbean Case is a 332-page paperback with a retail price of $21.00. The ISBN is 978-1-4809-7868-3. It was published by RoseDog Books of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For more information, or to request a review copy, please go to our virtual pressroom at www.dorrancepressroom.com or our online bookstore at www.rosedogbookstore.com.

GET IN TOUCH
Jessica Stillwell
Dorrance Publishing

http://www.dorrancepublishing.com

Release ID: 263169

CINCINNATI – First Transit and First Vehicle Services added 11 new maintenance locations that have earned the Blue Seal of Excellence. This brings the current number to 66 across North America.

The Blue Seal of Excellence is given by the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE). To receive ASE’s Blue Seal of Excellence, 75 percent of the service technicians at a location must be certified by ASE. In addition, there must be a certified technician in each area of service offered.

First Vehicle Services maintains and provides vehicle maintenance services for more than 36,500 pieces of equipment, including vehicles from law enforcement, fire, emergency medical service to trucks, construction equipment, buses and aerial lift trucks.

The First Transit and First Vehicle Services locations received ASE’s Blue Seal certification for their achievement in recruiting the best employees, supporting their training, and providing the best equipment to maintain the vehicles.

These locations are among the more than 120 to have achieved Blue Seal status throughout FirstGroup America, the parent company of First Transit. FirstGroup America includes school-bus operator First Student, First Vehicle Services and Greyhound Lines, Inc. This is the most of any transportation company in North America.

“With our steadily growing number of ASE Blue Seal locations, our goal is to maintain vehicles properly and to the highest safety standards,” says Todd Hawkins, First Transit senior vice president of maintenance. “Our maintenance teams are very proud to deliver this type of service to our customers.”

ASE, an independent nonprofit organization, was created in 1972 to improve the quality of
vehicle repair and service by testing and certifying automotive professionals. The Blue Seal of Excellence is the highest certification level given by the organization.

About First Transit:
First Transit, Inc. has 60 years of experience and is one of the largest private-sector providers of mobility solutions in North America moving more than 350 million passengers annually. First Transit, Inc. provides operation, management and consulting for more than 300 locations in 39 states, Canada, Puerto Rico, Panama and India for transit authorities, state departments of transportation, municipalities, hospitals, universities and private companies. First Transit employs more than 19,500 dedicated transit professionals. For additional information, please visit FirstTransit.com.

GET IN TOUCH
Jay Brock
First Transit
5133624600
http://www.firsttransit.com

Release ID: 263252

Outcomes of the State Takeover of New Orleans Schools, a new book by Dr. Barbara Ferguson, has been released by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc.

In 2005 the Louisiana education board took over 107 of New Orleans’s 120 schools due to performance scores below the state average. Most of the schools were converted to charter schools.

Although this takeover was perceived by the public to be a great success, Dr. Barbara Ferguson, a product of the New Orleans public school system herself, looks at the inequalities that resulted from the takeover. While public schools were required to educate all at-risk youth, the charter schools were able to expel or remove many of them, denying opportunities to many young people.

Dr. Ferguson provides recommendations for how to move forward by keeping what works and focusing on implementing policies based upon sound research on how students learn.

About the Author
Dr. Barbara Ferguson had a long career in education, including as a teacher, an elementary principal, a high school principal, and a superintendent. She has a doctorate in education, as well as a juris doctorate. As an elementary school principal, she took one of the lowest performing of eighty-five elementary schools in New Orleans and helped it get into the top ten. She also worked as the Assistant Superintendent for Research and Development in the Louisiana Department of Education, and as a Deputy Secretary in the Department of Labor.

She has two children: one is an elementary school principal and one is a physician.

Outcomes of the State Takeover of New Orleans Schools is a 122-page paperback with a retail price of $13.00. The ISBN is 978-1-4809-5764-0. It was published by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For more information, or to request a review copy, please go to our virtual pressroom at www.dorrancepressroom.com or our online bookstore www.bookstore.dorrancepublishing.com.

GET IN TOUCH
Jessica Stillwell
Dorrance Publishing

http://www.dorrancepublishing.com

Release ID: 263172

A Person Worth Being – ME!, a new book by Jennifer Darner, has been released by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc.

When addiction tears a family apart, it can be a struggle for any child to navigate feelings of loss, anger, fear, and sadness. Jennifer Darner’s A Person Worth Being – ME! is a reminder to all children going through difficult times that there is still hope and that each of us is a person worth being.

About the Author
Jennifer Darner is a single mother of four and works at Washington State University as a scientific assistant. She enjoys running, gardening, and writing. She lives in Kennewick, Washington.

A Person Worth Being – ME! is a 30-page paperback with a retail price of $16.00. The ISBN is 978-1-4809-3983-7. It was published by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For more information, or to request a review copy, please go to our virtual pressroom at www.dorrancepressroom.com or our online bookstore www.bookstore.dorrancepublishing.com.

GET IN TOUCH
Jessica Stillwell
Dorrance Publishing

http://www.dorrancepublishing.com

Release ID: 263108

No Place to Hide, a new book by Ed Higdon, has been released by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc.

Most people would have written off Richard Barton, a convicted barn burner recently released from a stint in the state pen. But most people also would have written off the Martin family after an accident confined James to his bed and left the family unable to pay the note on their farm held by a ruthless local businessman. Fate brought the two lost causes together, and it would be up to them to turn their fortunes around.

With an unwavering faith in God and their own work ethic, Richard and the Martins set out on a bold, new path together, seeking to turn the farm around and earn fresh starts. Will they succeed and survive as one big, happy family, or will the ghosts of Richard’s checkered past eventually catch up with him?

About the Author
Ed Higdon was born at the end of the Great Depression in Cullman, Alabama, on a farm without electricity or running water. He grew up without siblings, but there were always members of his extended family around helping to run the farm. After high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and served three years as a naval gunfire spotter while traveling the world.

Ed owned Decatur Engravers for 45 years. His longtime wife, Merle, has been a partner in life and in business. His younger son, Terry, still runs the business, and his eldest son, Hal, is the chancellor of Ozarks Technical Community Colleges. Ed has always put church first in his life and has been a Gideon since 1972. He has come to writing late in life, though it has always been a passion. He has two additional books in the works currently.

No Place to Hide is a 216-page paperback with a retail price of $17.00. The ISBN is 978-1-4809-5655-1. It was published by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For more information, or to request a review copy, please go to our virtual pressroom at www.dorrancepressroom.com or our online bookstore www.bookstore.dorrancepublishing.com.

GET IN TOUCH
Jessica Stillwell
Dorrance Publishing

http://www.dorrancepublishing.com

Release ID: 263082

Miracle or Mental Illness, a new book by Shelley J. Madkins, has been released by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc.

Mental illness is something that cannot be ignored in today’s society. Author Shelley J. Madkins hopes that this book will show someone with mental illness how to stay healthy by following their treatment team’s directives. The author’s own experiences with mental illness will enlighten friends and family of those affected by the same obstacles. The book depicts how to detect and react to a family member’s relapse or initial episode.

Madkins was prompted to write this book to help anyone who is a schizophrenic like herself, and written to take a reader deep into the darkness of mental illness.

About the Author
Shelley J. Madkins has four paralegal diplomas. One is an associate’s degree, two are career diplomas and one is a certificate in paralegal studies. Madkins also has two other career diplomas: one in criminal justice and another in bookkeeping/accounting. She is also a few classes away from her bachelor’s degree in legal studies. Madkins is also a published poet.

Miracle or Mental Illness is a 30-page paperback with a retail price of $9.00. The ISBN is 978-1-4809-3832-8. It was published by Dorrance Publishing Co., Inc of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. For more information, or to request a review copy, please go to our virtual pressroom at www.dorrancepressroom.com or our online bookstore www.bookstore.dorrancepublishing.com.

GET IN TOUCH
Jessica Stillwell
Dorrance Publishing

http://www.dorrancepublishing.com

Release ID: 263100