Are you re:ady? These re:books titles are coming your way soon

I’m thrilled to announce the launch of my independent publishing house, re:books, where we’ll publish and celebrate female authors across all genres! 🎉

re:books is a broad commercial independent publishing house based in Toronto. We believe what's good is read and what’s read is good. Reading should never feel like a choRE — my goal is to make it breezy and enjoyable again.

re:books will publish stories that I’d personally like to devour. And I’m so excited to announce that we already have seven books in the works!

Here is a list of all the authors whose books I’ve acquired (so far). Read the descriptions of books coming to a shelf near you starting this fall.

#1 Danielle Kaplan: I Married a Thrill Seeker: A (Loving) Wife’s Memoir of Her Husband’s Risk-Taking and Their Long Road to Recovery

📚 RE:BOOKS’ DEBUT TITLE 📚

When Danielle Kaplan’s husband Steve decides to take one last solo road trip from Toronto, Ontario, to near Fairbanks, Alaska, his life changes in an instant. A treacherous road in the Yukon called the Campbell Highway was incredibly dangerous in the rain. Steve hit a pothole and crashed — and what follows is a true testament of luck, love, and incredible fortitude as his injuries leave him with a “less than one percent survival rate.”

Danielle explores the toll Steve’s trip, accident, and long recovery took on her family. As a former speech pathologist, Danielle becomes her husband’s greatest ally — fighting by his side through every step forward and step back as Steve regains his health.

Out on November 22!

#2 & #3 Jo(anne) DeLuzio: Two-book deal, untitled

BOOK ONE

In 2012, Jo(anne) DeLuzio married her wife. Never in her wildest dreams did Jo imagine she could or would live with a woman, keeping her sexuality hidden throughout her life and during her 25-year marriage to a man. After “existing” in a seemingly envious marriage, Jo(anne) found the strength to leave her “happy family bubble,” paving the way for generations of modern mature women, born in the 1950s and 1960s, who are also coming out in the second part of their lives. Interwoven with interviews from women around the world who also came out later in life, this is a must-read for every woman who has ever felt their emotional, physical, and romantic attraction to women did, and do not fit, with their upbringing of having a traditional “happily ever after.”

As DeLuzio writes, “Many of my friends, most of who live in traditional, longstanding heterosexual relationships, were envious of my life. As a result, I believed something was horribly wrong with me. Only a deeply selfish person could want something else. So I convinced myself that what I was feeling was unimportant. In a very real way, I became invisible. I was invisible even to myself. But after I acknowledged my sexuality, I continued to keep it hidden deep inside of ‘the closet’ like some unwanted, ill-fitting dress.”

For women like Jo, now in their ’50s and ’60s, it was just not a viable option to live a life in a romantic relationship with another woman.” Jo shares her experience entering and navigating the queer world late in life — finding it both welcoming and also not so welcoming. Jo is celebrating her 10th anniversary with her wife this year.

BOOK TWO

Many countries around the world have legalized same-sex marriage, but there are still many more that outlaw anything to do with homosexuality or non-conventional gender identity with punishments up to and including death. Here, Jo(anne) DeLuzio shares these heartbreaking yet heartwarming stories of a number of LGBTQ+ people she had been privileged to meet who came to Canada as refugees, unsafe in their home countries. They have shared their true and real stories with honesty and courage about what would have happened if they hadn’t left their home countries, now living in Canada without a death sentence over their heads. This eye-opening read shows the atrocities that have occurred and continue to occur against LGBTQ+ people around the world, from Turkey to Jamaica. In the words of one gay refugee who shared their story, “Maybe the world does not know. They cannot care if they do not know. I tell you now, it happens and is true. Tell my story. Please. Maybe someone can care.” An incredible and unforgettable read, written with warmth and heart, it’s now time these stories need to be shared.

#4 Kalee Boisvert: Untitled financial memoir

Finally! A financial memoir aimed at the modern millennial female that will not make your eyes glaze over. Kalee didn’t grow up with money. Being poor was a pervasive theme in her childhood, living in subsidized housing, wearing no label hand-me-downs from her sister to dinners of boxed pasta and frozen fish sticks. But Kaylee realized she wasn’t handed a life sentence of poverty because of the circumstances she was born into. At a young age, she decided she would be the master of her money story and journey to financial freedom. Now a respected financial advisor in Calgary (a male-dominated industry), Kalee's mission is to empower millennial females to build their own money confidence.

Kalee also shares stories of her real-life clients — whether they were women just starting out, post-divorce, female entrepreneurs, or, most importantly, the millennial generation of females, who are often clueless but curious and motivated when it comes to achieving their most ambitious financial desires.

With its upbeat and easy-to-digest voice, this is a must-read for every millennial female who wants to learn about the concept of money: how to save, how to invest, and more. “I cannot tell you how many stories of women being in the room with their spouses and still being completely ignored by financial professionals as if they aren’t even in the room. The financial industry was designed by men and still caters to men. The language used, how it is advertised, how it’s presented, is not focused on the priorities of females,” Kalee begins.

This empowering and uplifting read by a young professional female role model who knows her money “stuff” is the perfect gift for the millennial female in your life or for anyone interested in learning how to “Make Money Your Thing!” A memoir/guidebook that reads more like a novel, showing young females how to start on their journey to financial freedom.

#5 Deborah E. Williams, untitled makeup guide

“Aging gracefully is about embracing and embellishing,” says Deborah E. Williams. However, many modern middle-aged women don’t know where to start, or restart, when it comes to applying makeup. Makeup isn’t trivial. As we age, so should our makeup routine. In this peppy and informative read, peppered with motivational quotes, Deborah E. Williams, who trained at the Canadian Opera company, works on film and television sets and has transformed many famous mid-age faces, shares her truth, tips, and tricks on how to make the most out of your face (and life!) “Helping women at any age to face the mirror and the future with confidence was, and is, always my motivation. I expanded the philosophy to share this information gracefully, in an informative and totally fun way,” she writes.

In a world that embraces and values youth, Deborah shows how midlife women can achieve their best look at home in five minutes. This breezy, colourful book is perfect for those in what Williams calls the “Grace Factor Generation.” Deborah's passion for her craft allows the modern mid-age women to instantly connect with her. Her approach to beauty — from her colour expertise and proven makeup techniques — for those over 45, shows every woman to see how makeup can enhance their professional and personal appearance. Deborah understands that women wear many faces every day. Her gift is in helping women recognize their own beauty by understanding who they are, who they want to be, and who they can be, by showing women to discover and celebrate their own unique features, thus liberating their confidence.

Every woman will find a “wow” moment that will change the way she looks at herself and the way she makes herself up. “Even though it’s not always easy to accept ourselves as we are or to be happy with who we see in the mirror — yes, acceptance gets harder as we see the wrinkles and grey hair — it's something I believe we should and can achieve,” Deborah writes.

#6 Alysa-Beth, untitled memoir

In our new chaotic and unpredictable world, everyone is looking for some kind of guidance and peace. Whether you believe in God, the power of the universe, or fortune cookies, this is a perfect read for those looking to understand themselves and the world through the seven chakras within us. Chakra is a Sanskrit word that means "wheel," referring to the seven main energy centres in our bodies, located along the base of your spine to the top of your head.

Alysa-Beth's memoir, set in the South Pacific, Southeast Asia, Nepal, India, and Europe, introduces us to abundant coincidences, dangerous encounters, love, and heartbreak filtered through the wisdom of the seven primary chakras. Based on her backpacking journey around the globe, the book is divided into seven sections that correspond to the seven primary chakras and their associated properties, revealing the universal teachings through Alysa's unique and strange real-life stories.

Readers who have become more spiritual over the last couple of years, or are interested in becoming more spiritual in order to understand their bodies and ease their minds, will love this memoir wrapped around yoga, meditation, healing crystals, and most importantly, the seven chakras that play an essential role in the human body and have a significant impact on our physical, emotional and spiritual health.

Sometimes transformation involves crocodiles, an avalanche, and Shabbat on a mountain in India. This timely and very interesting read is for anyone remotely interested in spiritual health, or who needs some guidance starting on their journey. Anyone who has taken a yoga class, tried meditation, or purchased an evil-eye bracelet will love how Alysa describes the chakras as she finds herself yearning to "unlock the potential of everything."

A must-read for anyone interested in learning about chakras and crystals and their spiritual teachings and how one woman's journey is based on the meaning of her chakras. Consider this a quick and fun heartfelt course in understanding the basic chakra system, what it is, and how it works. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain.

#7 Mandy Pisarek & Michelle Siegel, untitled novel about a nail salon

Heartwarming and humorous, this laugh-out-loud breezy novel — inspired by real-life events — nails it when it comes to Jessica Wells, owner of a popular Toronto neighbourhood nail salon, The Heart of Nails.

The nail salon has always been an important sanctuary for women to vent, laugh, cry and pass on frivolous juicy gossip, which, hands down, is as important as the manicure.

Jessica must deal with the challenges of launching her own business, struggles with her sometimes demanding clients (and odd requests) while trying to create her own life — all through the colourful antics and blended advice from her clients who “act” as therapists, just as Jessica acts as theirs.

Jessica introduces us to a cast of five “regulars.” Each of their unique and diverse personalities is represented by the five fingers that connect the hands and hearts.

“I had two clients waiting; I was running behind schedule and had almost killed myself racing to the bathroom to help Mrs. Cassette, who was screaming for help. And for what, to help this woman pull up her panties…”

A few of her regulars include:

Mrs. Cossette: The Pointer Finger, Pampered Princess

Materialistic and superficial, Mrs. Cossette lives her own obscenely wealthy existence. Spoiled, selfish, and totally oblivious to reality, the only real thing she understands is money and how to spend it. Always pointing at other people, she doesn’t realize there are three fingers pointing back at her juvenile antics and pompous attitude.

Ms. Cingly: The Ring Finger

Single and searching, Mrs. Cingly has turned her life into an eternal quest for a wedding ring. Her intense insecurity and need to find a mate has made her bitter and unfriendly in her personal life, and cutthroat in her professional dealings. Hard as a rock on the exterior and fragile as glass on the inside, she is forever trying to make up for this void.

Mrs. Constance: The Pinkie Finger, Motherly & Dependable

Kind, caring, attentive, supportive, and selfless women. She is the ultimate mother, not only to her two daughters and six grandchildren but to everyone she comes in contact with. She exudes warmth and tenderness and makes everyone yearn for a mother just like her. Like the promise finger, the pinkie swear, you know Mrs. Constance will always be there.

This upbeat hilarious novel turns the table and shows what really goes on in a manicurist’s head. Inspired by true life, this is a perfect novel to read, perhaps while you’re getting a pedicure.

Mandy Pisarek & Michelle Siegel

We’re currently on the hunt for more commercial fiction, memoirs, non-fiction, romcoms, thrillers, YA, and beach reads. So, if you or any of your friends have a manuscript, (wo)man, do I have the opportunity for you. Enter it into our second annual Write Away Summer Contest! If we select your script, you’ll be published by re:books‚ guaranteed. Read more about how to enter here to join our amazing roster of authors.