Overcoming Cerebral Palsy, Abandonment, and Poverty
Date Published: August 29, 2025
The narrative begins on a seemingly ordinary summer bike ride, where Buddy’s remarkable spirit first captured the attention of his fellow cyclists. Despite facing the trials of abandonment and poverty, Buddy's polite demeanor and thoughtful presence soon revealed the depth of his journey. As conversations around the picnic table echoed the desire to share his story, a reluctant author was born. With the encouragement of friends, family, and a determination to honor Buddy's incredible life, the author embarked on a mission to bring this inspiring tale to light.
Through a series of heartfelt interviews, we delve into Buddy’s memories that trace back to early childhood, uncovering a treasure trove of experiences that illuminate his unyielding strength. With contributions from friends who painted the backdrop of his life, this book is not just a biography; it's a testament to the human spirit’s ability to overcome.
"Buddy" is a compelling read for anyone who believes in the power of perseverance and the importance of sharing our stories. Join the author as he takes you through the highs and lows of Buddy’s life, revealing the beauty of friendship, the struggle for acceptance, and the enduring hope that shines through even the darkest of circumstances. Discover why, "If not me, then who?" is a question that resonates deeply within all of us.
Interview with Jim Roelofs
How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
It was my first book, so wasn’t aware I had anything to change.
What was an early experience where you learned that language had power?
I can’t recall anything specific.
What one thing would you give up to become a better writer?
Money. I’d pay tuition for courses that would help.
Tell us a little about yourself? Perhaps something not many people know?
I am a conscientious detail oriented person. It helped me in finding weaknesses and rewriting my manuscript. I am retired from my career as a radiologist and now pursue hobbies: i.e: bicycling, tending an orchard, caring for goats in the summer, wood carving, and dog training.
If you had to do something differently as a child or teenager to become a better writer as an adult, what would you do?
In school, I gravitated toward math and sciences to pursue a career as a physician, and away from literature. If I had known then that I was going to write a book, I might have taken more than the basic English and composition courses.
What is the biggest surprise that you experienced after becoming a writer?
I was surprised at the amount of time I spent rewriting and the improvement I could see with each rewrite.
Could you tell us a bit about your most recent book and why it is a must-read?
“Buddy, the True Story of Overcoming Cerebral Palsy, Abandonment and Poverty”, has an inspiring message of the power of perseverance. Life dealt Buddy more challenges than most people ever experience. He developed coping mechanisms and dealt with adversity to succeed without descending into juvenile delinquency, drugs, or alcohol dependency.
https://mybook.to/BuddyJimRoelofs
Book Tour: Falling on Southport by M. J. Slater @RABTBookTours
Crime Thriller
Date Published: November 10,2025
Abigail Lethican’s world unravels when her husband admits to infidelity. Reeling from his betrayal, she follows him—only to become the prime suspect when he turns up dead. With her trial looming and the media circling, she finds an unexpected ally in her handsome and enigmatic neighbor. As they search for the truth, Abigail discovers her husband's polished facade concealed a maze of dangerous secrets. Sometimes, the deadliest lies hide in plain sight.
Interview with M. J. Slater
What is your favorite part of the book?
I love Abby’s family dynamic during Thanksgiving. I really tried to give each character a unique voice and I love playing around with the dialogue to make it snappy.
Does your book have a lesson? Moral?
Be true to yourself. I think when we date in our twenties, a lot of the time we are trying to please our family and impress our friends. We don’t know who we are yet and we make choices based on feedback rather than being able to look introspectively at what we want and need in life. Abby ultimately pays the price for not trusting her gut.
Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
Totally imagination. My favorite part is when a new character that I hadn’t planned on pops up and it’s like I’m meeting a stranger in real life. I feel like I have no idea what they are going to say or do sometimes. It makes me feel a little crazy but it’s a fun exercise.
Of all the characters you have created, which is your favorite and why?
Devin. I love how sarcastic and insecure he is. That being said, he’s also genuine and caring. It just takes him a while to embrace his softer side.
What character in your book are you least likely to get along with?
Jim. He’s so full of himself. I have no space in my life for such inflated egos.
What would the main character in your book have to say about you?
She would think I’m most like Devin, loveable but prickly.
Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you trying to build a body of work with connections between each book?
I would love to do a series in the future. Right now, I’m finding I have different stories to tell and each book has been a standalone adventure.
About the Author
M. J. Slater is a native Chicagoan. After attending the University of Chicago, she spent 15 years in finance. She loves film noir, yoga, and walking along Lake Michigan with her dog. She lives in the suburbs with her husband and two girls.
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Book Blitz: The Custodian Trilogy by Jarrett Mazza @JarrettMazza @RABTBookTours
Action Adventure Thriller
Eradicate
The Custodian Trilogy, Book One
Published: January 21, 2025
Baptized in fire. Sworn to honor. Bred for blood.
Kyle Quinn, a former elite operative turned black ops mercenary, is a “Custodian” trained to execute the world’s most dangerous missions. But when he’s assigned to dismantle a child abduction cult buried deep in Louisiana’s Cajun underworld, the mission takes a personal turn. The cult is tied to his dark past—and to the man he fears most: his own father.
What begins as a straight-forward mission spirals into a relentless battle of survival, forcing Quinn to face the sinister Tenet family, a web of deceit, and an assassin whose skills mirror his own. As Quinn uncovers long-buried secrets, his ultimate confrontation with his father tests the limits of his strength, morality, and resolve.
Prepare for a high-octane thrill ride filled with relentless action, shocking revelations, and a hero who redefines justice.
Ready to join Kyle Quinn on his mission? Grab your copy of Eradicate today and experience a story that will leave you breathless.
Fans of Vince Flynn and Lee Child will devour this pulse-pounding start to a gripping new series.
Eviscerate
The Custodian Trilogy, Book Two
Published: February 14, 2025
Forged in Fire. Bound by Creed. Relentless in Retribution.
After dismantling a child-abduction cult and confronting the horrors of his past, black-ops mercenary Kyle Quinn, known as “The Custodian,” emerges with a renewed purpose: to protect the vulnerable and eradicate the worst of the worst. But leaving his past behind is easier said than done, especially when his next mission forces him to face an enemy as cunning and lethal as himself.
Tasked with taking down a revived Sinaloa Cartel in Austin, Texas, Quinn steps into a shadowy world of human trafficking and terror. With a new leader, a dangerous product flooding the streets, and untold power at their fingertips, the cartel threatens the very fabric of Quinn’s country. But they aren’t his only challenge.
A mysterious assassin emerges—one whose skills and strategies mirror Quinn’s in chilling ways. As the deadly game unfolds, Quinn is forced into a battle not just for survival, but for the truth about his own identity and the purpose of his fight.
With everything he thought he knew crumbling around him, Quinn must decide how far he’s willing to go—and what he’s willing to sacrifice—to bring justice to the darkness.
Packed with explosive action, gripping suspense, and shocking twists, Eviscerate will keep you hooked until the final page. Ready to stand with Kyle Quinn against the forces of evil? Pick up your copy today and join the fight.
Action Adventure Thriller
Extricate
The Custodian Trilogy, Book Three
Published: March 14, 2025
Own Your Past, Accept the Pain, Rise to Redemption.
Kyle Quinn, once the elite black-ops mercenary known as “The Custodian,” has broken the unbreakable code of his guild. Betraying the manipulative Priest has made him the target of the world’s deadliest assassins—his former allies. But survival isn’t enough. To free himself from Priest’s shadow, Quinn must face his greatest enemy, no matter the cost.
Even as the onslaught intensifies, Quinn uncovers a sinister conspiracy shaping his life since birth. To destroy Priest and escape the web of deceit, he must confront his darkest fears, heal old wounds, and fight for the family he’s vowed to protect.
When justice and vengeance blur, and the line between savior and sinner disappears, how far will Quinn go to end the fight that began long ago?
The final chapter of Kyle Quinn’s journey is here. Will he find freedom…or fall to the darkness? Pick up your copy today to find out.
Jarrett Mazza is a graduate of Goddard College’s MFA in Creative Writing Program in Plainfield, Vermont as well as The Humber School For Writers. Before completing his terminal degree, Jarrett studied writing at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies and completed the Novel Writing class at Sheridan College under award-winning writer, Melodie Campbell. He has also taught in a Writer’s Craft classroom at his former high school, and at Mohawk College in the Continuing Education department, has had stories published online in the GNU Journal, Bewildering Stories, Trembling With Fear, Aphelion, Silver Empire Publishing, The Scarlet Leaf Review, and Toronto Prose Mill, Zimbell House Publishing. He will also be featured in forthcoming anthologies entitled Mother’s Ghost Grim and The Killer Collection Anthology, both published by NBH Publishers, as well as another by MuseWrite, an anthology that features work by underrepresented voices and another by Dragon Soul Press, both set to be released in 2020. He has published two trilogies with Rough Edges Press, the Doormen trilogy and the Kyle Quinn “Custodian” series.
He lives in Hamilton, Ontario.
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