A Reservoir Man, critics have hailed this explosive and timely work as “a must-read coming-of-age story of 2022.” Twists and turns further pull the reader in to Michael’s action-packed tale, with powerful themes, from betrayal and family to secrets and identity. “Be sure not to blink because you just might miss a pivotal moment in Michael’s rousing, larger-than-life story.” -- R.C. Gibson, Indiestoday.com. “This book is a dream, a gamble, a utopia, even.” -- Kalyan Panja, Bookmarkks.
read an excerpt...
Michael had now become, after these last six months, a
little more world weary and worse for the wear. Sitting on his bench, entering
his last year at college. Michael still had not found his soul or his truth.
His emphasis on sex was unfulfilling and empty. He wandered in the shadowy
corners, the lightless streets, leading to a dead end and the darkness of an
empty truck. Loneliness had become a fixture of Michael’s being. He longed for
a few hours to be with Carol, Claire, or Raphael.
One day, while sitting on the bench, Michael heard in the distance Otis Reading’s “The Dock of The Bay” playing on a portable radio. The music came closer and closer and then quickly turned to the Four Tops' “Reach Out (I’ll be There).”
Picking up his head, Michael saw this extremely attractive ethnic guy standing right above him. Michael said ‘hello,’ and the young man answered.
“My name is Nick. Do you dance?”
Michael said, “Sort of, but I do not have much of a chance to go dancing.”
“You want to go tonight?” Nick asked with a smile, and he started to sing “Baby I Need Your Loving” by the Four Tops.
Michael became a little concerned about the message of the song, so he suggested that they might talk over coffee before they venture out dancing. Michael decided to cut his next two classes and have coffee.
They spent hours talking about their lives. Nick was older than Michael by nine years. Nick said he had to prepare for graduation as did Michael. He was in the school for Education and would be graduating that year.
He was first generation Greek from Cyprus and spoke fluent Greek. His family lived in Harlem on 137th Street off Broadway. He had siblings, a brother and sister. Michael was taken by him. He made him laugh and feel amazingly comfortable. Nick invited Michael to dinner Saturday night. His mother would make Doimadakia, Humus, Tzataki and Moussaka. Michael agreed to go.
Nick’s parents were great. His mother was shy, his father a little less. They spoke with a broken accent, which Michael loved. They had a great dinner and talked a lot. Michael learned a lot about Cyprus.
Nick said after dinner, "Dancing, right?”
about Louis J. Ambrosio...
Louis J.
Ambrosio ran one of the most nurturing bi-coastal talent agencies in Los
Angeles and New York. He started his career as a theatrical producer, running
two major regional theaters for eight seasons. Ambrosio also distinguished
himself as an award-winning film producer and novelist over the course of his
impressive career. He taught at 7 universities in the United States.
https://www.amazon.com/Reservoir-Man-L-J-Ambrosio/dp/B0B28MYS3S
more personal "stuff" about Louis J. Ambrosio...
Does
this book have a special meaning to you? i.e. where you found the idea, its
symbolism, its meaning, who you dedicated it to, what made you want to write
it?
Basically,
the book is a memoir–it has a very special meaning because so much is my
life. The major symbol is the bench that the main character finds as he
goes through his journey. The bench is where I encountered people who
demonstrated and shared their life. It is also refuge from his pain and joy.
I
dedicated the book to my children since they lived this life. I wrote it
to document so many periods in my life and it became a passion to tell my
story.
Where do you get your storylines from?
I get them from my life.
Was this book easier or more difficult to write than others? Why?
It was easy. Writing it cleansed so much for me.
Do you only write one genre?
yes
Give us a picture of where you write, where you compose these words…is it Starbucks, a den, a garden…we want to know your inner sanctum?
I write in my office which is 70 percent windows overlooking my lawn and garden which is very large. and at the far end of our house which is large –I live alone.
And finally, of course…was there any specific event or circumstance that made you want to be a writer?
it was time—--no specific event just getting old and wanted to tell my story
Thanks for hosting!
ReplyDeleteSounds like a very interesting read.
ReplyDelete