You got the dough, I got the goods!

Photo by Alexander Mils on Unsplash

Usually I’m a soft sell. Links to my goods sitting pretty at the bottom of each blog.

I’m a writer, I’m a speaker, I’m a journalist. But, by no means am I a circus barker.

HOWEVER, today — and just today (until next year), I am bringing all my links to the the forefront of this blog, highlighting my hard work, my career, and what I have to offer you — if you have the cash, I’ve got the goods! After all, it’s NATIONAL SPLURGE DAY!

1. First, I’d like to share the link to my latest book, The Gypsy Smiled. It’s a fun, chick lit fiction story about the hard-working underdog finding herself. Do you love music? Rock bands? Music stores? That’s all the back drop for this great book, available in most Barnes & Noble stores – it’s a great beach read: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-gypsy-smiled-maryanne-christiano-mistretta/1132781418 … Note, my cover model is Hollywood icon, Pleasant Gehman (https://pleasantgehman.com/tarotreadings/) … Links to my other books are down below, at the end of this blog, politely waiting to be seen — and read. (Thanks to so many, over the years, who have not only purchased my books, but reached out and told me how much they loved them! I appreciate you!)

2. I just opened a shop on Mercari. As of now, there are only two super cute items for sale. If you’re a size 6 and like edgy, cool clothes; or a size 7 in shoes and like those that are out of the ordinary, this is the place for you. And I’ll be adding more as the days go on. Check me out: https://www.mercari.com/u/be-unique/

3. If you live in the North/Central Jersey area and are dreaming about a vacay, but just can’t do it because…..you don’t want to leave your sweet kitty(ies). Well, I’m telling you — GO! I am a 5-star cat sitter for Meowtel, with SIX repeat clients! Book that flight today, and be assured that I will love your sweet cat as if she’s my own. Here’s the link to my cat sitter listing, Purrrrrfect Paws: https://meowtel.com/cat-sitters/NJ/kenilworth/purrrrrfect-paws-cat-sitting

4. And, finally, do you need a public speaker for your event? Whether it’s an announcer for a recital, a program for a library or senior center, or a motivational speaker — I’ve got you covered! Last Sunday I was honored to be booked as an announcer for Melody Institute’s 6-hour recital. You can view the great young talent here, and see me as enthusiastic host for the day: https://www.youtube.com/live/O0oOaz-ejAw

If you, or someone you know, can benefit from any of what I have to offer, I look forward to doing business with you! And, always remember, money is fluid — what you put out always comes back to you. That is the secret to success! I’m successful because I always support others.

SPEND YOUR MONEY, SAVE YOUR SOUL!

If you like this blog, feel free to support me at: https://ko-fi.com/maryannechristianomistretta

Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta is an award-winning journalist, author, and speaker. She can be reached at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com.

“The Gypsy Smiled” is now available in Barnes & Noble stores! https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book/1132781418

“Be (Extra)Ordinary: 10 Ways to Become Your Own Hero” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback or Kindle version, visit: https://www.amazon.com/Be-Extra-Ordinary-Ways-Become/dp/1733546227

“I Don’t Want to Be Like You” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback, Kindle or audio copy, go here: I Don’t Want To Be Like You

Maryanne is also available for book editing and coaching. Rates are competitive.

Visit her business page, Pear Tree Enterprises, at: https://peartreeenterprises.wordpress.com/

Need a cat sitter in North/Central Jersey? Maryanne is a 5-star cat sitter: https://meowtel.com/cat-sitters/NJ/kenilworth/purrrrrfect-paws-cat-sitting

And for positive messages, visit Be YOUnique, the Anti-Bullying You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLq6J9MSvcjd-haQ30ycLWA/videos

Happy Record Store Day!

Not only will I be record shopping later today, but tomorrow I’ll be working the front door for Record Riots, as they will be in Clark, New Jersey. Check out their website for the location if you want to stop by and say hello: https://www.recordriots.com/

And, there’s some record store action in my fiction book, “The Gypsy Smiled” available in Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-gypsy-smiled-maryanne-christiano-mistretta/1132781418

Interesting side note, cover model, Pleasant Gehman, is the girlfriend of Coyote Shivers, who played Berko in Empire Records!

Keep the records coming! Sending love to all vinyl lovers today!

Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta can be reached at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com.

She is the author of the following books:

“Be (Extra)Ordinary: 10 Ways to Become Your Own Hero” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback or Kindle version, visit:Be (Extra)Ordinary

“I Don’t Want to Be Like You” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback, Kindle or audio copy, go here: I Don’t Want To Be Like You

Her fiction book “Love Cats” second printing is now available, under the pen name Krystianna Mercury, from Pink Flamingo. You can purchase it here: https://eroticbooknetwork.com/product/love-cats/

Maryanne is also available for book editing and coaching. Rates are competitive.

And for positive messages, visit Be YOUnique, the Anti-Bullying You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLq6J9MSvcjd-haQ30ycLWA/videos

Happy Birthday Lou Christie! 2-19-24

Lou Christie and Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta

This hit maker was born in Pennsylvania on this day in 1943!

Of all his hits, my favorite is “I’m Gonna Make You Mine” and I actually remember hearing it on the radio when I was 4-years-old! He’s had many others hits, but also his more obscure work is equally as great. You can easily go down a YouTube rabbit hole and listen to so much Lou Christie goodness that is out there. (Or just buy the albums/CDs!)

What really got me exploring the work of Lou Christie was maybe a decade or so ago, my husband Dennis and I were on the beach listening to a transistor radio. Though “The Gypsy Cried” was a big hit, somehow this one passed me by and I never heard it before. I was intrigued by the lyrics. It’s a song about a fortune teller basically saying Lou has no future with a girl he’s in love with. The song was co-written by Lou Christie and the late Twyla Herbert who actually was a psychic. When they became friends, Lou was only 15 and Twyla was 20 years older than him. They made an incredible song-writing team and wrote Lou’s biggest hit “Lightning Strikes” (later covered by the amazing Klaus Nomi!) as well as many others like “Two Faces Have I” and “Rhapsody in the Rain.”

The story of Lou Christie and Twyla Herbert and his song “The Gypsy Cried” inspired me to write my book, “The Gypsy Smiled” which is available in Barnes & Noble stores: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-gypsy-smiled-maryanne-christiano-mistretta/1132781418

In “The Gypsy Smiled” Lucy is a singer in her 20s, trying to make it in the music business. Nothing seems to be happening. Meanwhile a younger guy tries to help her. She insists he’s too young for her and she’s more about making it than falling in love. Lucy is juggling two jobs when she gets kicked out of her band. Then a strange woman shows up. She was hired to help listen with the bookkeeping at the music store Lucy works at. Who is this woman? And how does she know so much about Lucy’s life? You can read all about it in, “The Gypsy Smiled” — inspired by Lou Christie!

Cover model, Pleasant Gehman

Before ending this blog, I’d like to give a big shout out to my cover model, Pleasant Gehman, who does tarot readings in person and over the phone: https://pleasantgehman.com/tarotreadings/

After my mom died last summer, Pleasant gave me an incredible reading and comforted me by ensuring that the dizzy spells I was having were related to the stress of my mom’s death and not anything serious. Sure enough, she was RIGHT! I went to the ENT (ear, nose, throat) specialist and it was just sinus congestion from the stress! The doctor said, “These things tend to work themselves out.” A few months later, I was good as new!

Pleasant is caring and funny. She has the best laugh. I highly recommend a phone session with her.

Cheers, and again, Happy Birthday to Lou Christie — thanks for the inspiration, Lightning Lou!

If you like this blog, feel free to support me at: https://ko-fi.com/maryannechristianomistretta

Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta can be reached at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com.

“The Gypsy Smiled” is now available in Barnes & Noble stores! https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book/1132781418

“So You Think You Know the Jersey Shore?” is available at: https://omni-pub.com/product/so-you-think-you-know-the-jersey-shore/

And while we are celebrating, here is a wonderful article about the book: https://www.mypaperonline.com/beautiful-ride-in-maryanne-christiano-mistrettas-front-row-seat-to-the-jersey-shore.html

“Be (Extra)Ordinary: 10 Ways to Become Your Own Hero” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback or Kindle version, visit: https://www.amazon.com/Be-Extra-Ordinary-Ways-Become/dp/1733546227

“I Don’t Want to Be Like You” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback, Kindle or audio copy, go here: I Don’t Want To Be Like You

Maryanne is also available for book editing and coaching. Rates are competitive.

And for positive messages, visit Be YOUnique, the Anti-Bullying You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLq6J9MSvcjd-haQ30ycLWA/videos

Visit my business page, Pear Tree Enterprises, at: https://peartreeenterprises.wordpress.com/

Need a cat sitter in North/Central Jersey? Maryanne is a 5-star cat sitter: https://meowtel.com/cat-sitters/NJ/kenilworth/purrrrrfect-paws-cat-sitting

Coyote Shivers Reads ‘The Gypsy Smiled’

(Photo courtesy of Coyote Shivers)

Well, you never know who will show up reading one of your books!

Actually, Coyote is reading because the beautiful cover model is his girl Pleasant Gehman (https://pleasantgehman.com/tarotreadings/)

The second edition was published by Higher Ground two months ago and is available in Barnes & Noble stores: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book/1132781418

As a side note, Pleasant gave me a great reading over the phone last summer. I contacted her after my mom died and I was feeling under the weather. She put me at ease, letting me know that it was nothing serious and it would pass. Sure enough, she was correct; and it was confirmed by a medical doctor and an ENT.

I highly recommend Pleasant for a reading.

And you can follow Coyote Shivers on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coyoteshivers/

If you like this blog, feel free to support me at: https://ko-fi.com/maryannechristianomistretta

Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta can be reached at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com.

“The Gypsy Smiled” is now available in Barnes & Noble stores! https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/book/1132781418

“So You Think You Know the Jersey Shore?” is available at: https://omni-pub.com/product/so-you-think-you-know-the-jersey-shore/

And while we are celebrating, here is a wonderful article about the book: https://www.mypaperonline.com/beautiful-ride-in-maryanne-christiano-mistrettas-front-row-seat-to-the-jersey-shore.html

“Be (Extra)Ordinary: 10 Ways to Become Your Own Hero” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback or Kindle version, visit: Be (Extra)Ordinary

“I Don’t Want to Be Like You” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback, Kindle or audio copy, go here: I Don’t Want To Be Like You

Her fiction book “Love Cats” second printing is now available, under the pen name Krystianna Mercury, from Pink Flamingo. You can purchase it here: https://eroticbooknetwork.com/product/love-cats/

Maryanne is also available for book editing and coaching. Rates are competitive.

And for positive messages, visit Be YOUnique, the Anti-Bullying You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLq6J9MSvcjd-haQ30ycLWA/videos

Visit my business page, Pear Tree Enterprises, at: https://peartreeenterprises.wordpress.com/

Need a cat sitter in North/Central Jersey? Maryanne is a 5-star cat sitter: https://meowtel.com/cat-sitters/NJ/kenilworth/purrrrrfect-paws-cat-sitting

The Gypsy Smiled, 2nd Printing, Now Available for Pre-Orders!

COVER MODEL – PLEASANT GEHMAN

PHOTO BY CHRISTINA HUGHES

Earlier this year my book The Jersey Shore was published; and now the 2nd printing of The Gypsy Smiled is available for pre-sales.

But if you can’t wait for the book, it’s also on Kindle RIGHT NOW!

Pre-Orders: https://www.highergroundbooksandmedia.com/product-page/the-gypsy-smiled-by-maryanne-christiano-mistretta

The Amazon Kindle Link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CL5M3

Note, Pleasant Gehman was inadvertently put as “author” instead of “model.” I let the publisher know and hopefully it will get fixed asap. These things happen in publishing sometimes but it will be fixed. 

Thank you for all your support and for celebrating with me! 

Let’s make “The Gypsy Smiled” the number one Halloween read this season!

I AM ECSTATIC!

Special thanks to Rebecca Benston, publisher of Higher Ground and Pleasant Gehman for being such a gorgeous cover model.

If you liked this blog, feel free to buy me a used tarot deck: https://ko-fi.com/maryannechristianomistretta

Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta can be reached at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com.

“So You Think You Know the Jersey Shore?” is now available: https://omni-pub.com/product/so-you-think-you-know-the-jersey-shore/

And while we are celebrating, here is a wonderful article about the book: https://www.mypaperonline.com/beautiful-ride-in-maryanne-christiano-mistrettas-front-row-seat-to-the-jersey-shore.html

“Be (Extra)Ordinary: 10 Ways to Become Your Own Hero” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback or Kindle version, visit:Be (Extra)Ordinary

“I Don’t Want to Be Like You” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback, Kindle or audio copy, go here: I Don’t Want To Be Like You

Her fiction book “Love Cats” second printing is now available, under the pen name Krystianna Mercury, from Pink Flamingo. You can purchase it here: https://eroticbooknetwork.com/product/love-cats/

Maryanne is also available for book editing and coaching. Rates are competitive.

And for positive messages, visit Be YOUnique, the Anti-Bullying You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLq6J9MSvcjd-haQ30ycLWA/videos

Visit my business page, Pear Tree Enterprises, at: https://peartreeenterprises.wordpress.com/

I’m also a five-star cat sitter. Need a cat sitter in North/Central Jersey? I’m available: https://meowtel.com/cat-sitters/NJ/kenilworth/purrrrrfect-paws-cat-sitting

Weekend Happies, July 15 and 16, 2023

Saw these beauties in front of a church in Woodbridge, New Jersey

After a week full of being on the go—outdoor concerts, my book signing, and lots of writing–the weekend was pretty chill.

Saturday, my husband and I went to our favorite “vegan options” restaurant, Turf, Surf, and Earth. I had a delicious lentil burger on greens with carrots, cucumber, alfalfa sprouts, and pickles, and Thai ginger dressing. We picked up CBD oil. The water soluble is really helping me heal from the grief of my mom’s death. I am still nervous, but each day I’m getting closer to the person I was prior to the living nightmare of the past few months (which wasn’t just about my mom being sick, I also had a sick cat and a brother-in-law in the hospital). For example, I can now bask in a shower again, actually feeling the water caress me, rather than just going through the motions.

Sunday, I had an excellent phone tarot card/healing session with Pleasant Gehman, who is also going to be the cover model for the second printing of my book “The Gypsy Smiled” which will be out in October! I will do a cover reveal in a few months, maybe the end of September. And let me tell you, it looks amazing!

She did a bit of psychic healing, and wow, it worked wonders too. And the reading was so insightful. Of course it’s personal, but what was really cool was cards that came up showed what a cool relationship I had with my husband. It’s true, he is my rock. She said those same cards come up with all couples she knows that are in great relationships.

If you want to check her out, I highly recommend a reading if you’re dealing with death or anything else in life. She’s fun, and funny, and she “got” me right away! (Though she did know me a little bit because I hired her to be the cover model for “The Gypsy Smiled” and we really connected. That was a few months ago and my mom was in the hospital. I told her then, “I’m going to need your psychic healing services soon because my mom isn’t doing good; and I don’t deal with death all that well.” And sure enough, I thought of her when I needed to.

Her website is: https://pleasantgehman.com/tarotreadings/clairvoyant-tarot-card-readings/

I felt so energized after talking to her, we decided to take a ride and go for Playa Bowls. It was early evening and the sun was out, so after the Playa Bowls, we took a ride along the waterside in Woodbridge. We never ventured there before and homes were gorgeous.

On the way home, we saw one of my dream cars, a PT Cruiser Sunset Boulevard edition, circa 2007! I had a red PT Cruiser, touring edition, many years ago. I should have kept it, but I’m a nervous driver and wanted another brand new car. They had stopped making Cruisers so I got a new Hyundai instead. The seats are super comfortable and I stuck with Hyundais. I’m now on my second one, which is now 10 years old. And now that I’m used to driving an old car, I want an old PT Cruiser. We’ve been looking for a good buy for some time now. Of course, we pulled over to look at the car. It was in perfect condition except that the back light was smashed, which could easily be fixed.

Just as Dennis was writing a note, “I want to buy your car” I saw the woman come out and get in. I was like, “She’s leaving!”

Dennis got out of the car to talk to her. She wasn’t ready to sell, but she said, “Maybe in six months.”

I said, “In six months, I’ll be feeling much better.”

Dennis said, “You’re feeling better now.”

And he’s right! Life has always been good; and I am healing from the grief fog.

If you liked this blog, feel free to buy me a kombucha: https://ko-fi.com/maryannechristianomistretta

Maryanne Christiano-Mistretta can be reached at: maryannechristiano@gmail.com.

Pre-sales for Maryanne’s 6th book, “So You Think You Know the Jersey Shore?” are now available: https://omni-pub.com/product/so-you-think-you-know-the-jersey-shore/

And while we are celebrating, here is a wonderful article about the book: https://www.mypaperonline.com/beautiful-ride-in-maryanne-christiano-mistrettas-front-row-seat-to-the-jersey-shore.html

“Be (Extra)Ordinary: 10 Ways to Become Your Own Hero” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback or Kindle version, visit:Be (Extra)Ordinary

“I Don’t Want to Be Like You” is available on Amazon. To get your paperback, Kindle or audio copy, go here: I Don’t Want To Be Like You

Her fiction book “Love Cats” second printing is now available, under the pen name Krystianna Mercury, from Pink Flamingo. You can purchase it here: https://eroticbooknetwork.com/product/love-cats/

Maryanne is also available for book editing and coaching. Rates are competitive.

And for positive messages, visit Be YOUnique, the Anti-Bullying You Tube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLq6J9MSvcjd-haQ30ycLWA/videos

Visit my business page, Pear Tree Enterprises, at: https://peartreeenterprises.wordpress.com/