Media Release
Giro di Mondo Publishing Services at
[email protected]
September 30, 2015 10:22 p.m.
A genealogy buff who enjoys family stories, area author Raffaela Marie Rizzo has turned in a “…powerful portrayal of an unforgettable man whose strength, determination and independence of spirit carry him and his loved ones through life, refusing to be defeated by obstacles,” says one reviewer of her first full-length book.
Based on a true story, Thank you for the Shoes, the story of an extraordinary ordinary man spans eighty years, two continents and several U.S. states. It opens in 1909 as Michele, a thirteen-year-old fatherless boy leaves his hometown in the mountains of southern Italy on a solo journey to find his father’s grave, a man never knew. Through flashbacks, we come to understand the circumstances and challenges faced by the boy’s father and millions of others who were part of a thirty-year migration to the Americas in the late 1800s and the early part of the Twentieth Century. Michele’s journey is fraught with detours, challenges, loss and tragedy, and enriched with love, joy and a triumph of spirit.
Readers will come to love this imperfect, ordinary man, with an extraordinary helping of faith, hope, commitment and zest for living merged with a button-busting love for his adopted country.
“…the …youth’s remarkable and psychologically challenging journey into manhood, a new culture, and in creating a new life…is about strength, bravery, faith and love; … reads like literary fiction which flows swiftly and smoothly from one stage of the main character’s life to the next as if it was an Italian opera to be performed on Broadway…A worthy and fascinating story to inspire any reader!”—CBD, M.S. Clinical Psychology.
“Evocative scenes and action, with a vivid sense of place and time, make this well-written saga a good read.” –EC, Noteworthy.
Thank You for the Shoes,the story of an extraordinary, ordinary man
By Raffaela Marie Rizzo
Raffaela Marie Rizzo’s debut book sizzles with history, love, loss, tragedy, joy and a triumphant spirit of goodness. The story of a warm and memorable family with wholehearted closeness, centered around the father who not only cares for them but provides a sense of honesty, love and self-reliance will resonate with anyone who has an immigrant ancestor.
Glimpses in life and challenges of the millions of immigrants who came to America seeking a better life, spurred by one of the most deceptive public relations campaigns in history. The detours, obstacles and challenges never deterring the commitment and love they held in their hearts.
Raffaela Marie Rizzo is a former senior executive with numerous business and marketing communications awards. She earned an MBA from Jacksonville University and a BA degree in media studies from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT, where she graduated magna cum laude. She has been a life-long volunteer in community and faith-based organizations to help those in need.
She currently serves as president of the Amelia Island Book Festival, sits on the Board of Directors of the Nassau County Boys & Girls Club Foundation, is a lector and serves on a renewal committee at St. Michael’s Church in Fernandina Beach, She is a member of the Florida Writers Association and the local Writers by the Sea.
Her passions are people, family stories, community, genealogy, history and travel.
Born in Italy, raised in Connecticut, she and her husband now make Amelia Island, Florida, home. To learn more, visit www.rmrizzo.com
The author will be signing books for the public
October 3, 2015, 4:30 to 6 p.m.
at Arte on Centre Gallery
at 503 Centre Street, Fernandina Beach
I’m looking forward to Saturday’s book signing and reading her book. It just sounds wonderful.