So the day has finally come. The books arrived in mint condition late this afternoon. We all happened to be at the warehouse so it was perfect timing. We watched the boxes come off the truck and we immediately opened a couple of them to see the finished product. I'd have to say, our book cover artist, Dean Pickup of Dpict Visual Communications www.dpict.ca, is a graphic god. I'm sure he would brush off such praise but it is true. What we love about Dean is we can give him free rein to come up with the cover design and he always hits it out of the park. He has a knack for capturing the essence of a book.

 

While you're here you might as well pick yourself up a copy. You're going to LOVE it.

 

 

 

As I held a book in my hands, I was reminded of all the people this book could help. Joyce and I chose to publish Gisele's story because we believed so many people could benefit from her experience. I know I've read books that have shifted my perspective, empowered me, relieved my problems and made me feel like I wasn't alone. We believe Gisele's story has the potential to help a a variety of people in these same ways. The most obvious group the will benefit is the VLT and slot machine addicts (or as Gisele likes to call them, the VLT and slot machine victims). There are so many people affected by these machines and the devastation they cause is heartbreaking. When we were at a function a while back, we met a woman whose parents were addicted to the machines. They died and left her with a huge debt she is now forced to pay off. She had to postpone her retirement. Her parents were regular people, like you and me. They weren't the washed up, weak, pathetic human beings a lot of people stereotypically imagine addicts are. Their friends and family were unaware of the destruction that was happening until it was too late. Recently, I attended a networking event held in a meeting room in a casino. It was an evening celebrating women. Of course when I came home I wrote to the host and suggested hosting the event at another location but what struck me that evening was how many older people were sitting in front of a machine all evening long. Now that I know what I know about the addiction, walking into a casino and seeing people tied to the machines is really hard.

 

But the book will help a lot of people besides addicts. Anyone who adores a great love story will appreciate the relationship twists Len and Gisele experienced along the way. Anyone who loved Erin Brockovich will be at the edge of their seats while reading the chapter called The Showdown. And those who LOVE inspirational movies like Rudy or The Blind Side will love how Gisele faces her bullies, frees herself and becomes a force to be reckoned with.

 

Here's to you Gisele. Thanks for putting yourself out there all in the name of service.