Travel

Cruising the Mediterranean

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A shared passion for exploration. The Mediterranean trip of their dreams.
There’s no better time for adventure than right now.

Enthusiastic explorers Al and Sunny Lockwood treasure the challenge and excitement of travel. From train rides through the Smokies to campouts in Yellowstone, they’ve documented their travel adventures to critical acclaim. With retirement, they expand their horizons and ship off for a new adventure in the heart of the Mediterranean.

Come along with Al and Sunny as they experience the dazzling beauty of the Greek Isles, the mouthwatering delights of Italian cuisine, the unique calls to prayer chanted from Istanbul’s minarets.

You’ll hold your breath riding the sky-high Acropolis lift, marvel at the lacework canals of Venice, and lose yourself in the rich wares and aromas of the Grand Bazaar.

Their daily excursions will expand your mind and deepen your understanding as you find yourself immersed in the Mediterranean’s vibrant array of cultures and history.

In Cruising the Mediterranean you’ll discover:
– Personal reflections, insights and humor
– Intriguing facts about Mediterranean history, landmarks and cultures
– Tips for pacing your daily outings to conserve energy and maintain interest
– Ways to adopt an adventuresome spirit so that obstacles or disappointments
don’t ruin your pleasure
– The emotional, intellectual, physical and spiritual benefits of travel and much,
much more!

Cruising the Mediterranean is a breathtaking travelogue for explorers who refuse to let
aging limit their adventures.

If you like warm personal stories, cultural journeys, and actionable tips for planning your own cruise adventure, then you’ll love Al and Sunny Lockwood’s inspirational memoir capturing the heart of the Mediterranean.

Buy Cruising the Mediterranean today and join them on a timeless, unforgettable journey!

Meet Al & Sunny Lockwood

Al and Sunny Lockwood met after he’d retired from engineering and she’d retired from daily newspaper reporting. They spent much of their time exploring California, Al with his camera and Sunny with her notebook and pen. But a serious car wreck changed their lives.

In 2012, while they waited at a red light, a driver paying more attention to her phone than her driving, slammed into them at 60 miles per hour. The collision totaled both cars and filled the Lockwood’s summer with doctor appointments, pharmacy visits, and endless wrangling with insurance companies.

The wreck also woke them up to the reality that life is fragile and there’s no guarantee you’ll have it for long. “We decided to stop putting off our travel dreams for some day in the future,” Sunny says. “We’ve made ‘someday’ today.”

Their first dream cruise was through the Panama Canal.

Then Al and Sunny visited Amsterdam and cruised the Mediterranean, stopping at Venice, Athens, Istanbul, Ephesus, and various Greek islands.

Together Al and Sunny have visited more than 30 countries.

“We write to encourage people to make their travel dreams come true,” Sunny says. “We want our readers to know that travel enhances health and enriches life. So step out of your everyday routine and take a chance on adventure and fun.”

Cruising Panama’s Canal

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Who would have guessed that it would have taken an almost fatal car accident to motivate Al and Sunny Lockwood to take a cruise ship vacation to the Panama Canal?

Riveted by their near death experience. this charming couple decided to make their bucket list dream cruise vacation come true, and now they want to share it with you!

Come along with them as they share intimate details of their 17-day odyssey from San Francisco to Fort Lauderdale via the Panama Canal. Sunny provides the facts. Al adds delicious humor. A perfect recipe for cruise travel fun!

Get a firsthand look into what ocean cruising is really like: the service, the staterooms, the entertainment, the surprises, and of course the food — from endless buffets to amazing gourmet dinners and decadent desserts, Al’s enthusiastic descriptions will have your mouth watering.

Stand on the bow of Holland America’s MS Zuiderdam with Al and Sunny as they share the sights, sounds and feelings of transiting the Canal; watch as the sun rises over the Pacific Ocean and then sets into the Atlantic on the same day. Miraculous!

Let Al and Sunny be your guides to exotic ports of call such as: Zihuatanejo, Mexico, Putarenas, Costa Rica, Cartagena, Colombia and Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas.

Learn about the building of the Panama Canal and how the locks actually work as huge, modern ships squeeze into 100-year-old chambers to take the world’s most famous short cut.

What readers and experts are saying about this book:

“Their writing is inviting, funny, contagious and just flat out a joy to read.”
Amazon top reviewer William D. Curnett

“The pages just flew when I picked this book up.”
Janice Condit

“Al’s descriptions of desserts made me want to rip the pages out and eat them!”
Karen Zaccheo

Finalist in the 2014 National Indie Excellence Awards

Whether you are thinking of a Panama Canal cruise, looking for a humorous and heart-felt travel memoir, or are an armchair traveler seeking a fun and entertaining read about cruise travel, you are going to love Cruising Panama’s Canal. Order your copy today!

Cruising from Boston to Montreal (Bargain Book)

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Discover historic wonders and modern delights guaranteed to enlarge your heart and expand your understanding of Canada and its people.

Veteran travelers Al and Sunny Lockwood share their adventures and misadventures on this scintillating cruise of exploration.

Join them for an unforgettable journey through part of the largest country in the Western Hemisphere.

In “Cruising from Boston to Montreal” readers will:

– attend a rousing baseball game at Boston’s Fenway Park

– Learn Alexander Graham Bell’s involvement with Canada’s first airplane flight.

– Visit the Prince Edward Island farm that was the setting for the Anne of Green Gables books.

– Discover how lobster graduated from barnyard feed to gourmet fare.

– Sail Canada’s greatest waterway, the mighty Saint Lawrence River.

– View breath-taking cathedrals and romantic lighthouses.

– Discover Halifax’s heart-breaking connection with the Titanic tragedy.

– and much more.

This travel memoir will introduce you to the fascinating heroes, stunning beauty and staggering tragedies that have helped shape Canada’s Maritimes, Quebec City, and Montreal.

“The first-person descriptions read with the drama of fiction and the excitement of journal writing….” – Midwest Book Review

Meet Al & Sunny Lockwood

Al and Sunny Lockwood have traveled by foot, car, rail, air and cruise ship. They’ve camped in national parks, hiked mountain trails, photographed springtime flowers in Death Valley and wintry surf along the rugged beaches of Northern California.

They’ve watched July 4th fireworks over Lake Tahoe, explored the Taos Pueblo and ridden the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad through forests ablaze with autumn colors.

They’ve ridden Scotland’s amazing Falkirk Wheel, Norway’s Flam Railway, and Ushuaia’s train at the end of the world.

They’ve photographed Gibraltar’s Barbary apes and Gentoo Penguins frolicking in the surf on Falkland Island beaches.

From North Carolina’s Outer Banks to New Orleans’ Bourbon Street and Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, Al and Sunny love to wander and wonder and enjoy.

Everywhere they go, they capture unforgettable moments with their cameras and notebooks, moments to share with their readers. Their work has been published in magazines and newspapers. It has been recognized with awards from the National Federation of Press Women, the California Newspaper Publishers Association, the Wishing Shelf Book Awards, Seven Sisters Book Awards, and The Independent Author Network Book Awards.

“We write to encourage others to travel, to take a break from their ordinary routine and discover the many rewards of traveling with your eyes wide open,” Sunny said. “Go somewhere new, even if it’s only in the next county. And have fun exploring the sites, the sounds and flavors of the place. You’ll be amazed at how much fun you’ll have.”

Al added, “We also write to share the wonder of our own travels. To help you feel what it’s like to be on a cruise ship, or wandering the back alleys of Venice, Italy. We hope our books give readers a real sense of our travel adventures.”

Finding Ourselves in Venice, Florence, Rome & Barcelona

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Do you dream of riding a gondola along the canals of Venice? Tossing a coin into Rome’s Trevi Fountain? Join Al and Sunny Lockwood as they explore these and other fascinating cities, gathering travel memories for a lifetime.

Their informative, entertaining memoir shows how seasoned travelers can see the world while savoring all the excitement, romance and adventure they desire.

The Lockwoods capture magical moments as they travel on their own by foot, bus and train. Their enchanting, entertaining experiences prove that being young at heart is all you need to relish our beautiful world.

Whether you long to travel for enlightenment or escape or if you simply enjoy armchair travel, this warm personal odyssey will sweep you away to beautiful places and pleasure-filled adventures.

Along with the Lockwoods you’ll
* feel the mist on your face in early morning Venice,
* hear the deep, resonant church bells of Florence,
* walk where Colosseum gladiators once battled,
* savor intensely flavorful gelato,
* inhale spicy incense in a Barcelona fortuneteller’s shop,
* and discover what Al and Sunny learn: that exciting, transforming travel is not the exclusive province of the young.

These two find practical ways to see the world while shepherding their energy and travel funds.

Their refreshing, easy-to-read memoir will have you searching for your passport.

Grab your reading glasses and bon voyage!

Meet Al & Sunny Lockwood

Al and Sunny Lockwood have traveled by foot, car, rail, air and cruise ship. They’ve camped in national parks, photographed springtime flowers in Death Valley and wintry surf along the rugged beaches of Northern California.

They’ve ridden Scotland’s Falkirk Wheel, Norway’s Flam Railway, and Ushuaia’s train at the end of the world.

They’ve photographed Gibraltar’s Barbary apes and Gentoo Penguins frolicking in the surf on Falkland Island beaches.

Everywhere they go, they capture unforgettable moments with their cameras and notebooks, moments to share with their readers. Their award-winning work has been published in magazines and newspapers.

“We write to encourage others to travel, to take a break from their ordinary routine and discover the many rewards of traveling with your eyes wide open,” Sunny said.

Al added, “We also write to share the wonder of our own travels. To help you feel what it’s like to be on a cruise ship, or wandering the back alleys of Venice, Italy. We hope our books give readers a real sense of our travel adventures.”

Bryce Canyon National Park Photo Hiking

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Join Debbie & Anthony on their Photo Hiking trek through Bryce Canyon National Park. This chronological photographic recap of their trek across this beautiful National Park.

Debbie is the photographer. Anthony is the outdoors lover. He also enjoys his responsibility as an aspiring Photo Assistant. They compromised on a mixture of hiking and Debbie’s passion for photography. In essence, Photo Hiking tours of the U.S. National Parks.

Follow Debbie & Anthony on their Photo Hiking trek

This Photo Hiking book is a visual tour and recap listed in chronological order of their visit to Bryce Canyon National Park in March of 2021 as a mid-50’s couple. Debbie and Anthony, beginning in their early 50’s, started in earnest to visiting many of the 63 National Parks. They provide tips, tricks, and lessons learned from their 40+ National Parks visited during their middle-aged years with the hope it will make your National Park experience more enjoyable.

The Adventures of Mat Rufs: Mexican ‘Jewel’

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Voted ‘Fiction Book of the Year’ by Corporate Live Wire!
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Mat Rufs loves to hop on a plane and travel to a destination—by himself and on the spur of the moment—to explore and immerse.

This time he is lost in a Mexican cave, near the Volcán de Colima, and finds himself amid a heart-racing thriller with a historical twist and an international scope that will keep you up at night.

This book is about travel, adventure, unexpected turns, ancient customs, intuitive decisions, pandemics, international business, and life as it happens!

So are you ready for a thought-provoking adventurous journey?

Then grab your copy of The Adventures of Mat Rufs, and hop on and join the ride!

Meet A. Liachenko

Anna Liachenko is an award-winning writer, entrepreneur, and author of The Adventures of Mat Rufs series which has won the Fiction Book of the Year award from the Corporate Live Wire. Alongside her writing, Anna leads Montreal-based marketing agency ZZINC health marketing inc. as its Chief Executive Officer. She is also a real estate investor, a mother of two wonderful boys, and an enthusiastic world traveler, having explored more than 30 countries with her partner, alone or with her family.

Resistance book 1 Liberty

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Bravery, courage, fear, treachery and love in a time of war.

A chance meeting draws Sabine Faure into the shadowy world of the French Resistance. Whilst acting as courier she meets four youths of her own age who wish to also join the Resistance. She is drawn to one in particular, Hérisson, who becomes her lover. Family loyalties are stretched to the limits as Sabine’s family try to navigate safely through the occupation.

Set in Dordogne in South-west France during World War II, the friends’ relationships and strengths are tested to the limits as life changes in horrific ways, The friends find themselves facing frightening situations and responding in ways they never thought possible as bravery and resistance take different forms in each of their actions.

Vivid and powerful in its illumination of a time and place filled with atrocities but also humanity and extraordinary bravery, Eilidh McGinness’s novel will evoke readers to ask – what would I have done?

The novel is the first part of a trilogy set in south-west France during WW2, and is essentially a family saga.

Meet Eilidh McGinness

Eilidh was born and brought up in the Highlands of Scotland. She studied law at Aberdeen University and practiced as a lawyer for 12 years, latterly specializing in criminal defense before moving to South West France where she now lives.

Cruising the Mississippi

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In crossing another travel adventure off their bucket list, two retirees take a fascinating river cruise and find the heart and soul of the American South.

Born travelers Al and Sunny Lockwood seized their dreams of exploring America’s natural wonders. From hiking Sierra Nevada mountain trails to photographing wildflowers in Death Valley, they’ve documented their fascinating journeys to critical acclaim.

A serious car wreck changed their lives. They stopped postponing their dreams of ocean cruises.

Now, these veteran travelers embrace a new travel adventure: a river cruise up the magnificent Mississippi.

Join Al and Sunny on the decks of an antebellum paddle-wheel riverboat as they experience the culinary delights, rich architecture, breathtaking vistas, and famous hospitality of southern culture.

You’ll visit lavish plantation mansions, honor the fallen at Civil War memorials, and be swept away by the magical beat of authentic New Orleans jazz. Before the journey ends, you’ll witness how the couple’s first impressions are challenged, changing their hearts forever.

In Cruising the Mississippi, you’ll discover:
-Fascinating histories of riverside cities
-Little-known facts about famous landmarks
-Personal reflections and insights from their daily experiences
-Tested travel tips and advice for embarking on your own river cruise adventure
-The lifelong benefits of immersing yourself in different customs and cultural experiences
-A detailed tour of the historic paddle-wheel riverboat, and much, much more!

If you like cultural exploration, American history, practical travel insights, colorful characters, and authentic personal stories, you’ll love Al and Sunny Lockwood’s illuminating exploration of America’s mightiest waterway.

Buy Cruising the Mississippi today and embark on a breathtaking adventure for the young at heart!

The Resilient Seed

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To value the good days, bad days need to happen. This children’s book will teach everyone how to not take things for granted. It is crazy how people don’t know what they have till it’s gone. This book will enhance the children’s point of view on ethics and make their life much better in understanding life.

Meet Roy Francis

Roy Francis was born in Lebanon and moved to the United States of America as a teenager. Roy graduated from the University of South Florida St. Petersburg (USFSP) with a Biology degree concentration in Biomedical Sciences. Roy started the author’s journey in 2022 as a hobby, showing colossal progress in his path.

Italian Tilt (Bargain Book)

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Italian Tilt is a novel that goes beyond  exploring how Donald, the main character, finds romance and discovers a new culture while on a trip to Italy. It also deals with the nature of  personal  growth, the nature of friendship, as well as family conflict and reconciliation.

Meet Carlos Rubio

CARLOS RUBIO was born in Cuba and came to the United States in 1961. After finishing high school, he attended Concord College and West Virginia University. A bilingual novelist, in Spanish he has written Saga, Orisha and Hubris. In 1989 his novel Quadrivium received the Nuevo León International Prize for Novels. In English he is the e author of Orpheus’s Blues, Secret Memories and American
Triptych, a trilogy of satirical novels. In 2004 his novel Dead Time received Foreword’s Magazine Book of the Year Award. His novel Forgotten Objects was published by Editions Dedicaces in 2014. Since then he has completed two Spanish-language works, Final Aria and Double Edge. The latter was a finalist in the International Reinaldo Arenas Literary Contest and was subsequently published by Ediciones Alféizar in 2019.