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A.D. Metcalfe, VP of the Cape Cod Writers Center and producer for Books and the World, gives us Johnny Alvarez, a precocious young runaway, who knows decay and lawlessness offer camouflage and opportunity

Meet the Author: A.D. Metcalfe is a native New Yorker who came of age in the 1970s, when the city was plagued by severe urban blight. As a latchkey kid with little supervision, she was soon hanging out with addicts, dealers, and criminals. By her mid-twenties, after seeing several of her peers fall into the trap of addiction, she pulled herself from a similar fate and left the city to pursue a lifelong love of animals. Her stories are deeply influenced by her early struggles and experiences.

Before discovering a passion for writing, she had yearslong careers as a line cook, veterinary assistant, equestrian, and a police and fire dispatcher. She’s done shorter stints as a stand-up comic, cab driver and stripper.

She is currently Vice President of the Cape Cod Writers Center, and the producer for Books and the World, a literary interview program for cable TV and YouTube.

Her crime thriller Street series has won numerous awards and has been well-reviewed by Kirkus, Booklife, Reader’s Favorite and Literary Titan. Learn more: admetcalfe.com

About her books:

Street (The Street Series Book 1): 1970s New York City is borderline bankrupt. Police departments, public schools, and other municipalities are struggling under massive layoffs; buildings are abandoned, and the streets are rife with crime and drugs.

For Johnny Alvarez, a precocious young runaway, the decay and lawlessness offer camouflage and opportunity. He squats in an empty apartment in a derelict Washington Heights tenement and gathers a gang of streetwise kids, most of whom struggle with their own issues. Johnny is haunted by the abuse he suffered at the hands of his sadistic older brother.

The crew tries to keep his head straight with belonging and levity, but the turbulent nature of the street triggers unwanted memories, which spin Johnny into recklessness amid the city’s seedy underbelly.

Street Brotherhood: Rise of the Underground (The Street Series Book 2): It’s 1975. Three years since Johnny Álvarez fled the brutality of his home to vanish on the streets of New York City. As he assembles the Dogs of War, his disparate gang of urban youth, they become the target of a larger, more menacing crew. To avoid Dos Cruces’ attacks, the Dogs must use wit and strategy.

Johnny becomes involved with Marco, a tempestuous drug supplier who inspires admiration, but also rueful reminiscence of Johnny’s father. His demands challenge Johnny’s morals, but the payout is hard to ignore. As is Johnny’s aptitude for carrying out his lethal tasks.

Amid his nefarious entanglements, Johnny falls for Jessica. She is witty and self-assured, opening him to normalcy and tenderness for the first time. But as his worlds spin ever closer, will he escape the brutality of his past or be forced to embrace it?

Book 3 is coming soon! 

Click here to buy the books!

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About our Elaine’s Literary Salon Host, Jeffrey James Higgins: A retired supervisory special agent who writes thrillers, short stories, creative nonfiction, and essays, Jeff has wrestled a suicide bomber, fought the Taliban in combat, and chased terrorists across five continents. He received the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism and the DEA Award of Valor. Jeffrey has been interviewed by CNN, National Geographic, and The New York Times. Learn more: jeffreyjameshiggings.com

Find more of Elaine’s Literary Salon events here. And check back for new episodes of Elaine’s Literary Salon on Inkandescent.tv and listen to all the podcasts on InkandescentRadio.com.

About Elaine’s Restaurant:  A menu filled with delicious modern Mediterranean cuisine selections is sure to please everyone in your party. The dishes are inspired by exquisite food from Alexandria, Egypt — a blend of Middle Eastern and French, Greek, and Italian influences. Elaine’s is named for the owner’s grandmother and is based on a promise she made at the age of 12, growing up in Cairo. “I promised my grandma I would someday own a restaurant and name it after her,” shares Cynthia, who is also an author. She and her husband, bestselling thriller novelist Jeffrey James Higgins, are proud to share my family’s recipes with new friends and families in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.” Located in an 1880s building, it was the former home of the beloved bistro Bilbo Baggins for 38 years. The newly renovated restaurant is located in the heart of Old Town’s Historic District within sight of the Potomac River and Founders Park, just a few blocks from The Torpedo Factory Art Center, and Old Town Alexandria Waterfront. Make a reservation today: elaines-restaurant.com.