A memoir of my journey from rags to riches, to rags to true wealth. The book is about how chasing money led me to Wall Street, IBM and CFO roles, but never satisfied my craving for acceptance. After posting a poorly thought out 2.5 minute YouTube video to protest for human rights by ordering a free cup of water, my company was harassed, fired me and released a press release. That press release led to a very public shaming on many media outlets, including the O'Reilly Factor (3x). After receiving many subsequent offers for employment that were immediately rescinded after simply Googling my name, I fell into an identity crisis that pushed me into the darkest time in my life. Through an authentic soul search and the healing presence of family and friends, I faced a reality that had always seemed too frightening and humiliating to accept. This search led me to the most beautiful truth I have ever known, a truth that I see in everything and everyone: when we choose to live an authentic life, we choose to finally live. When I lost my job, I lost my equity in the company and six-figure salary, all amounting to over one million dollars in wealth, everything I was worth, or so I thought. The free cup of water turned into a million dollar cup of water that I would honestly pay for all over again.

How much are your principles really worth? What price is too much to pay? In the abstract these seem like easy questions to answer. On a purely philosophical level, there can be only one response. But, when fighting for what you believe is right causes your foundation to crumble, the answer is not always clear. Adam Smith grew up in an impoverished and deeply religious family. From the agonizing struggle to meet the basic needs of life to the crushing quest for acceptance in adolescence, Adam learned quickly that everything he wanted from life had a high price tag . But, he was not finished learning this lesson. After achieving his dream of being financially secure and successful, Adam discovered the cost to his marriage was a sacrifice he was unwilling to make and walked away from a lucrative career. Finding balance between work and home, Adam settled into a rewarding life with a job he loved and an expanding family that gave it all meaning . . . until he made the choice to stand up for the rights of someone else. His now infamous protest began with the painful renouncement of many of the religious teachings that once formed his world view yet no longer made sense, and ended with the even more devastating surrender of his sense of safety and security. As the journey continues, Adam has found that instead of seeking the ever-moving bar of financial success and approval of others, building the great personal wealth that comes from embracing imperfections and living an authentic life is worth any price.

Successful young writer Marjorie McClelland leads a solitary, comfortable life in the quiet, post-prohibition town of Ridgebury, CT. Her tranquil life is disrupted when Creighton Ashcroft, a British heir with time and money to burn, purchases a deserted mansion with a mysterious history on the outskirts of town. Instantly smitten with the talented and beautiful Marjorie, Creighton craftily arranges an intimate meeting, but the mood is spoiled when they stumble across a body while touring the ample grounds of Creighton's new estate. With the intention of reaping the story's literary benefits, the two forge an unlikely partnership and research the mansion's sordid past, but they soon find themselves in the middle of an unfolding series of hidden murders and family deceit. On top of this, the handsome detective assigned to the case has caught Marjorie's attention--and Creighton's suspicious eye. The trio must work together to break through a web of deceptively demure townspeople and the discreet upper class to solve the mystery of the mansion's past before becoming victims themselves. Filled with rumor and humor, this historical thriller delights to its captivating close.

Cell phones, smartphones, and tablets are a common sight with teens. In general, these devices can be a fantastic tool and great fun, used to capture photos, recordings, and videos of great times with friends and family. Unfortunately, some people use these apps and the internet to shame and humiliate others. This revealing book defines aspects of internet shaming with clear definitions and examples. Real-life stories of people who have suffered from internet shaming will heighten readers’ awareness of how much pain a posted party video can cause. Resources help those who are suffering the effects of internet shaming.