Reflections on the Boulevard - Book Tour and Giveaway

​A teacher and his protégé take a haphazard journey of joy, friendship and discovery.

Reflections on the Boulevard
Reflections of Michael Trilogy Book 2
by L.J. Ambrosio
Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Coming of Age 

Michael's story continues from A Reservoir Man (2022) where we find him teaching at a university ready to retire. He unexpectedly meets a young man named Ron who becomes his protégé and journeys in a haphazard adventure with him throughout America and Europe, each twist and turn of the road bringing unexpected adventures. The journey taken is one of joy, friendship and discovery.


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​They continued and arrived in Flagstaff, late at night. The motel looked just like the Bates Motel. Michael hurriedly got Ron into the room, which faced the Grand Canyon. Michael had reservations so they were able to get into the room quickly. Michael went outside, standing on the porch, feeling a significant pressure on his chest.
“The air is not meshing well with the smoke in my lungs,” Michael said to himself. When he got back to the room, Ron was already sleeping with Rhonda on his leg.
The next morning, Michael got up early and woke Ron telling him to wash his face. He then took Ron to the door of their room, opened it, and walked outside. Ron just gaped at the sight of the Grand Canyon. The colors and the sun bouncing off these jagged cliffs looked like cut out mountains from a magazine.
He turned to Michael, he said, “It looks like a painted drop! Not real. How was this created? What
events led to this? I understand all the bullshit you learn in Earth Science, but this is so much more.”
Michael noticed a little tear in Ron’s eye, shed for the beauty, for the nature that Michael had always talked to him about.
“Those guys in New England, those Transcendentalists, they knew the answer, this is God. This is it! I know we will leave but I will never forget this, and the emotions it moves in me.”
“Alright I have a surprise. We are off to the North Rim of the Canyon. We are taking an entire day tour of the North Rim on the Katibah trail, exploring the inner canyons. We will travel on mules.”
“What did you say? Did I hear mules? I have never been on a horse, no less a mule. You expect me to ride a mule alone? No way!” said Ron.
They got into the car and Ron asked, “Where are we going?”
“To the North Rim!”
Ron was very worried. He listed all the reasons he
could never ride a mule. He even claimed that Rhonda would be jealous of his attention to another animal.
At the entrance to the North Rim, Michael assured Ron that he would be okay.
“Ron, all will be fine! Just trust the mule. Trust the mule!”
“I don’t trust myself!” Ron said, then suddenly got on the mule. He was afraid he would fall off, so he waited there for a moment. He used the opportunity to tell the mule about Rhonda. Ron started to like the mule now, especially because she was not moving. He was more comfortable now with the mule and even told her how well Rhonda would get along with her if she did not try to eat Rhonda’s food. The mules took off on the trail with
Michael following the guide and Ron following Michael, holding on for dear life.
On one particularly bumpy part of the trail, Michael assured Ron.
"You look great and natural on that mule! Like Gene Autry!” Ron was falling over now, off the mule. Ron had some choice language for Michael. After a minute he also asked, “Who is Gene Autry?”
“He was the cowboy who sang 'Don’t Fence Me In'!”

A Reservoir Man
Reflections of Michael Trilogy Book 1

A Reservoir Man, critics have hailed this explosive and timely work as “a must-read coming-of-age story of 2022.” 

Twists and turns further pull the reader in to Michael’s action-packed tale, with powerful themes, from betrayal and family to secrets and identity.

“Be sure not to blink because you just might miss a pivotal moment in Michael’s rousing, larger-than-life story.” --R.C. Gibson, Indiestoday.com.

“This book is a dream, a gamble, a utopia, even.” -- Kalyan Panja, Bookmarkks.

Everywhere Michael turns he sees a Reservoir Man. Michael’s endless trials of survival include sexual assault, The Vietnam War, an arrest in Spain, Hollywood scandal, the AIDS outbreak, 9/11 and beyond.

​If only Michael could find the one thing he values most, freedom. Michael’s coming-of-age is tarnished by many but the courage to live his truth may just keep Michael one step ahead...or will he succumb to the embraces of a Reservoir Man?


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​On New Year’s Day, the children went with Michael to brunch in Venice and walked on the boardwalk. For dinner, they ate at their favorite Chinese restaurant in West Hollywood. Arriving home, they noticed someone sitting on the porch. Michael quickly got out of the car and went over to the man. It was Joe, a young client of Michael’s.

Two years earlier, Michael brought Joe into the agency as a client; they had a very respectful relationship. Joe asked Michael if he had time to talk. Normally, Michael would have asked Joe if it could wait till the next day, but Michael saw the urgency in his tone. He told Joe to come in and to give him some time to put the children to bed.

Michael came back into the living room with a martini for himself and his guest. He finally broke down and had liquor in his house. Joe sat down and told Michael to listen before he commented. He told Michael that there was an action to take over the office, and his LA staff were aware of it, as well as the New York staff. Gail had also secured a replacement for Michael to run the LA office. The clients were not informed. She was waiting for the proper time after Michael left the office. Gail had secured all the bank statements and hired a lawyer.

Michael was shocked. “Who told you, Joe? Do you know a timetable for when she intends to do this?”

Joe said he was dating someone at the union who told him, and he was not aware of a time she was going to act on this. Joe seemed very pale; Michael became concerned about Joe’s health, asking him how his T-cell count was. Joe did not respond to much of anything.

“There is nothing you can do,” said Michael.

“Just be healthy. There are some experimental drugs. Stay away from AZT. That is AIDS by prescription.”

Joe finished his drink and got up to leave. Joe hugged Michael, and while he was holding on to Michael, he whispered in his ear, “I’m scared. What is going to happen?”

Michael replied, “You are going to live and have fun. Just be gay.” They both laughed. Before Joe left, he stopped in the doorway, turning to Michael.

“What’s wrong Joe?” asked Michael.

“I did not call. I wanted to.”

“Why didn’t you?” said Michael, staring at the young man, who was in a world of anxiety and apprehension.

“I was afraid they tapped your phone,” said Joe, and he left.
​

Louis J. Ambrosio ran one of the most nurturing bi-coastal talent agencies in Los Angeles and New York. He started his career as a theatrical producer, running two major regional theaters for eight seasons. Ambrosio taught at seven universities. Ambrosio also distinguished himself as an award-winning film producer and novelist over the course of his impressive career.

​
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​Can you, for those who don't know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?
I always wrote- I was a professor who ran four major arts institutions and somewhat successful with my poetry. I wanted to write about my like with was long and vastly interesting--I began writing my memoir when suddenly I changes coarse and fictionalize it –realizing I could say more about my perceptions about living than write about myself that was less than 2 years ago.

What is something unique/quirky about you?
I do everything from my right side and arm -I was going to be a priest and in the Nicaean creed Christ sat at the right-hand of God and exhibiting my loyalty to my OCD, I only used my right hand and arm for 40 years now.

Tell us something interesting that's happened to you!
I always win not for money but getting the job done—the one time I lost I than won---I love winning for and with people.

What are some of your pet peeves?
People who eat and make noise---peoples conversation that solely circle around themselves--

Where were you born/grew up at?
Brooklyn my first 25 years --I still have family there but it is so different from m y perspective.

If you knew you'd die tomorrow, how would you spend your last day?
Sitting with my children and friend at Waldon Pond.

Who is your hero and why?
Roger Maris—the rest I only admire ----One other hero St John of the Cross a 14th century Catholic mystic

What kind of world ruler would you be?
I wouldn’t even think about that position.

What are you passionate about these days?
Truth---great art---

What do you do to unwind and relax?
Up until 10 years ago a vodka martini with a cig. Maybe two or four –a massage

How to find time to write as a parent?
They are older like 30 no problem.

Describe yourself in 5 words or less!
A stubborn demanding older Italian man.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Last week with the publication of my second novel

Do you have a favorite movie?
A French Novie Love Song---and a Japanese trilogy The Human Condition 1955

 As a writer, what would you choose as your mascot/avatar/spirit animal?
My best friend is a beagle named Buddy

What inspired you to write this book?
Me my passion for life---human pain and its condition

What can we expect from you in the future?
My third novel Exile which I am prepped for already it will complete the trilogy

Do you have any “side stories” about the characters?
They are real

Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in the books?
Michael 60 years old Ron a 20-year-old man who lives on the street and Carol a big breasted young woman who people make fun and laugh at.

Where did you come up with the names in the story?
They were real

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
I felt new love again

Who designed your book covers?
A young Indian boy we did it all through emails I have such admiration for him he did an outstanding job

If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
Not a word, love the whole thing so much it speaks to me and I hope it will speak to you

If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?
Colin Farrell and Tom Holland

Anything specific you want to tell your readers?
Read the book

How did you come up with the name of this book?
You have to read the book I'm not telling

If you could spend time with a character from your book, who would it be? And what would you do during that day?
All three, we would laugh cry and listen to Leonard Cohen and drink Martinis

Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
both

If your book had a candle, what scent would it be?
Jasmine

What did you edit out of this book?
Nothing

Is there a writer which brain you would love to pick for advice? Who would that be and why?
Jack Kerouac On the Road I want to know what he sees

Thank you for inviting me I am waiting for my transition, but I will write some more –God Bless You All-------the face of God you will find in the mountains the trees the soil and the animals. 
​

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