This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Steve Zettler is a professional writer and actor. He is the author of the international thrillers The Second Man, Double Identity, Ronin, Two for the Money, Tick… Tick… Tick…, and the romantic suspense novel, Careless Love. He is also the coauthor of the twelve titles in the Best-selling Nero Blanc Mystery Series. He has worked extensively as an actor in New York, Los Angeles and regionally, and created a memorable role in a Pulitzer Prize winning play. He has also worked on many television shows and feature films. He is a Marine Corps combat veteran.
Reviewed by David Jaggart for Readers' Favorite
In Leave the Kid Alone: A Fractured Remembrance, author Steve Zettler welcomes readers into the chaotic childhood of young Stevie during an unforgettable year in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Growing up right above a family-owned saloon and country inn ensures that Stevie’s daily life looks nothing like a normal suburban childhood. He spends his days dodging a domineering great-aunt who rules the home, working hard inside a busy kitchen, and learning life lessons from the traumatized war veterans who work right next to him. This memoir follows the family as the seasons change, shifting from the frantic rushes of holiday restaurant service to breezy summer escapes on Long Beach Island. Living around a unique kitchen crew and a mob-connected godfather, Stevie slowly figures out the hidden rules of the adult world. His story is a fascinating look at a young boy learning to navigate an unconventional world as he grows into an adult.
Leave the Kid Alone by Steve Zettler is a beautiful coming-of-age memoir that completely pulls you right into the heart of a bygone era. Stepping into this world feels exactly like opening an old family scrapbook where a memorable new anecdote waits around every corner. The writing really comes alive during the coastal summer adventures, capturing the true spirit of shore escapes and childhood mischief with clarity. It feels like a heartfelt "thank you" to the unique mentors and colorful characters who passed down all their wisdom to Stevie on their own terms. You get an honest look into how a tight-knit clan runs a raucous family business together. This memoir is a gentle reminder that even the strangest environments can end up shaping our journey in growing up. Ultimately, it leaves you with a true appreciation for the complex, beautiful way a family and community can stick together to help a child find his place in the world.
