PRESS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The New York Times Gives Glowing Review of Breakfast At Sally's; Notes the Book's Relevance in this Era of Economic and Financial Insecurity "Mr. LeMieux's profiles ... debunk frivolous stereotypes and illuminate a sobering reality that may become increasingly common ... "; " ... his book is timely." FREEDOM, Pennsylvania, October 22, 2008 — While simply being selected for review by The New York Times is a distinction for any book, the October 19, 2008, Sunday edition of The New York Times features a glowing review of Breakfast At Sally's; Richard LeMieux's chronicle of his descent into homelessness and how The Salvation Army sustained him and transformed his life. Breakfast At Sally's is published by Skyhorse Publishing in conjunction with fundraising partner to The Salvation Army for more than 40 years. The New York Times said, "Mr. LeMieux's profiles of his homeless peers debunk frivolous stereotypes and illuminate a sobering reality that may become increasingly common in America." By highlighting Richard's vivid portrayals of the many homeless people he meets, including "C," an exuberant vagabond philosopher, the review acknowledges one of the book's major themes — that the homeless are good people who use their ingenuity each day simply to survive, often in the face of economic and social hardships that could befall anyone. "Given the state of the economy and the likelihood of continuing repercussions," the review continues, "his book is timely." The review recounts the story of the book, explaining how Richard was a successful businessman who went bankrupt due to the shifts in the marketplace. After his business failed, his wife left him, and his children disowned him. Homeless and with only his dog, Willow, for company, he entered a world he never dreamed he would witness firsthand. It was then that he began frequenting "Sally's," the name given by the homeless to The Salvation Army's soup kitchen in Bremerton, WA. Complimenting not only the story but also the prose, the review notes that, "The book reads like a novel, with the narrative moving in scene-by-scene sequences replete with lengthy dialogue between the author and the people he meets. But it has the ring of truth, and an uplifting message that endures on its intrinsic merits." The review also points out several of the book's poignant scenes, such as Richard's attempt at panhandling, which took place in front of a gourmet grocery store where he estimates he had previously spent close to $200,000. After a security guard orders him to move on, an elderly woman gives him $64. "Mr. LeMieux's account of his homelessness is convincing," the review notes, "because it is neither overwrought nor sensationalist." Richard wrote Breakfast At Sally's on a discarded manual typewriter while he was homeless in Bremerton, WA. Today he is a tireless advocate for compassionate treatment of the homeless and rational responses to the causes of homelessness. — x x x — Breakfast At Sally's Garnering Rave Reviews As Three Noted Industry Publications Weigh In With Praise FREEDOM, Pennsylvania, September 24, 2008. Breakfast
at Sally's — Richard LeMieux's compelling chronicle
of his descent into homelessness and how The Salvation Army sustained
him and transformed his life — has received rave reviews
from noted industry publications Publisher's Weekly, Booklist, and Kirkus
Reviews. Booklist (9/15/08) said, in part, "This is a remarkable book, powerfully written, inspiring, heartbreakingly honest, and somehow, quite funny. It belongs side by side with Chris Gardner's The Pursuit of Happyness (2006), Steve Lopez's The Soloist (2008), and Alexander Masters' Stuart: a Life Backwards (2006) as a must-read story of homelessness, determination, and redemption." Kirkus Reviews (8/1/08) said, in part, "His feel-good chronicle will have readers counting their blessings as well. Readable and thoroughly life-affirming." "Seeing the success of Breakfast at Sally's is especially gratifying because of the way it reminds all of us about the compassionate work of The Salvation Army," said Shawn Reed, Director of Business Development, TrueSense™ Marketing, who played a pivotal role in the project. Scheduled to be in major retail bookstores in October, Breakfast at Sally's is published by Skyhorse Publishing (New York, NY) in conjunction with a fundraising partner to The Salvation Army for more than 40 years. Breakfast at Sally's was written by Richard on a discarded manual typewriter while he was living in his minivan. It reveals who the homeless really are, what redemption really means, and how The Salvation Army transforms lives. A successful businessman for many years, Richard was living the good life with a beautiful wife and family, a beachfront home, three boats, and luxury cars. But when the economic winds shifted, his business failed, his wife left him, and his children disowned him. With only his dog, Willow, for company, Richard entered a world he never dreamed he would witness firsthand. Richard panhandles for money and eats at the soup kitchen at The Salvation Army in Bremerton, WA, known as "Sally's" among the homeless. Along the way, he meets a fascinating cast of characters, including the exuberant and eccentric "C," a vagabond philosopher who befriends Richard and serves as his guide to the often-heartbreaking world of the homeless. — x x x — True-Life Story of
One Man's Battle with Homelessness Published in Partnership with The
Salvation Army, and Skyhorse Publishing The book's title refers to The Salvation Army's program in Bremerton, Washington, that provides hot meals to the homeless. The book's author is Richard LeMieux, a successful businessman in the Seattle area before economic circumstances cast him into poverty and homelessness. Mr. LeMieux wrote Breakfast at Sally's while he was homeless in and around Bremerton. With the compassionate assistance of The Salvation Army and Major James Baker, Corps Officer at The Salvation Army in Bremerton, Mr. LeMieux was able to restore his faith, reclaim his sense of confidence in the future, and return to a happier, more hopeful life. He is now booking speaking engagements in which he discusses the book, his experiences, and the unique perspective he has gained. According to Captain Howard Bennett of The Salvation Army, "Once I started this book, I could not put it down. Richard's book has a message that needs to be told ... thank you for introducing me to Richard, C, Willow, Andy, et al. They have really touched my heart and my spirit." According to Shawn Reed's Director of Business Development, "This is an exciting project that is raising the visibility of The Salvation Army and the plight of the homeless. This is an important book that will change people's attitudes about who the homeless are." TrueSense Marketing is distributing copies of Breakfast at Sally's to each Salvation Army Officer in the U.S. and making additional quantities available to The Salvation Army at the National, Territorial, Divisional, and Corps levels for major donor gifts and other uses. The book includes endorsements from Salvation Army officers, and plans are in the works to direct a portion of the proceeds to benefit The Salvation Army. — x x x — ABOUT THE SALVATION ARMY ABOUT
SKYHORSE PUBLISHING ABOUT TRUESENSE MARKETING Behind the creative capabilities are complete back-room services, such as letter shop, printing, trucking, logistics, and fulfillment, powered by dedicated team members with state-of-the-art equipment, producing more than 350 million pieces of mail each year. TrueSense Marketing is strategy, creative, and production — all working together, all working for our clients. — x x x —
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