Undressed: The Unfiltered Story of My Failed American Dream and How It Led to Success by Gregory L Vetter is a funny and relatable business book masquerading as a memoir. Although each chapter ends with lessons learned from the business world, the rest of the book reads like an amazing life story. Even knowing the end - the salad dressing business fails - didn't keep me from hoping that Gregory would find a way to make it succeed.

Although his business and story are significantly different than my own, I found many pieces of information and advice that will be helpful as I try to move beyond "little local author." I also found helpful advice for anyone who is trying to do something big and bold - especially with naysayers shouting NO WAY.

One lesson I loved was this: You only live once. Take a risk; trust your gut, and live a life you are proud of. Another one, about getting to the end of the rope and tying a knot because everything looks different in the morning reminds me of my own rule - Never Quit on a Bad Day. I feel like Gregory and I would have lots to chat about! This is a great read - don't miss it.

Purchase a copy of Undressed:
Hardcopy: https://amzn.to/4nRUD3Z​
Kindle: https://amzn.to/4p56fSc

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Green Forest, Red Earth, Blue Sea is a beautiful Southern fiction set of short stories by Jim Gulledge. I fell instantly in love with these stories that take place in the state I call home - North Carolina. Each of the three stories takes place in a different part of the state and follow three connected families. The stories, though they take place during different times and in different places, stay connected through a family heirloom.

Unlike most books I enjoy this one has many varied characters, so there isn't one character to fall in love with. Instead, readers fall in love with place. And Jim did an excellent job helping readers come to love North Carolina, from the green hills of the mountains to the red clay of the piedmont to the sandy shores of the ocean. I also enjoyed discovering how each family connected with one another and how they managed to cover the state in a few generations.

We start in the mountains as trains bring change - meeting two young lovers whose time together is fleeting. Next, we find ourselves saving peaches from a deadly spring freeze. Can this couple eek out a living in the clay? The last story asks us to cheer for an orphan boy and the chance to find buried treasure against the backdrop of a tropical storm. And finally, catch a quick glimpse of a story yet to be told when a boy from the beach glimpses a girl from the mountains - and we feel that it will all start again.

Jim tells a delightful series of stories, and you won't want to miss this book. It would make a great gift for any NC native!

Purchase a copy of Green Forest, Red Earth, Blue Sea:
Paperback: https://amzn.to/4oI77Mw​
Kindle: https://amzn.to/47IXRAE

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​Today, on the Online for Authors blog, we're diving deep into Michele Levy's immersive and insightful novel, Anna's Dance. Having had the pleasure of welcoming Michele on the show, I am delighted to share our discussion that unraveled the intricacies of her work and the Balkans—a region often overlooked in our historical understanding.