New Releases by Lev Raphael

A coming-of-age novel set in New York and Michigan during the Vietnam War era, Winter Eyes shows how the past controls and divides the immigrant Borowski family, and isolates their American-born son Stefan. But when Stefan comes to learn the terrible secrets at the heart of his family, that knowledge transforms them all and points the way to a happy new future for him, despite his doubts about his sexual identity. A haunting and remarkable novel, Winter Eyes is a tale of family secrets, silence, revelation - and the hope for healing and change. A spellbinding achievement from a talented author of American fiction. This new 2022 edition contains a foreword by Brian Bouldrey (The Genius of Desire). ufeffufeff"Raphael''s Winter Eyes resembles a piano sonata, a piece he knows so well that his fingers breathed the music." - Los Angeles Times "Winter Eyes is one of the most affecting, absorbing, and quietly powerful American coming-of-age novels." - Booklist "Loneliness, separation, desire and the struggle with gay identity are leitmotifs of Lev Raphael''s novel. What distinguishes it is Raphael''s handling of grand themes, and his ongoing exploration of worlds both Jewish and gay and how they intersect, daring himself and his readers to contemplate wholeness." - Jenifer Levin

"Raphael makes the most of the academic setting of his immensely enjoyable....Raphael’s witty prose enhances a crafty plot." Publishers Weekly starred review Years ago Nick Hoffman was given a position in the English Department at the State University of Michigan because SUM wanted to hire his partner as writer-in-residence, but now he''s been unexpectedly installed by his dean as chairman of that department. It''s a wildly unpopular choice, and he''s suddenly the focus of more animosity from his colleagues than he''s ever dealt with before. He can''t seem to make anyone happy and can''t get a handle on his myriad new responsibilities as an administrator, a position he never wanted. Then tragedy strikes again way too close to home: Someone seeking his help is murdered, and under the shadow of another recent murder, Nick is a prime suspect. Hounded by campus police, the local press, and social media, Nick wonders if this could finally be the end of his career—that is, if he manages to stay out of prison. In the spirit of David Lodge, Francine Prose, Richard Russo and Jane Smiley, Department of Death is Lev Raphael''s most blistering satire yet of the current perversity of academic life.

Fully refreshed to address modern issues, this popular essential guide helps kids build self-confidence and assert themselves. Using simple words and real-life examples, this book shows kids how to be assertive with other kids—and with adults. Kids will learn to feel better about themselves, stronger and more secure inside, and more in charge of their lives. They’ll read about effective ways to deal with intense feelings and to build self-esteem and self-confidence. In addition, they’ll learn strategies for building inner security to cope with powerlessness and uncertainty and discover ways of protecting themselves when using social media.

This teacher’s companion to a classic book for kids provides tools for building self-esteem and personal power. Without self-esteem, kids doubt themselves and may turn to unhealthy habits as a way of coping. With self-esteem, kids feel secure, are willing to take positive risks, and are resilient in the face of challenges. This teacher’s guide expands the messages of Stick Up for Yourself!, teaching self-confidence and how to be assertive with easy-to-use sessions. Created for the classroom, these sessions can also be used in other group settings including counseling groups, out-of-school programs, community programs, and more. Digital content includes reproducible handouts.

Still reeling from having escaped a mass shooting on campus, English professor Nick Hoffman finds himself on the receiving end of confessions by one colleague after another. All of them have good reason to hate the new department chair, Dr. Napoleon Padovani, who throws his weight around capriciously and cruelly. Resentment mounts on campus -- with an inevitably fatal result. Chaos and confusion reign among the faculty, which then turns on its own. Can Nick and his spouse Stefan restore order and save the day? Raphael has described the university as "a unique combination of the vanity of professional sports, the hypocrisy of politics, the cruelty of big business, with a touch of organized crime thrown in." “In Raphael’s entertaining ninth [Nick Hoffman] mystery... the distinctive characters and authenticity of the setting keep the story moving forward. Series fans will hope they won’t have to wait years to see Nick again.” —Publishers Weekly

Successful professor Nick Hoffman finds his secure, happy, college-town life changed forever after a nightmarish encounter with police. A novel of suspense set in the academic world, Assault with a Deadly Lie probes the disturbing psychological impact of slander, harassment, stalking, police brutality, and the loss of personal safety.

Lev Raphael grew up loathing everything German. A son of Holocaust survivors, haunted by his parents’ suffering and traumatic losses under Nazi rule, he was certain that Germany was one place in the world he would never visit. Those feelings shaped his Jewish and gay identity, his life, and his career.

Curiosity turns to obsession at the State University of Michigan. Professor Nick Hoffman can''t understand how his supercilious new office mate Perry Cross beat out other candidates for a brand new position in the department. How did Cross get hired when he''s under-qualified? But Nick''s curiosity changes to a jealousy when he learns that his longtime lover, Stefan, shares a past with Cross. When Cross is found dead and the verdict is murder, Nick becomes a prime suspect since he was one of the last people to see Cross the evening he was killed. Nick has no choice but to investigate on his own. Only acclaimed author Lev Raphael can spin such a tale of twisted academia.

State University of Michigan English professor Nick Hoffman stumbles on the corpse of Vlado Zamaria, the ruthless head trainer at the Michigan Muscle health club, in a steam room. Nick and his pal, Juno Dromgoole, team up once again to ferret out the killer, for whom there''s no shortage of suspects: Vlado''s bland, dutiful wife plus a plethora of actual and wanna-be lovers and jealous trainers. Nick manages a too-easy sneak peek into Zamaria''s unlocked office, finding secrets that eventually reveal the murderer.

"A collection of twenty five short stories about the children of Holocaust survivors and the conflicts between homosexuality and traditional Judaism"--Provided by publisher.

Part mystery, part family saga, three siblings discover their past in the secrets of Holocaust survivors.

Murder erupts in the cutthroat world of academia and Nick Hoffman wonders, with his review coming up, if it isn''t more than his job that''s on the line.

Scandal and murder are on the agenda when English professor Nick Hoffman is dragooned into organising an Edith Wharton conference at the State University of Michigan. A witty, fast-paced gay thriller that is also a send-up of academia at its snarling worst.

Gershen Kaufman and Lev Raphael expose the role shame has come to play in the lives of gay men and lesbians. The authors break the silence surrounding gay and lesbian experience so that individuals can "come out" of shame and begin a path toward personal growth and acceptance.

As an outgrowth of Kaufman''s work on shame, this book''s comprehensive educational curriculum for psychological health and self-esteem has professional, educational, and personal relevance. The principles and tools in this book directly combat addiction, violence, and stress-related disorders by reversing the very conditions responsible for them: shame and powerlessness.