Predominantly, the theme of my books deal with perseverance, persistence, and achieving our dreams by overcoming all the odds, challenges, setbacks, disappointments, and enemies, something that many immigrants share coming to America, as I did at 13. As a teenager immigrant in Brooklyn, New York, hanging out with young Sicilian would be hoods, I was fascinated with the Sicilian, Irish, and Jewish Mafia folklore. They were our heroes. Somebody did them wrong, there was retribution. They had the money, cars, and gorgeous "broads." They America by the "balls." Or so we fantasized. With proud Sephardi roots in Toledo-Spain, and Algeria, Israeli born, growing up in the New York melting pot I got to know many immigrants, and we all seem to share a common goal: become upright American citizens, make money, provide a good future for our families in what we thought of as the "land of opportunities." Primarily targeting domestic US and international male readers between the ages of 18-49, the young immigrant hero of my book UPRIGHT AMERICAN CITIZENS has one ambitious goal: to be a Latin-pop singing star. However, circumstances lead him astray, and the book explores his dangerous journey to achieving his dream. UPRIGHT AMERICAN CITIZENS is a gangster story with a special musical twist of two childhood immigrant friends who become bitter enemies when they choose different sides of the law to achieve the dream of becoming upright American citizens. However, when their violent past catches up with them, they must reunite and fight for their lives and lives of their loved ones, in a war of survival against cruel old and new enemies out to destroy them, ultimately proving that friendship, and family love and loyalty are above all. UPRIGHT AMERICAN CITIZENS is an emotional saga of an immigrant family reluctantly sucked into the crime world, a tale of love and hate, loyalty, betrayal, revenge, tragedy, romance, sex, violence, failure, tears, joy, and human spirit rising triumphant, as our immigrants endure and overcome their obstacles in quest of achieving their"American Dream," only to face a new set of challenges in the sequel. As a filmmaker I write with a unique cinematic style and pace. I write by instinct, and even though the story is set in Miami, the New York street influence is evident in my profanity charged street dialogue. I believe that readers who like violent Mafia tales, will find this UPRIGHT AMERICAN CITIZENS book entertaining.
About the Author: Tracing his proud Castilian Sephardi roots to Toledo, Spain & Algeria, Israeli born, at the age of 13 Jon Stevens Alon's secular family immigrated to Brooklyn, NY. Unable to fit in with fanatic Israel hating Eastern European Hasidic ghetto Jews, Jon gravitated toward young Sicilian teenagers, and in an effort to belong, thanks to his Hispanic looks & Middle Eastern culture he passed easily as an Italian named "Frankie." Jon returned to Israel to proudly serve as an IDF 105mm Centurion tank gunner combat veteran. Previously married to a Puerto Rican, the last 10 years Jon is married to a Brazilian Christian Evangelist born in the state of Bahia known as the cultural heart of Brazil, who he credits with blessing his life with love and joy and therefore his mission is to make her happy. In between the two marriages he was with a Cuban lady, which in addition to being an avid Salsa dancer in NYC, serving as the writer/producer of ALGO ESPECIAL: VAYA! a series Latin TV Variety Specials sponsored by Faberge featuring the hottest Puerto Rican and Cuban Salsa bands including Tito Puente, Hector "El Cantante" Lavoe, Ray Barreto, Richy Ray and Bobby Cruz, Johnny Pacheco & his singer Pete "El Conde" Rodriguez, famed Jewish-American Salsa band Larry Harlow Orchestra & his singer Ismael Miranda, Willie Colon, Justo Batancourt, etc., his relationships, in depth familiarity with both Spanish and Portuguese language telenovelas and teleseries, extensive due diligence including experience in marketing direct to the consumer, has given Jon a solid grasp of the domestic and international Latino, and other diversity markets. Mistreated by a step-mother, he ran away from home at the age of 16. Leaving the Brooklyn street gang life behind, working days, studying nights, and dancing Salsa on weekends, he graduated the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NYC, Jon developed the linguistic, creative and business skills, helping him become an award winning Writer's Guild of America screenwriter, Director's Guild of America Production Manager, and Director of the award winning feature film IRISH WHISKEY. He wrote and produced Demi Moore's debut film CHOICES, served as a literary agent, worked as a Production Executive for Canal 47, ABC (NYC) 20th Century Fox (LA) and is Founder/CEO of TSO, global multimedia, multicultural content provider startup with 70 projects in development, 12 advanced, 4 completed scripts & completed feature film to be adapted as a sitcom.