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DNA Results of the Former Dictator’s Body Expected to Crack Open a Long-Held Secret, Says Dr. Aura Imbarus, Author of the Just Released Out of the Transylvania Night

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Los Angeles, CA (PRWEB) October 3, 2010

Such is the historical sweep and intimate detail in this Pulitzer-Prize entry: In Out of the Transylvania Night, Dr. Aura Imbarus vividly details Christmas Day 1989, when she, her parents and hundreds of shoppers drew sudden sniper fire as Romania descended into the violence of a revolution that challenged one of the most draconian regimes in the Soviet bloc. Aura recalls a grisly execution that rocked the world and led to five harrowing days of bloody chaos as she and her family struggled to survive. The next day, Communist-controlled television released photos showing that Dictator Nicolae Ceausescu and his wife had been assassinated–though many Romanians, the author included, believed the executions had been staged since Ceausescu was known for using five stand-ins to pose for him.

Nevertheless, Aura tries to convince herself that life post-revolution will be different, but little changes. On May 7, 1997, with two pieces of luggage and a powerful dream, Aura and her new husband flee to America. Through sacrifice and hard work, the couple acquires a home, cars, and travel–but trying to be American is much more complicated than they expect. More difficulties set in: the stock market crash takes their savings, house, and cars; thieves steal three centuries’ worth of heirloom jewels; and Aura’s beloved mother dies.

Aura’s marriage crumbles under the stress. Devastated, she asks herself, “How much of one’s life is owed to others?” and “Is it possible to straddle two cultures and not lose one’s identity?” Tested even further by the vagaries of fate, Aura realizes that to resurrect herself, she must reconstruct her life. She becomes involved with the Romanian-American Professionals Network (RAPN), whose mission is to help Romanian immigrants adjust to American life without sacrificing their heritage. Aura discovers a startling truth about striking a balance between one’s dreams and the sacrifices and compromises that allow for serenity, selfhood, and a sense of “home.” With this new depth of insight, her life begins to resurrect. She reunites with Michael, and establishes herself as an award-wining educator and a leader in RAPN. From the days in Romania when she would stand outside Olympic champion Nadia Comaneci’s fence trying to get a glimpse of this international superstar, she is now asked to help Nadia–who herself is now a “Romanian-American”–raise funds for her children’s clinic in Bucharest. Aura now sees her life from a more worldly perspective.

“I had to reclaim where I came from,” she explains. “I had been so set on blocking out my past and conquering the American dream that I lost sight of me and all that I’d worked for. In reconnecting with my community, I’m energized again, and focused on what is real and lasting in life.”

About Aura Imabrus

Aura Imbarus, PhD, is a former popular journalist in Europe, university professor, speaker, and award-winning educator. She is co-founder and ambassador of the Romanian-American Professional Network (RAPN) and the president of its Los Angeles chapter. She is also president of EuroCircle’s Los Angeles chapter.

Born in Sibiu, Romania, she earned her PhD in Romance Languages-Philology under the tutelage of Professor Dumitru Cicio-Pop, PhD, who writes the Foreword for her book. (Dr. Ciocoi-Pop is the former president of Lucian Blaga University. A popular activist for human rights, he was imprisoned for two years for speaking out against the Communist regime.) Aura is currently an educator in the Los Angeles school system and a professor in the California College system. She lives in Los Angeles. For more information visit: http://www.AuraImbarus.com /

About Out of the Transylvania Night

Bettie Youngs Books

Released September 29, 2010

302 pages/ $ 14.95/ ISBN: 978-0-9843081-2-5

http://www.BettieYoungsBooks.com

About Bettie Youngs Books

Bettie Youngs Books Publishers specializes in memoirsbooks that celebrate fascinating people and remarkable journeys.

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National Mortgage Complaint Center Warns All US Homeowners About Refinancing Scams Foreclosures & Says Time for Justice for Greedy Banks

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(Vocus/PRWEB) February 01, 2011

The National Mortgage Complaint Center says, “as we enter 2011 we have a lot of really serious concerns related to US homeowners, consumers wishing to purchase a home, and accountability for what got us into this mess in the first place. Things have not improved, and if not the homeowners-the taxpayers should be steamed.” They say, “what concerns us is Federal, or State Law Enforcement are doing little, to nothing about mortgage refinance scam artists, or foreclosure scam artists offering access to interest rates that do not exist, and or foreclosure programs, that require money up front-for nothing.” They say, “what do state, or federal regulators, who are supposed to be protecting consumers, do all day long? They sure and the hell are not doing much to regulate all of this nonsense, and we think all US homeowners, and or taxpayers better wise up. One way, or another you are all paying for this baloney, and will be for as long as you live.” http://NationalMortgageComplaintCenter.com

Refinancing: The National Mortgage Complaint Center says, “we think now would be a very smart time to refinance, because we think the realities of the Middle East meltdown mean much higher oil prices, inflation, and interest rates. Even if the US stock market has a meltdown-we think rates are going up-not down–because a Middle East meltdown probably means higher oil prices, and inflation.” They say, “if you see some advertisement for a 3% mortgage-its not a 30 year fixed product, we consider it to be false advertising, and its high time federal, or state regulatory agencies shut these firms down for false, or misleading advertising.” http://NationalMortgageComplaintCenter.com

Foreclosures: The National Mortgage Complaint Center says, “in 2011 we will see a record, or close to a record number of foreclosures. We expect an additional price decline of about 10% nationwide. The true national unemployment rate is north of 15%. Add in the Middle East meltdown, and 2011 is starting to look like a train wreck.” They say, “and no–if someone has not made their mortgage payment for a year, or more-why should it be the taxpayers responsibility to bail them out?” However, the National Mortgage Complaint Center says, “there is one exception to this not paying your mortgage payment. In this instance, it applies to 10,000’s of US homeowners stuck in a home with toxic Chinese drywall in the US Southeast. Haven’t heard about toxic Chinese drywall? Well there is a good reason why most US citizens have not yet heard about the toxic Chinese drywall disaster–President Obama has forgotten to mention it one time in public since taking office. Not to worry-we think its in all 50 states-so everyone will know about it one of these days.” They say, “toxic Chinese drywall is the absolute worst environmental disaster to ever impact US homeowners, and here’s the good part—–US banks stuck with a toxic Chinese drywall foreclosures in places like Florida–are simply reselling these toxic homes-As Is-no mention of the fact the home could be lethal to the homeowner, or their children-so the house just becomes a foreclosure all over again.” For more information on the toxic Chinese drywall disaster please visit the Chinese Drywall Complaint Center at http://ChineseDrywallComplaintCenter.com.

On The Topic Of Greedy Banks Investment Bankers & Accountability: The National Mortgage Complaint Center says, “in case you missed it, all of the big time Wall Street investment bankers, banks, international finance people had a big party in Switzerland last week. Apparently they all had a really good 2010. There is one slight problem, we think the US taxpayer picked up the bar tab.” They say, “back in 2006-even 2007, US securities rating agencies were giving questionable Alt A mortgages a triple A rating, just so foolish pension funds would buy these soon to be greatly discounted, or worthless securitized mortgages.” The group says, “the same people/firms at the free bar in Switzerland last week, were telling investors, and the US consumers, the US real estate party would go on forever back in 2006, and even 2007. They were all lying through their teeth, and now the US taxpayer gets stuck with trillions? We say its time for indictments!” http://NationalMortgageComplaintCenter.com

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Maturity of Commercial Debt a Growing Concern with Large Banks, Says Covendium

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Orlando, FL (Vocus/PRWEB) May 31, 2011

With the news last week that the Goldman Sachs-Whitehall Real Estate Fund restructured $ 1.42 billion of debt on one of its largest hotel portfolios; the market was provided more information on a potential commercial loan maturity crisis. The restructuring of the fund is a sign that large banks are making efforts to get ahead of the upcoming wave of commercial debt maturities that are coming due in the next few years, says leading commercial debt restructuring firm Covendium LLC.

As a result of the refinancing, Goldman was able to avert over $ 650M of debt maturity in early 2012 and restructure the debt to match the underlying collateral of the hotel properties in a portfolio assembled over 2006 and 2007. The big banks are getting an early start on restructurings ahead of the maturity witching hour, says Gregg Grauer, Chief Executive Officer of Covendium LLC, the nations largest debtor-side commercial debt restructuring and advocacy firm. While all of the media is focused on the consumer mortgage crisis, banks are very conscious of the $ 1.4 trillion of commercial debt that is coming to maturity over the next few years, adds Grauer.

During the commercial real estate boom in the first half of the last decade, investors and lenders made big bets on new projects at values significantly higher than the current market, with maturities that are quickly coming due.

Lenders can no longer delay the inevitable, says John Hyltin, Managing Director of Resolutions for Covendium. Every lender that I speak to is acutely aware of the size and maturity of their portfolio, and overwhelmed with the number of distressed loans they need to manage. If the debtor is reasonable and advised by an experienced firm like Covendium, there has never been a better time to realign debt with the underlying collateral, advises Hyltin.

We are seeing signs that cheaper capital from banks, insurance companies and even securitizations are slowly coming back to the marketbut the quality of the collateral and the economic terms of each deal matters now more than ever, says Grauer. If Goldman Sachs gets a jump on debt restructuring for their own portfolio, its a pretty strong sign that other debtors who do not have access to the information and resources of a Goldman-Sachs should get a move on.

For more information about how Covendium can help commercial debtors negotiate with their lenders, or any of Covendiums products or services, call them at (407) 284-4000, or view them on the web at http://www.covendium.com.

About Covendium

Covendium specializes in comprehensive commercial debt resolution and restructuring for clients whose financial model has been destroyed by debt service payments that have become unsustainable.

For some clients, all they need is an experienced negotiator to provide their lender with the reality of the financial situation and the tool-set to restructure their obligations. For other clients, Covendium may assist in the replacement of the debt from a bank to a private funding source.

Their team of professional advisors has successfully restructured billions in transactions, with dozens of banking institutions (including major national, regional and community banks) and over 30 separate non-bank financial counterparties.

Bad things happen to good people. Covendium is a premier national debt resolution firm that helps their clients with everything from commercial foreclosure in Charlotte to recapitalization in Miami to unpaid principal balance in Phoenix to discounted pay off in Chicago.

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