Christina M. Abt is a story teller whose work has been features in newspapers, national magazines, national anthologies, on NRP Affiliate, WBFO Radio and in the five books she has authored, the newest of which is the soon-to-be-published, "Money or Love, Internet Dating From the Far Side of 40." In Money or Love you will meet Pete Wilson and Julia Regent. Pete is a 53-year old PR/Marketing Guru who has been abruptly down-sized from his high-paying job. He is also a divorced father stuck in a rumpled bachelor lifestyle yet dedicated to ensuring his college-aged daughter forever sees him as, “Super Dad.” He is frustrated, dejected, and desperately determined to get back to work. Julia is a 52-year old widow who has been rescued from the depth of her sorrows by the caring friendship of three womenfriends, also widows. Five years after her husband’s passing Julia is at a crossroads. Should she sell her home? Should she start making changes to her family’s defining traditions? Does she dare acknowledge that she is lonely and would once again like a man in her life? Pete and Julia meet at the intersection of online dating. One for money. One for love. This humorous and touching story of their relationship evolves in a timeline between Halloween and Valentine’s Day, evidencing the challenges of internet dating from the far side of 40 and the rewards of finding love at any age. Christina's first book, "Chicken Wing Wisdom- Western New York Stories of Family, Life and Food shared Around the Table" is a regional best-seller that showcases Western New York women and the ways their connection with food has impacted their lives, their communities and even the world. The tales in Chicken Wing Wisdom cover a range of topics, from the creation and cooking of food, to teaching and counseling on the subject. "Crown Hill, A Novel of Love, Life and The Afterlife" is Christina's first novel. It is a romantic story of historical fiction based on three generations of people who lived in a remarkable 150-year old home and shared the common experiences of love, life and the afterlife. The characters include a suspected murderer, an abused wife, an accomplished lawyer-turned spirtualist, an internationally renowned author and a newly-divorced woman beginning again....their stories all told by the one who knows them best.....Crown Hill (yep....the house!) "Heart and Soul, The Best Years of My Op-Ed Life" is the best of the best of Christina's 15-year career writing newspaper columns and broadcasting listener commentaries for Buffalo's NPR Affiliate/WBFO Radio. Topics run the gamut from family, home, love and marriage, holidays, women and community to name a few. Readers will smile, laugh and even cry when reading this collection of essays, which Christina crafted with inspiration from her idol, Erma Bombeck, and from her own heart and soul. "Beauty and Grace," is based on real life stories of women who were institutionalized in asylums throughout the early 20th Century, often against their wills and repeatedly for their entire lives. “Beauty and Grace’s” haunting exploration of the unjust confinement and medical treatment of woman in the 20th Century is beautifully interwoven through the touching relationship that develops between Teagan and Grace —-two women from different worlds and different eras, brought together within the haunting confines of Midland’s Wood Haven asylum . Christina is an often- invited guest speaker and enjoys engaging with readers and writers of all ages and interests. For more information you can contact Christina through her website www.christinaabt.com