Charity Bashed

by Sharon Geltner

Ever wonder what REALLY goes on at secretive and posh enclaves such as the Palm Beach Country Club, which was ground zero for the Madoff scandal? The customs, the culture, the back stabbing?

Publishers Weekly and a Top Amazon Reviewer highly recommend this fictional account of the restless and the ruthless. Go behind closed doors and gated communities to find out why.

The plot: after a $10 million donor is found dead in an oceanfront pool; a charity fund raiser stops panhandling amongst the elite, and begins investigating fraud, mayhem, murder and relentless social climbing. In that order.

RAVE REVIEWS FOR CHARITY BASHED

“This frothy confection is equal parts glitter and grunge—a tabloid kingpin is murdered in Palm Beach and social worker Justine Romanoff descends into the decadent world of high-end philanthropy to solve the case…the prose is generally buoyant, reading like a catty gossip column as savage portraits of the sin-soaked elite parade across Justine’s path, tagged with copious and specific dollar amounts like ancient epithets. Following a trail of embezzlement, vehicular fraud, and blackmail, Justine discovers the lengths the latest wife of the victim would go to protect her reputation, and how far her employer would go to keep himself in a position to siphon off his charity’s income…the novel is a solid effort and a tight social drama that...sparkles.”
-----Publishers Weekly

“Hilarious and witty murder mystery featuring Justine, the “chief panhandler” for a charitable organization, she finds herself in the thick of things when a philanthropist winds up dead in the pool the day before a big shindig. Told in first person, Justine’s wry observations of those around her are hysterical…The writing reminds me of a wittier entry in the Rachel Benjamin series, but this one…seems much funnier.”
----Amazon Top Reviewer

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Former award-winning reporter Sharon Geltner raised money for Palm Beach nonprofits; partly by publicizing the Ladies Who Lunch in the society press. She arranged fashion shows, televised coverage of celebrity speakers and lunches at the Four Seasons in Palm Beach and other resorts. Geltner also collected Ferragamo handbags on Worth Avenue to auction off as posh raffle prizes to the attendees, in hopes of selling more tickets and getting bigger philanthropic donations.

Today, Geltner is president of Froogle PR, a multiplatform marketing, SEO and special events firm. She still is involved with nonprofits, as a volunteer.

Kindle Edition

First published October 6, 2010

About the author

Are you done binging "Members Only" on Netflix?

Was Suebelle Robbins your favorite lady in the series?

And you've already streamed "Palm Royale," "Apples Never Fall" and "Mr. and Mrs. Smith?"

Then you are ready to enjoy the delightfully funny Palm Beach novel, CHARITY BASHED!

The author's career has spanned social work, social climbing, social media and, for a while, social distancing. She has won several recent state journalism awards and is also a professional theater judge in south Florida. So, Geltner knows drama.

And exposes.

She was a Washington D. C. reporter, covering government regulation of business and writing for celebrity authors. She traveled on assignment, including Israel, Egypt, Lapland, Scandinavia, Singapore, Mexico and the Caribbean.

Geltner came to Boca Raton, Florida to write for the Knight-Ridder Tribune News, a national newspaper chain. She was briefly a war correspondent in the Mideast.

Her “So Boca” battle royal began when Geltner revealed that the town’s biggest philanthropist, who claimed to be a “countess,” had bought her illegitimate title, from a con man.

The “countess” retaliated for this expose. She announced she would cut local charities out of her $22 million will, unless Geltner and her editor left town. This high society “banned from Boca” edict appeared as far away as Frankfurt and Paris. Geltner won a national award for “Outstanding News Reporting” from the Society of Professional Journalists.

Later, she publicized nonprofits with national coverage in the Wall Street Journal, MSNBC, etc. One client, Estella's Brilliant Bus, was a Top 10 CNN Hero, honored by the Obama White House and Oprah Winfrey. Founder Estella Pyfrom received a free, $9 million Super Bowl ad from Microsoft.

Geltner also raised money at the Four Seasons in Palm Beach, with televised fashion shows, and garnered door prizes, such as Ferragamo purses, from Worth Avenue shops.

Her pro bono campaigns include a “Barrier-Free Park” in Boynton Beach, Florida for people with disabilities and launching “National Net Needs News Day,” a journalism appreciation campaign. #NetNeedsNews Geltner publicized the first time the World Art Deco Congress visited Palm Beach County, admiring its art and architecture. #WorldArtDecoDay

Geltner teaches, consults and owns the award-winning, multimedia agency, Froogle PR. She is at shopping her historic fiction novel, set in Washington, D. C., spanning 60 years and three continents. You'll hear about it on Goodreads.

More info:

http://instagram.com/sharongeltner

http://muckrack.com/sharon-geltner

http://geltner.contently.com

http://direct.me/sharongeltner

http://amazon.com/author/sharongeltner

http://voyagemia.com/interview/meet-f...

Reviews

[Fiction Addition Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who loves a who dun it? Me but I loved this little gem when I realized it’s set in the one place I’d love to move to, and watch the rich and famous get into mischief.

Now when a rich guy is found in his own pool murdered I was there, well in spirit anyway.. palm trees, palm beach following Justine around trying to uncover the death of a rich clearly spoilt man.

This was a fun tongue in cheek light hearted read set in the wonderful land of the wealthy - where all is not as it seems.

Lots of wit and humour amongst the wealthy charity donors. I wonder how much of its true?

Perfect for that beach bag your packing soon..

[Dennis Fischman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have a soft spot for mysteries that involve charity fundraisers. Even though I work with mostly progressive nonprofit organizations, I enjoyed reading Sheila Connolly's Fundraising the Dead about philanthropy for a Philadelphia museum, and now I spent a pleasant afternoon reading about plucking the proud peacocks of Palm Beach for a community center.

Our hero, Justine Romanoff, is likeable and funny, although she's so cynical about what she does that I can imagine she left the field to write mysteries eventually--assuming she's the author's alter ego! She clearly knows the setting and the atmosphere, and she tells stories about rich people's misbehavior that have to be drawn from real life.

One other thing I liked about this book is that the love interest shows up in time to matter but late enough in the book that it doesn't become a romance novel. It definitely passes the Bechdel test.

Despite what Goodreads says, I read it in paperback, not on Kindle. Thanks to the author for sending me a copy to review!

[Sharon Geltner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wrote it, so I'm biased. Let's just say, I'm very positive.

[Dawnny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glitz and glam and murder. The lengths some will go to maintain their social status. I was glued to it. With laugh out loud funny parts. This was a delight. Don't miss it!

Dawnny-BookGypsy
Novels N Latte

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charity Bashed highlights the glitz and glam of the Palm Beach, Florida lifestyle but with the shocking murder of a tabloid kingpin thrown in. Vincent Paul Louis, our unfortunate victim, was in line to donate a whopping $10 million to the Palm Beach Crisis Center, which is also where narrator Justine Romanoff works as the "chief panhandler" for the nonprofit. Dipping back into her former reporting endeavors, Justine digs through her contacts and files to uncover the truth to the perplexing death.

Filled with larger-than-life and the occasional tiara-wearing characters, this was a fun, enjoyable adventure that I found myself cackling from chapter to chapter. Justine's relatable sense of humor sparkles along each page. Not a member of the Palm Beach rich and famous club herself, she represents what the other 99% of the country would think and do in her situation.

This is a perfect book for summer and would be an engaging read at the beach. I definitely recommend it for its witty banter and intriguing murder mystery.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a hoot this book was. The writing style and main character Justine Romanoff were reminiscent of Kinsey Milhone of Sue Grafton's ABC mystery series. Justine works at a nonprofit and finds herself embroiled in the murder of the tabloid kingpin who gets his head bashed next door to where Justine is helping prepare for a huge fundraiser. The posh, gold plated, Palm Beach millionaires and the hoi-polloi are all scrutinized as the clues are looked at by the police and everyone starts to gossip. Justine tries to get the scoop her own way and finds herself ensnared in the drama when she unwittingly finds out who-dun-it. I lived in an upscale community for many years and Ms. Geltner has captured the residents of a posh enclave perfectly. There are some real characters there. Some transplants, some who grew up there, some are just ALWAYS there, appearing in the local paper, keeping their tentacles attached to the community, because that's the only way they can be SOMEBODY. In some ways it's like living on a movie set and you're waiting for someone to run in and tell CUT!!

[CuriousBookReviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Curiosity level: Funny protagonist on a funky island of the rich!
•
“Pete puts the “sin” in sincerity.” - p.172
•
When a rich tycoon gets murdered in his own pool, the question on everyone’s minds is not whodunnit but what’s going to happen to the $10 million dollars he had promised to donate!
•
Palm Beach, a “suite” sounding island for the rich, socialites, and lucky beneficiaries is really fraught with mischief. And it is Justine, a funny and skeptical magazine writer whose non-stop curiosity lands us into hot waters of the charity-riddled island - because who else is going to care about the death of an unpopular, spoiled rich man? •
•
The book is a fun light hearted caricatural read about the relationship between rich and charities! Why Charity Bashed? Because charities aren’t as fluffily-fueled and pure as they seem to be... join Justine as she snoops the heck out of the island! I enjoyed Geltner’s writing style: upbeat, short sentences and humorous. Check out the book on Amazon ;)

[glenjenreads · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun and frivolous murder mystery set to the glamorous backdrop of Palm Beach in Florida and its wealthy charity donors. When a multi million donor is found dead in a pool, charity fund raiser Justine becomes embroiled in investigating his murder and uncovers a trail of fraud, blackmail and scandal...
This book provides an insight into the world of socialites and fundraising. As the author has previous experience with this industry, there's a sense that much of the shenanigans in the novel are not all that devoid from reality. The book does feel more like an initial draft than a complete novel, but its zappy one liners and wry wit hint at the book's potential to be a punchy murder mystery. One for light escapism, ideally read on a beach holiday!

[Jill Cohen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd like to thank the author for reaching out to me and suggesting I read this book.

This is not my usual read but it's always fun to read something different but this book, while different from what I usually read, it was very familiar. I spent over 10 year working for a not for profit in Palm Beach County in the ninety's and early 2000's. This book was like a walk down memory lane. Because, yes, some of these people are that self absorbed. It was also fun to read about places in my own backyard.

This book is at times laugh at loud funny and always engaging. Perfect beach read, which is Palm Beach County is year round. A will be recommending this book to others for want a fast paced, well written quick read.

[Melanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and quick read with a details that show a real familiarity with the royalty of Florida elite. Love it!

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charity Bashed provides an eagle-eye look at the upper echelon of Palm Beach society. Starting with a murdered man found in a socialite's swimming pool, it joyously romps through the self-serving one percent and the people who serve, and sometimes profit, from them. For example, find out why being a Palm Beach garbage man is such a sought after job. Charity Bashed is a great read, perfect for the beach, or for wishing you were on the beach.

[Bill · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to read a fictional story that provided a glimpse of what life is kind of like in Palm Beach today and I feel like the author came through on that. Almost everything seemed plausible. This was an easy book to read, entertaining and in the end satisfying. I love how the author used real places, businesses you can actually visit. That made the whole story more fun to me because I know these places. The main character, Justine, is a little frantic and a little overly dramatic, reminding me of the character Weezie in Savannah Blues by Mary Kay Andrews (which I read to get a feel for Savannah, Georgia).

There is a romance in this book but I was very happy to see it wasn't sleazy. No flexing muscles, no torn undergarments, no sofa sex scenes, etc. It didn't dominate the story.

There were some grammar issues but these weren't fatal. I've seen similar errors in big name books with big name publishers. Sadly, proofing seems to be a lost art. It seems so simple. I could have easily made a list of the most egregious errors with one simple read.

But having said all of that, I WOULD read another story like this from this author. Buy this for your Kindle, iPad or Nook - the ebook price is super low. It's an easy read and a decent way to get a feel for The Island.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW!!! What fun I had in reading the murder mystery novel titled CHARITY BASHED which was written by Ms. Sharon Geltner. This accomplished writer has lived in the Palm Beach area for many years and is most qualified in understanding the all important UNWRITTEN RULES (rules concerning the dos and don't for those not born into that world). Possibly one way is to become the generous host for many important causes anywhere from assistance for shut ins to lavish birthday parties for pets. These wannabes will do almost anything to be able to live among the Uber Rich and be treated as an equal. The reality of life on the “Island” of Palm Beach is so structured that the only chance of acceptance (if you are not born to the purple) is that you understand that it is your money that is so beloved not you. This is a wonderful story about the murder of an owner/publisher of a sleazy news rag and those who lived in fear of it's next publication.

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

JUICY READ!

I have lived in Palm Beach County for 19 years. I can tell you this is right on the nose. Covering the rich's foibles and scandals, similar to those in the Shiny Sheet (Palm Beach's society newspaper), the Palm Beach Post and the National Enquirer (National Intruder in the novel) Geltner caught the flavor of the colorful characters who overrun "The Island."

Justine is an amazing protagonist, one of the few normal working people in the book. While doing her job, she discovers a murder, crooked accountants and the many personages of Palm Beach who harbor hidden agendas. Geltner's descriptions of predatory females and overbloated millionares are hysterical and believable. This is one fascinating read and in fact the writer is having so much fun that the reader was happy to go along for the ride.

FIVE STARS!

[Ashley Hasty]

#HastyBookList Charity Bashed by @sharongeltner is the tabloid of mystery books - and funnily enough, it is about the murder of a tabloid tycoon...and right before he was to donate 10 million dollars to Justine's charity. The book was full of outrageous scenarios and witty puns. But from what I've heard, the author used to live in the world of charity fundraisers, so I can't help but wonder how much of the book is true.

[Lyz · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mildly, and I mean very mildly, entertaining. For the most part it was slow moving and uninteresting.

[Barbara Erlichman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book. This is for anyone who's volunteered and been involved in fund raising.

[Marisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun look into Celebrity lifestyle. Quick read and perfect for the beach!