Bernard Alexander McNealy was born in the State of Georgia. Although his parents divorced five years after his birth, he is proud of his father, St. Claire McNealy, a formerly of the U.S. Army officer, and his mother, Adeline, a practical nurse. Bernard’s mother was a hard working, humble woman that struggled to make ends meet – he learned perseverance and faith in God from her. From his father he inherited a competitive drive and a sense of humor.

Growing up amid the tumultuous mean streets of Boston, Massachusetts, Bernard learned jiu-jitsu and karate from an uncle. He developed mental discipline that was instrumental in developing proficiency in basketball and baseball. He played semi-pro baseball and had a shot at the major leagues before incurring a serious injury.

After marrying his high school sweetheart, Joyce, this self-labeled former rebel settled into a Cliff Huxtablean life as a suburban father and underpaid legislative liaison with a public interest law office. The couple has two daughters – one of whom blessed them with two granddaughters. Eventually, Bernard began working as administrative laws advocate at the law office.

McNealy attended law school and became a litigation coordinator for his specialty unit at legal aid. After leaving that organization, he started his own administrative law advocacy firm and small business consultancy.

Writing is a passion, having finished four screenplays. He is busy at work on follow-ups to A Perfect World while putting the finishing the first installment of The Marvin Tanner Mysteries. Also, set in Los Angeles the story of Marvin Tanner, a private mediator and his beautiful cousin, Rev. Jeanette Rivers, features several Perfect World characters.

A PERFECT WORLD (A Perry Richards Novel)
Click to order via Amazon

ISBN: 1418404578
Format: Paperback, 580pp
Pub. Date: April 2004
Publisher: AuthorHouse

Read an Excerpt from A Perfect World

ABOUT A PERFECT WORLD

In his debut novel, A Perfect World (A Perry Richards Novel), Bernard Alexander McNealy invades the personal and professional lives of Perry and Felicia Richards and unleashes a story of turmoil and confusion.

Perry and Felicia, a beautiful, black Christian couple are living the American dream. Perry is slated to be the director of a public interest law firm, and Felicia is an exquisite, bright therapist who seems selfless and devoted to their daughters and their marriage.

Preparing to take the reigns at the law firm, Perry encounters opposition from a cadre of scheming colleagues who are resentful of his outspokenness, litigation skills, social grace and most of all, his black ethnicity. He takes it upon himself to restore the law firm to its past dignity and sets himself on a course to nullify anyone in his way. He soon finds out, however, that his opposition has destructive and treacherous tentacles hidden from view.

Privately, the seemingly perfect couple is at a crossroads in their marriage. When Felicia vanishes while traveling to join Perry at their vacation cabin, Perry is left with unanswered questions. Was it foul play or an affair? Did she leave him? To find her, Perry’s investigation takes to Chicago where he discovers that the woman he knows as Felicia was a composite character built partly of fiction. As he follows the clues, he becomes aware that there are people willing to go to extreme, even deadly measures to keep his wife’s secret.

Perry’s devoted, rich colleague and traveling companion, Charleston Bradley, wants to conquer Perry’s heart and let Felicia remain a haunting illusion. Searching for the truth, Perry must surmount infidelity as well as racial and social politics.

A Perfect World is a modern-day classic with glamorous, fashionable women and handsome, masculine men displaying old-fashioned mores of fidelity and loyalty.
 

WHAT READERS ARE SAYING:

“Well-plotted and breezily paced….Bernard Alexander McNealy’s “A Perfect World,” is an antidote to the deficiencies characteristic of male African American fiction. McNealy’s use of prose and plotting is similar to the likes of John D. McDonald….”
—Marie Grimes, reviewer for the African-American Chronicle News:

“One of the better plotted detective novels..visual and flows like a movie. Amiable prequel to (McNealy’s ) screenplay, ‘Detective.’ Compelling twists and turns…”
—R. Kellar, Sherman Oaks, CA, a writer says:

“Perry Richards is heroic and familiar. Spicy at times. There’s realness to the book with inspirational characters. Glad I have this. Thank you…”
—C. Wylie, Woodland Hills, CA., therapist comments:

“A detective story and romance without clichés…nice weaving of themes about relationships. You deserve success, Bernard. You brought life to these people…I can’t wait for your next book…”
—Ruth L,. Arleta, California, legal professional comments:

“This will be a great mystery series…Finally, a black hero and family man…Felicia was spectacular. Sharply written…Great surprise ending, highly layered.”
—Margaret Martin, Gardena, California, Postal Supervisor, comments:

“Thought provoking themes…I waited for this type of book, a suspense mystery novel with romance. Not risqué and readable. Nice imagery.”
—Malik R.. Antelope Valley, CEO community services program:

Related Links

Official Web Sites
http://bernardmcnealy.com (coming soon)

http://members.tripod.com/b_mcnealywriter/

 

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