News Release May 2010 Diane O. DesRochers was chosen as an Eric Hoffer Book Award Winner in the 2010 Young Adult Category for her novel, Sunflower. A Native American, Sunflower survives the loss of her family and village 1810 and demonstrates to the reader how, even in the face of adversity, compassion and goodness can preval. A novel for young adults, the author unveils friendships, injustices and bravery as she transports you through the rugged terrain of the Appalachian Mountains and into Canada. There Sunflower overcomes more obstacles and hardships and in the end, emerges a confident young woman able to share her triumphs, knowledge and skills with her tribe. Ms. DesRochers is a member of the Treasure Coast Writers Guild and The Morningside Writers Group. Her other published books are: A Matter of Time, The Little Tree that Would be Great and her latest, Une Questions de Temps. a French version of A Matter of Time. The books are available through www.FictionPublishingInc.com, as well as Barnes & Noble and Amazon. You may also check out Diane’s website at www.publishedauthors.net/dianeodesrochers or www.treasurecoastwritersguild.org. HUDSON DAILY SUN Hudson, Massachusetts 11-24-07 Family, history inspire third novel Former Hudson resident Diane O’Neill DesRochers of Port St. Lucie, FL has published her third novel. “A Matter of Time,” based on an explosion in Halifax, Nova Scotia Harbor in 1917 recounts the personal struggles of her father, the late Ted O’Neill and his family after the blast. The collision of two ships in Halifax Harbor on December 6, 1917 killed 2,000 people and wounded another 9,000. Ms. DesRochers said “A Matter of Time” is a blend of fiction and history. It recounts the devastation of the city, the horror of the survivors and the courageous and heartwarming struggles of her father, an 18-year-old watchmaker apprentice and his family. This is the third novel by Ms. DesRochers, wife of Hudson native, Joseph DesRochers. She has also written many children’s stories, a collection of poetry and songs and is currently working on her fourth novel, the harrowing tale of a boy growing up in Tunisia. She is a member of Phoenix Toastmasters, former associate editor of a local business quarterly and editor of an association newsletter. A Massachusetts native, Diane lived in Wayland and Hudson before moving to New Hampshire where she and her husband raised their five children. Business ventures took them to Kansas, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts before they moved to Florida several years ago. Their family now includes ten grandchildren and one great-grandson. “A Matter of Time” will soon be available online through PulishAmerica.com, Barnes& Noble.com and Amazaon.com. -Rosemary Rimkus