From Buenos Aires to Paris to New Orleans, Mike and Barbara Bivona have traveled and danced throughout the world. And in this memoir and travelogue, these two dance aficionados share their adventures and experiences. Ballroom dancers for more than twenty years, the Bivonas have traveled extensively while honing their dancing skills and meeting fellow dancers. Dancing Around the World with Mike and Barbara Bivona provides detailed accounts of their experiences in Argentina, Paris, Hawaii, Italy, the Catskill Mountains of New York, the Caribbean, and South Florida, as well as other destinations. This account not only includes dancing details, but also shares the history and flavor of the exciting locales they have visited. Augmented with photographs, Dancing Around the World with Mike and Barbara Bivona also includes background information on the art of ballroom dancing, a few dance lessons, biographies of select dancers who have performed on the television show Dancing with the Stars, current ballroom dancing philosophy, and information about the intellectual benefits gained from dancing. Preview: Daniel Trenner hosted a party at his apartment one afternoon, which lasted until eight at night. He has a huge rooftop terrace overlooking the beautiful cupolas of Buenos Aires, where we were treated to a three-piece Tango band for our dancing pleasure and a professional Tango show. The elite of the Tango world were present and politely asked many of us to dance; what a wonderful experience to be floating on a strategically located rooftop in the heart of one of the most beautiful cities in the world, being led by world famous dancers, to the music of the seductive Argentine Tango. My OH MY We talked, lived, and danced Tango for eleven days, and remained in Buenos Aires for a few extra days after our group left so we could do some sightseeing. We went to the mausoleum of Eva Peron, the famous antique and street fair in San Telmo, and, of course, we went to the city of Caminito, made famous by a song of the same name by the immortal singer, Carlos Gardel. We loved to Tango before we went to Argentina. We fell in love with it in Buenos Aires.

In his memoir "Was That Me?, " a successful businessman, author, and philanthropist provides an inspirational look into the reasons why he chose the road he did in life. After being repeatedly asked the question, ""How did you go from not attending high school to becoming the man you are today?"" Bivona's answer was always the same: "lots of luck and fate." But soon, that answer did not seem to be enough; and, as Bivona delved into past experiences in order to discover what truly caused him to reach his current destination, he began to identify the influences that propelled him from a childhood in a rundown neighborhood to a stint in the National Guard to his first job as a runner for a Wall Street stockbrokerage firm. As Bivona relays how he eventually attended Long Island University and became a certified public accountant, it is evident that self-determination and a thirst for knowledge guided him to attain success. The true story of how Michael Bivona's choices in life helped him become who he is today will inspire anyone to examine their own turning points and learn that sometimes opening the door to the unknown is what leads to true happiness.

You ve spent an entire career working hard, and now it s time to retire. But what exactly does that mean?

Author Michael Bivona was unsure about what to do with his life when retiring, but he didn t let that stop him from finding ways to enjoy it. In this memoir and guidebook, he describes his retirement experiences and considers how to overcome challenging physical times that most retirees face; enjoy new hobbies without getting ripped off; find activities to enjoy with your significant other; and stretch a retirement budget.

He looks back on the great vacations and places he s enjoyed with his wife, Barbara, during retirement. Learn from his mistakes and follow in his footsteps to live some great experiences of your own.

You ve worked hard to get to this point, and you don t want to mess things up now. Get the information, tools, and strategies you need to live your life to the fullest in retirement.

Retired? What's Next? by Michael Bivona CPA, published by IUniverse, was a finalist in the Annual Eric Hoffer Awards for Short Prose & Independent Books. After a rigorous first round of judging, less than 10% of over 1,000 entrants were privileged to have the "2013 Eric Hoffer Award FINALIST-Excellence in Independent Publishing" assigned to their books and digital presentations.

The US Review of Books

"Before retiring, it's wise to begin building bridges to things you are passionate about, so that when the time comes, you have a choice of which bridges you can comfortably take into the next phase of your life."

Some people transition seamlessly into their "golden years," while others have a tougher time entering into retirement, wondering what's next? In Retired? What's Next?, retired accountant, Michael Bivona shares his answer. Part memoir, part retirement guide, this is both informative and inspirational. Touching on essential aspects of retirement like remaining healthy, financial matters, preparing a will, finding part-time and or volunteer work, Bivona delivers practical, real-life advice and insightful reflections.

"I realized after a friend's demise that many of the possessions that he had accumulated over his lifetime and were so dear to him, were of no interest to his heirs or friends, and were disposed of like pieces of junk."

Staking his own territory in the popular and compelling category of memoir writing, Bivona writes in a genuine narrative tone about how to manage the freedom, new opportunities and choices of retirement by focusing on what he knows and enjoys traveling, dancing, boating, fishing, tennis, golf, writing, reading, and collecting books. And showing by example, Bivona frames his real-life tips on planning for a rewarding retirement around his reflections and recounting of the collective highlights and significant moments and events of his life and retirement journey with his wife, Barbara.

Clearly, the Bivonas have a winning strategy for living life to the fullest in retirement. By learning not merely how to cope, but to thrive by crafting a retirement path that is focused on personal fulfillment and joyful meaning, as evidenced by their successful post-retirement journey. In Retired? What's Next?, retired readers, or those thinking of or planning for retirement, will gain insight from Bivona's shared personal wisdom and learn by example the guidance of his inner and outer retirement journeys, which can be applied to their own retirement goals for staying happy, healthy, and active.

You ve spent an entire career working hard, and now it s time to retire. But what exactly does that mean?

Author Michael Bivona was unsure about what to do with his life when retiring, but he didn t let that stop him from finding ways to enjoy it. In this memoir and guidebook, he describes his retirement experiences and considers how to overcome challenging physical times that most retirees face; enjoy new hobbies without getting ripped off; find activities to enjoy with your significant other; and stretch a retirement budget.

He looks back on the great vacations and places he s enjoyed with his wife, Barbara, during retirement. Learn from his mistakes and follow in his footsteps to live some great experiences of your own.

You ve worked hard to get to this point, and you don t want to mess things up now. Get the information, tools, and strategies you need to live your life to the fullest in retirement.

Retired? What's Next? by Michael Bivona CPA, published by IUniverse, was a finalist in the Annual Eric Hoffer Awards for Short Prose & Independent Books. After a rigorous first round of judging, less than 10% of over 1,000 entrants were privileged to have the "2013 Eric Hoffer Award FINALIST-Excellence in Independent Publishing" assigned to their books and digital presentations.

The US Review of Books

"Before retiring, it's wise to begin building bridges to things you are passionate about, so that when the time comes, you have a choice of which bridges you can comfortably take into the next phase of your life."

Some people transition seamlessly into their "golden years," while others have a tougher time entering into retirement, wondering what's next? In Retired? What's Next?, retired accountant, Michael Bivona shares his answer. Part memoir, part retirement guide, this is both informative and inspirational. Touching on essential aspects of retirement like remaining healthy, financial matters, preparing a will, finding part-time and or volunteer work, Bivona delivers practical, real-life advice and insightful reflections.

"I realized after a friend's demise that many of the possessions that he had accumulated over his lifetime and were so dear to him, were of no interest to his heirs or friends, and were disposed of like pieces of junk."

Staking his own territory in the popular and compelling category of memoir writing, Bivona writes in a genuine narrative tone about how to manage the freedom, new opportunities and choices of retirement by focusing on what he knows and enjoys traveling, dancing, boating, fishing, tennis, golf, writing, reading, and collecting books. And showing by example, Bivona frames his real-life tips on planning for a rewarding retirement around his reflections and recounting of the collective highlights and significant moments and events of his life and retirement journey with his wife, Barbara.

Clearly, the Bivonas have a winning strategy for living life to the fullest in retirement. By learning not merely how to cope, but to thrive by crafting a retirement path that is focused on personal fulfillment and joyful meaning, as evidenced by their successful post-retirement journey. In Retired? What's Next?, retired readers, or those thinking of or planning for retirement, will gain insight from Bivona's shared personal wisdom and learn by example the guidance of his inner and outer retirement journeys, which can be applied to their own retirement goals for staying happy, healthy, and active.

From Buenos Aires to Paris to New Orleans, Mike and Barbara Bivona have traveled and danced throughout the world. And in this memoir and travelogue, these two dance aficionadas

Ballroom dancers for more than twenty years, the Bivonas have traveled extensively while honing their dancing skills and meeting fellow dancers. Dancing Around the World with Mike and Barbara Bivona provides detailed accounts of their experiences in Argentina, Paris, Hawaii, Italy, the Catskill Mountains of New York, the Caribbean, and South Florida, as well as other destinations. This account not only includes dancing details, but also shares the history and flavor of the exciting locales they have visited.

Augmented with photographs, Dancing Around the World with Mike and Barbara Bivona also includes background information on the art of ballroom dancing, a few dance lessons, biography of select dancers who have performed on the television show Dancing with the Stars, current ballroom dancing philosophy, and information about the intellectual benefits gained from dancing.

In his memoir "Was That Me?, " a successful businessman, author, and philanthropist provides an inspirational look into the reasons why he chose the road he did in life. After being repeatedly asked the question, ""How did you go from not attending high school to becoming the man you are today?"" Bivona's answer was always the same: "lots of luck and fate." But soon, that answer did not seem to be enough; and, as Bivona delved into past experiences in order to discover what truly caused him to reach his current destination, he began to identify the influences that propelled him from a childhood in a rundown neighborhood to a stint in the National Guard to his first job as a runner for a Wall Street stockbrokerage firm. As Bivona relays how he eventually attended Long Island University and became a certified public accountant, it is evident that self-determination and a thirst for knowledge guided him to attain success. The true story of how Michael Bivona's choices in life helped him become who he is today will inspire anyone to examine their own turning points and learn that sometimes opening the door to the unknown is what leads to true happiness.