Joe Broadmeadow – författare

The Dark Underbelly of the Providence Renaissance

The 1970''s saw the rise of a powerful new force in Providence (RI), replacing the once inviolate stranglehold of the Mob.

Buddy Cianci''s rise to national prominence overshadowed a darker truth.

Driven from office by one scandal, returned to office on a wave of nostalgia, Cianci and Providence are forever linked.

One man was there for it all. Pat Cortellessa, who went from a small time club owner and Cianci ally with a view of the darkside of the Mayor to one of Cianci''s most ardent opponents.

This is his story. One never before told.

Billy "V" Vigeant, born an ordinary kid in the Silver Lake section of Providence, Rhode Island, created an extraordinary career in radio, television, sports marketing, and acting.

He produced exclusive one-on-one interviews with more than 300 Hall of Fame Athletes and Entertainers in his thirty-year career. And he did it his own way.

He created an award-winning radio and television show named Billy "V''s" Sports Legends. He received the communicator award for his exclusive interview with Hall of Fame Basketball legend Bill Russell in 1999.

You will read the trials and tribulations encountered along his journey and first-hand accounts of interviewing some of the greatest legends in the World of Sports. Legends like YOGI BERRA, MICKEY MANTLE, HARMON KILLEBREW, BILL RUSSELL, DICK BUTKUS, and JIM MCMAHON.

After the show ended, he turned his attention to a successful acting career. Working with some of the biggest names such as Academy Award-winner Christian Bale, Tony Todd, Academy Award winner Denzel Washington, and Oscar-nominated Eric Roberts, to name a few.

Billy brings you courtside, ringside, in the dugout, and on the field, sharing memorable events with Billy V''s human side approach to interviewing. Billy never asked "WHY ME," he always asked, "WHY NOT ME."

Billy "V" is the creator of the Billy "V" Scholarship Foundation to benefit two student-athletes who wish to attend LaSalle Academy in Providence, Rhode Island. In 2019 Billy "V" was diagnosed with incurable cancer. During his journey to beat this cancer, he is sharing his story for you to enjoy.

All proceeds of this book will go to the Billy "V" Scholarship Foundation at La Salle Academy Providence, Rhode Island.

When mob boss Gino "The Greek" Suraci is gunned down after a confrontation with a rival boss, doing good in the world is the last thing on his mind. After all, he''s dead. But in the most unanticipated of circumstances Gino finds himself face to face with an Angel named Achilles, who makes him an offer he can''t refuse.

Return to earth with a list of historical incidents and try to change history.

If he succeeds, his past is forgotten and he is free to pass the gates of heaven. But if he fails, or falls back into his old ways, he''ll find himself face to face with a hell of his own creation.What if second chances happen to the most unlikely of people? Can a lifetime habit of brutality and murderous dominance ever be broken?

This is a story that will capture your imagination and make you wonder, what if?