A book trailer for “Playing Hurt” by Gerald L. Nardella is now available

A book trailer for Gerald L. Nardella’s Playing Hurt has been released. This video trailer offers a glimpse into the world of the novel’s characters. Readers will appreciate how the story, written by the author, comes to life through this visual presentation.

Author Gerald L. Nardella was born and raised in Livingston, Montana, and served in the U.S. Army. He married Peggy, his high school sweetheart, in 1962. They have two children: Michael and Terri. Gerald earned a degree in accounting from Montana State University in Bozeman in 1968. He worked for a national CPA firm before establishing his own practice in Billings in 1974. Gerald enjoys golfing, reading, and working on the family cabin in the Crazy Mountains.

He had a successful book signing event during the 2025 Los Angeles Times Festival of Books (LATFOB), held on April 26–27 at the University of Southern California (USC). This significant cultural event, celebrating its 30th anniversary, brought together a diverse array of participants in a vibrant celebration of literature, culture, and community. Known for drawing large crowds, the 2024 festival attracted over 150,000 attendees, and the 2025 edition featured more than 550 writers, experts, and storytellers, along with hundreds of exhibitors.

Gerald was also interviewed by CBS Radio’s Benji Cole. The interview, part of the People of Distinction program, focused on the book’s message and the author’s purpose in writing this compelling work.

Watch the interview here:

The fear and insecurity of growing up in a small town, offering limited opportunity and few role models, exacerbated by an uncertain future and overwhelming emotions, inspired Gerald L. Nardella to write Playing Hurt. Life’s struggles can be lonely and painful. Having grown up in a small town and experienced the emotional toll of a broken home, Gerald writes from a place of authenticity. These deep-seated insecurities still linger with him today.

The April 14, 2025, issue of Publishers Weekly features Playing Hurt by Gerald L. Nardella. ARPress is honored to collaborate with Publishers Weekly in featuring and promoting exceptional works by passionate and dedicated authors. Each year, millions of books are published, but only a select few are featured by Publishers Weekly, one of the most credible and globally respected publications in the industry.

The book was also nominated for the 2024 Eric Hoffer Book Award. It received high praise from Amanda Hanson of the US Review of Books, who noted:

“Nardella uses a confessional technique popular in narratives by having her protagonist reveal these thoughts to her friend, Karen. Deanie then establishes a sharp contrast between Karen and herself. Karen was able to stand firm and refuse to sleep with her boyfriend, while Deanie feels that she gave up too easily. Deanie’s intense struggle with her thoughts and emotions helps make her relatable to the reader. Many will likely appreciate this book because the characters express their emotions with honesty.”

This powerful novel was also showcased at the 2024 American Library Association (ALA) Annual Conference. The ALA is the leading national organization that provides resources to help library and information professionals transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more than 140 years, the ALA has been the trusted voice for academic, public, school, government, and special libraries—advocating for the profession and promoting equitable access to information for all.

Watch the video trailer below: