For 20 years, veteran writer Jeffrey Stepakoff worked on major motion pictures and internationally recognized television shows in Hollywood. The east Cobb resident takes his fiction writing skills to a new level, launching his debut novel, "Fireworks Over Toccoa," today at Borders in east Cobb, located at 4475 Roswell Road, at 7 p.m., where he will be on hand for reading and signing books.

Although Stepakoff enjoyed a highly successful career in Hollywood that included Emmy-winning shows such as "The Wonder Years," "Sisters," "Major Dad," Disney's "Tarzan," and "Dawson's Creek" as co-executive producer, he and his wife, Elizabeth, wanted to raise their three children in a community like they were raised.

Returning home several years ago, the Atlanta native, who is compared by critics to Nicholas Sparks, began writing "Fireworks," a classic, compelling love story.

"Love stories are appealing to people. They're universal," 46-year-old Stepakoff said. "After working 20 years in Hollywood, I understand them."

Uniquely set in Toccoa, where Stepakoff's wife spent part of her youth, Stepakoff incorporates the compelling and fresh world of pyrotechnics as a springboard for the passion sparked between a young woman, Lily, and handsome Italian, Jake. While preparing for the return of her husband sent abroad to fight in World War II, Lily meets Jake, who was hired by the small town to orchestrate an elaborate fireworks display celebrating the return of Lily's husband.

"Lily must choose between a love she never knew and a commitment she'd already made," said Stepakoff, who earned a journalism degree from UNC at Chapel Hill and MFA in playwriting from Carnegie Melon.

A lead fiction title for St. Martin's Press, a big 5 publisher and premier publishing arm of MacMillan, "Fireworks" has received critical acclaim being named a Spring 2010 Okra Pick by Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance and an April 2010 Next List Notable.

"Fireworks" also received popular acclaim from Publishers Weekly, and among many others, Karen White, award-winning author of "The House on Tradd Street," and NY Times Best Selling author of "Love the One You're With," Emily Giffin.

"('Fireworks') is emotional and appeals to the heart," the full-time tenure track professor of dramatic writing at Kennesaw State University said.

Available to speak with book clubs, learn more about Stepakoff and "Fireworks" at www.jeffrey stepakoff.com. Enter St. Martin Press' Fireworks Over Toccoa sweepstakes to win a book copy or grand prize gourmet picnic basket at www.fireworksovertoccoa.com.

"('Fireworks' is) a compelling classic and yet epic story of love and also trying to balance commitments in ones life," Stepakoff said.

The book is available at Borders, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, Indie Bound, Overstock.com, A Capella Books and Powell's Books.