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’80s 1
SEPTEMBER 2010
BRAT PACK, JOHN HUGHES, KEITH HARING, & MTV...
what to read next in independent publishing
Introducing a present-day La Bohème—a must-read novel for all opera lovers.
by Yorker Keith The Other La Bohème is literary fiction that depicts a group of four opera singers, named the Dolci Quattro, who are to perform the nearlyforgotten opera La Bohème by Leoncavallo, also known as “the other La Bohème.” Set in the rich artistic backdrop of New York City, the Dolci Quattro’s lives and loves go through ups and downs in joy and despair, while they give one another much-needed moral support. As the opening night nears, the Dolci Quattro make their utmost efforts to perfect their singing for the opera that will determine their future.
staff
Margaret Brown fo u n d e r a n d p u b l i sh e r Anna Nair edito r i n ch i e f Christina Davidson c re a t i ve d i re c tor Ben Minton circ u l a t i on ma n a g e r Patricia McClain c o py e d i to r Marc Schuster c o n t r i b u t i n g e d i tor Barbara Pflaumer so c i a l me d i a d i re c tor
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Sarah Kloth s o c i a l me d i a st ra te g i st Jane Miller ac c o u n t i n g ma n a g e r
For a dve r tising inqu ir ie s: c al l 2 14.704.4182 or e- mail m a rga ret@ s he l fm e di agrou p.c om For editor ial inqu ir ie s: e- mail m a rga ret@ s he l fm e di agrou p.c om or write to Shelf U nbou nd, P O B ox 852321 R ich ard s on, TX 75085
Photograph: Searching for John Hughes by Jason Diamond
what to read next in independent publishing
april/may
14
Heavy Metal Interview with Andrew Bourelle
22
Running Interview with Cara Hoffman
26
The Impossible Fortress Interview with Jason Rekulak
34
Searching for John Hughes by Jason Diamond
36
Brat Pack America by Kevin Smokler
42
’80s Bestsellers From Jackie Collins to Sidney Sheldon
contents
DEPARTMENTS 8
a note from the publisher
58
indie book
114
photo essay
120 dystopian fangirl 122 on our shelf 124 small press review 125
last words
SPLIT SECONDS
HAVANA BY ABE KOGAN
A PHOTOGRAPHIC JOURNEY THROUGH THE EVERDAY LIFE IN HAVANA, CUBA. These captured shots within Split Seconds Havana occur smack in the midst of the pre-normalization of Cuban/US relations followed by the signing of the accord between the 2 nations, President Obama’s visit, and Fidel Castro’s death. This collection of black and white photos situates Havana inside of the dying embers of its 57 year relationship with orthodox communism. But now with its feet firmly planted in the pre-post Castro dance of modernity and change, bets are on that Havana is set to change and in a big way. The author is not sure how much change is in the cards. Nor how quickly it will manifest. Havana will reinvent itself regardless of change, rates of change, confluences or conflicts of influences he says. The shots presented here cut through the politics and the gossip of endless predictions spun by the international and local rumor mills. They portray a timeless face of Havana. A captivating and repeating humanity. “Generational Generalities” as he likes to say. Devoid of its powerful tropical flavors via his cancelation of color, landscapes and seascapes, Havana is stripped bare and reveals its inner city urban pulse. The metronome of its Habaneros.
of of
A psychological thriller and thought-provoking discussion about the meaning of life. This book is definitely going on my list of favorite books of all time. — Kathy Schneider, NetGalley
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ISBN 978-1-935670-94-0 See reviews on Amazon.com
Dialogue is razor-sharp. Hilarious, incisive observations about all things great and small. — Robert Bidinotto, author of the bestseller Hunter
“Down Under romance with tinges of Austen.” —Jill Allen, Clarion Foreword Reviews
I love the setting, the story, and the characters! —Amazon Review Romance featuring Australian outback and two characters that really have kept me hooked reading it from the very start. —Amazon Review www.victoriacapper.com
All royalties donated to The Wounded Warrior's Project and the Hilton Head Humane Association.
The Seventh Treasure by Len Camarda
T
his thriller follows the exploits of Secret Service agent Gene Cerone, who travels to Spain to investigate the mysterious circumstances surrounding his sister's death. Teaming up with Lieutenant Mercedes Garcia of the National Police Force, their investigation unwittingly uncovers an unfathomable conspiracy that dates back to the time the Moors surrendered their kingdom in Granada in 1492.
www.lencamarda.com
Available as e-book, soft and hard cover at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and AuthorHouse.
Lamb to the
Slaughter by Pete Delohery A novel about love and cour age, sin and redemption “Iron” Mike McGann is facing the twilight of his prizefighting career. Desperate for his future, he has refused to honor his promise to his wife to quit the ring and start a family. Rufus “Hurricane” Hilliard is the most menacing presence in prizefighting. But behind his menacing ring presence lives a man nobody knows, a complex man who despises his own image. Rufus “Hurricane” Hilliard vs. “Iron” Mike McGann, just another fight shown on The Continuous Sports Network, but by the time it is over the lives of these and many others will be forever different.
“This heartfelt tale makes a powerful emotional impact.” —Blue Ink Starred Review Also in Spanish: El Cordero al matadero Available in print and e-book at Amazon, xlibris, and Barnes & Noble.
w w w. p e t e d e l o h e r y. c o m
a word from the
publisher
P
THE EIGHTIES
ac-Man. Rubix Cube. Hair bands. Reagan. Oh, the memories. Three new novels take us back to the Eighties: Andrew Bourelle’s Heavy Metal is a comingof-age story in the days of AC/DC and Metallica; in Cara Hoffman’s Running, a trio of outsiders struggle to survive in 1980s’ Athens, Greece; and in Jason Rekulak’s The Impossible Fortress, a 14-year-old boy and his two best buddies concoct a plan to steal the May 1987 issue of Playboy with Vanna White on the cover. In addition to interviews with these authors, we asked them for playlists from the era that will have you breaking out your retro dance moves (because nobody puts Baby in a corner). We also excerpt Searching for John Hughes by Jason Diamond and Brat Pack America: A Love Letter to ‘80s Teen Movies by Kevin Smokler and talk to Greg Prato about his book MTV Ruled the World: the Early Years of Music Video. And we take a fun flashback look at the bestselling novels of the Eighties, heavy on Danielle Steel, Jackie Collins, Robert Ludlum, and Sidney Sheldon. Back in the day, I read them all. Finally, I am proud to announce that Shelf Media is a Maggie Award finalist in three categories, including Shelf Unbound for Best Digital Magazine. The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Los Angeles on April 28; we will have our fingers crossed and a bottle of champagne at the ready. Margaret Brown publisher
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Photograph: Debra Pandak
IN P L L A
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“[T]he engaging characters, suspenseful storyline and expert world building will keep readers entertained and spellbound.” —RT Book Reviews
“There’s no shortage of YA sci-fi yarns that focus on the gap between haves and have-nots. But North’s entry is superlative, and his well-rendered setting is a more interesting conceit than Suzanne Collins’ similar Panem in The Hunger Games... A promising debut that re-energizes tropes in the dystopian sci-fi genre.” —Kirkus (Starred Review & Kirkus Indie Book of the Month Selection)
Available on Kindle Unlimited
Witherston Murder Mysteries Georgia writer Betty Jean Craige sets her three tales of murder in Witherston, twenty miles north of Dahlonega, where Cherokees lived peacefully for a thousand years before the Georgia Gold Rush of 1828. In that small mountain town Detective Mev Arrollo solves a series of mysteries with the aid of her teenage sons Jaime and Jorge, her husband Paco, and her Aunt Lottie, an eccentric historian who writes a column in the local online newspaper.
www.bettyjeancraige.com
The Way I See IT
Joseph Chan was born with two rather restrictive birth defects. One of them is a genetic eye disease known as retinitis pigmentosa (RP), which is progressive with age. The other is paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD), an involuntary muscular spasm brought on by other sudden movements such as standing up from a sitting position; a condition that actually lessened after age forty. In The Way I See It, Mr. Chan talks candidly about the challenges of growing up with these two birth defects. Despite facing the fear and frustration of falling behind in school as a little child, and stigma for being different, this is a story of love, faith, and personal triumph over fate. The Way I See It is Joseph Chan’s spiritual journey to discover his life’s purpose and to share the hope and inspiration that he has found with those who might also bene t from it.
JOSEPH K. CHAN
s e . n y
THE WAY I SEE IT
f h a n t y e , l o s
“In a book filled with wisdom, one of the most remarkable lessons is the way in which the author views his physical limitations.” By Foreword Reviews
WWW.JOSEPHKCHAN.COM
A child born with multiple disabilities, Sarah’s life wasn’t anything like the fairytales she loved to watch. However, despite her illness, she was able to become an inspiration to most people she met. Author Denise Richardson pens the story of her daughter’s short yet meaningful life in A Kinder Way Of Dying. Written to help other parents of a child with multiple disabilities and educate health care providers, this book remembers and honors Sarah’s courage and determination as she struggled to live each day despite the unhappy ending her fairy tale had. “This is a heart wrenching and compassionate account written by the mother of a disabled and terminally ill young child. All Mom wanted was for Sarah to have some quality of life. The author and her family devoted themselves to trying to make that happen. Read about the obstacles and insensitivity they encountered. Sarah was a special child who touched hearts and lives.” —Peg EC, Amazon Review “This book made me laugh, cry and smile. You really feel like you are getting to know Sarah, and realize how traumatized her family was when she became sick.” —AC Crawford, Barnes & Noble Review
DENISE RICHARDSON is a home care Registered nurse with over 20 years experience, working with adult and pediatric patients at Interim Healthcare in Pittsburgh PA. She was one of the founding nurses in her employers home hospice department, using the skills she developed caring for her daughter Sarah, to help her patients in their final life’s journey. In her spare time at home Denise enjoys tending to her perennial garden, her collection of vintage colored glass, reading and driving her antique red Dodge pick up truck
www.AKinderWayOfDying.com
Available March 1 at Amazon in paperback and Kindle
Michael Bowe
“Five Stars”
“A balanced combination of fact, fiction, engaging dialogue, and a flurry of twists and turns, Skyscraper of a Man is a stunning and inimitable debut with Silver Screen potential.” —San Francisco Book Review
S ky s c ra per of a Man A Novel
“A truly American story” “Bowe pens a poignant tale...” MORE AT GOODREADS
feature
interview
A coming of age story set in the Eighties, Heavy Metal is the winner of the 2016 Autumn House Fiction Prize
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Heavy Metal
by Andrew Bourelle Autumn House Press Autumnhouse.org
Shelf Unbound: The first line of your novel is: “I place the gun barrel between my lips, touch the roof of my mouth with the sight, test the hardness of the steel with my teeth.” The narrator is Danny, who then recalls finding his mother’s dead body after she shot herself. Was this scene always planned as your starting point, and how did the idea come to you? Andrew Bourelle: Heavy Metal actually began as a short story of the same name that was published in the journal Jabberwock Review. The opening chapter of the novel is very similar to the short story, which was published before I ever thought of expanding it into a novel. I made some adjustments to the opening paragraphs, but the general image at the beginning is the same: Danny with a gun in his mouth. The scene was always the starting point. At the time I wrote the story, I had recently stumbled across some kind of list on the internet about memorable opening sentences and
paragraphs from novels. I can’t remember what was on there. MobyDick probably. Fahrenheit 451. A Tale of Two Cities. Prior to this, I had never really worried about having a “hook” for an opening. I didn’t mind easing into a story. But, for this story, I decided that I would try to grab readers from the opening sentence. The result, of course, is that the opening sets a very dark tone for the rest of the novel. But I think those opening two paragraphs tell the reader what they’re in for. I imagine prospective readers picking the book up to read the first page, and they’re either going to say “Wow, I have to keep reading this!” or “Oh, my God, I can’t read this!” You know what you’re getting into. Shelf Unbound: Danny is navigating grief at the same time as he is navigating adolescence. How much of his experience is autobiographical? Bourelle: The story is not autobiographical. The plot, characters, events are all from my
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imagination. However, I did set the book in very familiar territory. It takes place in an unnamed midwestern town in the late 1980s. I was close to Danny’s age in the late ’80s, growing up in a small town in Ohio. I certainly drew from my own life in that sense (although I make the setting seem bleak and depressing even though where I grew up is quite lovely most of the time). I’m not really an autobiographical writer, but I do tend to set my fiction in places I’ve lived. The time period and place were very familiar to me, which I think helped me get into the parts that were not: the story and the characters. Shelf Unbound: The novel, despite its seriousness, is also a fond nod to the Eighties. Why did you make the era such a big part of the novel? Bourelle: Growing up, I was a big fan of movies like The Outsiders or Stand By Me—stories that are set in a particular time period but that tell universal, timeless stories that speak to any generation. One day it occurred to me that the world had changed drastically since I was growing up. I realized I could write a coming-of-age story set during the era of my childhood, attempting to evoke a sense of nostalgia for those familiar with the time but also trying to tell a story that would resonate
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with readers of any age. It was fun to include references to the time period: MTV when it actually played videos, landline telephones before we even used the term “landline,” and of course the music of the era. I grew up listening to hard rock, so it was a blast giving Danny a similar taste in music. Shelf Unbound: What interested you in writing about the relationship between two brothers? Bourelle: My best friend, besides my wife, is my older brother Ed. In the novel, Danny is a freshman, and his brother Craig is a senior. The age gap between Ed and me is a little wider. We didn’t attend high school at the same time. But we were always close friends during our teenage years. I said earlier that the book is not autobiographical, and that is certainly true in terms of plot and character. But the way Danny loves his brother, the way he looks up to him, the bond they share—for that, I drew from my own feelings. Ed is a freelance illustrator living in Seattle, and we remain close. When I finished the first draft of Heavy Metal and was ready to seek feedback, the first person I asked to read it was my wife, Tiffany. The second was my brother. Because it’s a book about brothers, I dedicated Heavy Metal to him.
EIGHTIES PLAYLIST Shelf Unbound: Do you think we will see Danny again in a future novel or have you closed that chapter? Bourelle: I used to write lots of short stories that were coming-ofage narratives told from the point of view of teenage boys. It seemed to be a genre that I was drawn to. When I was considering trying to write a novel, one of the reasons I decided to expand the story “Heavy Metal” was because it felt like the type of story I was really interested in exploring. But I haven’t written a coming-ofage story—or even wanted to—since I finished Heavy Metal. It’s as if I finally told the story I’d been trying to tell, which has allowed me to move on and try other things. I’m not sure I could write a book like Heavy Metal again. I got it out of my system, so to speak. Having said that, I have joked that I should write a sequel and call it Grunge. I could set it in the 1990s, following some of the characters who’ve gone off to college, and instead of listening to AC/DC, Iron Maiden, and Metallica, they would listen to Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and The Smashing Pumpkins. I’m mostly joking, but the idea is lingering. Maybe there is a chance.
I recently wrote a piece for the “Book Notes” section of Largehearted Boy (largeheartedboy.com), where I provide a detailed playlist for Heavy Metal. There were so many songs referenced in the book or that were influential as I was writing that some couldn’t make the list. Rather than repeat the same list here, [here are] a few bonus tracks. “For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)” by AC/DC This song isn’t mentioned specifically in the book, but if I picture Heavy Metal as a movie, I can see this song being played over the opening credits—an acknowledgement of what viewers are about to get into. “Heading Out to the Highway” by Judas Priest At one point, Danny and his brother are cruising in Craig’s Nova, listening to this song. It’s a perfect song for two brothers hitting the road trying to escape their world of worries. “The Trooper” by Iron Maiden When I was a kid, I had a poster of this record cover, which depicts the ghoulish creature Eddie (from all the band’s album covers) dressed as a 19th-century British soldier clambering through a field of bodies. When describing Craig’s bedroom, I gave him the same poster. The song is a narrative about
dying in battle, and I always thought it was interesting that it was told in first-person point of view. Who says a first-person narrative can’t be told from the point of view of the dead? “One” by Metallica There is a scene where Danny and his friends are sitting in a junkyard, listening to this song and debating its meaning. Danny gets the song in a way his friends don’t—it’s a song about being cut off from the world, being truly and completely alone. That’s how Danny feels. “Crazy Train” by Ozzy Osbourne This is the first song referenced in the book, on the very first page. The song starts with Ozzy screaming “All aboard” and then laughing maniacally, followed by Randy Rhoads’ racing guitar rollercoaster. By including it on the first page, I am sort of giving a message to readers: get ready—you’re in for a ride!
“Heller, herself a journalist and former investigative reporter, crafts a tightly constructed mystery featuring a protagonist of tremendous empathy and a bent toward thoughtful introspection.”
Check out Book 1 in the series.
-Publishers Weekly/Book Life
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“Heller sets a lot of plates spinning in the first half of this book, and ... the second half, which is expertly paced, leads to a thrilling conclusion.” -Kirkus Reviews
A
mild mid-winter day draws Chicago newspaper columnist Deuce Mora to a South Side nature preserve where she plans to get some fresh air and exercise. But an unexpected discovery hurls her into a personal and professional train wreck. The horror she uncovers traps Deuce in a quagmire of international intrigue that pits her against her own government.
www.jeanhellerbooks.com
HAVE YOU READ?
All sorts of interesting characters, and a terrific mix of hardcore military/war action, thrilling suspense, romance, intellect, hot sex scenes, high stakes drama, profound and introspective philosophical conversations, life and death situations... you name it! -Marcella Gonzalez, Goodreads-
I was in no way prepared for how totally addicting this novel would be, and the sheer magnitude of the world, the characters, the multi plots, the steamy sex, and the life-anddeath action... The way Marc Liebman writes is captivating from the beginning and you just want to keep reading and reading and not stop. -Darlene Cupp, Goodreads-
www.MarcLiebman.com
This is a giant whopper of a sex thriller with violence and bloodshed on most pages, along with that nymphomanical ex-antiwar activist turned assassin. If you love books like this, it’s the one is for you….. -David Wilson, VVA Veteran, 3/19/2017-
www.chroniclesofthestone.com
N O T E S E H T F O S E L C I N O R H THE C
“Fiona Ingram’s middle-grade series is dead-on: the plot is crisp, the characters are relatable, and they leave the reader wanting more.” Terry Doherty, CEO, The Reading Tub, Inc. (USA) THE SECRET OF THE SACRED SCARAB BOOK I A 5000-year-old mystery comes to life when a scruffy peddler gives Adam and Justin Sinclair an old Egyptian scarab on their very first day in Egypt. The cousins are plunged into a whirlpool of hazardous and mysterious events when the evil Dr. Khalid kidnaps them. They learn more about the ancient Seven Stones of Power and the mysterious Shemsu-Hor. They must translate the hieroglyphic clues on the underside of the scarab, as well as rescue the missing archaeologist James Kinnaird, and their friend, the Egyptologist Ebrahim Faza, before time runs out!
AVAILABLE AT
THE SEARCH FOR THE STONE OF EXCALIBUR BOOK II Continuing the adventure that began in Egypt a few months prior in The Secret of the Sacred Scarab, cousins Adam and Justin Sinclair are hot on the trail of the second Stone of Power, one of seven ancient stones lost centuries ago. This stone might be embedded in the hilt of a newly discovered sword that archaeologists believe belonged to King Arthur: Excalibur. However, their longstanding enemy, Dr. Khalid, is following them as they travel to Scotland to investigate an old castle. Little do they know there is another deadly force, the Eaters of Poison, who have their own mission to complete. Time is running out as the confluence of the planets draws closer. Can Justin and Adam find the second Stone of Power and survive? And why did Aunt Isabel send a girl with them?
THE TEMPLE OF THE CRYSTAL TIMEKEEPER
BOOK III
Continuing the adventure that ended in Britain just a short while ago, cousins Adam and Justin Sinclair, with their friend Kim Maleka, are now hunting for the third Stone of Power, one of seven mysterious stones lost centuries ago. The third stone might be located in an ancient city, hidden in the depths of the Mexican jungle. When their small plane crashes in the jungle, Adam, Justin, Kim, and James are rescued by an uncontacted tribe. James, who is wounded, must stay behind as the kids, with only a young boy, Tukum, as their guide, make their way through the dense and dangerous jungle to find the city. River rafting on a crocodile-infested river and evading predators are just part of this hazardous task.
A cop in danger of losing his badge and a troubled teenaged criminal…each is the other’s last hope in this highly unique novel set against the gritty backdrop of 1970s New York City. When thirty-six-year-old Detective Sergeant James Baker finds himself at a dangerous crossroads—facing suspension or even the end of his career—he agrees, under great duress, to an unorthodox therapy: being the acting legal guardian of a convicted juvenile offender. But seventeen-year-old Micki Reilly is not what he expected: she’s female, far more violent, and claims to have no memory of her past. Cynical, Baker is determined to be rid of her as quickly as possible while she, full of dreams of a new life, sees him as her only chance. Remaining together out of necessity, they battle each other on every level, the shrouded bridge between them rarely seen and often missed. But the stakes are far higher than what they first appear, leaving both lives in jeopardy—until a tragic decision finally rips away the veil. Fast-paced yet richly layered, Falling Back to One is the story of a man’s struggle for salvation and the fragile thread of hope he alone offers a severely abused child. With complex, sharply drawn characters that are flawed, human, and heartbreakingly real, an unusual relationship unfolds, winding its way through unique twists and turns to a riveting and unforgettable conclusion.
WWW.RANDY-MAS
ON.COM
Rare Bird Books / Archer
feature
interview
A trio of outsiders struggle to survive in 1980s Athens, Greece
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Running
by Cara Hoffman Simon and Schuster simonandschuster.com
Photography: Constance Faulk
Shelf Unbound: Like your main characters, you were a runner in Athens in the late 1980s. Describe what a runner is, how you ended up as one, and what your experience was like. Cara Hoffman: A runner is someone who works trains--trying to hustle tourists to come back to seedy hotels. They do this for commission money and a free place to stay. I started running trains because I had no money and no place to live. I was coming into Athens from Venice because I thought I could find work there. I met a runner on the train. He brought me back to his hotel and I started working the next day. Shelf Unbound: Did you know at this time in your life, as a teen, that you wanted to be a writer, and did you have any idea at the time that you would later write about your experiences in Athens? Hoffman: Yes. I was keeping a notebook and reading and writing seriously at this time. I was taking notes on the city and the hotel and the people I worked with. I knew, even as a kid, that I would write a book about it. Shelf Unbound: Bridey, Jasper, and Milo are all outsiders who form a deep, familial connection with each other. Which character came first when you began thinking about
this novel and how did you develop all three characters? Hoffman: They evolved simultaneously. The three are interconnected not just as characters but as part of the novel’s moral structure and it’s central metaphors. They are based on people I knew when I was a travelling. Shelf Unbound: You begin the novel by revealing a death. Why did you decide to signal from the start that tragedy and sadness were to come? Hoffman: The story unfolds over three different timelines. The central story is about the aftermath of the character Jasper’s death. The character Bridey doesn’t know how he died or what happened in the brief time she was away, those things are revealed to the reader through other narrative lines. For Bridey, figuring out what happened is important for many reasons, not least of which is her own safety. It opens with a sense of loss and sadness and moves rapidly toward survival and resilience. Shelf Unbound: Your writing is poetic throughout. Have you studied or been influenced by any particular poets? Hoffman: Like the character Milo I am a fan of John Donne. There are poems by Bukowski that I love like “Alone with Everybody” and “These Things.” Reading Sappho is revolutionary.
EIGHTIES PLAYLIST
My playlist would be listening to David Bowie’s album Low on repeat. “Speed of Life” “Breaking Glass” “What in the World” “Sound and Vision” “Always Crashing in the Same Car” “Be My Wife” “A New Career in a New Town” “Warszawa” “Art Decade” “Weeping Wall” “Subterraneans”
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Welcome to two novels by Kennis Anthony
“Fate: A New Beginning“ launches the story with Scientist Eric Miller and RNR Industries; having built a spaceship capable of light speeds, are in need of an agency to monitor its maiden voyage. The Space Agency agrees to assist them under condition their newly hired Psychiatrist Dr. Erica Myers joins the crew to monitor their behavior. Erica becomes aware that Eric is a grade school friend she has not seen in decades. During the mission she questions his mental health after discovering he had plans to render her unconscious and abort the mission. Eric, a Deacon in the church; is convinced their current flight plan is zipping open a void in space threatening to destroy the universe (hint the books cover)! Also threatening to discredit the team and launch his own ship is the Director of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Walter Kennedy. The story ends as Eric and Erica cannot move past their religious beliefs.
www.fateanewbeginning.com
“Destruction of Disbelief ” continues the story between Eric Miller and Erica Myers, who have not seen each other in nearly a year. A second ship is scheduled to launch with a single crew member, who happens to be a reformed Detroit street-gang leader. The new NIA Director, who just so happens to be the brother of the former NIA director killed in the first novel; seeks revenge for his brother’s death by sabotaging this new mission. Part of the NIA Directors plot to discredit the Space Agency and team involves destroying a space liner filled with high school students and their chaperone Dr. Erica Myers. A character out of the pages of biblical history assist Erica in destroying her religious disbeliefs and possible reconciliation with Eric should she survive.
www.destructionofdisbelief.com
AVAILABLE AT
In Always North you will learn how because of plain ignorance by early 19th century governmental leaders, a factual part of history continues to be denied from being taught in our schools. And as we move on with our lives in the 21st century, our children continue to be deprived of an important part of American history. An eye opener, this book contains information from documented sources and from stories handed down from family to family through the generations. It is a story of the Romero family, my ancestors who were part of the settlers who established the very first permanent European settlement in 1598 in present day United States.
Available in both print and ebook.
feature
interview
A fun, tender flashback to the Eighties
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The Impossible Fortress
by Jason Rekulak
Simon and Schuster simonandschuster.com
Shelf Unbound: Your novel The Impossible Fortress begins with 14-year-old Billy Marvin and his two best buddies concocting a plan to steal the May 1987 issue of Playboy with Vanna White on the cover. You were 14 or 15 in 1987 and I’ve read that the story is somewhat autobiographical. Did you actually get your hands on a copy in 1987? Jason Rekulak: Yes, I was determined to get my hands on that magazine. Back then, Wheel of Fortune was one of the most popular television shows in America, and these photographs caused a tremendous scandal—the supermarket tabloids were reporting on them every week. But if you look at the photos now, you’ll laugh—they’re just lingerie photos, strictly PG-13, no worse than anything you’d see on primetime television! Shelf Unbound: Other than listening to a lot of ‘80s music, how did you get yourself into the ‘80s mindset while writing this novel, which is delightfully rich in the era’s nostalgia? Rekulak: Music was definitely critical.
One interesting thing I discovered is that really good 1980s music—songs we still hear today, timeless pop songs like Michael Jackson’s “Thriller”—didn’t help with my writing at all. I guess that’s because we’ve been listening to “Thriller” for the last 30 years so it doesn’t “feel” like an ‘80s song anymore. The music that really transported me back to the 1980s were the songs that you never hear anymore—songs by Richard Marx and Debbie Gibson and Genesis—they were truly transportive! I also watched a lot of 1980s teen movies: Pretty in Pink, Stand by Me, Ferris Bueller, etc. Shelf Unbound: While playing homage to MTV, Jolt cola, Swatch watches, the Commodore 64 computer, and 8-bit video games, the novel also has a serious side. Did you plan that part from the outset or did the writing process take you there? Rekulak: I had everything planned out. I wanted to convey that sometimes nice people do bad things, especially during adolescence, when you really are still experimenting with independence and autonomy. Billy, Mary, and Tyler all
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EIGHTIES PLAYLIST do terrible things in this book, but I’m an optimist and I believe they are all fundamentally good people. There’s a lot of talk in the book about second chances. Shelf Unbound: As a longtime editor at Quirk Books, where you’ve acquired such best sellers as Pride and Prejudice and Zombies and Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, what qualities do you look for when selecting a novel for publication and did you consciously impart those qualities into The Impossible Fortress? Rekulak: Quirk strives to publish books that are “strikingly unconventional” so I am always looking for books and stories that are slightly left-of-center. I’m also drawn to stories with a sense of humor, stories that are positive and hopeful and upbeat. I get my full share of misery just by watching the news! So I look to fiction for a ray of light, for stories that will make me laugh and give me hope. And I like to think The Impossible Fortress shares those qualities. Shelf Unbound: Any chance we’ll see Billy Marvin in a sequel? Rekulak: No, I think Billy’s story has been told … and I’m not sure I could handle writing another book set in the 1980s! I’d like to tackle something more contemporary—these are interesting times!
While writing this novel, I wanted to revisit all of the pop music from May 1987, so I put together a list of the month’s most popular songs. I am not recommending that anyone listen to this playlist— some of these songs have aged terribly!—but I am including it here as a matter of historical record. The songs are arranged by their rank on the Billboard Hot 100 list from the week of May 9, 1987. Listen at: bit.ly/FortressSideA – Jason Rekulak “(I Just) Died In Your Arms” by Cutting Crew
“Head to Toe” by Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam
“Looking for a New Love” by Jody Watley
“In Too Deep” by Genesis
“With Or Without You” by U2
“Heartbreak Beat” by Psychedelic Furs
“La Isla Bonita” by Madonna
“Lean on Me” by Club Nouveau
“Don’t Dream It’s Over” by Crowded House
“Just to See Her” by Smokey Robinson
“Heat of the Night” by Bryan Adams
“Lessons in Love” by Level 42
“I Knew You Were Waiting (For Me)” by Aretha Franklin and George Michael
“Let’s Wait Awhile” by Janet Jackson
“Talk Dirty to Me” by Poison “You Keep Me Hangin On” by Kim Wilde “Wanted Dead or Alive” by Bon Jovi “Walking Down Your Street” by Bangles
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“Something So Strong” by Crowded House “The Final Countdown” by Europe “Heart and Soul” by T’Pau “Only in My Dreams” by Debbie Gibson
Have you ever wondered: Why am I here?
Is there a deeper purpose to my life? Why do I feel a sense of disconnection from myself and others? What is this emptiness I feel inside? Will I ever be happy? Will there ever be peace in this crazy world? Are we alone in the universe?
“I simply couldn’t put it down. This is one of the most influential books I’ve ever read in my life.” ―Shahin Gooneh The Unlimited Horizon Podcast
“I’ve read countless books since the mid-sixties and nothing has been equal to this book.” —Lex Allen Author of the Eloah Trilogy
What really happens after we die? What’s the point of it all? In Reality Unveiled, Ziad Masri takes you on a profound journey into the heart of existence, revealing a breathtaking, hidden reality that will transform your life forever. Far from offering simple platitudes and general principles, Reality Unveiled immerses you into this surprising world of ancient and modern knowledge—and presents you with all the incredible evidence to support it. After offering a uniquely fresh understanding of life and exploring the answers to your innermost questions, it gently goes on to show you how to tap into this inspiring wisdom in your practical, everyday life. This will give you the power to make a lasting transformation like never before, and to have the joy, peace, and true fulfillment you’ve always been searching for.
Available at Click HERE to get the book now.
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Whether you’re thinking about becoming a nurse, questioning why you entered the field or simply seeking more information about the profession, you will be inspired by the personal accounts in this tribute to the profession.
Nurses work long hours, deal with difficult patients, and their job can get messy.
So why do so many men and women enter the profession?
The question is answered in the book Nursing is Caring, which is a collection of essays from 81 nursing students about inspiring patients who made the students realize they were in the right profession. Their essays show that while people enter the profession for numerous reasons, they all want to care for people—not just patients. Nurses play a critical role in the healing process. Whether it is holding a patient’s hand, talking to a patient or being a shoulder to cry on, nurses do more than take blood, give medications, or carry out a doctor’s instructions. Whether a person is thinking about becoming a nurse, questioning why he/she entered the field, or simply seeking more information about the profession, the reader will be inspired by the personal accounts in this tribute to the profession.
www.nursingiscaring.com
100% of all royalties from this book will go directly to the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, School of Nursing Scholarship Fund.
Reimer’s book is true to its title, offering clear how-to tips on everything from mixing colors and stretching canvases, to experimenting with new methods and finding inspiration. —ForeWord Clarion Review
This is a book about art, but it’s far from abstract in its approach to creating your own masterpiece. —Hollywood Book Festival Critique An educational, eye-catching primer on how to look at art and “see as an artist. —Kirkus Review
W
Next Generation Indie Book Awards Finalist 2012 New York Book Festival Honorable Mention 2012 Hollywood Book Festival Honorable Mention 2012 San Francisco Book Festival Honorable Mention 2012
hile many art how-to books offer explicit step-by-step instructions, Abstract Painting: A Practical Approach uses a less stringent strategy to teach you how to paint, which not only leaves ample room for your own creativity but also frees you to have plenty of fun with the process. Priming the canvas with a brief philosophy of art and overview of colors and the ways they relate, author and lifelong artist Hennie Reimer then invites you on a journey of observation and experimentation. As she presents different techniques and styles that are available, she shares examples from her own work to illustrate how a certain idea paired with a particular approach may appear in its final painted form. But this is only one possibility and rather than just copy it, she encourages you to discover your unique version.
Are you ready to sidestep formulas and search the depths of your own creativity?
www.henniereimerwebsite.com
Bill Fairbairn
The collected works of Riverview Park Review Emeritus Riverview Park’s own Bill Fairbairn is Editor an award winning journalist and author with 70 years in the world of print. Here are his keen observations and wit, covering a life in journalism from Bill Fairbairn is an award winning journalist andwinning author with 70 years in the world Park’s own Bill Fairbairn is an award journalist ageRiverview 8Riverview to Park’s 81.own
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a cowb g n i m o c e B can't be that hard, oy
can it?
It certainly looks easy to Franklyn “Frank” Ellington Seton IV. Smothered by both his overbearing mother and stuffy Maryland Society, Frank escapes to the vistas of his childhood. He will soon learn, however, that the one thing the movies left out was the smell. And the dirt. And the horses. As Frank makes his way through mid-twentieth century America, he searches for a place he truly belongs. And if being an actual cowboy is too difficult, why not try Hollywood?
“With a mixture of nostalgia, melancholy, and heaps of humor, The True Life of a Singing Cowboy will lasso you from the first note.”
AVAILABLE AT
Searching for John Hughes by Jason Diamond
I
Harper Collins Harpercollins.com
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APRIL/MAY 2017
wasn’t paying attention to the people waiting in line for cupcakes; I was just looking up at a night sky dotted with flurries of snow bravely falling onto rooftops and parked cars. Their only purpose in this world was to make things more magical to those queued up for an authentic Magnolia Bakery experience. I thought hard about the short lives of the snowflakes to help me pass the time. I tried to see how many I could count, timing them to see which ones lasted the longest before turning into little streaks running down the glass window of the bookstore across the street, and looking at the faces of people as they stretched their necks upward trying to catch flakes on their tongues, but I just wanted to go home. Normally I did my job on
autopilot. I’d see one person walk out, and I’d let in another one, maybe two in at a time. I didn’t have to talk to anybody if I didn’t feel like it; most of the time I’d just stand there and get lost in thought. Spending my evenings standing outside of a bakery made popular by a few seconds on a premium cable show about a writer who has a massive apartment, countless pairs of obscenely expensive shoes, and one column that had recently finished its run. Interacting with other humans every now and again helps the time go by, but I would try not to. This was not one of those shifts. From Searching for John Hughes by Jason Diamond, Harper Collins, harpercollins.com. Reprinted with permission. All rights reserved.
www.codenamearcangelbrucejarvis.com
Brat Pack America
A Love Letter to ‘80s Teen Movies by Kevin Smokler DeLorean traveled back in time. By December I’d seen Back to the Future 14 times and learned that Hill Valley, the seemingly most real part of a movie overflowing with imagination, was just as made up as the flux capacitor. My family had taken a trip to Southern California and on a Universal Studios Tour, we stopped at the Hill Valley clock tower wedged in between the shark from Jaws and a black glass office building. “Where’s the real Hill Valley?” I asked our tour guide. I’d seen enough entertainment news Rare Bird Books segments on TV to know that rarebirdbooks.com movies were made in giant empty rooms with smooth cement floors t broke my heart that I called “sound stages.” You wheel couldn’t visit Hill Valley. It in flat pieces of wood resembling seemed like such a nice town gazebos or doctor’s offices and to grow up in and I was pretty sure that if I stood near the clock you’ve got yourself something called a set. Since there’s no way tower right as the high schools they could fit an entire town let out, I’d see Marty McFly rolling by on his skateboard. I’d inside one sound stage, the “Back to the Future” set pieces we were yell “hey McFly” but in a nice looking at now must be based on way and thank him for being a the real Hill Valley. weird kid from a weird family “They made the movie with a mad scientist for a best friend. If I could visit Hill Valley, right here, all of it. This is Hill Valley,” our tour guide gushed. California, I could tell Marty I wanted to push him off the McFly “When I’m 17, I want to tram. Hill Valley wasn’t anything be just like you.” but planks and paint and movie I was only 12 in the summer make-believe. Apparently, 12 of 1985 when Marty via a
I
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APRIL/MAY 2017
year old me couldn’t “visit” Hill Valley because I just had. Still thinking that growing up sucked, my parents dropped me off the next day in Pasadena to visit a friend from summer camp. “Wanna see Doc Brown’s House?” he asked me, right after I arrived. While I tried to explain that Doc Brown’s House was probably a pile of lumber being giggled at by a stupid tour guide named Trent in khaki shorts this very minute, my friend dug two bicycles out of his garage and soon he had us racing north through his neighborhood. There near the junction of the 134 and 210 freeways stood The Gamble House, a historic landmark and the exact spot where Doctor Emmet Brown marches furiously downhill, arms filled with blueprints, and bellows “So tell me, future boy, who’s president in 1985?” This is a book about movie places, specifically a movie like Back to the Future and a place like Hill Valley. The teen movies of the 1980s and the places, real and imagined, where they happened. From the introduction of Brat Pack America: A Love Letter to ‘80s Teen Movies (Rare Bird Books) out now.
The Brainstem Brainwaves of Atman-Brahman The Synthesis of Science and Spirituality —Sutapas Bhattacharya In 2 Vols.
Published by:
GYAN PUBLISHING HOUSE
ISBN: 978-81-212-1221-2 (Set) Price: ` 1850 (Set) US$ 29 (Set) Vol. 1: ISBN: 978-81-212-1282-3 Vol. 2: ISBN: 978-81-212-1283-0 (Price: ` 925) (Price: ` 925)
This remarkable book undermines both the Physicalist-Materialist ontology of Science which imagines Consciousness to be a latecomer in material evolution as well the Theistic mythology of most religions which imagine a man-like God distinct from Nature and Humanity. It also resolves definitively the central problems of Eastern and Western philosophy. It makes fools of many of the most famous Western scientists and philosophers who have tried to reduce Consciousness and Spirituality to fit in with their Materialist preconceptions using magical notions such as 'Emergence'. It explores the 'Politics of Knowledge' exposing how Western academics and New Agers continue to peddle White Supremacist myths which conflate 'European' with 'Scientific' and give false credit to 'Ancient Greeks' and modern Westerners for Indian inventions. It shows how Western scholars of Religion fear the threat of a Universal Spiritual Philosophy based on Hindu-Buddhist NonDualism and thus peddle false myths denying a common core Universal Mysticism (or 'Perennial Philosophy') that underlies the myths of seemingly divergent religious traditions. It also shows how the metaphysical interpretation of Quantum Theory leads to the same Transcendental Reality & Nonlocal Wave Structure underlying Matter (and the so-called 'Laws of Physics') revealed by Yoga.
The Author: Sutapas Bhattacharya (www.sutapas.com) was born in India in 1964 but has lived in London since 1967. In 1986 he graduated with a First in Molecular Biology (London University) with prizes for top student in Biology. Having published a metaphysical paper arguing for Panpsychism in 1983, his real ambition was to explain Consciousness as Science could not do so. In 1994 he identified the physical correlate of the Divine Light (a.k.a. Pure Consciousness, Atman, Godhead etc.) with the brainwaves of the Reticular Activating System. This epoch-making discovery undermines both the Physicalist-Materialist ontology of Science as well as all Theistic religions. It also resolves definitively the central problems of Eastern and Western philosophy; i.e. the real meaning of Mystical Union and the Ontological Status of Consciousness. His 1999 book showed how the physical phenomena of Science as well as Consciousness and mystical phenomena, inexplicable to Physicalist science, can be integrated by grounding Science in a truly universal metaphysics based on Universal Consciousness and its energetic vibrations. It received remarkable plaudits from scholars familiar with Science-Mysticism interrelations (See quotes on www.sutapas.com/testimonials.html) For the full evidence confirming the RAS correlation see http://www.sutapas.com/evidence-for-ras-correlation-.html The Book: The Divine Light (Pure Consciousness) is central to Hinduism, Buddhism, Christianity, Islam/Sufism, Platonism/ Neoplatonism, Gnosticism and Hermeticism. It is the Universal Spirit within us. With masses of evidence drawn from scholarly sources, this book demonstrates how the archetypal spiritual experiences underlying religious myths are explained scientifically based on the true scientific explanation of The Light and of enlightenment. This overwhelming evidence provides the 'Authority of Evidence' which, combined with rigorous argument, allows the author to repudiate famous Western thinkers including Nobel laureate scientists in regard to Consciousness and Spirituality. Dominant Western academic myths denying the possibility of unmediated, mystical knowledge of the Transcendental Realm underlying natural phenomena are undermined along with the West's false pretensions to Universality. In so doing the author exposes the Institutional Racism of Western Academia which peddles Eurocentric and White Supremacist myths about 'Ancient Greeks' and the History of Science and refuses to take seriously non-European metaphysics. In establishing the One True Ontology, not only does this book truly integrate Science and Spirituality, Eastern and Western philosophies etc. but it also demonstrates that 21st Century Science actually resembles Ancient Indian metaphysics rather than the invalid, Anthropocentric myths of 'Ancient Greek' and Modern Western philosophers. For full contents see: http://www.sutapas.com/contents-bbab-.html
Distributed by:
GYAN
GYAN BOOKS PVT. LTD.
To order the book visit: http://www.gyanbooks.com or www.amazon.com
www.gyanbooks.com
Gyan Avenue 12 Pragati Market Ashok Vihar-2 Delhi-110052 Ph.: 0091-11-47034999, 0091-9811692060 E-Mail: books@gyanbooks.com Showroom: 5 Ansari Road Daryaganj, New Delhi-110002, PH.011-43029145
From Author Carolee Russell
A bit of tongue-in-cheek humor adds a bit of lightness to this murder mystery story. The second half of the book provides the information and instructions needed to perform this story in an ad lib play format in the privacy of your home with your friends. There are many characters for a greater number of participants to experience stepping into a different persona if only for an intriguing evening of murder… just for fun. WWW.RUSSELLRIGINALS.COM
“A Wish for Algie” is about a fish named Algie who seemingly has a perfect life but believes he would be much happier as a bird. His wish is fulfilled, but the consequences of trying to adapting to such a different life makes Algie realize he has made a mistake in leaving the good life he had as a fish and now he regrets having wished at all. With the guidance of a wise owl who befriended him, Algie regains his life as a fish with greater appreciation of that life.
This book was written for my niece, Gail, from a fragmented two page story she had written and wanted so much to see it in print. The yolk of the story is hers but I have created the rest of the egg, so to speak. It is about a Christian family who, with other families of similar values, broke from a wagon train headed west and settled in a secluded canyon to set up their farms and raise their families dedicated to the Lord. A severe two-year drought tests their faith and devotion. One young, physically challenged little girl (much like Gail is physically challenged) takes on God personally, resulting in God’s blessings for all. With faith and love, anything is possible.
“Grodt handles this admittedly manipulative setup with smooth precision...(a) tense novel...unfailingly gripping... well-orchestrated climactic chapters. A well-executed revenge drama in which every bad deed carries consequences.” —Kirkus Reviews Widower Brad Wallace is a regular guy. He owns a successful small business, loves cars, beer, football—and his only son. One morning after a few too many, Brad awakens...still a regular guy, but one with a horrifying secret. Time passes and he thinks he has eluded the moral consequences of his nightmare, until the nightmare shows up in his living room: wearing pumps and rolling in the arms of his son, Jared. Now, Brad must battle the demons of lust, insecurity, and guilt. Can he stanch the blood flow of collateral damage caused by one moment of weakness, or will he succumb to his own craven, egomaniacal desire?
WWW.JWGRODTBOOKS.COM
UNTIL PHILOSOPHERS
BECOME KINGS BOOK ONE
by Chris Thomas
When does good end and evil begin?
A tale of conflict and moral dilemmas arising from the best of intentions, Until Philosophers Become Kings explores the gray and blurred lines of morality.
Available at
“An intense crime thriller from debut author Thomas that follows an undercover agent embedded deep within a Mexican drug cartel...the dynamic tale takes the reader along for one harrowing journey.” —Kirkus Reviews
80s feature
BESTSELLERS Admit it—you read most of them. Well I did, anyway. Couldn’t put them down, if truth be told. Danielle Steel. Jackie Collins. Sidney Sheldon. It all seems so Dynasty in retrospect, but like shoulder pads and wine coolers, these books were totally rad in their day. Following are Publishers Weekly’s top ten lists by year.
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1980 THE COVENANT
by James A. Michener A typical Michener tome (879 pages) set in South Africa.
THE BOURNE IDENTITY
by Robert Ludlum Launched the Matt Damon franchise, but does anybody remember the Richard Chamberlain and Jaclyn Smith miniseries?
RAGE OF ANGELS
by Sidney Sheldon Also adapted into an Eighties tv series starring Jaclyn Smith.
PRINCESS DAISY
by Judith Krantz Yet another Eighties tv adaption, this time starring Lindsay Wagner.
FIRESTARTER
by Stephen King This sci-fi pageturner was nominated for the British Fantasy Award.
THE KEY TO REBECCA
by Ken Follett Based on a true story that was later revisited by Michael Ondaatje in The English Patient.
RANDOM WINDS
by Belva Plain The author was a frequent contributor to such magazines as Cosmopolitan before becoming a best-selling novelist.
NOBLE HOUSE
by James Clavell Adapted for a 1988 television miniseries starring Pierce Brosnan.
THE HOTEL NEW HAMPSHIRE by John Irving The New York Times closed their review with: “And so at last we have a family in modern American fiction that allows us to forget about J.D. Salinger’s Zen-steeped chickadees.”
THE DEVIL’S ALTERNATIVE
by Frederick Forsyth This Cold War thriller featured some characters based on real people, including President William “Bill” Matthews (Jimmy Carter).
THE FIFTH HORSEMAN
by Larry Collins and Dominique Lapierre Another real life thriller that has Libya threatening nuclear war.
THE SPIKE
by Arnaud de Borchgrave and Robert Moss And yet another true-to-life political thriller based on real people.
1981
CUJO
by Stephen King The British Fantasy Award winner, which King later wrote that he “barely remembers writing.”
AN INDECENT OBSESSION by Colleen McCullough From the Australian author of The Thorn Birds. UNBOUND
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1981 CONTINUED...
GORKY PARK
by Martin Cruz Smith Introduces the fictional mental illness Pathoheterodoxy Syndrome. Google it and see if it sounds familiar.
MASQUERADE
by Kit Williams A novelty book that sent readers on a literal treasure hunt.
GOODBYE, JANETTE
by Harold Robbins A bestseller despite the New York Times panning it as “quite simply, a dirty book written in accordance with the demands of the form.”
THE THIRD DEADLY SIN
19 82
by Lawrence Sanders An early novel from the prolific Edgar Award winner.
THE PARSIFAL MOSAIC
by Robert Ludlum Yet another Cold War thriller, this one with rumors of a movie in the works.
MASTER OF THE GAME
by Sidney Sheldon Such a blockbuster that two years after Sheldon’s death in 2009, William Morris released a sequel by Tilly Bagshawe.
THE VALLEY OF HORSES
by Jean M. Auel Part of the Earth’s Children series, which has sold more than 45 million copies worldwide.
NO TIME FOR TEARS
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by James A. Michener Michener’s back with 622 pages on NASA and outer space.
by Judith Krantz The inevitable TV adaption starred Stefanie Powers in 1984.
by Joseph Wambaugh People said of the 1984 HBO adaptation starring James Garner, John Lithgow, and Margot Kidder, “The Glitter Dome tries too hard to be flip and cable-kinky.”
44
SPACE
MISTRAL’S DAUGHTER
THE GLITTER DOME
by Cynthia Freeman Following a career as an interior designer, Freeman began writing and had her first novel published at age 55.
A novelization of the hit movie; People headlined a review of its sequel a few years later: From Any Angle, E.T.’s Biographer William Kotzwinkle Is Not An Alien to Success.” LOL
E.T., THE EXTRATERRESTRIAL by William Kotzwinkle
DIFFERENT SEASONS
by Stephen King A collection of novellas, including the story on which The Shawshank Redemption was based.
RETURN OF THE JEDI
CHRISTINE
POLAND
THE NAME OF THE ROSE
PET SEMATARY
WHITE GOLD WIELDER
by James Kahn A novelization based on the screenplay for the third Star Wars movie.
by Stephen King King is back with the popular story of the homicidal 1958 Plymouth Fury.
by James A. Michener by Umberto Eco Michener returns to earth with The debut novel from the this, for him, scant 556-page saga. Italian novelist.
by Stephen King A remake of the 1989 film version of this dark, creepy thriller is said to be in the works.
NORTH AND SOUTH
by John Jakes The first of a wildly successful trilogy (later turned television miniseries starring Patrick Swayze).
THE LITTLE DRUMMER GIRL
by John le Carré Once cited by John Grisham as one of his favorite novels.
by Jackie Collins A classic Eighties’ read, and Collins’ most popular book ever, selling more than 15 million copies.
by Louis L’Amour A signature L’Amour Western; did you know he also wrote some sci-fi – check out 1987’s Haunted Mesa.
by Arthur C. Clarke The sequel to 2001, and the first novel Clarke wrote on a typewriter.
THE MAN FROM ST. PETERSBURG
1983
HOLLYWOOD WIVES
THE LONESOME GODS
2010: ODYSSEY TWO
by Ken Follett “Goes down with the ease and impact of a well-prepared martini,” said the New York Times Book Review.
by Stephen R. Donaldson The sixth of 10 of Donaldson’s high fantasy series.
CHANGES
by Danielle Steel The television adaption about a New York City news anchor starred Cheryl Ladd.
1984 THE TALISMAN
by Stephen King and Peter Straub The first collaboration between the two friends and fellow writers.
“...AND LADIES OF THE CLUB”
by Helen Hooven Santmyer The author wrote the manuscript in longhand and delivered them to her publisher in 11 boxes.
THE FOURTH PROTOCOL
by Frederick Forsyth An interactive computer game version of the novel was developed for the Commodore 64 and released in 1985.
FULL CIRCLE
by Danielle Steel A 1960s coming-of-age story. 1984 CONTINUED...
THE AQUITAINE PROGRESSION by Robert Ludlum “Ludlum at his best,” said Publishers Weekly.
THE LIFE AND HARD TIMES OF HEIDI ABROMOWITZ by Joan Rivers “Better laid than never,” and other quips from Rivers’ “former best friend.”
19 85 THE MAMMOTH HUNTERS by Jean M. Auel The third in the Earth’s Children series.
TEXAS
THE SICILIAN
by Mario Puzo A sequel to The Godfather, set in the 1950s.
by James A. Michener A fictional account of the history of the Lone Star State; this one’s a Texas-size 1,066 pages.
LOVE AND WAR
LAKE WOBEGON DAYS
by John Jakes “Massive, lusty, highly readable. A graphic, fast-paced amalgam of good, evil, love, lust, war, violence, and Americana,” wrote The Washington Post Book World.
THE BUTTER BATTLE BOOK
by Dr. Seuss Written during the Cold War and published in 1984, several years before Dr. Seuss’ death in 1991. 46
APRIL/MAY 2017
LINCOLN
by Gore Vidal The President through the eyes of those around him; a TV adaption starred Sam Waterston and Mary Tyler Moore.
by Garrison Keillor Based on his Prairie Home Companion radio show, this novel introduced the town of Lake Wobegon to a larger audience.
IF TOMORROW COMES
by Sidney Sheldon Another Sheldon classic, also continued posthumously by Tilly Bagshawe with Sidney
Sheldon’s Chasing Tomorrow (2014) and Sidney Sheldon’s Reckless (2015).
SKELETON CREW
by Stephen King A collection of 22 short works.
SECRETS
by Danielle Steel LitReactor’s 140-character summary: “Steel goes from the big screen to the small screen in this ensemble farce about the production of a television show. Wackiness ensues.”
1986 IT
by Stephen King King once again proves he’s one of the “it” writers of the era, with this chiller thriller.
THE BOURNE SUPREMACY
by Robert Ludlum The second in the Bourne series, this novel has a different plot from the Matt Damon movie of the same name.
HOLLYWOOD HUSBANDS
CONTACT
by Jackie Collins The second in Collins’ popular Hollywood series, which would continue into the 21st century.
by Carl Sagan Sagan received a $2 million advance from Simon and Schuster, the largest at the time for an unwritten novel.
LUCKY
by Jackie Collins Universal has recently acquired the rights to the 10-novel series about mobster daughter Lucky Santangelo; wonder who’ll star?
FAMILY ALBUM
by Danielle Steel Adapted as a television miniseries in the ‘90s, starring none other than Jaclyn Smith.
THE CLASS
by Erich Segal From the author of 1970’s infamous Love Story, this novel follows the lives of five members of Harvard’s class of ’58.
RED STORM RISING by Tom Clancy Another technothriller that spawned a computer game.
WHIRLWIND
by James Clavell After writing just 200 pages of the novel, Clavell auctioned it for a record (at the time) $5 million.
WANDERLUST
by Danielle Steel Publishers Weekly called it “largely unsatisfying,” but fans were all on board. UNBOUND
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1986 CONTINUED...
I’LL TAKE MANHATTAN
THE TOMMYKNOCKERS
LAST OF THE BREED
PATRIOT GAMES
THE PRINCE OF TIDES
KALEIDOSCOPE
by Judith Krantz Donald Trump starred as himself in the 1987 television miniseries adaptation.
by Louis L’Amour Published the year before he died, this was L’Amour’s second-to-last novel.
by Pat Conroy The 1991 Barbra Streisanddirected film adaptation was nominated for a Best Picture Oscar.
A PERFECT SPY
by John le Carré The story of a British intelligence officer, written by a former MI6 agent.
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by Stephen King King later referred to it as “an awful book,” but readers begged to differ.
by Tom Clancy One of the popular Jack Ryan novels, a character played on screen by Harrison Ford.
by Danielle Steel A 1990 television adaptation starred, you guessed it, Jaclyn Smith.
WINDMILLS OF THE GODS
MISERY
PRESUMED INNOCENT
by Stephen King Bruce Willis and Laurie Metcalf starred in an off-Broadway production of Misery in 2015.
by Sidney Sheldon Adapted as a television miniseries in 1988 starring... Jaclyn Smith.
by Scott Turow “Clever, chilling, and wildly unpredictable,” said The Seattle Times.
FINE THINGS
by Danielle Steel Per the Chicago Tribune: “I don`t know if it’s a need to escape our more mundane problems or the desire to occasionally read a book without intellectual commitment, but this kind of romantic potboiler is a grabber.”
HEAVEN AND HELL
LEAVING HOME by Garrison Keillor More updates from Lake Wobegon.
by John Jakes From the press release: “Heaven and Hell is the tumultuous final chapter in one of the greatest epics of our time.” Um, okay.
THE EYES OF THE DRAGON by Stephen King Originally titled “Napkins.”
Will Aimee find her true self in her darkest hour? Will Aimee get lost in the shadow cave? Follow Aimee on the river of change as she goes into a forest of dreams and ventures through the cave of shadows.
Will Aimee be brave enough to find her rainbow? This book is about a child on a quest to discover her true self. The divine river of life takes her on a journey of great change through magical forests of strength and love. On her voyage, the cave of shadows challenges her. If she can pass through the cave, she will discover the greatest treasure of her life!
Available at
www.aimeeonajourney.com UNBOUND
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1988
The 1989 movie featured a young Hugh Grant.
THE QUEEN OF THE DAMNED by Anne Rice Third in the Vampire Chronicles series.
ZOYA
by Danielle Steel A Russian countess joins the Ballet Russes.
THE ICARUS AGENDA
by Robert Ludlum This book makes a cameo in When Harry Met Sally.
TO BE THE BEST by Barbara Taylor Bradford Lindsay Wagner’s back in the television adaptation.
THE CARDINAL OF THE KREMLIN
by Tom Clancy Another Jack Ryan outing; a rumoured Harrison Ford and William Shatner adaption never materialized.
THE SANDS OF TIME
by Sidney Sheldon From Wikipedia: “Critics in Spain were so fierce that the Spanish edition had to include a disclaimer page.” 50
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ONE
by Richard Bach From the author of Jonathan Livingston Seagull.
ALASKA
by James A. Michener 868 pages; Texas wins.
TILL WE MEET AGAIN by Judith Krantz
MITLA PASS
by Leon Uris Publishers Weekly wrote: “Sour, self-indulgent characters and surprisingly awkward dialogue suggest that only the staunchest Uris fans will enjoy his new novel.”
This volume gives the reader the entire scope of Kirk’s work.
Fifteen mysteries.
Fifteen steps in Kirk’s search for himself. Jonas Kirk has solved a lot of murders, gradually integrating himself into the social network of Woodland Park, MN. Fifteen times he has set his knowledge, interest and curiosity up against murder, near death and accidental homicide. He finds answers, but not always justice and when that happens he willingly places his weight upon Mister Scales, balancing the bar with Lady Justice.
Available in softcover and digital formats. Find both at Amazon. Search for Jonas Kirk Mysteries.
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all Muslims to kill Rushdie and his publishers, or to point him out to those who can kill him if they cannot themselves.” —Wikipedia
THE RUSSIA HOUSE
by John le Carré The film starring Sean Connery and Michelle Pfifer was one of the first western films to be shot on location in the Soviet Union.
THE PILLARS OF THE EARTH
THE DARK HALF
by Ken Follett The author’s best-selling work was an Oprah’s Book Club pick.
by Stephen King The 18th novel written under King’s own name.
DADDY
by Danielle Steel Steel’s 25th novel.
STAR
by Danielle Steel And another one!
CARIBBEAN
by James A. Michener At 672 pages, it’s like a Michener novella.
THE SATANIC VERSES
CLEAR AND PRESENT DANGER
by Tom Clancy More Jack Ryan, foreshadowing more Harrison Ford. 52
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by Salman Rushdie Meanwhile...“In mid-February 1989, following a violent riot against the book in Pakistan, the Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, then Supreme Leader of Iran and a Shi’a Muslim scholar, issued a fatwa calling on
CALIFORNIA GOLD by John Jakes Another historical fiction outing from Jakes.
WHILE MY PRETTY ONE SLEEPS
by Mary Higgins Clark Lastly, the 1997 television movie adaptation starred not Jaclyn Smith, but a worthy successor, Connie Selllecca.
“Rich language,memorable characters, and sharp dialogue are clearly Watson’s stock in trade. Cage Life takes you on a trip through the world of mixed martial arts and then makes a detour, dropping you smack dab in the middle of the New York City mob.” [ John Fortunato, Tony Hillerman prize-winning author of Dark Reservations ] “The fight scenes—in and out of the professional cage—are stirringly described, cataclysms of feral but controlled aggression... Pulsing with violence, this mob tale provides plenty of excitement.”
“As one of the best MMA fighters in the world, protagonist Mickey Watts knows how to defend a take down and can get out of the tightest submissions. But when he enters the mob’s cage, he learns there is no tapping out.”
[ Kirkus Reviews ]
[ John Dixon, Bram Stoker Award-Winning Author of Devil’s Pocket ]
It’s the punch you don’t see coming that drops you. Any fighter can tell you that. And Mickey Watts isn’t just any fighter; he’s one of the best in mixed martial arts, a top contender who seems to have it all: looks, brains and rich girlfriend who’s crazy about him. The fact his family is mobbed-up to its Irish-Italian eyebrows has never been a problem... until Mick throws one punch too many and finds that some debts can only be paid in blood.
When mixed martial artist Mickey Watts returns to New York after three years in exile, he just wants to forget his bloody days with the mob and do what he does best—fight. But when his ex-fiancee is threatened by the same vicious gangsters that ran him out of town, he gets a chance not only to win her back, to but to settle some old scores in the process. Trouble is, Mick’s not the only one with vengeance on his mind. Because the city that never sleeps, never forgives.
MILESWATSON.NET
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— Kirkus Reviews
— BlueInk Reviews U.S. $XX.XX
“Genuously hilarious...”
E. Rawlins
“A heartfelt and engaging read”
Learning to Live with Fritz
“A thoroughly readable account of a woman, a dog and a spiritual journey.”
Available at Amazon, Barnes+Noble and IUniverse
— Clarion Reviews
w w w.LearningtoLivewithFritz.com
Her love for Montana and her desire to share the story of her unique and wonderful family prompted Mary Ellen Connelly to write a witty and candid memoir.
Window To The Big Sky
vividly depicts a variety of events that shaped Mary’s life and the lives of her children. Set against the sweet and beautiful backdrop of the Big Sky Country, this journey depicts what life is like growing up and living in a place close to one’s heart. Delightful,..... JUM & MUZ I Forget - A Caregivers View of Alzheimers There are many things we cannot understand; fathomless questions that confront and confuse us, but the most baffling is the human mind. With that thought, I have tried to show my observation of the twenty years dealing with my husbands battle with Alzheimers. I hope this book will remind us what a kind, sweet, considerate and compassionate person Jim was. Thank you to my family for being the thoughtful, caring people you are. And to Jim’s friends, a special thank you. I could not have survived without.....
WWW.MARYELLENCONNELLYBOOKS.COM
GAYLE A. LUNNING www.lunning.co
This Must Be True Bloody Bill Anderson History is filled with bad people, such as the detestable Roman Emperor, Caligula, who certainly qualifies as a deranged man. While perhaps not in the same league as Caligula, “Bloody Bill Anderson” is a maniac that earned his nickname. Although William Clarke Quantrill led the raiders on the Lawrence, Kansas Massacre of 1863, it was Bloody Bill Anderson who personally accounted for nearly ten percent of the killings that day. He reveled in killing in brutal fashions. The senseless killing of 25 Union soldiers in Centralia, Missouri and the butchery of nearly 150 soldiers attempting to end the merciless killing spree of the maniac, defies description. History may have made William Clarke Quantrill more well known, but it was “Bloody Bill Anderson” who was feared.
Most communities have local legends. Living in different states and communities, I listened as residents related what many may consider unbelievable tales of the past, each teller swearing that it happened; therefore, “This Must Be True.” The story of a promiscuous female who dallied with the wrong husbands and the five women’s retaliation against her is legendary. Other legends in “This Must Be True” include the classmates and teacher threatened by a nine year old boy with a toy pistol; the man whose wife shot him five times; the terror in an army camp overrun by the Japanese; and the anticipation of a six year old boy waiting for Santa Claus.
WORKS AVAILABLE THROUGH: Infinity Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble Baker & Taylor | Ingram & other mass-market retailers of “Books in Print”
NEW MEXICO AUTHOR
MARK CONKLING
www.markconkling.com
“Mark Conkling has written a doggone good tale about animals and the people who love (and abuse) them. This is a nicely written novel that keeps you jumping and engages the reader in the lives of the main characters as well as the animals. It’s written with a spirituality that doesn’t beat you over the head. If you are looking for a feel good tale invest in Dog Shelter Blues.” John Crudele, Columnist for the New York Post and dog lover
“Mark Conkling offers the reader a wonderful way to explore the northern seas and those most mysterious creatures of the deep, cold waters, the whales. You will enjoy every moment of this book and come away with a newfound respect for both the researchers who spend their lives pursuing whales, and the writer whose imagination weaves a tale that is part mystery, part call to action, and part love story. “ Brent Spencer, author of Rattlesnake Daddy (2011)
A portion of the proceeds from sales goes to charities we support. Go to www.markconkling.com to find out how you can help. Available in paperback and Kindle at
“Prairie Dog Blues ignited feelings and emotions that are always simmering on the back burner of my mind. The Corley family is like so many if not most families. Striving for perfection that will never be achieved, and going through the motions of what the perfect family should be. What appealed to me was the spiritual discussions between Mom and Pastor June, the very real and painful issues of addiction, and having to cope with the illness and loss of someone who you love deeply. Like with any good book, Prairie Dog Blues left me wondering: What’s going to happen next?” Vicky Chavez, Bibliophie
indie:
i want my mtv
MTV Ruled the World
The Early Years of Music Video By Greg Prato
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ong before The Osbournes and Punk’d and Jersey Shore, MTV was, well, MTV—Music Television, emphasis on the music. On the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the channel’s launch, Greg Prato explores its early heyday with a collection of interviews with the executives and bands who were part of the cultural revolution that was MTV.
Greg Prato www.lulu.com/spotlight/gregprato
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Shelf Unbound: You call 1981-85 the “golden years of MTV.” What videos stand out for you as the best from this period? Greg Prato: The best would include: Men at Work’s “Who Can It Be Now,” “Down Under,” and “Be Good Johnny.” All three videos showed off the group’s sense of humor, and proved that you didn’t have to take yourself too seriously in the video making world (something that unfortunately, not a lot of other artists would pick up on, as videos got more and more over-thetop and bombastic as the decade went on). The Police’s “Spirits in the Material World” and “Every Breath You Take.” When I interviewed original MTV VJ Alan Hunter for the book, he had a great quote about the “Spirits” video—“To me, the ‘Spirits in the Material World’ video played at 2:00 in the morning really provided the kind of atmosphere that almost made MTV hallucinogenic in that first year. Coming in from a night on the town, to hear that song, and those chords in the beginning, kind of gave me chills.” And “Every Breath” because of its striking visuals (courtesy of directors Godley and Creme). Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean,” “Beat It,” and “Thriller.” Up until Michael Jackson, for whatever reason, MTV was not playing very many black artists. But that all changed with the arrival of these three classic videos, which kicked off “the dance craze” in videos (meaning having a mandatory choreographed dance scene) and also sinking
serious dough into making videos, and trying to make them come off like mini-movies … for better or for worse. Judas Priest’s “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming,” Def Leppard’s “Photograph,” and Quiet Riot’s “Cum on Feel the Noize.” Heavy metal up until this point had a dark and sinister image associated with it. With these three videos in particular, heavy metal crossed over and reached the masses and showed that, surprisingly, the genre could have an undeniable melodic side (and in Def Leppard and Quiet Riot’s case, that heavy metal musicians could be “cute,” to boot!). Shelf: I think everyone of a certain age remembers how revolutionary MTV was at the time. What was your first MTV experience like for you? Prato: Up until my town got MTV (the summer of 1982), rock radio made absolutely no sense to yours truly. Up until that point, the only rock bands I was familiar with were Kiss and Queen. I’d read about bands like Led Zeppelin, the Ramones, and Van Halen, but each time I tried to find them on the radio, all I seemed to get was commercials or some lame/bland stuff. Once I started watching MTV, suddenly everything started to come into focus and make more sense from a musical standpoint. Shelf: Would Madonna have become Madonna without MTV? Prato: Absolutely not. Madonna’s look and fashion sense was every bit as important as the music (in fact, some would say even more important). And to Madonna’s credit, she seemed to know exactly what she was doing (in a calculated way), as each subsequent video caused a greater splash than the previous one.
PHOTOS: COURTESY MTV
Shelf: Your pick for best music video from the golden years? Worst video? Prato: I’m going to be bold and say that the best video was also the worst video. Of course, I’m talking about Billy Squier’s “Rock Me Tonite.” If you’re unfamiliar with this amazingly mesmerizing video, you really owe it to yourself to go to YouTube pronto [click here to watch the video]. It’s often pointed to as the video that killed Mr. Squier’s career dead in its tracks (you’ll understand why after you see it). But like a car accident on a highway, you just can’t help but stop and stare at it. Over and over. And over. And over. UNBOUND
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Hollywood made him a blacksmith; Arab chronicles said he was like a king. He served a leper but defied Richard the Lionheart. He was a warrior and a diplomat both: Balian d’Ibelin Balian has walked away a free man after the surrender of Jerusalem, but he is baron of nothing in a kingdom that no longer exists. Haunted by the tens of thousands of Christians enslaved by the Saracens, he is determined to regain what has been lost. The arrival of a crusading army under the legendary Richard the Lionheart offers hope—but also conflict as crusaders and natives clash and French and English quarrel.
“...a literary oeuvre constructed in keeping with the highest academic principles for research and verifiable accuracy.” REAL CRUSADES HISTORY
“Schrader, a career diplomat with a PhD in history, delivers a meticulous historical drama full of telling details... [T]he story presents both Christian and Muslim points of view, so there is no facile stereotyping of villains....[R]eaders are sure to find the author’s enthusiasm...infectious.” BLUE INK
“...this is one of the best historical series ever written!” FEATHERED QUILL
Check out Schrader’s first two award winning books in the series.
LINDA COLLISON Fifteen-year-old James McCafferty is an unwilling sailor aboard a traditional Chinese junk operated as adventure-therapy for troubled teens. Once at sea, James believes the ship is being taken over by the spirits of courtiers who fled the Imperial palace during the Ming Dynasty, more than 600 years ago, and sailing to its doom. WWW.LINDACOLLISON.COM
“A witty YA voyage with plenty of narrative power” —Kirkus Reviews
“An ancient Chinese junk packed with delinquent teens and ghosts alike sets off on a dangerous voyage in this fantastic book” —Susan Waggoner, Foreword Reviews
BOOK SHELF The Vampire Girl Next Door by Richard Arbib
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The Vampire Girl in London by Richard Arbib
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ark falls in love with Sylvia, the beautiful, but quirky girl next door, not realizing that she’s a vampire who killed his last neighbor. When Mark first meets Sylvia, he tells her, “You’re the girl of my dreams!” Sylvia smiles and responds with a warning—“Be careful what you wish for.”
n this sequel to The Vampire Girl Next Door, Mark and Sylvia must deal with terrorists, a CIA agent, a vampire-hunting cult, and a mansion full of Sylvia’s vampire friends— some of whom she can’t really trust. Will Mark and Sylvia’s love be enough to survive it all?
“The Vampire Girl Next Door is a choice pick for one looking for a romance with a supernatural twist, highly recommended.” —John Burroughs, Midwest Book Review
“The Vampire Girl in London would satisfy supernatural fans and I’m once again entertained by Arbib’s fascinating couple, Sylvia and Mark.” —Lit Amri, Readers’ Favorite Book Reviews
www.thevampiregirlnextdoor.com
www.thevampiregirlnextdoor.com
Available at Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle.
Available at Amazon.com in paperback and Kindle.
Paperback and all e-book formats available on author’s website.
Paperback and all e-book formats available on author’s website.
Truth Evolves by Dustin Arand
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rawing on the insights of philosophers, psychologists, linguists, and computer scientists, among others, Truth Evolves articulates a theory of knowledge that shows how science, religion, and art are all expressions of a continuous evolutionary process, and how understanding this process can help us address the most controversial questions about morality, politics, and our individual search for meaning and value. FACEBOOK LINK GOODREADS LINK Available at Amazon.
The Brook by John Sinsimer “The Brook” Has Now Been Recognized and Awarded by Three Organizations The Brook is the compelling story of a small town mayor and his crew of experts as they embark on a race against time to save their town and its people from the tragic effects of corporate greed. “Fabulous book on a very important subject!” “A very important book, written by a very brave man...” www.thebrookbook.com Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
BOOK SHELF Blowing Sandstorm by Horace Crenshaw Jr.
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lowing Sandstorm chronicles the author’s experiences of being a commander that was put in charge of an Army Reserve Petroleum Unit during the initial months of Operation Iraqi Freedom. What started as a unit thrown together at the last minute by soldiers from six states, excelled under Crenshaw’s leadership to participate in the greatest distribution, storage, and receipt of petroleum/fuel in the history of modern warfare. Taking readers back to his childhood, Crenshaw tells the story from the core of his faith, offering readers an empowering reminder that hope always prevails www.blowingsandstormhc.tateauthor.com Available at Amazon.
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PRINTED IN THE USA
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A Doctor’s
Daughter
A Doctor’s Daughter: Growing Up At A State Tuberculosis Sanatorium by Mary Elizabeth Bradley
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Doctor’s Daughter: Growing Up At A State Tuberculosis Sanatorium tells of a girl growing up at a sanatorium in southeastern Oklahoma following WW II. Starting with the history of her family, tales of the war, and getting to know a founder of the Boy Scouts, it focuses on the simplicity of her youth and her life after the sanatorium. Growing up at a State Tuberculosis Sanatorium
Mary ElizabEth bradlEy
Available at Amazon, BooksAMillion, Alibris, and Christianbook.
At the End of the Road by Nancy Peckinpaugh This is the story of four children being reared in the folds of Colorado’s northern Rockies. Although many Americans are experiencing the postwar economic vitality of the 1950s, life on their grandparents’ farm remains simple for Ezra, Caleb, Eva and Luke. Here they learn that faith and determination will lead them over life’s bumpy trail. It is a heart warming tale of a tightly knit family who love, laugh and live in a time and place where this is enough.
Available at Amazon. The Backstage Man A novel by Ed Shankman and Robert S. Gordon
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hoever the Backstage Man may be—teacher, myth, memory or premonition—his story holds meaning for anyone who has been called by the whisper of an inner voice. This mind-blowing literary achievement is a portal to the creative spirit. Come on in. www.thebackstageman.com @thebackstageman
Available at Amazon.
BOOK SHELF Flaming Retribution by Laura Hawks
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Mom, Dad, I Killed a Man by Stuart E. Schadt
omance novelist Kendall Roberts finds herself in desperate need of appeasing her artistic appetite, and becomes embroiled in events which could end her life. Male dancer Skye Falcon notices Kendall at his club and quickly discovers she is the object of someone intent on killing her. He needs to solve the mystery to prevent their murderous attempts. Numerous fire bombs put Kendall in Skye’s path and she has to wonder if it’s fate or devious design?
rank’s life changes when a new boy climbs on the bus. Over the next three and a half days Frank and Philip share seven bus rides. Frank helps Philip cope with the three bullies who are terrorizing him. On the fourth day after being attacked at school Philip takes his life. It happened thirty years before our story began. Frank sets out to extract revenge on the now 45-year-old bullies.
www.LauraHawks.webs.com Available at Amazon, Kindle, and Smashwords.
Available at Amazon: Paperback or Kindle
Secrets of Sand Mountain by Phillip C. Elrod Serene and beautiful on the outside, fires raging beneath the surface. Summer, 1944. Young Philip Campbell has a chance encounter with an escaped German POW that changes his life forever. He must face danger, deception, and dark family secrets that have torn his family apart. A small Southern town at the end of WWII sets the stage for this story of romance, murder, and adventure.
www.pcelrod.com Available at Amazon.
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The Heart Series by L.H. Cosway
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et the first four books in L.H. Cosway’s Hearts series, plus BRAND NEW bonus novella, Cross My Heart. From quirky heroines to heartthrob heroes and exhilarating plot lines, The Hearts Series is a collection of interconnected standalone novels that will have you glued to the pages. The Hearts Boxset Bundle includes: Six of Hearts (book #1) ● Hearts of Fire (book #2) King of Hearts (book #3) ● Hearts of Blue (book #4) Cross My Heart (bonus novella #5.75) www.lhcoswayauthor.com Available at Amazon US, Amazon UK, Nook, iTunes, and Kobo.
BOOK SHELF Exploring Wine Regions – Argentina by Michael C. Higgins, PhD
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his book is beautiful! Coffeetable quality. Insiders travel guide. Packed with spectacular photography, entertaining stories and educational journeys into exploring Argentina. Thirteen weeks working with people at the forefront of wine and wine hospitality… brings this one-of-a-kind book. If you have any interest in Argentina wines, Malbec or other varietals, and especially if you want to travel to Argentina, this book is exactly what you need. 352 full-color pages 565 spectacular photographic images www.ExploringWineRegions.com/books Breathe... Just Steps to Breathtaking Speeches by Brenda C. Smith 7 Steps to Putting Your Best Voice Forward: Discover the Techniques of Voiceover Speakers, Actors, and Professional Presenters
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peech and Drama coach, Brenda C. Smith, shows you how to enhance the sound and quality of your speech, and your delivery style to WOW and Connect with your listeners. Discover how diaphragmatic breathing will release calm, energy, clarity, projection, and dynamic vocal sound. Learn how to keep voice fit to be heard without strain or lost of voice. www.brendacsmith.com Available at http://bit.ly/2h5K9fL
OMG We’re Getting Married! by Dr. Karen Phillip
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nternational Author & leading relationship authority Dr. Karen Phillip shares her essential relationship secrets in this ground breaking book. You will find innovative and thought provoking advice that will ensure your marriage will be an incredible and amazing relationship that lasts forever. These successful strategies prepare couples for challenging times often faced with communication, kids, career, household tasks, finances, in-laws ... Available www.beforewegetmarried.com/sales-purchase Kindle available at Amazon and Booktopia.
Hook, Line & Sinker by Ev Bishop
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new adventure in the romantic River’s Sigh B&B series. If Brian and Katelyn can’t solve the increasingly dangerous threat posed by Katelyn’s ex, they’ll never find out if true love is real. “Ev Bishop’s never-varying, wonderfully descriptive writing style is captivating…a highly entertaining, intense story with very realistic and complex characters.” —Xtreme Delusions Book Blog www.evbishop.com Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBookstore, and Kobo.
BOOK SHELF A Game Called Dead by Michael Stephen Daigle
Return of the Convict by William Alan Thomas
“(I) Loved A GAME CALLED DEAD. I was so enthralled I literally could not stop reading until I finished it.”
A space cadet’s coming of age in 2143 in Vancouver, B.C.
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ronton, N.J., Detective Frank Nagler faces a wise-cracking, spooky killer and Internet terrorist who challenges Nagler to play the so-called Game Called Dead with deadly consequences. Coming April 2017: The Third Frank Nagler Mystery: THE WEIGHT OF LIVING.
“A crackling, well-told story…” —Kirkus Reviews (starred review) “...should more than satisfy anyone who enjoys cerebral sci-fi...” —Blueink review (starred review)
“God has given me many tasks. This is the last:” Sister Katherine Marie.
“...has the makings of a powerful sci-fi franchise.” —Foreword Reviews (Clarion review, 5 stars)
www.michaelstephendaigle.com Available at Amazon, Kobo, Nook, and Wal-Mart.
www.williamalanthomas.com Available at Amazon.
The Other Side of Dark by Alex Gordon
Angel Blade by Carrie Merrill
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avid hadn’t felt like his normal self for days. He could not work out why. When David spots a mystery loner by the name of Kelvin David, life being to unravel, where a guide and a black dog appear and lead David into the tragedy of Kelvin’s life and that of his family.
www.alexgordon-emerald.com Available at Barnes & Noble.
ikka is dying of cancer when a stranger approaches her with a cure, but it comes at a steep cost: she must become a seraph, an angelic being with the power to exorcise and destroy demons.
http://carriemerrill729.wix.com/author Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and http://christophermatthewspub.com/angel-blade/
BOOK SHELF Minoan Signs by GJK Campbell-Dunn MA (NZ), MA (Camb), PhD (Cant)
or ng ly
lso things
lems,
Rhinos Don’t Like it
AnD neitheR Do i! Written and Illustrated by
Riccardo J. simpson
Rhinos Don’t Like It and Neither Do I! by Riccardo J. Simpson 9X7 landscape Perfect Bound SC
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ave you ever wished you could be someone else to get out of things you don’t want to do? The boy in this story pretends to be a rhino until he realizes the things he’s trying to avoid aren’t so bad—they may even be good for him. Readers Favorite calls it “a great book to share with a child.” www.riccardojsimpson.com Available at Lulu.
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Promote your book in Shelf Unbound in our Special Advertising Section for Authors. Each issue of Shelf Unbound is distributed to more than 125,000 people in the U.S. and 62 countries around the globe. Our introductory ad rate for this section is $375/quarter page as seen here. Contact publisher Margaret Brown to reserve your space.
Margaret@shelfmediagroup.com 214.704.4182.
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he Minoan Linear Signs have now been explained, in terms of their meanings and phonetics, as Niger-Congo. And some twenty five full words have been related to Fula, a nomadic African language extending from Senegal across west Africa to Adamawa near Lake Chad. A new African language, 4,000 years old, with prefixes and suffixes as in Gola, has come to light. So Minoan is deciphered. www.minoansigns.wordpress.com Available at Amazon and BookWhirl. If You Were Me and Lived in... Colonial America by Carole P. Roman
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oin Carole P. Roman and travel through time to visit the most interesting civilizations throughout history. Learn what Colonial American children did for fun. If You Were Me and Lived in... Colonial America does for history what her other award-winning series did for culture. So come and discover the world through the eyes of a young person just like you. www.caroleproman.com FACEBOOK LINK | TWITTER LINK Available at Amazon.
BOOK SHELF Tough Karma: A Race Against Time by Laura Simmons
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mber Macklin’s world is shattered when she loses her baby girl three months after her husband’s sudden death. Her cousin, Bryce, provides solace and he has loved her for a long time. They soon discover they aren’t related and romance blooms, until she is abducted and Bryce uses his psychic ability to find her. But will he be too late?
www.littlebitsofkarma.com Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
Pokergeist by Michael Phillip Cash
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n awful gambler trying to scrape by as a professional poker player, Telly becomes the protégé of world famous poker champion Clutch Henderson. The only catch…Clutch is a ghost. Telly and Clutch navigate the Las Vegas gambling life learning to trust each other in order to win the elusive International Series of Poker, repair their shattered relationships and find redemption. www.michaelphillipcash.com FACEBOOK LINK | TWITTER LINK Available at Amazon.
The Friday Edition by Betta Ferrendelli
Clues of Chaos by Gary Caplan
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beautiful, young DA falls from her balcony to her death on Christmas Eve. Police suspect suicide, but the DA’s sister, Samantha Church isn’t buying it. Can she write the biggest story of her career before it’s too late and she’s targeted herself? A compelling and suspenseful read for those who love James Patterson, David Baldacci and Sue Grafton. “The Friday Edition is a page-turner from start to finish.” —Readers’ Favorite, 2014 Readers’ Favorite Gold Medal Winner www.bettaferrendellibooks.com Available at Amazon.
art mystery, part fantasy with a twist of science fiction, Clues of Chaos is brimming with suspense and adventure that will have you racing to the end yourself.
“Author Gary Caplan boasts a masterful command of classic murder mystery tropes, and this fluency makes his book a refreshing entry into the canon.” —BlueInk Review Winner 2016 Pacific Rim Book Festival in Science Fiction category. Honored as an International Book award Finalist in the “Fiction: Cross Genre” category. Available at Amazon.
BOOK SHELF This is a wise book, with profound thoughts about culture, spirituality, values, and family life. There is subtle, gentle
humour, and lyrical descriptions of mountain scenery. There is so much to enjoy as well as so much to learn, so much to make you think, that this is a book to own and to reread. John M Last, OC, MD Emeritus Professor, University of Ottawa
his inspiring account by an ex-smoker will open your eyes to the difficulties and the rewards of quitting smoking to live a healthier life. This photo-filled book about recovery playfully discusses recovery issues, and the message is one of hope. Positive outcomes are possible, but you have to create them and be proactive. Dr. Karen Trollope-Kumar is a superb stylist, with rich imagery, delightful humour, and scintillating dialogue throughout this treasure of a book. Robert Nielsen, President, Potlatch Publications.
ISBN 9781460287705
9 781460 287705
www.psyche1902.com Available at Amazon.
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90000 >
CLOUD MESSENGER
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As a Canadian medical student, Karen Trollope-Kumar went to India to study social and preventive medicine and met a young pediatrician named Pradeep. His dream of working in the Himalayan foothills captured her imagination, and the man captured her heart. They married in a Hindu wedding ceremony and pledged to share a life of service and spiritual growth. In this poignant, heartwarming, and gently humorous memoir, Karen recounts an eleven-year chapter of their unusual lives. She and Pradeep worked as medical doctors in the Himalayas, first in a rural hospital and later in remote mountain villages. When disaster struck — an assassination, an earthquake, a political crisis — their ideals, their safety, and their relationship are put at risk. The Cloud Messenger is a story of adventure and idealism, culture and medicine, faith and love, and it raises enduring questions: How can we cross religious and cultural boundaries? What happens to our dreams in the face of danger and disillusionment? And when dreams diverge, when one spouse can no longer continue on a certain path, what path do we choose?
K a r e n Tr o l l o p e - K u m a r
On Gratitude: The Journey, A Photo Recovery Book by Jean-Marie Manthei, MA, LPC, CACIII
C L O U D M E S S E N G E R
Cloud Messenger, Love and Loss in the Indian Himalayas by Karen Trollope-Kumar
I
n this poignant, heartwarming, and gently humorous memoir, Karen Trollope-Kumar recalls the years that she and her husband Pradeep worked as medical doctors in the Himalayan foothills, facing both joys and challenges. Cloud Messenger is a story of adventure and idealism, culture and medicine, faith and love. Through this compelling narrative, readers will explore universal themes about the human journey. Love and Loss in the Indian Himalayas
a memoir by Karen Trollope-Kumar
www.karentrollopekumar.com Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. A Right to Live by Christine Duts
I
n this heartfelt tale, Rusty finds herself abandoned by the ones she trusted. Fearing she’ll have to face the dangers of a world without a family, Rusty sets out to find her beloved owner. With her friends disappearing, and a happy ending seemingly always out of reach, can Rusty overcome her tough start and find a place where she belongs? http://sbpra.com/christineduts Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. GOODREADS LINK
BOOK SHELF Done Growed Up by Mary Morony
S
outhern Novelist, Mary Morony, delivers a tour de force of honest characters, lively humor, and painful tragedy. She writes her novels in a candid voice, refusing to sugarcoat the overt racism and making it clear that a small family in Virginia won’t change the bullheaded beliefs of others. Mary brings Southern charm, irreverence, and wit to bear on subjects as vast as racism and as personal as alcoholism.
www.marymorony.com Available at Amazon. Love, Life and Beyond by Pamela Hamilton
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acism, addiction, and the importance of family play integral roles in this novel. A Novel that May Change Your Life! Anne, a racist from the South dies from a brain aneurism. After some time to reflect in the spiritual realm, Anne’s soul is ready for another trial on Earth—this time in the body of Nova: a black girl.
www.wherethewindblows.ca Available at Amazon.
Saving Phoebe Murrow by Herta Feely
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amed a 2016 best debut by Amazon UK and winner of the 2016 New Apple Book Award (general fiction), Saving Phoebe Murrow is a story of mothers and daughters with a razor-sharp 21st century twist: the devastating impact social media can have on teen girls. Acclaimed writer, Herta Feely, has received writing awards and grants, including the James Jones First Novel Fellowship. www.hertafeely.com Available at Amazon US and Amazon UK. Harold Hardscrabble by G.D. Dess A novel that goes to the heart of the American dream. “Crisply literary and reminiscent of The Secret Life of Walter Mitty … entrancing, quirky, sad, and darkly humorous from start to finish.” —BookLife Prize in Fiction “…An excellent tale that explores the life of a brilliant, troubled man and his ups and downs. A fine read.” —Manhattan Book Review Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble.
BOOK SHELF Dear Child of Mine, An Heirloom Devotional for the Unborn Child by Deirdre Tolhurst
Escaping Viet Nam– H’Yoanh’s
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“A must read for everyone! The will to live through such atrocities gives new meaning to freedom.” —K. Gerry, Artist, Editor
o be read aloud, the 241 devotions begin with words of love to the baby, and notes what miracles are happening as the child grows. Followed by a prayer, the exciting changes inside the mother are spoken with adoration to God. A scripture completes the devotion, always bringing the glory back to God. Lines are included for Mom to journal. www.deirdretolhurst.com Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, WestBow Press, and author’s website. Maybe Tomorrow by Kim Golden
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ddy and Henrik had stopped believing in love. The last thing they expected was to find each other one fateful Midsummer’s Eve— especially when Eddy has already decided to move back to the US. Will their love last beyond the summer...and can they find their own Happily Ever After even with an ocean separating them?
www.kim-golden.com Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and iBooks.
Story: A Memoir of Determination, Defiance and Deliverance
by Harriet T. Hill and H’Yoanh K. Buonya
“Absolutely gripping story of survival! The narrative is compelling...was difficult to put this book down. Highly recommended!” —The Rev. J. A. Hill, Lima Peru After Saigon falls in 1975, a 16-year-old girl follows other Montagnards into the jungles of the Central Highlands to flee persecution by the North Viet Nam Communist Regime. For the next 11 years, danger, starvation, death and faith are her constant companions.
www.harriethillbooks.com Available at Amazon.
Dream On, Dancing Queen by Chloe Laube
“W
ould you like to dance?” the debonair stranger asked. Would she ever! Just one look and Cara’s heart is hooked as she dances into his arms. But is this handsome, cavalier Italian guy for real or is he a no-good opportunist? Hang on for a round-the-world odyssey filled with pasta, passion, and an untamed temper. Winner, NABE Award, Best Romance Summer, 2016 www.DreamOnDancingQueen.com Available at Amazon in paperback and ebook.
BOOK SHELF Outcasts: A Novel of Mary Shelley by Sarah Stegall
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n a dark and stormy night in 1816, an 18-year-old unwed mother sat down and invented science fiction when she wrote Frankenstein. Join Mary and Percy Shelley, their friend Lord Byron, and the other guests at the “most famous literary party in history.” “A remarkable achievement. Beautifully written.” —Miranda Seymour Editor’s Choice, Historical Novels Review (May 2017) www.wingspress.com Blood Lake By R.L. Herron
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ward-winning author R.L. Herron has created a spinetingling modern thriller based on the 1838 curse of a Cherokee prophet named Tsali, executed for defying the forced migration of the Cherokee people known as “The Trail of Tears.” As John Burnett is about to discover, Tsali’s bitter curse has followed the only sons of the Burnett family for eight generations. Readers’ Favorite Bronze Medal Winner and Foreword INDIE Book-of-the-Year Finalist. www.ronaldherron.com Available at Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.
Jack Bear, X-Ops by RF Jeppesen “I just finished reading X-OPS. It’s fast moving and unbelievable that these things could be happening… or is it a real story, about the dark side of government and its various agencies, the involvement in drugs, chemical altering and money funneling. The characters are well developed and read as, very real… are they agents gone rogue, or just trying to protect and defend the constitution? These characters take you on a RIDE like no other, all over the world.” Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iTunes. Claims of Family by Ezekiel Nieto Benzion
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ienna, 1803. The male brothel, The Riding Club, provides sanctuary for men with secrets. There, Antonio Nance performs as “Miss Nancy,” satirizing the forces of repression that rule their lives. Nance will sacrifice everything, including love, to achieve his own dreams. When men from another hidden society promise to help, he doesn’t ask how or how much. So is his freedom just an illusion? www.tellingourtales.net Available at Amazon.
BOOK SHELF Echoing Time by Michelle Stojic
Gullible’s Travels Raw & Uncut by J. Lee Webster Based on the story of a true 1st Placed USA team that the US media ignored. “Gullible’s Travels: Raw & Uncut” follows the naughty and humorous antics of two friends on a USA ladies sports team and their 1st Place stretch both domestically and internationally. Go USA! Find out what countries were destroyed in their path, on and off the field. “...This author proves racy reading can be done funny, without the S&M, whips and chains.” (Full page ad in Dec/Jan Shelf Unbound issue)
@JLeeWebsterAuthor
@JLeeWebster
@ j.leewebster
www.gulliblestravelsraw.com Available at fine bookstores everywhere. The Sound of One Horse Dancing by Tom Baker
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wenty-seven-yearold Tim Halladay is a rising star in the three-martini lunch world of Madison Avenue in the 1970s. Follow the adventures of a closeted gay man in the Stonewall Era of Greenwich Village—his rise and fall and ultimate redemption in the cutthroat world of advertising.
www.TomBakerBooks.com Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and iUniverse.
E
choing Time takes readers on a highflying, thrilling adventure involving interdimensional travel to parallel universes by charting the journey of an arrogant, entitled, alien, boy who’s seeking revenge, yet finds redemption. But not until he kidnaps an Arapaho girl, forcing her to relive the horrors of Earth’s history. There is something happening on every page; archeology, science, the DOD, FBI, NSA, and a pot smoking hippie commune invigorate the journey. www.echoingtime.com www.woo.woohoxchronicles.com www.youtube.comwatch?v=HKJErkCb7xo Available at Xlibris, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble.
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Promote your book in Shelf Unbound in our Special Advertising Section for Authors. Each issue of Shelf Unbound is distributed to more than 125,000 people in the U.S. and 62 countries around the globe. Our introductory ad rate for this section is $375/quarter page as seen here. Contact publisher Margaret Brown to reserve your space.
Margaret@shelfmediagroup.com 214.704.4182.
excerpts
SHELF UNBOUND’S
RECOMMENDED
READING Take a bite from your next favorite book.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION 74
APRIL/MAY 2017
1918: The Great Pandemic, A Novel by David Cornish, MD
www.davidcornishbooks.com
“A
ll the men were as they were when you left them, until about 11:00 PM last night. Suddenly, within less than thirty minutes of each other, five of the men displayed a marked rise in their respiratory rates. They began to struggle with breathing, which increased with each passing minute. We applied O2 by masks, but it had no effect. Soon, bloody froth gushed from their nostrils and mouths in huge quantities. Then, Edward, something happened that I have never seen before. It was horrible. The men’s faces first turned cherry-red. But, later their faces gradually turned a cyanotic indigo-blue color that I will never ever forget. It was so deep, so profound… it looked unearthly. The men fought for every breath, struggling to clear themselves of the seemingly endless amount of red fluid that flowed from their respiratory
passages. Suddenly, they became very quiet, and showed no further struggle. They breathed as if their bodies knew it was the end. Quietly, one by one, they died. Edward, they all died a horrible hideous death. The staff is very shaken on the quarantine ward. They were all just young men.” Noble was motionless, and speechless. He had heard a similar clinical description of a few patients six months earlier. That account came from Dr. Loring Minor. Since then, no similar signs and symptoms had been described in the United States. Until now. But, this time it was much worse. After a long pause, Rosenau continued. “Edward, the situation appears to be critical. Four more men are now beginning to show similar signs as the five who died. What is even worse is the fact that ambulances brought us fifty two more
patients with influenza from Commonwealth Pier. The Chelsea Naval Hospital is already beyond full capacity.” Noble thought for several moments before he responded to his friend. Finally, he said slowly, “Milton, I will contact army brass to see if some of the sailors can be taken to Devens. We’re preparing an influenza quarantine pavilion at Boston City, and perhaps we can take some of the ill there.
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION 75
Meet Walt on YouTube: Walt Brown Authorhouse…
You’ll see society/history repeat itself. Today is a reflection of the past: with shootings, riots, an overseas war (that one in Viet Nam,) effecting our lives then, as now. There was a fight for gender equality. Richard Nixon signed Title IX for equal rights in athletics. There was “Black Power,” and the “Battle of the Sexes.” Share private moments with your heroes from the past: Ali, Musial, Mays, Jesse Owens, Dan Marino, IndyCar... NasCar...F1...drivers, Billie Jean King, Cindy Potter, Wilt, Rod Laver, George C. Scott, Bob Hope, Jerry Rice, the Kennedy family, golf and hockey stars, most of the major names of the last half of the 20th Century..... 76
APRIL/MAY 2017
WWW.MOMENTSWITHHEROES.COM
WALT BROWN is a retired radio and television broadcaster who did playby-play of more than 20 different sports. This began while he was a broadcast student at Stanford University and continued while he was a Naval Officer at the Armed Forces Radio Television Service in Hollywood. Professionally, he covered sports and news in Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Nebraska during his 30 year career.
Athletes, Celebrities, Personal Moments The 60s and 70s by Walt Brown
www.momentswithheroes.com
A Personal Moment with Muhammad Ali
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he station host introduced himself to the Muslim guard, and to Ali. I saw him gesture toward me and the leader of the guard shake his head “no.” Ali smiled and, in turn, shook his head at the guardians; nodding at me to come on over. I signaled my videographer to join us. As we approached, my videographer seemed scared by the guards, and held back. Ali noticed the girl, and walked to the bench. With a friendly smile, he asked the girl why she was there. I said
to Ali, “she’s a champ, too, Champ; national age group track champion.” Ali said to the girl, “You are? Let’s see how you run.” The girl got up and started jogging around the room. Ali joined her. I whispered to my videographer, “get them jogging!” He didn’t turn on his camera. And we missed out on what would have been one of the great Ali videos of all time; jogging in a reception room alongside a Junior Olympic Champion pre-teen white girl. It was joyful and warm.
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Dam Witherston by Betty Jean Craige Black Opal Books (2017)
PROLOGUE
M
ayor Rich Rather grabbed his cell phone when a beep signaled the arrival of an email. “Excuse me,” he said to Trevor Bennington, Jr., President of Bennington Financial Services and member of the Witherston Town Council. “I’m expecting an estimate from Appalachian Landscape Contractors.” He opened his email. From: Donna Dam (donotreply@xxx.com) To: Rich Rather PAYBACK TIME Fri 03/10/2017 9:31 AM. Dear Mayor Rather: Do you remember what you were doing on the night of
November 5-6, 1977? I bet you do. You will pay for it. There is a wooden shed 1/4 mile upstream from Withers Fork on east bank of Saloli Stream. It’s on the Zamora property. Bring $9,900 in cash at 5:00 pm tomorrow. Leave the money in an envelope inside on the table. If you do not show up on time, I will go public with your secret. Donna Dam Sent from my iPhone “Anything wrong, Rich?” “No, nothing, nothing at all. Thanks, Trevor.” Rich stood up. “But I’m afraid I’ve got other business to attend to. I’m sorry to be cutting our meeting short. So sorry.” The mayor showed him out of his office and deleted the email.
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Age of Order by Julian North
CHAPTER ONE
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gunshot pierced the night. A hollow ring echoed in its wake. The sound was familiar: the bullet had struck the impenetrable armor of an enforcement drone. The noise declared that anyone within earshot should flee the tattered streets. Most of the denizens of the barrio heeded the warning. A few did not. I joined the tide of those that ran. The machine rolled onto the avenue like a wolf among sheep. Flashing globes scrutinized the scene beneath the drone’s rotating turret, an artificial gaze seeing, recording, targeting. Caterpillar-tracked wheels dragged the metal monster’s alloy chassis across the cracked asphalt, its bulk
brimming with spray guns, antennas, jammers and the devil knew what else. “You are ordered to clear the streets and return to your homes,” commanded a reverberating voice. “The Five Cities Protection Authority has authorized the use of corrective force to restore calm to this area.” Another machine appeared behind the first, a bitter twin of its companion. A dozen rays of light flickered from the monstrosities, forming a latticework of ominous crimson. A beam grazed my back. It caused a hint of heat on my spine, but a torrent of terror in my heart. The warning was clear: We know who you are, Daniela Machado. You are dead if we wish it. I ran faster, cutting in front of the ragged shell
of a man galloping beside me. He was a dweller of the barrio: hopeless eyes, gaunt arms, and a torn, sleeveless undershirt. I dashed across the street, putting his body in the path of the finder beam that had glued itself to my backside. I felt guilty about it. But people needed me. That was life in my part of the Five Cities.
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Fate: A New Beginning by Kennis Anthony
G
eorge closes down his station and assists Dr. Myers with Eric before retiring to his quarters. Dr. Myers wants them to get at least eight hours sleep. She has second thoughts about informing Houston of their situation. Hyper travel delays the signal reaching Earth and she hopes that the issues will subside with rest. She does, nevertheless, make a journal entry in her personal log, noting that without any substantial evidence, Eric Miller seems stressed about continuing on this present course. She also notes that she believes the name of the ship might have some psychological bearing on Eric Millers mental state. Inconspicuously getting the
flight director’s attention, one of the engineers monitoring the trajectory and flight of the spacecraft whispers to David Veil that there is something he should see. He nervously points to a large, dark and rapidly growing phenomena, totally absence of stars, and headed right for earth. He further explains that it seems to be emanating from the last known position of the Argo Navis. David Veil asks if there was an equipment malfunction for which the engineer emphatically denied. General Westbrook joins them just as the engineer confirms NORAD and other deep space monitoring agencies are reporting the same occurrences. Before General
Westbrook could ask, the engineer looks at him and adds that NORAD estimates the anomaly will overtake the planet in roughly nine hours. “Get me the President, son,” orders General Westbrook.
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APRIL/MAY 2017
Falling Back to One by Randy Mason
www.randy-mason.com EXCERPT FROM CHAPTER 20
H
e pulled up short. It was both super-real and dreamlike standing there under the dark, grey sky—cars intermittently whizzing past, headlights ghostly in the cold, misty air. Safe and warm inside their vehicles, the cars’ occupants were totally separated from the scene playing out on the shoulder. He could feel the chill seeping into his open jacket. “Micki, you get back in that car right now.” “No.” “Don’t you tell me ‘no’! You get back there right now!” “Or what?” They were about five yards apart, and he could see it in her eyes: she didn’t give a shit about anything. Reaching across his body, he pulled his service revolver out of its holster and aimed it at her with both hands. “Get back in that car,” he repeated. She didn’t move. “NOW.” Chin tilted up slightly, she said, “Or what? Y’gonna shoot me?” The large gun steady in his grip, he sighted down the barrel. But her eyes were laughing at him. “So go ahead… Shoot.” After a few seconds, when he did nothing, she snorted, turned, and started walking away. He remained where he was, still pointing the revolver: a healthy, six-foot-six adult male holding a loaded gun on an underweight, five-foot-six teenaged girl. And he was powerless. Weapon reholstered, he started after her, and she began to run. But he overtook and tackled her, twisting his body as he did so, taking the brunt of the fall on the edge of his back. Covered in snow, he rolled over, pinning her beneath him. She heard the ratcheting of the handcuffs as the cold metal closed around her wrists. She laughed at him. “D’ya take those goddamn things with y’everywhere?” He pulled her up by the back of her jacket collar. Published by Rare Bird / Archer. © 2017 Randy Mason. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.
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The Way I See It A Candid Review of Lessons From Life So Far by Joseph K. Chan
www.josephkchan.com
I
people to look beyond my obvious handicaps. One person who noticed my real potential was a woman I met at a workplace. We got married and had thirteen wonderful years together. She gave me understanding, encouragement, and patience. But our relationship did not last as long as I wanted; her life was cut short by breast cancer. On the surface, this is a sad story, but one big lesson I have learned from this opera is that I am the one who decides whether it is a sad story or not. If I were to let the events in my life make me a sad person, then I would lose the chance to harvest all other fruits that JOSEPH K. CHAN can be realized. My story is one of perseverance, love, and personal triumph over fate. It is from pain and suffering I learned the most valuable lessons. This process not only has led to insights about the physical aspects
of life but also has enticed me to develop my personal views of the spiritual purpose of human life, the question of God, and faith. I have learned that where I stand in these existential questions is the guiding light and sets the course for the remainder of my time on Earth.
BIOGRAPHY/AUTOBIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR
Joseph Chan was born with two rather restrictive birth defects. One of them is a genetic eye disease known as retinitis pigmentosa (RP), which is progressive with age. The other is paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia (PKD), an involuntary muscular spasm brought on by other sudden movements such as standing up from a sitting position; a condition that actually lessened after age forty. In The Way I See It, Mr. Chan talks candidly about the challenges of growing up with these two birth defects. Despite facing the fear and frustration of falling behind in school as a little child, and stigma for being different, this is a story of love, faith, and personal triumph over fate. The Way I See It is Joseph Chan’s spiritual journey to discover his life’s purpose and to share the hope and inspiration that he has found with those who might also benefit from it.
THE WAY I SEE IT
In his memoir, first-time author Chan recounts a life of “perseverance, love and personal triumph over fate.” By Kirkus Reviews
, being legally blind, is now a volunteer who provides management services to non-profit organizations. He retired from the Association of Bay Area Governments after twenty-six years as CFO. Mr. Chan is a CPA and holds an MBA from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Now widowed, he has a daughter, a son, and three lovely grandchildren. U.S. $18.95
SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION 82
APRIL/MAY 2017
“In a book filled with wisdom, one of the most remarkable lessons is the way in which the author views his physical limitations.” By Foreword Reviews
The Way I See IT
“The Way I See It will be appreciated by anyone with either retinitis pigmentosa or paroxysmal kinesigenic dyskinesia and may offer inspiration to readers with other challenges as well.” By BlueInk Reviews
JOSEPH K. CHAN
was born with two rather restrictive birth defects. As soon as I was old enough to notice that I could not do some of the things other people could, I started asking why I had been given these obstacles. To have one of these defects was unfortunate; to carry the burden of two seemed very unfair. As a little child, I didn’t have an answer for myself. The family and the school system that I grew up in did not provide adequate support and guidance for children with special needs. I was only encouraged to “measure up” with my peers. That put a lot of stress on me. I worked hard to keep up, but no matter what I did, I was always below average in school, and the feeling of inferiority made me socially shy. After I graduated from college and stepped into the workplace, my low self-esteem was a stumbling block. It was difficult to convince
Forgotten
by Marc Liebman www.marcliebman.com
T
he blacked-out sedan slid to a stop outside the storefront with the four service logos that indicated it was a U.S. Armed Forces Recruiting Station. The car’s passenger guessed the desk light was left on by accident by one of the recruiters when he left for the day. Despite the all black attire, a passerby would have easily identified the figure as a woman. She had a mason jar in each hand and a brick under her armpit. Each jar had a rag sticking out of the lid and was carefully put down on the cement. The woman stopped about five feet from the large picture window where the light from inside the recruiting station faded out and the shadows began. She hurled the brick underhand like a softball pitcher. The plate glass window made a satisfying crack before the shattering glass left a gaping hole. With a butane lighter, the woman lit the first mason jar and
lobbed it into the recruiting center. It shattered on one of the steel desks, spreading an exploding mixture of soap and gasoline. The second jar landed to the left of where the first one hit. By the time the woman got back in the car, the recruiting station was a blazing inferno. Fifteen minutes later, the stolen Ford Fairlane slid to a stop in a shopping mall parking lot, well away from the stores. In one practiced movement, the bomber pulled a .45 caliber pistol out of a shoulder holster and put it to the temple of the driver. Brain, blood and bone splattered the driver’s side window. Satisfied, the bomber (and now the shooter), walked across the lot to another car, a steel gray Volvo 123S with red leather seats, unlocked it, and drove away. … After her alarm went off at seven, Julia watched a breathless TV commentator’s
top of the hour story on the firebombing of a military recruiting station in Northbrook, Illinois. His report said two Marines sergeants, both Vietnam veterans, were burned to death. .... Satisfied with her night’s work, Julia Amy Lucas turned off the TV. She just turned twenty-one and this was her first act as a member of the Revolutionary Wing of the Students for A Democratic Society. What surprised her was how much she liked the killing.
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Reality Unveiled
The Hidden Keys of Existence That Will Transform Your Life (And The World) by Ziad Masri
Y
ou picked up this book for a reason. Whether you’re looking for personal transformation, success, peace, joy, or love, you are a seeker of truth. You may not label yourself as such, but nevertheless something inside of you searches unceasingly. And while that search can seem endless at times, take hope, because this is not a one-way quest. For as the great Sufi poet, Rumi, so wisely said, “What you seek is seeking you.” This profound truth will become clearer as you read through this book. Questions that you might have always had, which perhaps you thought would always go unanswered, will be answered. A breathtaking reality, which you might have always hoped could be real, will reveal itself. And every pain and struggle you’ve ever endured will suddenly start to make sense, as you understand the deeper
purpose behind our existence and why we’re here. Each of us feels lost and confused at times. We might think we have it all figured out, and then something comes along and turns our world upside down. Yet even when life is seemingly right side up, we often feel something is missing: An internal nagging feeling, telling us that even when we’re at our happiest, we’re not complete. It’s not always so subtle either, sometimes feeling like a gaping void. And we try to fill it in any way we can—money, success, relationships, and so on in an attempt to feel complete—but it’s a bottomless pit. So we stay hungry. Many of us feel a strong sense of disconnection too. And, ironically, the more connected we become with the help of technology and social media, the more disconnected we often feel— from others, our life, and
our very selves. The world echoes this disconnection, as all the poverty, violence, and destruction can feel overwhelming and leave us wondering what’s the point of it all. It can seem like no matter what we do, we’ll never be truly happy and find what we’re looking for on this strange journey called life. But our seeking is not futile. And when we’re truly ready, we find what we’ve always been looking for.
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APRIL/MAY 2017
The Other La Bohème by Yorker Keith
Overture Begin your song, oh Muses. Let me join the zesty tune. My heart needs no more sorrow, Neither discord nor despair. Induce me to embrace love, Peace, and hope in harmony. Lift, lift me up, oh Muses. Let us sing a song of joy. Act I Scene 1
M
uses were singing in glory in the fine October sky—the image Henry saw in the clouds as he strolled along Broadway near 72nd Street, several blocks from the Metropolitan Opera House. He even recognized the Muses’ sweet song. His chest swelled in anticipation as he continued a few blocks to the Café Momus, where his friend Stephanie was working as a waitress. The restaurant attracted a loyal clientele among connoisseurs of opera and classical music, who appreciated the authentic French cuisine at reasonable prices, especially before or
after a performance at one of the many nearby theaters. Henry paused outside the window and peered in. Since it was not yet five o’clock, patrons occupied fewer than half of the thirty-odd tables. Stephanie stood before the bar in her black uniform, casually watching the customers. Henry fished a digital pitch-maker from his pocket and found C-sharp. He cleared his throat and inhaled, assuming the role of Marcello. Then he burst through the door and began singing, extending his hand toward Stephanie. “O Musette, o gioconda sorridente!” (“Oh Musette, oh radiant smile!”) Stephanie broke into just such a smile as Henry continued his serenade in his burning tenor voice, praising her charms. His rich tones reverberated in the intimate restaurant. Stephanie immediately replied to his aria in her coloratura mezzosoprano, wagging her right index finger. “Badate! I miei difetti non
nascondo.” (“Mind you! I don’t hide my defects.”) She cautioned Marcello that she was a capricious vagrant, living day to day. When she completed her aria, both joined in a duet: Marcello, adoring her, and Musette, warning him. The music entwined to a dramatic climax with a soaring high A, then descended slowly, ending with their simultaneous murmur: “Musette!”…“Badate!” “Bravo!” Waiters and waitresses shouted their kudos while the patrons applauded. Henry bowed and Stephanie curtsied. As they rose, they met each other’s eyes and laughed. …
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A Pigeon’s Tale by S.A. Mahan
“W
hat’s going on, Michael?” One of the arriving men asked. “The little pigeon brought us a message, Steve,” Michael answered, “with very small print. Do you have your bifocals with you?” “Certainly,” Steve answered. He slipped his hand into his shirt pocket and pulled out a pair of glasses. He was wearing a hat, and had a long, white beard, just like Grandpa’s. “Greetings,” he read aloud to everyone, “the bird who brought you this message is Professor Walter Pigeon. Please extend to him the same courtesy and respect you would extend to any one of your colleagues.” Steve stopped reading for a moment and glanced over his glasses at me. “Welcome to Camp Shackleton, Professor Walter,” he said. Everyone cheered! He continued to read. “Professor Walter is an expert at International Morse Code and Star Navigation. We have
included a copy of the Morse Code on the opposite side of this note. Please use it to communicate with him. He will tell you everything about Project Skynest. If you have an operative computer, he can also type in English. Best regards, Sir Alfred Jerome.” Steve looked at Michael and then at me. “I should have paid closer attention to Sir Alfred’s work,” he said, “Professor Walter, I am Dr. Steve Conroy, of the U.S. Antarctic research team. You have met Dr. Michael Thorden and Dr. Kiersten Thorden from the Norwegian research team. We banded together out on the Ross Ice Shelf after everything came apart three years ago. “When we realized that Antarctica was shifting to a warmer region,” Michael explained, “we abandoned the ice shelf and moved to solid land. Quite a few of us died. We weathered terrible, terrible times.” “Tsunamis,” Steve continued for him, “black,
fire-rain from volcanoes, incredible earthquakes. Then, just as it says in the Bible, the stars slowly dropped from the sky.” “The world shifted,” Kiersten broke in, “which I’m sure you already know. We were lucky at first to be out on the ice shelf, it withstood the worst of quakes and tsunamis. But when it started to fracture, we knew we had to move.” A tear rolled down Kiersten’s cheek. “We started with over forty scientists,” she said sadly, “we are now down to fifteen.” I flew over to her shoulder and kissed her on the cheek.
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A Kinder Way of Dying Sarah’s Story
by Denise Richardson www.akinderwayofdying.com CHAPTER 4 AUTISM SPOKE
S
arah’s primary teacher Sally Wellman noticed Sarah seemed to be slowing down in school. She wasn’t interested in participating in class, and showed no interest in things she usually loved to do; using the computer or cooking class. We all noticed that she was losing weight, and had begun to occasionally wet herself. She acted listless, her face showing little expression. I figured she wasn’t feeling well. The changes in her behavior at school continued. While at Sarah’s school to talk with Sally, during an early school day pick up, Sally started crying and said “there’s something seriously wrong with her!” “She won’t even play on the computer, and she usually loves doing that.” At home she was quiet and cooperative. I took her to see
her pediatrician, who checked her out and said everything was fine, just keep an eye on her. I figured it was just part of having mental retardation. In time her behavior at home changed as well. She began to wet her bed and have frequent accidents in her pants. She walked with a slower shuffling gait. She began hitting herself when she got angry. I would take Sarah into my nursing agency office with me to visit. Even the office staff noticed a difference in her behavior. She wasn’t making eye contact with anyone, and hung back in the hallway instead of responding when they talked to her. Sarah would sit in an extra office and color, and play with toys to keep busy. She refused to do that now. It was frustrating, but her behavior got worse. One evening we were finishing supper, Sarah had refused to eat and was
watching TV. Jessie, David and I were sitting at the dining room table when David; who was sitting across from me said, “uh, hey Denise, there’s a turd!” I turned around, and there was Sarah standing behind me, holding out a piece of poop! There was no expression on her face, no embarassment, she just handed it to me. I was ready to put her in diapers again by this time.
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by Margaret Dexter
Margaret Dexter invites readers to accompany her on a journey that not only encompasses MALTA, but also several stopping places along the way. Each mark on the map brings new vision all represented in elegant and effervescent prose. As the loving voice of a daughter, wife, and mother, she and her family immerse themselves in a voyage of experience and growth. In this memoir, Margaret pens a loving tribute to not only the island of Malta and its special inhabitants, but also to her family’s remarkable peregrination. Malta Remembered is an inspiring story of how one couple blessed and united by good fortune braved waves of adversity with hard work and love.
WHAT TO
“Scapegoat is a taut, suspenseful history. The opening chapters prompt heart-pounding excitement as Corsetti describes the dive from the perspective of both the crew and the passengers. The book is enthralling throughout, even as it shifts from the near crash to the more mundane hearings and investigations that followed.”
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—Katerie Porter, Foreward Reviews “Scapegoat is an incredible book that you won’t be able to put down.” —Capt. Jerry Lawler (TWA, Ret.) Air Line Pilot Magazine Scapegoat—A Flight Crew’s Journey from Heroes to Villains to Redemption by Emilio Corsetti lll
O
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n April 4, 1979, a Boeing 727 with 82 passengers and a crew of 7 rolled over and plummeted from an altitude of 39,000 feet to within seconds of crashing were it not for the crew’s actions to save the plane. The cause of the unexplained dive was the subject of one of the longest NTSB investigations at that time. While the crew’s efforts to save TWA 841 were initially hailed as heroic, that all changed when safety inspectors found twenty-one minutes of the thirtyminute cockpit voice recorder tape blank. The captain of the flight, Harvey “Hoot” Gibson, subsequently came under suspicion for deliberately erasing the tape in an effort to hide
incriminating evidence. The voice recorder was never evaluated for any deficiencies. From that moment on, the investigation was focused on the crew to the exclusion of all other evidence. It was an investigation based on rumors, innuendos, and speculation. Eventually the NTSB, despite sworn testimony to the contrary, blamed the crew for the incident by having improperly manipulated the controls, leading to the dive. This is the story of an NTSB investigation gone awry and one pilot’s decades-long battle to clear his name. Availability Scapegoat is available as an eBook, hardcover, and audio download. The book is available at all major retailers and wholesalers.
WHAT TO
in the investigation of his sister’s murder. Working with Lieutenant Mercedes Garcia Rico, the two uncover an unfathomable conspiracy dating back to the time the Moors surrendered their kingdom in Granada to the catholic monarchs, Ferdinand and Isabela in 1492.
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The Seventh Treasure An International Thriller by Len Camarda
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young American woman dies in a tragic roadway accident in the mountains outside of the city of Granada, Spain. Her brother, who heads up a training unit of the US Secret Service, travels to Spain to bring her body back to America. There, and in the company of a female lieutenant of Spain’s National Police Force, it is discovered there was foul play associated with his sister’s Gina’s death. Soon, the consequences of this incident generate a cascade of mysterious murders that confound local authorities and shut down all leads as to why Gina Cerone was killed. After a thirty year career in the Secret Service, Gene Cerone retires so that he can participate
Reviews: “Set in modern-day Spain and painted with layers of history and forgotten lore, this novel combines Tom Clancy’s knack for political suspense with Dan Brown’s love of secret societies.” —The Clarion Review “…some might see echoes of Dan Brown in its fictionalization of history based on a few truths. But this novel is awash with the rich culture and vibrancy of the Iberian Peninsula. Camarda has obviously done his research and his travels in the region lend credence to the book’s fertile setting and story. Readers who appreciate a complex plot and engaging historical fantasy will find much room to roam in The Seventh Treasure.” —BlueInk Review “If you like historical thrillers or are just looking for a good read, I suggest Len Camarda’s The Seventh Treasure—and of course, a trip to Spain.” —ByLanderSea Book Review Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and local book stores.
WHAT TO
“It’s difficult to believe it happens, but forced guardianship fraud runs unchecked throughout international probate courts. Deemed incapacitated by the courts, elderly citizens are robbed of all decision-making rights and assigned professional guardians whose only interest lies in profiting from their vulnerable charges’ estates.” —The Washington Examiner
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Guardianship Fraud by M Larsen www.GuardianAbuseCases.com “A simple slip-and-fall can put someone into the guardianship of unknown persons with no knowledge to family and friends until the deed is done. Forced incompetency; get control over everything and the ward (senior) loses all rights.” —Robert W Melton, Pinellas County Internal Auditor, “Dirty Tricks of Guardianships – The Need for Change,” April 2004
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“You are a target because you have assets. You don’t necessarily have to be very old. You can even be quite lucid. That won’t stop these predators. When it comes to removing your rights and your money, these folks are experts.” —Money Magazine.
“There is a web of murderous profiteering, all sanctioned by a corrupt legal system. As guardianship firms take everything they can, state attorneys turn a blind eye. Crooked cops harass family members into silence, while the very attorneys you hired won’t help for fear of losing their licenses.” —Katherine Hein, Journalist “Instead of serving to protect the assets of incapacitated persons, the existing guardianship system presents the opportunity for unscrupulous guardians to loot the assets of their wards and enrich themselves with impunity.” —New York Grand Jury “These are the people who may one day control your loved one’s health care, living arrangements, finances, and very life. Ostensibly created to prevent financial abuse by caregivers and family members, professional guardianship instead gave the legal system carte blanche to destroy lives.” —Dr. Angela Woodhull
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1918
by David Cornish MD www.davidcornishbooks.com
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Saving Phoebe Murrow by Herta Feely www.hertafeely.com
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DISCOVERIES
If you like these five books, you’re sure to like...
Minoan Signs
An African Decipherment by by GJK Campbell-Dunn
MA (NZ), MA (Camb), PhD (Cant)
www.minoansigns.wordpress.com
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DISCOVERIES
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Envoy of Jerusalem
by Helena P. Schrader www.defenderofjerusalem.com
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DISCOVERIES
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Water Ghosts
by Linda Collison www.lindacollison.com
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Return of the Convict by William Alan Thomas www.williamalanthomas.com
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DISCOVERIES
Children’s - FiCtion
have you ever wished you could be someone or something else so you could get out of doing things you don’t want to do? that’s exactly what the boy in this story does.
The boy thinks of all the things rhinos don’t like, such as haircuts, eating dinner, and going to school. He also imagines that rhinos don’t like their teachers and would rather go outside and play than sit in class.
If you like these five books, you’re sure to like...
The boy starts pretending to be a rhino, which makes his mother upset. Eventually, he realizes that all the things he’s trying to avoid aren’t so bad—and that they may even be good for him. Every child will find it easy to relate to the boy and rhino in this story. Most of them have the same problems, but deep down inside, they know that even things they don’t like are often worth doing.
Rhinos Don’t Like It And Neither Do I!
by Riccardo J. Simpson www.riccardojsimpsonbooks.com
Rhinos Don’t Like it
AnD neitheR Do i! Written and Illustrated by
Riccardo J. simpson
9X7 landscape Perfect Bound SC
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Window To The Big Sky by Mary Ellen Connelly www.maryellenconnellybooks.com
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DISCOVERIES
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Ruined
by Jw Grodt www.jwgrodtbooks.com https://youtu.be/27A3tj0BFrA
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DISCOVERIES
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The Swamps of Jersey A Frank Nagler Mystery
by Michael Stephen Daigle www.michaelstephendaigle.com
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DISCOVERIES
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Tough Karma:
A Race Against Time
by Laura Simmons www.littlebitsofkarma.com
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Until Philosophers Become Kings, Book One by Chris Thomas
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Guardianship Fraud
by M. Larsen www.guardianabusecases.com
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DISCOVERIES
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Angel Blade
by Carrie Merrill http://carriemerrill729.wix.com/author
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Dream On, Dancing Queen
by Chloe Laube www.dreamondancingqueen.com
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Always North by Herb Romero
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The Friday Edition
by Betta Ferrendelli www.bettaferrendellibooks.com
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DISCOVERIES
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Murder in the Haunted House by Carolee Russell www.russellriginals.com
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Echoing Time
by Michelle Stojic www.echoingtime.com
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The True Life of a Singing Cowboy by William Frank Bellais
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AN ANTHOLOGY Here is Joseph Cowley at his best: Once More With Feeling, the touching story of an old man seeking a lost love after his wife dies; The Chrysanthemum Garden: a sensitive and moving novel about finding love later in life; Another Great Day: a novella about a man on a “lost weekend� at the moment his life is coming unraveled; He Says, She Says: the story of an unemployed writer and beautiful married woman who meet in Alcoholics Anonymous and fall in love, and the lesson it teaches them; and The Stargazers, a wonderful play about the conflict between the astronomers, Tycho Brahe and Johannes Kepler, as they struggled to find the secret of the solar system.
WWW.SBPRABOOKS.COM/JOSEPHCOWLEY
Emerged THE RISE OF A
TRUE WARRIOR
It was the chance of a lifetime—to witness China’s greatest engineering exploit since the Great Wall in person. He would perform research for his dissertation and help his friend’s family move to higher ground. But Joe’s plans are suddenly altered by a debilitating accident. The unexpected detour brings the civil engineering graduate more than he had planned. While recuperating from his injury in modern-day Arcadia, he is commissioned to carry out a four-hundredyear-old tradition soon to be submerged by the construction of the mega dam. Now equipped with unsurpassable martial mastery, Joe pursues a lost heirloom and a crafty killer.
BY M.H. KERRIGAN
photo essay
FAST FORWARD:
PAINTINGS FROM THE 1980S Through May 14 at the Whitney Museum of American Art whitney.org “In the 1980s, painting recaptured the imagination of the contemporary art world against a backdrop of expansive change. An unprecedented number of galleries appeared on the scene, particularly in downtown New York. Groundbreaking exhibitions—that blurred distinctions between high and low art—were presented at alternative and artist-run spaces. New mediums, including video and installation art, were on the rise. Yet despite the growing popularity of photography and video, many artists actively embraced painting, freely exploring its bold physicality and unique capacity for expression and innovation.” —whitney.org 114 A P R I L / M A Y
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PREVIOUS PAGE Kenny Scharf (b. 1958). When the Worlds Collide, 1984. Oil and acrylic spray paint on canvas, 122 5/16 × 209 5/16in. (310.7 × 531.7 cm). Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; purchase, with funds from Edward R. Downe, Jr. and Eric Fischl 84.44 ©2016 Kenny Scharf/Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
THIS PAGE, Peter Cain (1959-1997). Z, 1989. Oil on canvas. 58 l/4 x 70 1/8 in. (148 x 178.1 cm). Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; purchase, with funds from the Painting and Sculpture Committee 92.29. © Peter Cain; Courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery, N.Y. UNBOUND
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David Salle (b. 1952). Sextant in Dogtown, (1987). Oil and acrylic on canvas, 96 3/16 × 126 1/4in. (244.3 × 320.7 cm) Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; purchase, with funds from the Painting and Sculpture Committee 88.8a‑e Art © David Salle, licensed by VAGA, New York, N.Y. Digital Image © Whitney Museum, N.Y. 116 A P R I L / M A Y
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Jean‑Michel Basquiat (1960‑1988). “LNAPRK”, 1982. Acrylic, oil, oil stick, and marker on found paper on canvas and wood, with rope, 72 1/4 × 66 5/16in. (183.5 × 168.4 cm). Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; gift of June and Paul Schorr in honor of the 60th Anniversary of the Whitney Museum of American Art 91.83 © 2016 The Estate of Jean-Michel Basquiat/ ADAGP, Paris/ARS, New York
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Eric Fischl (b. 1948). A Visit To / A Visit From / The Island, 1983. Oil on canvas, 84 × 168in. (213.4 × 426.7 cm). Whitney Museum of American Art, New York; purchase, with funds from the Louis and Bessie Adler Foundation, Inc., Seymour M. Klein, President 83.17a‑b 118 A P R I L / M A Y
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dystopian fangirl Children of Eden by Joey Graceffa joeygraceffa.com
T
What to read next in YA dystopian fiction? Our intrepid fangirl Sarah Kloth reviews some of her favorites.
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hose who grew up with Margaret Peterson Haddix’s Shadow Children series are sure to LOVE Joey Graceffa’s Children of Eden. Graceffa’s debut YA novel is a story of a dystopian future where we have ruined the earth and now everyone has moved to Eden, a safe haven from the poisonous land, where strict population control is in place to save the human race. The story follows Rowan, a second child, through her life being hidden away in a world where second children are illegal. Rowan will uncover the truth about Eden and the truth about her family, all while making a few friends along the way. Children of Eden is a perfect combination of Among the Hidden, Uglies, and Delirium. There are so many surprising twists in the story that there is never a dull moment. You will be rehooked at the end of every chapter. Synopsis: “Rowan is a second child in a world where population control measures make her an outlaw, marked for death. She can never go to school, make friends, or get the eye implants that will mark her as a true member of Eden. Indeed, her kaleidoscopic eyes may very well give her away to the ruthless Center government. Outside of Eden, Earth is poisoned and dead. All animals and most plants have been destroyed by a man-made catastrophe. Long ago, the brilliant scientist Aaron Al-Baz saved a pocket of civilization by designing the EcoPanopticon, a massive computer program that hijacked all global technology and put it to use preserving the last vestiges of mankind. Humans will wait for thousands of years in Eden until the EcoPan heals the world. As an illegal second child, Rowan has been hidden away in her family’s compound for sixteen years. Now, desperate to see the world, she recklessly escapes for what she swears will be only one night of adventure. Though she finds an exotic world, and even a friend, the night leads to tragedy. Soon Rowan becomes a renegade on the run.”
RADIOTOPIA, FROM PRX, IS A CURATED NETWORK OF 13 EXTRAORDINARY, STORY-DRIVEN SHOWS.
LISTEN TO ALL YOUR FAVORITES AT
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on our shelf
Aimee and Divine Inspiration On a Journey Aimee boards her boat Divine Inspiration on a journey to discover a relationship with mother Earth in this tale based on a Hopi legend. The illustrations are charming and the heroine inspiring. Although aimed at children, the messages and themes in this book will resonate with and be instructive for adult readers as well. A perfect gift for anyone interested in going forth on their own spiritual journey. —Anna Nair Aimee and Divine Inspiration On a Journey by Diane Bourgeois, Balboa Press, balboapress.com 122 A P R I L / M A Y
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Keith Haring: The Boy Who Just Kept Drawing This illustrated biography of the famed pop artist known for his energetic, colorful imagery is a joy to read and to view. Written by the late artist’s sister Kay Haring, the book celebrates Keith Haring’s life and commitment to street art. Neubecker includes Haring’s real artwork throughout the book, and all of the pieces are identified at the end. I’m buying one for myself and one for my niece and nephews. —Margaret Brown Keith Haring: The Boy Who Just Kept Drawing by Kay Haring, illustrated by Robert Neubecker, Penguin Random House, penguinrandomhouse.com.
Just Fly Away An Eighties’ Brat Pack member known for his roles in St. Elmo’s Fire, Mannequin, and Pretty in Pink, Andrew McCarthy has taken on a new role as a fiction writer. His debut novel is a coming-of-age tale starring 15-year-old Lucy Willows, who learns some secrets about her family that cause her to question almost everything in her life. McCarthy proves himself adept in the Young Adult genre, and we hope to see more. —Anna Nair Just Fly Away by Andrew McCarthy, Algonquin Young Readers, algonquinyoungreaders.com.
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small press reviews The Mosquito and the Bumble Bee by Scot Sax
A
pologies to Nick Lowe (and, of course, Elvis Costello), but as I walk through this wicked world searching for light in the darkness of insanity, I do, in fact, ask myself if all hope is lost. So much anger, so much arguing, so much partisanship in all corners of the globe. It all makes me wonder why we all can’t just get along—or at least try to find some common ground once in a while. Fortunately, a new children’s book by Scot Sax offers hope. In The Mosquito and the Bumble Bee, the title characters start off as rivals—each insect revels in ruining picnics and camping trips, but when they meet, they immediately see each other as rivals. Ultimately, though, they come to a realization that theirs is a rivalry based on trivial differences, and with a bit of soul-searching (not to mention some Googling), they eventually figure out that what they have in common is far greater than any trivial differences that might arise between them. And in the end (spoiler alert!), love trumps hate. With charming illustrations by Molly Reynolds, The Mosquito and the Bumble Bee offers young readers an important lesson on appreciating differences and building friendships—not to mention some interesting information on bees and mosquitoes. It’s a welcome addition to any child’s library—and I can think of plenty of adults who can stand to read it, too! —Marc Schuster, www.smallpressreviews.wordpress.com
Shelf Unbound Contributing Editor Marc Schuster is the author of The Grievers, The Singular Exploits of Wonder Mom and Party Girl, Don DeLillo, Jean Baudrillard, and the Consumer Conundrum, and, with Tom Powers, The Greatest Show in the Galaxy: The Discerning Fan’s Guide to Doctor Who. He is the editor of Small Press Reviews, and his work has appeared in numerous magazines and journals. Marc teaches writing and literature courses at Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania. 124 A P R I L / M A Y
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SAY ANYTHING Just once I want my life to be like an 80’s movie, preferably one with a really awesome musical number for no apparent reason. But no, no, John Hughes did not direct my life. ―from Easy “A” by Bert V. Royal
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