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Volume 2, Number 3 March 2003 Home | MBW Index

Table of Contents

Kaveny's Bookshelf Laurel's Bookshelf Shirley's Bookshelf

Shelley's Bookshelf Klausner's Bookshelf Cindy Penn's Bookshelf

Donovan's Bookshelf

Kaveny's Bookshelf
Art Technology and The Public Sphere, past present and future.

Last Wednesday morning at 9:00 A.M I was surprised to discover I was not enjoying my usual breakfast of a hot mug of white Earl Grey Tea, along with my whole-wheat bagel toasted to a golden brown, with four pats of melted butter. I confess; I just love the way that the bagel holds enough heat from the toaster just long enough to melt and then absorb all four pats of butter not allowing even a single drip onto the plate. I was at one of favorite places for my modest breakfast, The Acoustic Cafe, on the Corner of Barstow and Gray Street in downtown Eau Claire Wisconsin, and among my morning coffee group of semi and retirees who are among my favorite people.

Yet I was not happy. The reason for this was that the last several months I have been promising a number of friends, publishers, and associates that I would do an arts and technology feature for Kaveny's Bookshelf. Maybe that was why I was starting to feel a little a little left out when the conversation of my local coffee group turned to local government and conservation issues one to many times. I started to feel I should be somewhere else going through art books and working on my article for this month's Midwest Book Review in the quiet privacy of my office.

That's when something really interesting happened. I was introduced to a new face at our morning coffee table, and informed that he like myself was an academic emeritus, and that his field was Art at The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Just at that point, Bill, another face at our table, asked for some educational advice about his daughter who is a year away from graduation from a highly regarded (and expensive), high school for those gifted in the arts a few hundred miles away from Eau Claire. The question hinged around whether it was advisable for her to continue her education at a liberal-arts four-year college, or a more specialized place like, The Chicago Art Institute, or The Rhode Island School of Design. Part of the art emeriti's answer became the title of this month's article.

He said,

"Especially at this point in history when technology and art are inescapably bound together, the artist who has a strong grasp of technology will have a longer run than one who does not. But on the other hand, a liberal undergraduate art major at a good school would give one a grasp of major trends and the bigger picture in the world of art."

Well that answer got the table going for the next 40 minutes or so as we dealt with a number of absorbing artistic and literary questions. They ranged all the way from the relationship between regionalism and artistic production, to the portrayal of Cathedral in Santa Fe New Mexico as the setting for Willa Catcher's Death Comes to The Archbishop, to really sleazy hotel room kitsch art in that same city.

That is, Until a woman named Barb who has a kind of conversation stopping grace and poise briefly joined our table. It turned out that she and her husband have an art studio in the same complex as my office. And that her husband, artist Anders C. Shaver, had written and illustrated a beautiful children's book entitled The Fantastic Journey of Pieter Bruegel Hardcover: 40 pages; followed by notes and miniature representative portfolio of Pieter Bruegel life's work Publisher: Dutton Books; 1st edition (June 2002) ISBN: 0525469869. Price 18.99 A day, later I hold a review copy of that same book in my hands and have and will share my review of it.

First I would say that I agree with a number of the other major review sources Like publishers Weekly, and booklist in their praise of Anders C. Shaver Brilliant and attention holding art, literary, and historical production. It actually draws the reader into its panels to make the Anders C. Shaver's fictional and illustrated Fantastic Journey of Pieter Bruegel, come alive.

On one level it is outstanding children's book which I hope was nominated for the Newbery, Caldecott awards. I am delighted to see the work of a regional artist (with a growing national reputation) have his work presented in this format by a major publisher. It is clearly worth the price for that alone.

But to me that is just one of many delightful facets of this book. For example, it appeals to me as an adult reader with a professional interest in European History. On a conceptual level I love the of a the idea of a contemporary 21st Century artist fictionalizing the early manhood of this great Northern Renaissance painter. It is as if Pieter Bruegel has left Anders C. Shaver a period in his life to be used as a blank canvas that must be filled with imagery that is compelling but still historically accurate. It is if we are reading about Pieter Bruegel's world as he would write about in his own words, and seeing that same world as he would see it through his own eyes.

The major focus of Shafer's work is the period from September 10th 1551 to November 30th 1553. This the period when of Pieter Bruegel makes the journey from Antwerp to Rome and back again, in search of novel subjects for illustration, that will make his work more marketable in the North. The book also includes a well presented map of mid 16th Century Europe across which the course of Pieter Bruegel journey ran. The map is a work of art in itself complete with political boundaries. The book also includes further illustrations to bring to closure Pieter Bruegel short life in 1568.

This was a fantastic time in European History. The seventeen year period between 1551 1568 of Pieter Bruegel's life that was portrayed and illuminated by Anders Shaver was watershed between the last stages of the Renaissance and the emergence of the early stages of secular modernity. It was a time in which a cacophony of historical events was taking place in what we have come to know as Early Modern Europe. The Turks were at the Gates Of Vienna, The Protestant Reformation had struck Northern Europe with the Impact of a giant meteorite. This was a period in which new artistic technologies of reproduction were being mastered which would then portray the image of a growing, changing, and secularizing to world to itself, and transmit those same images to our 21st Century present.

For example the fictionalized diary the entry for October 17, 1551 refers to a dark lesson observed,

"I say to the man beside me. In the name of religion this countryside has revealed dark lessons. Yesterday Catholic Soldiers were shoving a man with a bundle of straw on his back-probably a Protestant bearing the fuel with which he would be burned."

When I looked up that passage I expected to find the accompanying illustration, but there was none. Then I realized I had illustrated it my own mind in the style of the rest of the book. In human sense Shafer's few lines embody the horrific aspect of the Reformation and religious warfare on the human level, better than any number of scholarly monographs. The passage works on both an unelaborated registers and elaborated register. The younger reader might become motivated to find more about the period by this depiction. On a more elaborate register one sees the image of the peasant in ones mind as a kind of Christ figure, but we wonder whom he is carrying the cross for? I think he is carrying for all of us.

Can you image the challenge of presenting this all? This is where I love the details of late Renaissance artistic production which Anders Shaver is able to include in this 40 page book. Not even the back dustcovers are wasted as we are given insights into the process of etching woodcuts and engravings, all of which work together to make the creation of a work of art a multiple and on going production rather than a discrete act as in a oil painting. I hope that this book at least made the short list for the Newbery, Caldecott awards if not I would like to know why not.

*The Fantastic Journey of Pieter Bruegel functions as a bridge to my next section. As I worked though Shaver's work I observed that certain aspects art and technology seem to reach across history. Shafer's fictionalized Pieter Bruegel and my friend and associate the late 20th early 21st Century Science Fiction and Fantasy artist Steven Vincent Johnson, would find that they had a lot in common. On a technical level they both seek to reproduce their artistic images in an economical manner which at the same time maintained the integrity of the original. The real and fictional Pieter Bruegel used the technology available to reach an expanding bourgeois market. He used ectchings, wood cuts, engravings and prints. In the present we have come to think of these items as priceless items, high cultural products of a former age. But at the time they were the closest thing that one might find to mass production until the advent of the industrial revolution two hundred years later.

*Since the Mid 1970's Steven Vincent Johnson and I have had a kind of guarded friendship. In a long distance conversation I had with him yesterday which will set the tone for the most of the rest of this article we agreed jokingly to a few things. Among them that through reincarnation of scores of lifetimes we had sent each other on untold suicide missions, and that we got along a lot like J.R.R Tolkiens Hobbits and Dwarves, but through it all we wish each other well. At this particular point in time Steve is working on a projects, which fits with the theme of this and perhaps a future article also. The project involves digitizing his paintings and then presenting then in that form allow his patrons to chose the form of presentation according the level of technology the available to them.

By choice Steve works in the field of the representational science fiction and the fantastic arts as a painter. In the early 80's he chose not to follow the course of a Masters of Fine Arts program in print making at University of Wisconsin Madison. Steve has worked professional and intentionally in a number of formats producing book illustration, book covers and insets, and some things which he is not even sure what he got royalty checks for.

But, sadly Steve works in a ghettoized field that is often according to the late Ted Sturgeon is often judged by its worst examples. Within the field of science fiction and fantasy art there is a large market. But sadly especially with the recent down turn in the techi side of the economy most potential buyers find themselves reduced to giving blood for beer money and a number of artist are contemplating diets of boiled shoe leather. Luckily through all of this Steven Vincent Johnson has never given up his day job as a computer programmer, because among other things he chose not to starve.

It is those same computer skills that have given Steve's work a unique aspect in that he has been able to digitize the major body of his life's work. But, he has also been able to do original work in entirely digital format, which then allows his patron to chose the method in which they present it. Interestingly enough this has a kind of pre-industrial ring to it. Often when one bought a book in the late 18th century one bought unbound leaves and then went to a stationer to chose the appropriate binding. Steve has given me a number of his digital painting in CD form which I hope to beta test in the next month and report back on the next month or so If you want find more about the Science Fiction and Fantasy artist Steven Vincent Johnson you can go to his virtual art gallery and website http://www.orionworks.com/artgal/svj/index.htm.

Thought the major focus of this feature is on Steven Vincent Johnson I have to at least mention that he shares a life marriage and home and homepage with Darlene Coltrain. Darlene is important figure in the art world in her own right, as she works in a number of different mediums, including prints; jewelry, smaller colored prints, and exquisite hand painted scarves. She is one of the very few contemporary American artist whose work over the last quarter century is equally at home and valued at a World Science Fiction or Fantasy convention or a fine arts gallery where she currently exhibits and sells her work. I highly recommend that you take time go to her website and share the experience of her work. http://www.orionworks.com/artgal/dpc/index.htm

On to the Public Sphere and Jurgen Habermas

The informed reader will excuse my rather opportunistic use the cultural critic and post Marxist social theorist German Jurgen Habermas to explain the events of the last few days. It seems months ago that I was sitting in the Acoustic caf‚ contemplating my bagel, but in fact it is only two days since last since last Wednesday morning. Looking back across those same two days I think that my problem was that I was thinking about art technology and the public sphere, past present and future in a way that was unproductive. Unproductive for me at least since I am mostly a social animal, who needs input to react to, seems to perform better if genuine human dialogue takes place.

This is the point where I will bring another kind of technology into play. Perhaps social theory may be thought of as a kind of technology of knowledge. Social theory which always will remain theory since it can never be definitively tested because it deals with human interaction, but never the less is interesting in organizing information about human behavior in a way that makes that behavior at least more intelligible.

I would like to think about art now as a more public and interactive manner than I might have last Wednesday morning. I don't just mean public and interactive between the artist and their public, I also mean between the public and itself as it reacts around the work of an artist, or in reaction to artistic decisions in something that Jurgen Habermas described as the public sphere.

If you want to find out more about Jurgen Habermas (1929) - I highly recommend that you check out this website http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/1643/index.html for more information. However, for purposes of this article the most interesting aspect of his work is "The Public Sphere." This is a non governmental space which nearly anyone has access to, where the may come from diverse backgrounds to share and even generate common interests and discuss mutual concerns like:

"To local government and conservation issues", as mentioned I earlier. If one would go back a couple of centuries the pubic sphere could be compared to something like a New England town commons, but not to the town meeting or town courthouse.

Therefore I feel that as our conversation at the table moved from "To local government and conservation issues", to the arts our little space in The Acoustic Caf‚ was functioning as a very small but lively public sphere. This allowed me seemingly almost gratuitously to have The Fantastic Journey of Pieter Bruegel (a book I was totally unaware of fall into to my hands to present to you for your consideration.)

Things change very quickly as the next morning I found myself attending and participating in a Downtown Eau Claire Incorporated (DECI) (Arts, Entertainment, and Vacation Committee), meeting, which was also held in my office complex at the Public Access Television studio located one floor above me. I feel it necessary to add at this point that the reason that everything seems to happen in my office complex is this. My office complex is located in, Banbury Place. This is the former 2,400,000 square foot former Uniroyal Tire factory that is a complex of a score of building which have been reconverted to multi purpose use as part of the overall redevelopment of downtown Eau Claire.

To some my readers of course it may seem that I have drifted a long way from my function as Literary Editor of The Midwest Book Review as I write about downtown redevelopment, arts boards, and converted 2,400, 000 square foot tire plants. If so please bear with me. With me it all starts and ends with books. As a matter of fact I once told a monk (in full attire), who I met at The Kalamazoo International Medieval Studies Conference and shared a pizza. That, when and if I met Saint Peter at the gate I would try to give him the best deal I could on a book.

The Downtown Eau Claire Incorporated (DECI) meeting was a lot more interesting than I expected. It and easily fitted within my public sphere framework for a number of reason. The most important being it encompassed a very diverse section of the community. It included representatives from local government, the arts and music community, and The Public Access Television, and The University of Wisconsin Eau Claire. All of these folks were coming together to view a very professionally produced video by the public access television center on the Eau Claire Arts community which is slated as part the documentation for a grant competition. We then suggested some themes for future meetings. That is the point where I sprung my idea of a downtown Eau Claire Festival of The Book, and out door booksale. I feel my suggestions were well received. I will be back next month for the April meeting.

It is now Monday morning and I am about ready to send this Months Kaveny's Bookshelf to press. Just got an email message from someone who is organizing a "Turning Leaves autumn Book Festival in Eau Claire Wisconsin asking that I help on their meeting starting tomorrow afternoon. Yes I will be there.

One last thing

One of the best Best Books I ever read about art is

Bluebeard
writen by Kurt Vonnegut
Paperback: 320 pages
Delta; (October 1998)
038533351X price $12.95 Hardcover - Reprint of the Delacorte 1st ed. -1987.

Containing elements of his own biography, Vonnegut presents us with the fictionionalized Rabo Karabekian, an Armenian-American, World War II veteran, who during the most creative period of his life was a leading edge abstract expressionist painter. Rabo Karabekian whose Armenian parents ‚migr‚ parents survived the Turkish Armenian Holocaust Massacre of 1915-1916, reported by the British Government to have killed 500,00 men women and children.

It is a fascinating narrative of a twice-widowed artist. Who is, at the end of his life is drawn out of his isolation by a young widow. Who is a best selling author of highly commercial but very successful fiction, Since Vonnegut has more than modest talents in the graphic arts one feels that he at least has some authority when he says. Abstract Expressionism was an art form which served no master. And one feels the great pathos as Vonnegut presents us with Rabo Karabekian father Turkish Armenian Holocaust Massacre Survivor Vonnegut suggest that even more tragic than the Massacre that Rabbo 's father and mother survived is Rabbo's father's turning away form his linguistic gifts and refusing to translate Shakespeare into Armenian. The reason for this is tragic is little can be done about the past, but the translation might have brought light and humanity into the future.

Vonnegut also has some absolutely wonderful takes on the difference between art and Illustration perhaps the best I have read. To put as simply as possible illustration constructs and sort of freeze-frames and contrives time. All the buttons are lined up on a shirt, all the some from a steam engine is blowing behind and everything is idealized and stylized. Art does the opposite of that it encompass it embodies it communicates, and in its best sense illuminates our lives.

In the end Vonnegut's Rabo Karabekian has a great secret locked up in his novel Bluebeard just like the fairy tale Blue Beard, but you must read the book to get to that great ending. The great ending which is drawn from Vonnegut's own life experience as a sort of Holocaust survivor who survived the Allied Bombing of the German City of Dresden (Feb, 23- 24 1945) as a prisoner of war because he was locked in the deepest basement of a slaughter house. This was 59 years ago today. I wish we could light 100,000

Candles for the each of the German Civilians lost in those two days.

Philip Kaveny
Literary Editor
Midwest Book Review

Laurel's Bookshelf
Buttercups For Jesus: Reflecting His Light in Your Life
Nancy Marie
Booklocker, Inc.
ISBN 1591132991, 108 pages at 11.95 paperback, www.booklocker.com

Children know the secret of the tiny buttercup, how when it is held under the chin in sunlight their skin reflects its bright yellow light. With that simile of the buttercup, Nancy Marie shares with readers her journey to the Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. As the simple buttercup takes time to grow and flourish before it can reflect the sunlight, so must a Christian grow in Jesus over time. The author makes her message clear: The journey may be difficult, but the end result is worth whatever struggles we experience!

The buttercup is often thwarted in its growth by clouds, storms, and spattered mud. In like fashion, the Christian's walk with Jesus can be halted by our very human failings. Using scripture and examples from her own life, the author demonstrates that stubbornness and pride, judgmental thoughts and greed can block the Son from our lives in the same way clouds prevent the buttercup from thriving. Until we free ourselves of self-serving traits, Jesus cannot be in us, shining through us onto others. The light of Jesus must be reflected in us before our lives can positively impact the world.

The process Nancy Marie struggled through to reach the Sonlight is likened to a jeweler refining silver. Patiently, the jeweler smelters silver down repeatedly, removing the dross with every firing. He does this until his reflection shows quite clearly in the silver. In such a way, through trials and troubles, Jesus cleanses us of our impurities so His reflection shows in us.

Nancy Marie makes her points lovingly and backs them up with scriptural truths: Her words will comfort readers. Jesus understands and empathizes with our human failings. He has compassion for us, dispenses mercy and forgiveness with a generous heart. Such generosity is love in action. Only when we reflect what Jesus stands for can we call ourselves His people.

I recommend this book to Christians, or those who might be searching for answers that will benefit their lives.

Carver: High Mountain Tragedy
C. H. Foertmeyer
iUniverse
ISBN 0-595-21696-2, $23.95, 457 pages, paperback

C.H. Foertmeyer has taken an all-too-familiar sadness in America today -
the fate of troubled teens - and breathed new life into the subject. Although Carver features fictional characters and events, the reality was hair raising to me. The author builds his story very well.

Kevin Reynolds, Wiley Coates, and Bryce Spencer are good kids and long time pals, just average teenagers trying to survive their adolescence and enjoy activities they like. Due to various physical, social, or financial shortcomings, all three boys have been objects of ridicule for years. The cruelty of their peers and fellow students is bewildering and more painful as their High School years progress. Still, the boys share common interests - skiing, hunting and camping, exploring the Rocky Mountain wilderness - so they hang together, hoping graduation will change their lot.

Mary Clemmons is a spiteful, snobbish student, spoiled rotten by her wealthy father. Her best friend and confidant is Alicia Koppe, a poor girl from the wrong side of the tracks. Whatever Mary wants, Mary gets by one means or another. And she wants Bryce to pay for telling that she cheated on exams. Her revenge is plotted, and with Alicia's help, Bryce ends up dead. Kevin and Wiley know who caused their friend's death and decide to work their own revenge on the two girls who've made their life a living hell for years.

Foertmeyer makes good use of the Rocky Mountain environs as he builds this tale of good boys driven to an awful revenge by circumstance. In fact, his descriptive passages of the natural, wild beauty of the place lulled me into a false sense of hope about the outcome of Carver. Sheriff Al Dramico and his deputy Stan are sly investigators. Nothing slips by them, and in the end, all the guilty parties pay a different price. How the tale plays out is better left unrevealed by me. I suggest you read the book to learn the answers.

Carver is more than a novel. It's a social commentary on the world we've come to know through shocking vignettes on TV and in the newspaper. It made me shiver just a little, knowing that no matter how good a person is - how noble the motive - we could be forced into a hell not of our making.

I recommend this book for adolescents and adults. There are valid lessons to be learned in it. Mr. Foertmeyer writes well and I'm looking forward to his next creation.

The Woman With Qualities
Sarah Daniels
Dandelion Books
ISBN 1-893302-11-3, $14.95, 236 pages

The Woman with Qualities goes far beyond being simply romantic fiction. It speaks to the very human insecurities that trap us in defeated lives. Digesting the message of Ms. Daniels' captivating first book was a real eye opener! From the beginning of her novel to the unanticipated ending, I was hooked.

Three months a widow, Keri Anders sells her home in Upstate New York and moves to Florida at the urging of a friend. From day one, Florida is anything but the land of sunshine. Keri is plagued with one setback after another, until an accident lands her in the office of Dr. David Chipperton. Curly hair and twinkling hazel eyes aside, his persona seems familiar. Keri is a poet, a writer, as was Chip's departed mother. She's delighted when the handsome doctor hires her to edit his mother's writings and mentor his own.

Keri and Chip have more in common than her injury and his dreams of writing. Their spirits are connected through time, familiar and beloved. The fact that Chip is married to a wealthy socialite has very little to do with their relationship. Keri is well-read, intelligent and gifted. Chip sees unconditional love and commitment in this woman with qualities.

How the author spins this tale of love between an insecure woman and her solace-seeking lover is what impressed me. Ms. Daniels writes well and kept me reading with delicious anticipation. Along the way, Keri's spirit gains the strength it always lacked and she becomes a woman capable of anything she can imagine doing or being.

As I said in the beginning, The Woman with Qualities transcends romance. You'll have to read it for yourself to understand the secrets I chose not to reveal. I recommend it to mature readers.

Flesh Craves - The VanFell Legacy
Brian T. Seifrit
PublishAmerica
ISBN 1-59129-894-6, $19.95, 151 pages, paperback, www.publishamerica.com

Back in the 1820s, when this country was young and wild, families like the VanFells headed west. From their comfortable homes in the civilized east, they went into unknown territory with no advance information to prepare them for life in the wilderness. It is only due to courage, adaptability, and inborn strength that the VanFells survive at all.

Brian Seifrit has created a frightening and eerie introduction to the VanFell family saga. They are beset by wolves, vicious raging blizzards and below zero weather, starvation, life threatening injuries, and diseases they are ill-prepared to handle. They are stalked by an evil tribe of Indian cannibals, and befriended by kindly natives who assist in their survival. Behind every new friendship established, and each triumph and tragedy the VanFells experience, looms the spectre of a horrible condition known by locals as "flesh craves". Once infected with this terrible disease, man and beast must devour flesh and blood to survive. And only a long dead shaman from a friendly tribe knew the secret cure for this affliction.

As I said at the beginning, Flesh Craves introduces the VanFells and their friends and sets the tone for future sequels. These sequels will no doubt take the reader deeper into horror and, hopefully, reveal the solution to the flesh craving disease that haunts the VanFell clan. A sequel is in the works, and I can't wait to read it!

Laurel Johnson
Reviewer

Interview with Shirley Johnson:

I wanted to review author Shirley Johnson because her range as writer covers everything from spiritual-inspirational to humor to appealing books and CDs for children. In addition to being a published author, Shirley is a featured reviewer and interviewer for Midwest Book Review and reviewer for Denise's Pieces.

LJ for MBR: Your first published book, A Divorced Mother Talks to God, was released by PublishAmerica. You are also working on a series of Christian inspirational books with the working title of The Caller Series. What prompted you to write the first book and the related series?

Shirley: I suppose writing "A Divorced Mother" was born out of my own need to deal with my hurt and frustration. I was struggling so hard to learn how to live in this new world I was thrust into. I was afraid and because of that fear I reached out to the only one that I knew would always be there - God! Since I was a tiny child, I always believed in God, but as so many of us do ,I thought I could do a better job at running my own life. Looking back, I made some very poor choices. I am so thankful that I serve a God who was still there waiting for me to come to my senses. My hope is that "A Divorced Mother" will be used to minister to other's who are working so hard to raise their children without a husband. I want them to know that God will help them. He certainly helped me and I'm no one special.

"The Caller Series" is the story of a young woman, who ran from the Call of God on her life and the repercussions of her actions. It's one of fear, pain and sorrow, but it is also one of great faith and hope. God has a purpose for each one of us, I am writing this series to remind mankind of this and hopefully help them to understand why they are facing the trials in their life. It is a book of the supernatural, both good and evil, and the battles this woman faces to find The Caller she deserted so long ago.

LJ for MBR: I have long been impressed with your range as a writer. You have a children's e-book through synerg-E entitled Red and His Fur Hat. It is a delightful tale with colorful, simple illustrations that would be pleasing to a child's eyes. I know you do the prose. Who does the illustrations for your books?

Shirley: Thank you! I have three illustrators that work with me. Susan Brown, Carlene Johnson and my daughter Paulette Crawford. Susan also illustrated Billy Brimbly, which can be found at Synerg-E as well. I am very blessed to have so many talented people around me.

LJ for MBR: You also create children's books on CDs accompanied by words and music. Tell us a bit about that creation project.

Shirley: I love children! If they are around, you will find me on the floor playing with them. They are real, no pretense about anything. They accept me the way I am, where a lot of adults might prefer that I be different! Kids love you for you! If you love them, they love you. It's that simple! I love being around children and my greatest joy is writing children's books.

I have co-authored over 100 with my nephew Michael Bogert, who also sings with me. Every children's story that we receive, we immediately hear the music for it. I suppose it is a gift that the Lord has given to us. In the CD's, the children can print out the story in color, or in black and white and color it later. They can listen to the entire story in song as well. We are hoping that this will enable some special children to be able to enjoy some good stories. I am speaking especially of the little blind children. We are also working on doing some of our children's books in slide shows; I believe children will really enjoy them.

LJ for MBR: In addition to your other writings, you are creating a series of humorous books about aging. I was privileged to read a draft of the first in this series and found the humor to be well founded! What gave you the idea to incorporate humor into your repertoire?

Shirley: I love laughter and since I am getting older I have experienced some not so pleasant things happening in my body. One day I was sitting and talking with a group of my friends and we started to trade 'notes' on how our body was changing. We ended up laughing so hard and having such a good time with it that I thought, what a great idea for a book. I have fashioned every character in this series after people I know, which to me makes it even funnier. Fos and Prissy are the stars of this series, and poor Fos endures much at the hands of Prissy and her friends, alot like my sweet husband Robert endures at my hands. What The Heck Happened? is written to allow those who are experiencing the end of the life cycle a few chuckles on the way. You can tuck and suck out fat and pile cream on you forever, but you know what? You are still going to be the age you are....so let's go along this road laughing, it sure beats the alternative.

I am making a series out of this and every book will revolve around Fos and Prissy and her friends. Book two, What's That Smell? will take off where book one ends. I hope they cause some good belly laughs! This world can be so cruel and so sad. I wanted to write a series that would let people, if only for a while, fill their hearts with joy. My prayer is that this series will enable them to do that.

LJ for MBR: All I can say is you are a renaissance woman for certain, Shirley. Tell our readers about your other life, the non writing one.

Shirley: I have been married to Robert for almost 25 years now. We are both Ordained Ministers and have been in the ministry for over 20 years. Although I enjoy writing, the Call of God on my life always comes first and His will always comes first. That means if there is something happening that I'm needed for in the ministry, that comes before my writing or anything else. Be it prayer, or counseling, or any other ministering need, that is what I will do. I am so thankful to God for all He has done for me, that is the least I can do for Him. I am also a Mom of 3 children, Danny, Jamie and Paulette; and I am a grandma of 4, Chris, Keagan, Danielle and Cassandra. My family is very important to me. I enjoy having family and friends around me every chance I get.
I am a songwriter with my nephew Michael and we have written over 2,000 songs, mostly Christian, but alot are children's as well. Mike and I maintain a website to share these songs with others. I lead Worship in our services and greatly enjoy that. I love singing praises to God and I love receiving new songs and being part of creating them. That is such an honor!

I have a Bachelor Degree in Christian Counseling from Zoe University in Jacksonville, Florida. Although I do not use that professionally at this time, I do use the knowledge I obtained from that training in ministering to those God sends my way. I also answer prayer requests on Praise Broadcasting Network as they come in. There are so many hurting people in this world, and sometimes a word of encouragement from another can make the difference.

I am a Reviewer and Interviewer for MidWest Book Review and Denise's Pieces. I really enjoy that. There are many talented authors out there and I love being able to read their works and help to let the world know just how good they are. That's my life in a nut shell.......

LJ for MBR: Your sense of humor, as well as your humanity, shines through in everything you do. That's quite a testimony to your faith. How long have you been a Christian?

Shirley: Forever! *smile* I just didn't act like it for a while I'm afraid. I never remember not believing in God and Jesus, but I never really knew them, or the Holy Spirit. We all know President Bush, but we really don't know him, I guess that's the same way it is with God for most people. Finally, after I was left alone with my three little children, I really got to know God. Nobody else could stand being around me. I was way too needy, but He didn't mind. I can't believe I let 26 years of my life go by without knowing such a wonderful God! To answer the question I'd have to say; I have only really known Him and served Him for half of my life. ( OK now you all can figure out how old I am....but not exactly!)

LJ for MBR: Your road to publication has not been an easy one. What advice would you give to aspiring authors in today's crowded field?

Shirley: You can't give up, never, never, never! I look at it this way, you have a dream. Who do you think put that dream in your heart? He'll bring it to pass! I know how discouraging it can be and I have to say I have put my pen down for a while many times............BUT........something inside of me makes me keep picking it up and keep looking to the stars. One of them must have my name on it.... and yours too...there are so many ,surely one day ours will shine!
LJ for MBR: The established New York publishers are simply not approachable by unknown authors, no matter HOW excellent their work might be. Give us your opinion on that "closed door policy" to anyone whose not a famous name.

Shirley: I would have to say 'Shame on you!" to those publishers. As a reviewer I have read some novels that would put best selling books to shame, and I mean that. No wonder people don't read much anymore, they aren't getting the meat put in their mouths. If they could just taste a morsel of what I have read they would be hooked. We need to keep reviewing and getting the word out as much as we can about these great books! Perhaps one day the little presses will be the ones to win out, and take all those wonderful authors with them. I hope so!

LJ for MBR: A part of that getting noticed puzzle, for some at least, seems to be landing an agent who can sometimes ease those doors open. I know you finally signed with an agent. Are you allowed to tell us about that process, and who your agent might be?

Shirley: Yes....how exciting is that! My agent is Jeanette A. Lundgren of Book-to-Screen-Management. We have just started the process of author/agent commitment so I can't tell you alot about it...BUT...I have interviewed Jeanette and talked with her on a personal basis, and I find her to be honest and quite a go-getter. I like that! I want a fighter in my corner and I believe she will do all she can to make my books all they can be.

LJ for MBR: Will your agent shop all your books, or just one certain genre?

Shirley: Jeanette is great. So far she has agreed to take a look at every genre I have asked her to. That includes, religious, humor and children's. Of course I haven not hit her up with my poetry quite yet.....I didn't want to scare her off! *smile*.....wait till I ask her to view my 'nothing' book....poor Jeanette! What has she got herself into?

LJ for MBR: Is there any question you wish I had asked, or any other bit of information you'd like to give our readers

Shirley: Yeah....let me write a couple of pages here. I know Jim at Midwest Book Review will just love it! (Hi Jim!! I'm terrible aren't I?)

I don't know, Laurel, I would like to say alot of things, but who the heck would want to hear it? Hey is that a title for another book?

Ok, being serious now. I can be serious you know! It has been a long hard walk down this writing lane. There have been some vipers sticking their heads out and a few have taken a nibble on me here and there. BUT... I won't trade this experience for anything. I have met so many great people, through reviewing and interviewing and through writers forums. It's a pretty neat world and authors are very neat people! I have interviewed some publishers/editors that really care about authors....and some that really care about themselves! There are good, and there are bad!

I don't know what the future holds, but I sure hope there are some good things ahead. Maybe, just maybe my star will shine! For now, I feel good that I am a published author and thankful that I am able to review and interview so many gifted people. I'll just have to take a day at a time and hope for the best. You see, I don't have to yell at myself anymore....now I have an agent to yell at! That's a good feeling! (I'm just kidding Jeanette!)

To sum it up, all we can do is hold onto hope for tomorrow. Everyday is a new beginning and every night that star just might shine. Thanks Laurel for interviewing me. I know how hard and how time consuming reviewing and interviewing is. I tip my hat to each and everyone of you.....because where would we authors be without you!

Let's all be thankful for today and hope for a brighter tomorrow! That's the best we can do.

LJ for MBR: And thank you, Shirley, for your time and for your honesty.
Our readers can find Shirley Johnson's website at:
http://www.authorsden.com/visit/author.asp?AuthorID=5893

To purchase A Divorced Mother Talks To God
http://www.publishamerica.com; http://www.amazon.com
Children's Books: Billy Brimbly and Red And His Fur Hat
http://Synergebooks.com

Music: http://www.funport.com/insong/default.htm

Laurel Johnson
Reviewer/Interviewer
Midwest Book Review

Interview with F. E. Mazur:

F. E. Mazur's Spine is fiction that seemed like non-fiction to me as I read it. He believes that well-written fiction, regardless of genre, can deliver the truth as effectively as non-fiction. I agree.

LJ for MBR: Spine was thought provoking, at times disturbing in the truths revealed throughout. What gave you the idea to write this book?

F. E.: A long long time ago, I saw a tv skit where this comedian was threatened by a mean fellow, and the comedian drew a line and warned the meany that he would be in big trouble if he were to step across that line. Of course, the fellow did exactly that, and so the comedian drew another line which the guy also crossed, and the process went on and on until the comedian had his back against the wall. That skit came to mind after several years of teaching in the public schools. It seemed to me then, much as it seems to me now, that teachers are asked to maintain a firm line with their charges, but the support behind them in the form of administrative trust and parental good will, not to mention legal backing, is retreating as well, and in many cases even stepping to the other side of the line with a perspective that sometimes appears to define the teacher as a symbolic meany. And though America likes its tough men and women, when the other party is made up of kids, neither sex will stand much of a chance, and teaching and learning will go nowhere.

The first inkling to write Spine came at least ten years ago. I began with the working title 'Lord Linear.' Lord, as you know, is a teacher and the main character, and I wanted to characterize him as a person who drew his line with the students, knew exactly where he drew it, and maintained it in spite of uncooperative and often hostile pressures. But once the story was underway, some other elements began demanding their space in the story. Chief among them was the subtle replacement of administrative leadership with administrative management. Schools were out of kilter and the modus operandi seemed to be "Let's just keep the lid on." It's a terrible evolution and a mistake to think that leadership and management are naturally and closely related. Consider Enron. Its top executives "managed" the company into ruin. You can't say they "led" the company to that state because implied would be that the rank-and-file knowingly and willingly followed them, and that was not the case. Leadership by highly paid school administrators, sadly, is becoming a rare commodity and it is one that is sorely needed, and I wanted to bring up that distinction between leadership and managment in my story.

LJ for MBR: Perhaps your years as an educator gave the book its feel of authenticity, as if written by an "insider". What sort of feedback have you received from fellow educators, your peers?

F.E.: The Careytown teachers are strongly unionized which helps to understand, in part, why they are unabashedly outspoken to each other and to the community. Seasoned teachers, even an administrator or two, who have read Spine and hail from strong union districts themselves like these characters and understand them and their behaviors. They work with similar people and may have acted not so differently at times during their own careers. Also, these readers have been particularly approving of my description of the schoolboard, administration and their often destructive machinations. On the other end are teachers who are employed by districts where the union is weak or nonexistent, and some of these with whom I've talked, although they expressed their enjoyment of the story, hinted an uneasiness about teachers who spoke frankly and acted boldly, even brashly. And in no way did they seem ready to speak disapprovingly of their own administrators, or make an unkind remark about the student body.

LJ for MBR: The most disturbing aspect of Spine, to me, was that the school system failed everyone. The main character was subjected to undeserved public contempt while teachers less devoted to their craft remained unscathed. Students with excellent potential got lost in the shuffle while teachers scrambled to address other students with horrible behaviors. Lives were ruined or lost althogether, and everything played out against the background of political jockeying between board and school officials. Is this how you see our school system as a whole today?

F.E.: It unfolds in just such a way in many districts. Community residents often run for the schoolboard because of a personal agenda. Administrators often pander, and even routinely acquiesce, to troublesome parents. Teachers frequently spend more than half their class time maintaining discipline, and it is the unrulies who get the most attention. Those teachers are not being flippant who say that teaching today is often more babysitting than anything else; they mean it from the heart. Also, teachers who are generally compliant with administrative direction and never stir the broth can remain in their positions forever, no matter they show poor quality in the classroom, while others who exhibit spirit, academic inquisitiveness, and unappreciated nonconformity may find themselves in hot water. Also, Parents have the belief their child can do no wrong. Then, of course, tying into the new management of schools to which I previously alluded is the need to prove effectiveness. Under a business model this means effectivess must be proven on paper, a dubious practice when applied to the education of young minds, but it keeps teachers all the more busy and away from actual teaching.

A minor character in Spine ascribes to the community and school system a "look-good mentality." That's a strong indictment and I believe a correct one. Who among us doesn't believe that children are the future? It's a trite phrase, but certainly true notwithstanding. Who among us doesn't really want the best for our kids? The trouble is this: there's really been no public discussion of "best." If we're kind to our children, protect them and keep them out of harm's way, that's wonderful. But the matters of responsibility and accountability, self-motivation and self-discipline, individualistic strength in the face of peer pressure, criticial thinking and inquiry, personal responsibiliies of citizenry in our democracy, these and more are not getting addressed and discussed by the masses, and that's a mistake. Right now, too, let me mention something not to be overlooked. Many of the children who were the first to go to these schools bearing this kind of crazy atmosphere are now adults in their twenties and thirties. What effects are pronounced in them, and are they beneficial or destructive to our culture and democracy?

LJ for MBR: The private behaviors and language of your fictional teachers was often outrageous and sometimes troubling. And yet it was that very language and behavior that gave your book and characters such realism. Did you make a deliberate choice to portray your educators in such a way and why?

F.E.: It was natural to portray them the way I did. There are teachers who are professional in the best and truest sense of the word, and they display nothing less publicly or privately. Then there is a second group who does model themselves after the first. They never raise their voice, never anger, they are forever agreeable, and a good-old belly laugh is beneath them. No matter what the problem or issue, you can't shake up these educators with anything less than a jackhammer. Then there are others who know their subject well and who can be professional when required while not surrendering their personal qualities and proclivities, be the latter a fondness for drink, or sex, or even the free-wheeling use of common obscenities. Of the last I've known many and I have appreciated them for their many candors. Including their kind in my story, I wanted to shake the sensibilities of those readers who oddly hold that the choice of behavior and language of a teacher should always be made with the children in mind. This is an unreal requirement to which no one should be held.

LJ for MBR: If you could change one thing about our school system today, what would it be?

F.E.: Tough question. I've often thought that school attendance for older children should not be compulsory. At the same time I think a school should remain open to everyone, regardless of age. If a fifteen year-old wanted to drop out, let it happen, as long as it's on the books that the student can return in future years, even if he or she is twenty-five or thirty years old. Same thing for persistent troublemakers. Expel them, but allow them to return at any age when it's been demonstrated they are no longer going to be a problem. It may be hard to visualize this, but if you allow your thinking to see this practice as having gone on for a couple of decades, then you might also see it as a cultural shift with similarites to colleges where a class might comprise late teens and early twenty year-olds with some students in their thirties and forties. I think it's worth consideration, if only because it would help to re-emphasize that schools are about educating and becoming educated.

LJ for MBR: As a writer, if you could be categorized in one word or phrase, what would it be?

F.E.: An answer to this question is really out of my control. I have no answer. Whatever will be, will be.

LJ for MBR: OK then. I will throw these words out and they can fall where they may. Mainstream. Literary. Wide range. You seem to have a sharp, inquisitive mind and an intellect that gathers information all the time. Tell us about any other writing projects in the works.

F.E.: Currently under editorial scrutiny is The Buckseller, a mystery/suspense/thriller, but it also has its literary component which connects the story's crimes to the weekly newspaper of small towns in tourist locales which promote development and give little ear to opposing views. I am also finishing up a collection of short stories, and am eager to return to and complete the writing of my novel, The Scrapbook of Eugene Banish. In it an aging man is experiencing diminishing sight and hearing, except that what he sees and hears is always absent of duplicitous and manipulating nuances by the speaker. This man sees and hears the truth of what is coming at him from others, not what they intend. I love this story and can't help thinking that it has Pulitzer potential.

Then, there is Nota Benny, another novel that I am anxious to get back to work on. Actually, I finished this story a few years ago, but it was not entertaining enough even for its creator. Nota Benny revolves around a new penology, a story which I refer to as "experimental realism." Convicted criminals receive a sentence of "task" rather than one of "time." The task is a repetitive one and only when they are done with it can they leave the prison. Put another way, when these prisoners go free will depend entirely on how much each values his life and liberty. Those who cherish it will work hard and fast to get out as soon as possible. Others not so respectful of their own lives and desire for freedom may take much longer. The unfairly convicted can also free themselves without waiting for appeals and parole boards. My research for this novel, although certainly not exhaustive, nonetheless turned up nothing close to my idea--this appears to be something new, if that's possible. Finally, I've written a few chapters on a novel involving the viatical industry, and just recently did some mapping out on a completely fictional story about the best defensive ballplayer ever to play the game of basketball--this idea doubtlessly inspired by the fact that I now reside in Kentucky where hoops are king.

LJ for MBR: Like I said. Mainstream. Literary. Wide range.

Are there any questions you wish I had asked, or any other information you wish to share with our readers?

F.E.: Just one other thing I would like readers and potential readers to know. Most of my stories involve ordinary people with ordinary jobs who usually live in small towns and rural areas. They are good people, though naturally each has his quirks. But I involve them with other people who are not so good, forcing them into decisions and behaviors they had not previously considered. At bottom, it is this on which my stories focus. And on that I'll stop, except to say, thank you, Laurel, for this wonderful opportunity to speak of my writing. Anyone with further interest is invited to visit my website at www.femazur.com. From there they can also drop me a line via e-mail. Again, thanks.

LJ for MBR: And thank you for taking time for this interview. Good luck on your new projects.

Laurel Johnson
Reviewer/Interviewer
Midwest Book Review

Interview with Bill Curry:

I have been wanting to interview a management representative of Amazon.com for quite some time. Bill Curry in Public Relations graciously agreed to answer my questions for Midwest Book Review.

LJ for MBR: Thank you, Bill. For starters, tell us about yourself - where you came from, how long you've been with Amazon.com, what your position entails, and anything else you'd like to share.

Bill: Most of my working life was spent in journalism at The Washington Post and the Los Angeles Times. I've been in corporate communications for about 15 years - almost five of that with Amazon.com. When I got here, we were a bookstore, and we've just expanded ever since. My primary job goal is to build and protect our brand.

LJ for MBR: It goes without saying that Amazon.com is the top online bookseller on the web. Other than a lot of very hard work and a vision on Jeff Bezos' part, what has contributed to this success?

Bill: We focus relentlessly on the customer - the entire customer experience from what someone hears about us before coming to the site to the opening of the package (and any customer service they may need along the way). We want to be the most customer-centric company ever, and that means listening to customers, inventing on their behalf and personalizing their shopping experience. If we have 30 million customers, we should have 30 million different "stores," each one decorated to each customer's preferences and shopping needs. You see that in our recommendations: Since you bought author X, you might like book Y.

LJ for MBR: Amazon.com is an amazement to me. You must have a staff of computer geniuses keeping everything updated and correct. Tell us about that process.

Bill: We're a technology company - we have a team of great software engineers who invent incredible technology to create a great customer experience. At the heart of it all is algorithms - the recipe and cooking directions that tell the computers what to do. But we rely on a lot of other people for the information we provide to our customers, whether it's authors, publishers, distributors, customers - whomever. You'd be surprised how many authors I help to clear up little nits and nats (they're mostly journalists). We even have e-mail addresses for people to send corrections to - like book-typos@amazon.com. One of the nice things about the Web is that it's the world's largest "neighborhood watch" program.

LJ for MBR: Every author I know - except maybe the top best selling authors - follows their Amazon sales ranking. How is that ranking established? Sales play a part, but what else?

Bill: It's very complex, but the simple explanation is: Every hour we calculate the 10,000 best-selling books based on sales over the past 24 hours so it's a rolling, cumulative number. It's very volatile and heavily influenced by talk show appearances, Oprah, news events and so on. They're real time sales ranks, not historical ones. It's what people are buying now, not what they bought the week of January whatever, like other bestseller lists. The next 100,000 titles are calculated daily based on sales over the past 30 days. The rest are ranked according to their total historical sales at Amazon.com. Sales drive the rankings. That said, we also have our own weekly bestseller lists, the traditional fiction/non-fiction, hardcover/paperback lists. They're updated each Wednesday.

LJ for MBR: The book pairings fascinate me. Authors, in particular, wonder how these books are chosen to be sold as a pair. How is that decision made, and why are some books sold as a pair and others not.

Bill: It's basically an offer to folks to buy a related book. It's what you can do when you have a rich database of customers' aggregated purchases. There are patterns to what people buy, and those patterns can be used to develop recommendations or special offers. That helps authors because those promotions can drive incremental sales. It wasn't a "buy this book and get this book" offer, but a few years ago we drove a 40-year-old book, Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage, by Alfred Lansing, to a very high sales ranking. It turns out, a few people who had bought Jon Krakauer's Into Thin Air had also bought Endurance. When we surfaced that for customers as a recommendation ("People who bought Into Thin Air also bought Endurance: Shackleton's Incredible Voyage"), Endurance took off for the top of the charts. Even if you haven't read Into Thin Air, you should read Lansing's account of Shackleton's voyage.

LJ for MBR: How are book discounts determined? Amazon, the publisher, the distributor, or a combination of these?

Bill: I can't disclose our methodology, but it's safe to say it's a combination of things. Although we do offer New York Times Bestsellers at 40% off so that's one thing that can determine a discount.

LJ for MBR: As an author, I appreciate how Amazon tries to keep everything on the up and up and maintain a level playing field for everyone. For example, the Listmanias and recommendation features. What process do you use to ensure that recommendations are kosher and Listmanias are not falsely created?

Bill: Remember what I said about the Web being the world's largest "neighborhood watch" program? That's one way. We also have some internal controls-you'll forgive me if I don't give them away to the mischievous-and we also have incredible volume. With the number of customers, reviewers, and list makers we have, things tend to normalize themselves, diluting the impact of one gremlin.

LJ for MBR: Amazon does not charge sales tax. Will that practice be changing?

Bill: Only if Congress decides to change it. The Supreme Court has ruled that the states-are you aware that there are 7,600-plus sales tax jurisdictions in the U.S.?-have created a sales tax system that is an unconstitutional burden on interstate commerce. For us, it's like a corner merchant having to figure out from your driver's license what tax district you live in and then charging the sales tax based not on the location of her store but the address of the customer! It's nearly impossible in many places. The Colorado zip code of 80212 has five different taxing jurisdictions with five different sales tax rates. Go figure.

LJ for MBR: How about book sellers? On one of my pages, for example, a book seller has a copy of my book for sale for $33 - twice it's price, almost. If a buyer was willing to purchase from that seller, would that not take away from Amazon's revenues? Many authors wonder about this feature.

Bill: We've built our reputation on doing what's right for customers (you call them readers). If we do that, in the long run, it'll be good for Amazon.com, good for authors and good for publishers. It's an additional price point - charge more for a collectible or less for a dog-eared version. It allows people to test new authors and genres, and for authors, it keeps their books alive even after a title goes out of print.

LJ for MBR: Is there any way an author can find out how many of their books sold through Amazon, other than via their publisher?

Bill: Not really. We give sales ranks, which are relative results based on sales, but not individual title sales.

LJ for MBR: How does Amazon decide to review a book? Are there guidelines? Can an author, agent, or publisher request an Amazon review?

Bill: We do reviews based on what we think customers will be interested in. We don't try to be tastemakers like some publications. People who like gothic romance ought to be able to find reviews of gothic romance titles, not just Literature with a capital L titles. A request is just that: a request.

LJ for MBR: Is there any question you wish I had asked, or any other information you'd like to share with our readers?

Bill: We're grateful to our customers who are reading this - a big thank you! And thanks to the authors, photographers, illustrators and others who create the books we sell, as well as the publishers who take on the risks of publishing any given book. We're all in this enterprise together, and we're grateful to have become a part of it.

LJ for MBR: Thanks for your time, Bill. I know our readers will find this information helpful.

Laurel Johnson
Reviewer/Interviewer
Midwest Book Review

Shirley's Bookshelf
Return To Port Darkling
Judith Miller
Wings ePress Books
ISBN#1-59088-145-1, $6.00 Download $11.95 Trade Paperback, 240 pages, http://www.wings-press.com

Mystery, intrigue, love and adventure are all wrapped up in this exciting read by Judith Miller, "Return To Port Darkling."

The author immediately draws you into the deep conflict of one of the main characters, Luke Milner. Do you believe in reincarnation? Luke Milner does and is tormented by the knowledge of how he his wife and his child died, and is drawn back to the very town it all happened in.

Now, he awaits the reborn person of his wife to also be drawn back to her past. However, the very sorceress that murdered them is also awakened and is determined to once more destroy their love and their lives.

The author does an excellent job of keeping you guessing and on the edge of your seat in this read. She brings together the past and the present in a very convincing way and leads you along the story with some very good twists and turns. She also introduces some colorful characters that give life to the read.

If you enjoy the flare of the supernatural but don't like the dark brooding kind, this is the read for you. A slice of mystery, a slice of love, a slice of danger and adventure, all make up a very tasty pie.

I recommend this read. Good job Ms. Miller!

Shadow Arising Prophecy
Agnes Yu
SynergEbooks
ISBN# 1-931540-17-9, 159 pages, Download $ 5.00 CD Rom $8.99, http://www.synergebooks.com

What would it be like to live in a world without the mystery of magic? "Shadow Arising Prophecy " takes you to a time where magic is forbidden and even the mention of such things would make you the enemy. It is the story of seven young people and their quest to follow a mysterious call within them, to right a wrong done so long ago.

Seven young people, so different, yet so alike, draw you into their world of the supernatural, as they make their journey to a far away lost city to save the world from an overtaking evil. Hold your breath as they battle demons of different strengths and watch them grow in their own abilities ,as their special gifts of magic bloom within them.

"Shadow Arising Prophecy" is a story of magic and adventure, but it is also a story of souls joining as one to achieve an important purpose. I feel the author shows the importance of unity and friendship and allows the reader to see, that even people who are very different ,can add ingredients in our lives that can bring us to victory.

I enjoyed this read. I liked it for the pure reading pleasure and I also liked it for the lessons it taught. Recommended!

Dark Hunger
Mayra Calvani
Amber Quill Press
http://www.amberquill.com
ISBN# 1-59279-074-7 Ebook $5.50
ISBN# 1-59279-055-8 Paperback $13.49

Mystery and intrigue are the backbone of this outstanding novel by Mayra Calvani. Do all vampires have black hearts? Do they cry blood? Are they capable of controlling their deep hunger to achieve a final goal? Do we secretly have a dark side that calls to the shadows? Alana dreams of such a call, what meaning does it have to her and what does her future hold? How is it intertwined with her childhood? And is it truly her destiny? Mystery, upon mystery is layered within these pages as you are caught up in a web of dark suspense.

Ms. Calvani brings into play many hidden emotions of our souls as you struggle to discern who is the villain in Dark Hunger. Talk about a love/hate relationship, the characters in this novel can only be described as having such.

Mysterious, intriguing and somewhat unsettling at times, this novel is a must for all vampire reading fans. A rich, twisting plot and a surprising ending awaits you.

The Rebel's Pledge
Rita Gerlach
Publish America
PO Box 151, Fredericks, MD 21705-0151
1-58851-300-9, $21.95, 456 pages, Paperback, http://www.publishamerica.com

I would like to take my hat off to Ms. Gerlach concerning her outstanding novel, "The Rebel's Pledge." In the time that we now live this entire storyline had more meaning then perhaps it would have had several years ago. Honor, morals, faith, and courage all are outstanding qualities among her main characters. These qualities capture your heart.

Matthew Hale is a rebel and a traitor to King James, facing execution, fate intervenes and he is sent to the Colonies and slavery. Again fate or perhaps a higher force intervenes and he is bought by Edmund Carey, who leans that Matthew is the son of a man who saved his life during the English Civil War. This, among other events wins Hale his freedom.

The story takes you on a journey with Matthew as he travels to find Mr. Carey's daughter and bring her home; a daughter he had not seen since she was a baby. Love, suspense and mystery are spun within the telling of this journey. The plot is too involved to discuss in a short review, but I will tell you this, the author does a marvelous job of bringing her characters to life and allowing you to become one with their emotions, feeling their defeats and victories. The author gently threads in a delicate love story that will take your breath away.

I like the way she carefully weaves the characters faith in God and their moral fiber into the story. Although it is action packed and can at times be quite suspenseful, she keeps the element of the backdrop of a divine plan neatly in place. I liked this and I truly enjoyed this work.

Highly recommended and well worth your read.

A Man's War
Denise M. Clark
AmErica House Publishers
PO Box 151, Fredericks, MD 21705-0151
ISBN# 1-58851-199-5, 323 pages, $18.95, http://www.publishamerica.com

How can a story break your heart and make it soar at the samtime? Think this is impossible? Not when it comes to the outstanding novel "A Man's War" by Denise Clark.

The author takes you to the battle field of the Civil War, holding back none of the horror that accompanies the cry of war. Alex Cooper, the main character, masquerades as a recruit, as she desperately tries to locate her husband, whom she has not heard from in a very long time. Is that true love or what? Why then is her heart being tugged at by her tent-mate LeMay?

This is a story that takes your emotions on a ride that you won't soon forget. The author writes in a way that you become absorbed in the happenings, tethering on tears, shaking in the rain, stifling screams of horror. They feel, you feel! How many books have you read that can bring you to this experience in your read? This one certainly can!

I won't tell you how, but I will tell you that the ending is both heartbreaking and joyous. Wonderful read! One you will not want to miss reading, and that is a promise!

Cross the Line
Denise M. Clark
America House Book Publishing
PO Box 151, Fredericks, MD 21705-0151
ISBN#1-58851-100-6, 303 pages, Paperback $14.95, http://www.publishamerica.com

I wasn't sure how I would respond to a novel about America's involvement in World War 1, and a young girl named Josie LeMay's determination to give of herself as a nurse to these war torn soldiers. I was not prepared for what was between the covers of this exceptional novel.

Denise Clark gently takes you along with Josie as she struggles to make her way in a man oriented situation, facing and overcoming one hurdle after another trying to complete the calling she feels she is upon her life.

Josie meets Commanding Officer, Keno Beauvais, and is thrown into one harrowing experience after another with this strong willed man. They both had met their match. Little did she know that she would spend her life with him.

My favorite part of this novel was when the ship they were on was sunk by a German submarine ship. Josie and Keno were rescued by none other than the Captain of the ship that sunk them. I will not tell you how they escape this captivity, but author Denise Clark does an exceptional job in her description of this event. I loved it!

An excellent romance/historical novel. Filled to the brim with heart wrenching emotions as you share the victories and defeats of Josie LeMay and her experiences in war torn Europe.

A wonderful read, highly recommended, one you do not want to miss.
Interview with Denise M. Clark:

I chose to interview Denise (Author and Webmaster of the review site "Denise's Pieces"), because I really enjoyed her books and wanted them to get some promotion.(Please see reviews in this column) Also, she has a wonderful site for authors to have their books reviewed. Thank you Denise for allowing me this interview.

Q: Denise, please tell us the names of your works and where they can be found.

A: "A Man's War" - March 2002 AmErica House Book Publishers

"Cross the Line" - May 2001 AmErica House Book Publishers (CTL was nominated for the Bill Boyd Military Novel Award - but obviously didn't win L ) various non-fiction articles for CrimeMagazine.com published in 2002

Thank you Denise. Tell us how long have you been writing and how did you become interested in being a writer?

A: I've been writing for over 20 years. I started with a short story submission for Readers Digest and discovered how much I truly enjoyed creating fictional characters and plots and that was all it took.

Q: Denise, how long do you spend writing a day, tell us a little about that please,and your WebPages.

A: when I'm working on a story, I can spend an hour or so at the computer for the actual writing, before I need to get up and move around. I'll do that for the duration. But while the story is in the early stages of development, my mind is always on the job...if I come up with a scene or dialog, I stop what I'm doing and write it down so I don't forget.

I started my web site to help promote my first book in the summer of 2001. I was also reading and reviewing books for Pepper Raines's site Amazing Authors Showcase, and helping to judge her kid's writing contests. Tragically, she passed away suddenly, and I was left with several reviews I had done for some authors. I decided then to start my own book reviews site, and incorporated Denise's Pieces Book Reviews into my already existing site. And it just to

Q: How long did it take you to find a publisher and do you think publishers give first time authors a fair shake?

A: I looked for a publisher in fits and starts, so I can't really remember how long it took. I think first time authors have to start small and look to small and medium size pub houses for their needs. Most of the large houses require an author to have an agent, which is another dilemma. it's Catch-22 all over again.

Q: What would you, as an author, like to tell the publisher out there?

A: Honestly? Okay, here goes. "Hey you! I may not be Nora Roberts, but I can tell a story!" How many people can remember the title of her first book?

Well said! Thank you Denise! Are you listening publishers?

Q: Do you ever have writers block and if so what do you do to remedy it?

A: Thankfully, I've never. (knock on wood) been bitten by that vicious monster. But then, I don't have a regular writing schedule and maybe that has something to do with it.

Q: I know you must be working on a new piece can you share with us what theme this is and when it will be ready for publication?

A: I've just finished putting the final touches on my third novel, which takes place during World War 2. It's about an American woman married to a German Abwehr officer who finds out that her husband was a traitor. After his murder, both the Waffen-SS and American paratroopers pursue her for information she possesses. Of course, one of the American soldiers starts to fall for her and. well, suffice it to say it's an action-filled tale with a twist of romance. It's heading to an agent for possible representation soon. From there, who knows?

We wish you the very best of luck. How exciting for you!

Q: Do you think you will ever dabble in other genres and if so what would they be?

A: I have penned a rough mystery/suspense, but those are tough. My head is stuck in the past, so I think I'll stick to that genre for now.

Q: How do you feel about ebooks and would you ever consider publishing one of your works as an ebook?

A: I have nothing against e-books. As a matter of fact, I've read some very fine works in that format. I prefer to read off paper and to hold a book in my hand, but other than that, they're fine. I think my books are too long to publish in that format, but if the occasion ever arises I don't see why not. I always try to look at different options.

Q: In writing your novels, what do you think is the hardest part or parts to write? Is it capturing the emotions of your characters, setting the mood for the readers or something else?

A: The hardest part for me is to remember to write things down so I don't forget. scenes, dialog, etc., which I think of when I'm away from the computer. It takes me several months of thought before I start the actual writing process. I can't even start a book if I don't have a title. That's my husband's job. And I have to know how it's going to end too. Other than that, I write it as I see it.

Q: When you are writing your work, do you ever think about a sequel?

A: No. (How's that for terse?)

*smile*......it's fine with me! Thanks Denise for being honest and to the point!

Denise, I would like to ask you some questions about your review site.
You explained why you started it all ready, thank you.
What I would like to know, and I'm sure our readers would as well, how does one get their book reviewed by you?

A: If you would like a review of your book, just contact me via the ling on my book review page.

That is simple enough readers!

Q: How many requests on the average do you receive per month?

A: Right now we are receiving around 15-20 requests for reviews a month.

Q: Are there any genres that you will not review?

A: We prefer not to read erotica, thank you very much!

Amen! to that Denise!

Q: Is there a limit to the number of books you will accept for reviewing?

A: No, we may get behind depending on demand, and at times authors may have to utilize a little patience, but we won't turn anyone away.

That is good to know, isn't it readers?

Q: What is the average length of time from submission of book to review being completed?

A: Well, that depends. I have a great bunch of reviewers who read for me and they can pull miracles out of their hats. But generally, we try for a 3-4 week turnaround once the material is received.

Q: Can an author get in touch with you directly for a review or must they go through their publisher?

A: Authors can get in touch with me directly to request a review. Upon request, we will also forward the review to their publishers.

Sounds like a winning place readers!

Thank you Denise for allowing me this interview. Please see the reviews of both of Denise's work
in this column. I wish her the best of luck in the future in all she does.

CONTACT INFORMATION FOR DENISE CLARK
P.O. Box 4515 Covina, CA 91723
denisemclark@peoplepc.com http://www.denisemclark.com www.authorsden.com

Shirley Jonson
Reviewer/Interviewer
Midwest Book Review

Interview with Melanie Rigney (Editor of "Writer's Digest" magazine):

I chose to interview Ms. Rigney for the wealth of knowledge and encouragement I knew she would give to you, the reader. I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I enjoyed receiving it. Thank you Ms. Rigney, please let's begin!

Q: Please give us your name, position and how long you have been with Writer's Digest.

A: Melanie Rigney, editor of Writer's Digest since November 1998. I also oversee the 22 other special writing magazines we publish each year that are available at newsstand and our Web site.

Q: Please tell us exactly what your job duties are.
A: Supervise a staff of seven. Manage the editorial budget. Make sure magazines include content readers want and are produced on time and on budget. Work with our competitions department regarding the editorial facets of our four major annual writing competitions. Provide editorial input to the circulation and promotions departments. Speak at 8-12 writers conferences each year. Occasionally assign feature articles. (I'm trying more and more to delegate this duty.) Occasionally meet with advertisers. Work with art director and other key staff to develop covers and approve interior designs. Read copy before it goes into the magazine to make sure it meets our standards. Help out on various parts of our Web site. Communicate with the WD books editors and WD Book Club editor what's up in the magazine world.

SPJ: I certainly take my hat off to you Melanie. You certainly are a very talented woman to undertake so many responsibilities and do such a great job at them.

Q: Please give us a description of what Writer's Digest Magazine is and how it can be helpful to authors.

A: WD's goal is to instruct, inform and inspire writers. Readers will find interviews with agents and editors that can give them insight as to whether someone is appropriate to pitch and what the person's hot buttons might be. We have a monthly Markets Spotlight article that sheds light on a particular facet of publishing (true romance magazines, for example, or gardening magazines) and what four to five editors want, plus market listings. We have a bimonthly Marketing column by MJ Rose and a bimonthly Self-Publishing column by Dan Poynter that provide real-world help. We frequently run articles about how to promote yourself and your work. For those interested in improving their writing technique, our Fiction column, shared by Nancy Kress and James Scott Bell, is extremely popular. We also feature a monthly Writing Clinic in which part of a manuscript or proposal is critiqued by a professional. Finally, our contests also can be very helpful to writers--one grand prize winner in our self-published books competition received a six-figure deal from HarperCollins after winning, and several writers have contracted with agents as a direct result of winning our competitions.

SPJ: I would like to add readers that there is much 'free' information on their website. Thank you
for that Melanie!

Q: Please tell us how long Writer's Digest has been in publication, the background story of it.

A: WD was first published in 1920, with Writer's Market following a year later.

SPJ: I did not realize WD was around that long. That certainly is interesting!

Q: Ms. Rigney, thank you for your answers.

I know as a writer, I have frequented Writerdigest.com many times and have also read your magazine.
You have a wealth of information there for all writers, and I would like to thank you for sharing that knowledge with us.

I particularly like the Question/Answer section. How do you decide what question will be answered?

A: We select the ones that are of the most general interest and that aren't already answered in the section. For example, we don't answer very specific questions such as "I have written my memoir. What publisher should I work with?" or the very general such as "I've got a great idea for a book. How do I get started?"

Q: You have a section that gives authors submission guidelines for different publishers.
I'm sure we are all thankful for that tid-bit of information. Let me ask you this, are there publishers out there that would rather not have this information posted by you, for fear of an onslaught of submissions?

A: Yes, and we honor such requests when they are made. It's a waste of writers' time if we offer guidelines for markets that aren't interested in working with people beyond their current stable of writers and referrals from current writers.

Q: I am sure it would be a writer's dream to freelance an article for Writers Digest, how
unreachable is that?

A: Not unreachable at all. Outside our regulation columns, we work with a variety of writers; in fact, we typically don't run more than a couple features from the same author in a single year. A writer who has a fresh twist--for example, I recently acquired an article from a writer who turned "what to do if you have writer's block" on its head with "what to do when you NEED writer's block, when you lack focus?--stands a good chance of being published with us. it's important that the writer have expertise in the area in which he's writing. For example, we don't buy articles on "how to do a great book signing" by someone who's never published a book. We don't buy fiction technique articles from people who haven't published at least one novel or had significant teaching experience. As is the case with every other magazine, it's important to read our guidelines. It's a waste of a writer's time to query us about writing our First Success or Marketing or Freelance Success or Careers columns, for example, because they're either staff-written or written by columnists with whom we have a contract. It's also a waste of time to send us poetry or fiction, as we publish neither and state that in our guidelines.

SPJ: There you go readers! Catch that star!

Q: You work with a lot of publishers. Do you feel they give first time authors a fair shake in
having a chance to be published?

A: From what I hear from editors and agents, publishers are primarily interested in one thing: publishing books that will sell. Above all else, that means an excellent, moving, compelling story, in either fiction or nonfiction. I think first-time authors who have written such a story and present themselves in a professional manner certainly do have a fair shake. The world is full of people who just had their first book published, and we celebrate those successes each month in WD in our First Success interview.

Q: What would be your advice to these authors?

A: 1. Don't send out your work until it's ready. I speak at a fair number of writer's conferences, and see a number of proposals that writers either are ready to send out or have sent out without success. In virtually every case, the query is lacking--focusing on the author, in many cases even apologizing for sending the query--rather than explaining succinctly what is compelling about the story. Or, writers send out their queries before the book is even finished (a major faux pas for novelists) or if the book is finished, they send out the first draft, before they've had anyone other than their friends or family read it.

2. Learn from rejection, don't take it personally. First, don't query publishers or agents who aren't interested in working with unpublished authors. Second, if an agent says she can't represent your book and provides feedback (or if an editor does the same), consider the comments carefully; don't reject them out of hand. Finally, don't let one rejection kill your book. Keep querying--and keep working on the next book.

SPJ: Very good advice! Thank you!

Q: May I ask if you are a published author, and if so, would you please tell us about your work?

A: My talent is in editing rather than writing. While I was at Thomson Financial Services, I was the primary editor and writer for a series of niche books about smart cards, but no one outside that industry would have any interest in them. Like almost everyone else in America, I'm playing around with a novel.

Q: What is the hardest part of your job?

A: Nothing comes to mind. Different things are difficult at different times, but overall I love my job and feel blessed to have it.

SPJ: You certainly seem to have found your niche. You are doing a wonderful job!

Q: What do you think is the one pitfall that most new writers fall in when trying to be published?

See above.
Q: If you could speak to publishers on behalf of new authors what would you tell them?

A: In just the four years I've been in this job, I've seen a significant increase in unpublished writers' knowledge about the importance of marketing themselves and their work. Publishers should be aware that more and more new writers understand the dynamics of publishing today.

Q: If you could speak to new authors, what advice would you give them?

See above.

Q: Do you find the publishing world to be cut-throat, or do you feel publishers, authors, agents, bookstores,libraries, all try to work towards the success of the author.

I suppose what I am asking is this; do you feel money is the bottom line, or can a good story
still be published without the guarantee of financial gain given to the publisher?

A: Money for the most part has to be the bottom line--if publishers don't make their financial goals, they don't stick around. That said, I still believe a good story can make money, and I believe publishers are willing to take a few chances each year on a great story from an unpublished writer--if there is reason to believe that story will translate into sales.

Q: In my interviewing I have found that more and more publishers are leaving the promoting of
author's book highly up to them. How do you feel about this?

A: No one can be more passionate about a book than the author. If the author is not willing to work for the book after it's published, he needs to rethink his goals.

Q: What do you feel is the best way and most economical way for an author to promote their work?

A: Word of mouth, word of mouth, word of mouth. Tell your friends; identify niches on the Internet and elsewhere that have a natural interest in the work; understand the process for getting reviewed and interviewed in the media.

Q: Do you feel it is important for an author to to seek out as many reviews and interviews as they can?

A: Yes. Reviews and interviews generate more interest in a book than advertising does.

Q: Do you feel it is a plus for an author to have an agent?

A: In fiction, it's become almost essential. Yes, there are cases of people who sold a novel themselves, but they are not the norm. I also think agents are important for nonfiction book authors. Good agents do more than negotiate your contract (although that in and of itself is extremely important)--they become career managers.

Q: Many writers now are turning to ebook publishers. May I ask your opinion on ebooks, do you
feel they have a future?

A: I think the jury's still out. At this point, sales aren't that significant. It seems to be an excellent option for textbooks and technical works.

Q: Is there any one genre that seems to be more popular with the publishers this year?

A: I think publishers are always, always, always, looking for a good story. It doesn't make sense to acquire solely on the basis of "what's hot" today, because by the time you publish, "what's hot" will probably be cold.

Thank you Melanie for all the great advice you have given to us.
Would you please use this space for anything you would like to add to this interview, about yourself,
Writer Digest, or publishing in general.

A: To me, the most interesting development in publishing today is print on demand--the technology, that is. It's enabling publishers to keep books in print longer without having to maintain significant backlist inventory, and that can be a good or bad thing. It's also enabling writers to become published or to self-publish for a relatively insignificant investment.

Q: Your statement leads me to ask one more question. You talk about print on demand publishing.
Isn't it true that many bookstores will not stock print on demand books? I believe some of this has to do with the 'no return' policy that is usually attached to it? How do you feel about that? I know it has really been a stumbling block for many a writer and a great disappointment.

A: Yes, many bookstores won't stock print on demand books. But bookstores don't stock all books from traditional publishers either. With self-publishing, it's even more important that you know your niche, so you don't need to rely on bookstore sales. There's a statistic tossed around that 50% of all book sales come outside of bookstores, and I believe it.

Q: Do you think it hurts an author's future to have a book self-published or epublished? Do you feel traditional publishers look at that as a failure on the authors part in obtaining a traditional publisher?

A: I can't speak to whether an e-book helps attract a traditional publisher. It is a simple fact that if you self-publish and have documented sales of 3,000 to 5,000 units in the first year, a traditional publisher will sit up and take notice. Many category winners or honorable mentions in our annual self-published books competition have gone on to win contracts with traditional publishers.

SPJ: My greatest thanks to Melanie Rigney for consenting to give me this interview. I know that Writer's
Digest has been a help to me many times, both on-line and off. If you are new to the world of
writing, I strongly suggest you check out this great publication. I believe you will find it a great
tool to use in your writing endeavors. My best for the future to Melanie Rigney and Writer's Digest!

Contact Information:

Melanie Rigney
Editor, Writer's Digest Magazine
4700 E. Galbraith Rd., Cincinnati, OH 45236
Phone: (513) 531-2690
E-mail: melanie.rigney@fwpubs.com
Web site: www.writersdigest.com

Shirley Johnson
Reviewer/Interviewer
Midwest Book Review

Shelley's Bookshelf
Lair of the Dragon
Frederick Price
PublishAmerica
PO Box 151, Frederick, MD 21705-0151
ISBN: 1591292905, $19.95, www.publishamerica.com

A retired detective lieutenant, Frederick Price spent thirty-three years with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's department. He spent time in everything from patrol to special investigations, and investigated cases ranging from organized crime to terrorism. Lair of the Dragon is his first mystery.

Every portion of police work involves the writing of reports. Combine this with the years spent in dangerous situations with bad guys, some life tragedies, and an overbearing captain and you have the beginning of Lair of the Dragon. Chad Belmontes is a Metro Detective who is still mourning the loss of his wife and child. When his supervisor threatens punitive action if he doesn't catch up on his caseload, he fakes some reports to save his hide, never dreaming that his faked report sets up an alibi for a murderer. As he and his friend Stan begin to dig, they uncover an organization of Triads, a Chinese mob, run by Benny Chi:

"Returning to his chair, Wu accepted Belmontes' offered cigarette. 'Chad,' he began again, 'these are real fanatics you're dealing with. Triad rites and ceremonies are based upon 36 Hung Mun oaths. They are...' 'Hung...what?' Belmontes interrupted. 'Blood oaths,' Wu answered. 'These oaths basically demand allegiance by all members to the Triad. As part of their initiation ceremony, new members drink a mixture of their own and other initiates' blood. It's supposed to make them bound for life.'"

Chad Belmontes is a marred cop who is lovable in spite of his warts. The one thing that stands out is his basic sense of honesty and decency...even to the point of putting his life in jeopardy for a system all too ready to pounce on one mistake. Frederick Price does a bang-up job of creating a real police environment, which translates to overworked men who are expected to be superhuman in their pursuit of crime and organizations. They are often outgunned and out manned, and they have to use their wits to get the better of their adversaries. Price reminds us, via Belmontes' character, just what a thankless and dangerous job police work is. Lair of the Dragon pulls the reader through a maze of criminals and murders that is exciting and frightening. A great read!

Promises Town
L.B. Cobb
Advance Books Company
ISBN: 0-9706224-5-7 $15.00 U.S., www.advancebooks.com

Advance Books is a traditional independent press, which produces quality books geared towards a modern world full of diversity, baby boomers, and older readers. L.B. Cobb is herself an attorney, and is a product of a Tennessee upbringing. Now a resident of Houston, LB Cobb follows up her first novel, Splendor Bay.

Talk about women who have it all until it almost kills them, and you'll find Virginia Rodriguez. As a prosecutor for the DA's office, Virginia works nonstop while she manages to bring up her son, Nick, and try to remember to let the dog, Denver, in and fill its food dish. In the meantime, there has been a murder committed of a powerful federal prosecutor, and his wife is found in the hotel room with a gun in her hand. Is she guilty?

Virginia thinks at first this will be an open-and-shut case. Enter Leo Zachmann, a defense lawyer of some repute and intelligence, who can see from the start that the case doesn't add up. He's been hired by a gruff voice calling almost immediately after the murder was committed:

"'Why, Virginia, I see blinking cop cars and rowdy reporters and I just have to see if there's paying work I can hustle up,' Leo dead panned. 'You know how testy the state bar gets when you send runners in to sign up clients, so I like to do the signing up myself.' 'Right. I was told Mrs. Fullerton hasn't said a word, but it looks like she managed to sneak a call to a lawyer.'

Leo and his wife, Miranda, also a lawyer, manage to dig up enough dirt to indicate that "some other dude did it." Indeed, the absence of evidence is in itself fishy and causes Leo to latch on to another line of inquiry...of the feds. In the meantime, Virginia's case dissolves as Leo's case widens. Virginia has yet another issue begging for attention, a budding relationship.

Promises Town is a splendid follow-up to Cobb's debut novel. Her characters are chiseled out of the Texas landscape; politics; and Virginia's sometimes bitchy, but mostly likable, character.

Deadly Trail
Marilyn Meredith
Hard Shell Word Factory
PO Box 161, Amherst Jct., WI 54407
ISBN: 0-7599-0461-8 $6.00, books@hardshell.com

Marilyn Meredith is an extremely accomplished writer, having produced pieces for local newspapers, and national magazines, as well as writing several how-to books. Her career spans more than twenty-five years, and in that time she has covered such topics as: community care issues; genealogy; and now mysteries. She is also an instructor for the renowned Writer's Digest School, which is known to most mystery writers. Marilyn has published two books on the genealogical roots of her family, plus a mystery called The Astral Gift. She is a member of several writing groups.

Tempe Crabtree is a Deputy for the village of Bear Creek, nestled in the Southern Sierra. She is engaged to be married to Pastor Hutch Hutchinson, and life seems idyllic until the owner of a local inn, Andre Donato, is apparently poisoned. Although it technically isn't Tempe's job to investigate the homicide, she feels compelled to get to the bottom of who would murder the unpopular Donato. Particularly when Nick Two John has an extensive knowledge of botany and a motive for getting Andre Donato out of the way. Tempe isn't so sure, and sets off to find the real killer:

"'I'm not supposed to be investigating the murder," Tempe said. "That's the detectives' job. Sergeant Guthrie reminded me quiet emphatically.' Hutch squeezed her shoulder. 'But I know you, sweetheart. You've been busily asking questions. I saw you with Wilbur Carmony. It didn't look like you were having a casual conversation.'"

Meredith entices the reader with this short what she calls "prequel" to the Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series. As always, a female in the role of deputy in a beautiful mountain setting mixed with Indian ancestry is a sure recipe for a thrilling mystery. Of course Tempe sticks her nose where it doesn't really belong, which only endears her to the reader. Tempe is an upstanding woman, a mother, and a soon-to-be bride. She is likeable and interesting, as is the plot. Meredith presents the reader with all the usual suspects, but throws in an unexpected twist and denouement, which is as exciting as it is original. Deputy Tempe will hopefully return soon!

Surgical Risk
Robert I. Katz
Willowgate Press
PO Box 6529 Holliston, MA 01746
ISBN: 1-930008-05-8 $12.95 http://www.willowgatepress.com

Richard Katz is a faculty member at State University of New York at Stony Brook. He was educated at Columbia College and Northwestern University Medical School. His first novel, Edward Maret, was published and won the ASA Literary Prize in 2001. He is currently at work on this third novel, which will be a sequel to Surgical Risk.

Richard Kurtz is a surgeon with a few hidden talents, like knowing how to take care of himself in a threatening situation. He has a practice in New York, enjoys the good living in a luxury apartment on the East Side, and has a girlfriend named Kathy, who is writing her dissertation making connections between t.s. elliott's Wasteland and J.R.R. Tolkien's Mordor. Kathy is intelligent, good-looking, and is somewhat of an intellectual snob.

Kurtz harbors regrets about a relationship has had with Sharon Lee. When she is murdered while taking a nap in a break room at the hospital, Kurtz's own sense of duty leads him into a semi-partnership with Detective Barent, especially after a robbery and more bodies begin showing up after they've chosen a schizophrenic suspect who is locked up on the psych ward:

"'We have a problem,' Barent said. He stopped, frowned down at his desk and swirled his cup of coffee with one hand. 'Harry and I are no longer as certain as we were that Bill Mose is the one who murdered Sharon Lee.' 'Really...' Kurtz sat up straight in his chair. 'That's a surprise.' Barent morosely nodded. 'Two nights after she was killed, Sharon Lee's apartment was robbed. All of her jewelry was stolen.'"

Robert Katz knows his way around a hospital. He also knows how to weave a complicated plot line with an excellent setting (New York); criminals and bodies popping out in all directions; and a doctor who is a hero and doesn't even know it. Kurtz can get himself out of a desperate predicament as ably as Indiana Jones, and his exploits are certainly as interesting. Katz leads the reader around by the nose, and who is the culprit is anyone's guess. Katz employees a dispassionate and clinical tone in describing all sorts of patient pathology, and pokes holes in the reader's notion of glamour in the medical profession. Surgical Risk doesn't disappoint.

Shelley Glodowski
Senior Reviewer
Midwest Book Review

Klausner's Bookshelf
Force of Nature
Susan Johnson
Kensington
ISBN: 1575668076 $15.00

In 1888, Lucy Attenborough, accompanied by her daughter engineer Guiseppina better known as Jo, returns to Helena, Montana for the firs time in twenty-three years. For Jo this is her first trip to Big Sky Country having been raised in Florence. Her father, Native American Jon Hazard Black never knew he sired a daughter until he and his wife Blaze see Jo, who is clearly his child. Jon knows that Lucy is here for one thing only, money and tries to buy her off with a too generous yearly stipend. Lucy accepts, but her avaricious mind sees more cash flowing because Jon wants to know his daughter better. At the Stuart Warner dinner party that Jo attends, cattle ranch owner Flynn Ito arrives. Flynn and Jo are immediately attracted to one another and go off together for a night of boiling lovemaking. As they become better acquainted in and out of bed, their original lure turns into love, but his enemies, including an English aristocrat, use her as a pawn to try to kill him. Known for her pair of asbestos gloves requirement, Susan Johnson heats up the sheets with her latest historical romance. The story line engages the audience when Lucy arrives in town, but picks up action and momentum the moment that Jo and Flynn meet. Blisteringly passionate as the lead characters only come up for air when his enemies assault them, Force Of Nature wraps the sex scenes inside a delightful western romance.

Bad Boys On Board
Lori Foster, Nancy Warren, and Donna Kauffman
Kensington
ISBN: 0758204280 $14.00

"My House, My Rules" by Lori Foster. Undercover cop Sam leaves a bar pretending to be intoxicated when a mugger attacks him. His brother's former girlfriend Ariel jumps the assailant. Irate Sam orders Ariel to take him home where she desperately offers him her body because she loves him. He cannot stop himself from making love with her, but is she a lasting treasure? "Going Down" by Donna Kauffman. Dominic visits the firm where Callie works. That night, they ride the elevator together when it stops between floors. No one else remains in the building. They discuss why her husband left her, a conversation that evolves into how to be provocative without even trying. Dominic explains that she is quite provocative to him. They make love but who knows what morning will bring. "A Fast Ride" by Nancy Warren. Gertie hates bikers so when she hears one coming, she moves a tree limb onto the road injuring the driver. Gertie's great niece Nell gives CPR to the unconscious man. He suffers amnesia and is surprised to learn he is a member of the nasty Hog Squad gang and thinks Nell is his girlfriend. They begin to fall in love, but both wonders what will happen when he regains his memory. Bad Boys On Board contains three heated tales starring relatively inexperienced women with men who score with the ladies more than the Raiders make touchdowns. Intended for the erotic crowd, each story includes plenty of hard sexual scenes (though two of couples met just before the "action" begins) within soft plots.

Wildwood
Drusilla Campbell
Kensington
ISBN 0758202938 $15.00

Preadolescent Hannah Whittaker is painting her toenails at Bluegang Creek in Rinconada, California hoping her friends Liz and Jeanne will join her. When fifteen year old Billy Phillips arrives he starts making sexual advances to the twelve year old girl. She gets frightened and pushes him. His head hits some rocks and he dies. When her friends come and sees Billy's body, Liz wants to tell somebody in authority but Hannah and Jeanne talk her out of it. Four decades later Liz returns to Rinconada to see her two friends she regards as family and to have an abortion. All her life Liz ran from commitment and even though she has been living with Gerard for seven years she's afraid to marry him. Hannah, who has two teenagers, wants to adopt a crack baby and Liz's unborn child to the point of desperation. Jeanne is married to the man she loves but fears that he will leave her; she also resents his tomcatting around and that he influenced her into giving up for adoption their three month old son. Will a four-decade friendship survive the surprising revelations that surfaces or will the truth destroy their sisterhood? This is a very absorbing tale that focuses on the lives of three women. They made and make mistakes, feel guilt over an incident that happened almost forty years ago, and their quest for redemption surfaces in strange and tragic ways. This is more of a character study than an action drama but women of all ages will be able to identify with the problems these women face. Drusilla Campbell is a wonderful storyteller who probes into the human psyche with some uncanny insights.

Lemon Meringue Pie Murder
Joanne Fluke
Kensington
ISBN 0758201508 $22.00

Lake Eden is a small resort town in Minnesota that is relatively crime free but when a homicide occurs, Hannah Swensen, the owner of the cookie Jar, is usually in the middle of the investigation. Murder is the farthest from Hannah's mind because her beau, Norman Rhodes bought a house from Rhonda Scarf and plans to demolish the building to build his and Hannah's dream home. Rhonda sold the home with the contents included so Norman, Hannah and her mother, an antique collector search the house for hidden treasures. After looking in every nook and cranny in the cluttered home, Hannah's mother decides to look to in the basement to see if there are any antique tools. She doesn't find any treasures, but in the furnace room she sees Rhonda's body with a knife protruding from her chest. The police specifically tell Hannah not to get involved but everyone close to her wants her on the case. She finally agrees because she hopes it will get her mind off food and diets. There is not one heroine who loves being involved in a homicide investigation as much as Hannah Swensen does. This culinary mystery has easy mouth-watering recipes that have easy to follow directions. (I tried two of them and the deserts were scrumptious, but no comments on my weight). The who-done-it is fun in large part due to the support cast who adds flavoring ingredients to an exciting mix. Lemon Meringue Pie Murder is a delicious reading experience.

Circle Of Five
Dolores Stewart Riccio
Kensington
ISBN: 0758203004 $14.00

In Plymouth Harbor, Massachusetts, Cassandra Sipton belongs to a Wiccan with four other women. Cass sells Earthline Herbal Preparations and Cruelty Free Cosmetics while living with her dog Scruffy. One day while shopping at the supermarket, her cart crashes into that of a guy with a green cap on. Seeing a vision of a dead boy, she senses an evil essence inside of the smiling Green Cap. Cass tells her four friends what she felt and they conduct a s?ance in which they shock themselves and make contact. While walking with Scruffy in nearby Jenkins Woods, the canine finds a child's key chain with a name on it of that of a boy who vanished without a trace. Cass and her Wiccan friends believe the Green Cap is the serial killer of that child and must be stopped even if it means risking their lives by using their tyro level powers. Circle Of Five is figuratively and literally an enchanting relationship crime drama. The magical story line grips the audience from the beginning when the truck driver kills the little boy while whistling a tune from Gypsy. The five women especially Cass are a delightful quintet struggling with their new powers (sort of like the Greatest American Hero) and the impact that has on their friendships. They work through all this while teaming up to try to capture a killer with no one to help them. Dolores Stewart Riccio provides fans with a bewitching tale and the audience will return to see what happens next in Charmed Circle.

Faked To Death
Dean James
Kensington
ISBN 1575668874 $22.00

The villagers of Snupperton Mumsley are happy to welcome American Southern born and bred best-selling author Simon Kirby-Jones into their English midst. Simon is elated to be away from the States and the break up with his boyfriend especially now that he has as his assistant the gorgeous Sir Giles Blitherton, who is just waiting to jump his bones. The only thing holding him back from getting romantically involved with anyone is the fact that he is a vampire and is afraid to trust Giles with his secret. As long as Simon takes his medication three times a day he can pass for human, which enables him to walk in the sunlight and be active in the daytime. He accepts an invitation from Lady Hermione Kinsale to appear at a writer's workshop but he's outraged to learn that mystery author Dorinda Darlington is also appearing. Simon knows she's a fake because he is Dorinda and he's absolutely livid that his agent who is also at the conference arranged this publicity stunt. When the fake Dorinda is murdered, Simon deduces that one of blackmailed authors killed her. He investigates because he's nosy. The protagonist is a drama queen with a biting sense of humor. He is also a vampire who has few traditional powers (the side effect of the medication he uses) so he must solve the who-done-it by using his wits of which he has many. The mystery is well plotted and there are many suspects who could be the killer so the readers are able to like this delightful cozy with a supernatural twist. Faked To Death is a unique, refreshing and totally endearing satirical mystery.

The Last Witness
Joel Goldman
Pinnacle
ISBN: 0786014482 $6.99

Anyone who expects to make it in business or politics in Kansas City had to deal with Jack Cullan until someone killed him. The circumstantial evidence heavily points towards ex-cop and now bar owner Blues Bluestone. Last night Blues interceded and roughed up Jack when he was physically bullying Beth Harnell, Chairwoman of the Missouri Gaming Commission. During the one sided scuffle between the males, Jack scratched Blues' hands leaving the barkeep's skin (DNA) under the political fixer's fingernails. Homicide Detectives Rymer and Zimmerman arrest Blues for murder; Blues retains Lou Mason as his attorney. No bail is granted because someone with strings wants the pressure of prison time to either break Jack into a confession or have him killed in jail. Either way the case closed. Knowing the system is already heavily rigged towards the prosecution and this case is perfect for the other side, Lou realizes he cannot win in court so he must find the real killer. The second Mason legal thriller is an exciting tale that reads more like a private investigative novel. The legal aspects of the plot show how the game is fixed to overwhelmingly maximize the odds in favor of the government regardless of whether justice is served or even whether a convicted person did the act (Governor Ryan). Besides the eye opening look at the American legal system, Lou is a wishbone pulled in two directions by his friendship for the accused and his loving respect for the lead detective. All together this combo makes for an entertaining, shockingly educational who-done-it.

Everything I Ever Wanted
Jo Goodman
Zebra Books
ISBN: 0821768670 $6.50

In 1818 at a Drury Lane theater, the four members of the "Compass Club" interrupt the performance on the stage. Actress India Parr takes exception and rips into the aristocratic quartet. Matthew "South" Forrester apologizes for the group. Afterward, he visits India and coaxes her into punching him in the face to allegedly win a bet from his three buddies. Actually South and his cohorts had a purpose for their boorish behavior during the show and afterward. Colonel Blackwood has assigned South with solving a murder mystery where India is either a suspect or she knows critical information from her assignations with the rich and famous. South "abducts" India in an effort to seduce her into telling him the dark secret that he knows she hides from him while love flourishes between the combatant lovers. Everything I Ever Wanted, book two (see Let Me Be The One for the first story) of Jo Goodman's Compass quartet of novels, is an exciting Regency romance. The story line is fun to observe as the exchanges between the lead couple are often humorous and as frequently passionate with some cases a mixing of both. The return of previous cast members serves as a double-edged sword as it nice to see them, but when the foursome get together they are diverted from the key plot of romance and capturing a killer. Still fans of Regency romantic suspense will take much delight with second tale while waiting for the other two points to be told.

The Night Before
Lisa Jackson
Zebra Books
ISBN: 0821769367 $6.99

In Savannah, Caitlyn Bandeaux is covered with blood, but has no idea why or what happened last night. She blames her memory loss on alcohol. After she cleans up, Police Detectives Reed and Morrisette inform her that someone brutally murdered her estrange spouse Josh. She remains the prime suspect with a strong motive and opportunity since he was suing her in the wrongful death of their infant son Jamie and her blood type was found at the crime scene. Still the cops realize that Josh had many enemies from his unscrupulous business dealings and his womanizing. Caitlyn asks her twin Kelly for help, but her sibling initially fails to return her desperate calls. As she suffers more blackouts and strange flashes, she turns to psychiatrist Adam Hunt though Kelly objects. Adam has an agenda of his own while the truth begins to surface inside Caitlyn's mind one slow drip at a time. Fans of Lisa Jackson's "Blooded" novels will want to read The Night Before, an exciting romantic psychological suspense filled with plenty of twists, albeit too many. The story line grips the audience as Caitlyn struggles to regain her equilibrium by trying to learn why she blacks out (read the twist to learn why) but also falling in love with Adam. Some of the loose ties from the "Blooded" novels are answered in this tale that includes the appearance of New Orleans Detective Montoya. Ms. Jackson will return to all the lists while her audience anxiously awaiting the sequel, The Morning After.

This Must Be Love
Kasey Michaels
Zebra Books
ISBN: 0821771183 $6.99

Though she knows every time she does a favor for her cousin Molly Applegate she gets into trouble, pre-school owner Jane Preston agrees to pose as her relative at the Sixth Annual Intellectual Retreat in Cape May, New Jersey. Molly admits she cannot attend because her face is too well known as that disastrous intern, but she needs to report a scandal involving a potential presidential candidate Senator Aubrey Harrison or lose her position as a reporter. John Romanowski also attends the event. John, better known as author JP Roman, wants to find mud to not just abort Harrison's run, but to destroy the SOB who unceremoniously dumped his mother after a love affair for a better political wife. His mother never recovered so John was orphaned as a teen. Singles are matched up with John and Jane assigned to one another. They are immediately attracted, but their mutually exclusive inquiries cause problems for the dueling Js. If they are to succeed on their endeavors and come away with a loving relationship, one of them must step forward and trust the other with the truth. Though coincidence brings the lead protagonists together, readers will applaud this amateur sleuth romance. The story line is very amusing as John and Jane trip over one another in their efforts to find the loaded gun that will destroy Harrison. Jane especially is an intriguing character because she is the classic amateur sleuth as she stumbles from one mistake (except for loving John) to another. Together they make for a delectable novel.

The Fury And The Power
John Farris
Forge
ISBN 0312877285 $25.95

She is not ordinary woman in any sense of the world. She is a powerful psychic who can call forth her doppelganger at any time she chooses, an entity equal in power to Eden Waring. She defused a bomb by using her powers but that doesn't make her a safe or happy person. The Assassin of the Impact Sector of the FBI tried to kill her once but failed and he's back for a second shot. That is not the worst danger she faces because, after all, the Assassin is only a mundane psychopath. She has attracted the attention of Mordant, an evil being from another plane, who has lost part of his soul. He hopes to use Eden to find it so he can plunge the world into chaos. He also wants to mate with her so that the child they will produce will be quite the fury. Eden wants no part of the evil Mordant and will fight him with her last breath before she gives him any victory over her. The Fury And The Power is a pulse pounding work of psychological suspense and chilling horror. Eden is a young woman who must cope with her own powers and otherworldly beings without succumbing to their dark side. There are many violent scenes in this book but they are appropriate in the context of the story line. The sequel promises to be even better but readers will have to wait something that will prove a very difficult task.

Tracking Bear
Aimee & David Thurlo
Forge
ISBN 0765304767 $24.95

Money is scarce on the Navaho reservation and the lack of funds in the police department means less officers and increasingly faulty and out of date equipment. Officer Frankin calls in a possible burglary in progress and requests help but the broken radio stopped working before he can give a location. By the time Ella Clah, the officer in charge of the special investigations unit, finds him, he is dead with a bullet in his brain. It is clear that money is needed to upgrade the equipment and hire more officers. NEED (Navaho Electrical Energy Development) thinks they have the solution to the problem. They want to build a small clean nuclear power plant on the reservation believing it is a step in making the tribe self-sustaining. There is a large segment of the Navaho population that doesn't want anything to do with the project and those who are adamantly opposed to the project wind up dead or shot at. It looks like the NEED forces are turning militant but Ella suspects a cold-blooded killer is making it look that way while pursuing a personal agenda. Tracking Bear is a great police procedural that gives readers an insightful look into the culture of the Navaho living on the reservations today. The novel displays the schisms in the tribe between the traditionalists and the modernists as well as the new traditionalists. The who-done-it is complex, compelling and exciting with a plethora of suspects from a grieving father to a Navaho activist. Aimee & David Thurlo have written another fascinating installment in this popular mystery series.

Doubloon
Jay Amberg
Forge
ISBN: 0765301008 $24.95

Retired Navy aviator Jack Gallagher learns that his father Nick drowned when his ship the Sea Devil topsided. Jack has ambivalent feelings because twenty years ago Nick deserted his family to search for sea treasure off the Florida Keys. Though he originally planned on attending the funeral and immediately returning to Chicago, Jack thinks the recently changed will that provides him with ten percent of Doubloon, Inc. is a cryptic message from his dad. Jack decides to stay for now. Key West Tribune reporter Josie Hernandez writes stories that imply that someone murdered Nick. At the same time that the Florida Office of Antiquities investigates Doubloon for tax evasion through the illegal sales of antiquities, the company's salvage license may be revoked by the state. As Josie and Jack make strange bedfellows, danger mounts as the duo is assaulted. Not long after, they close in on a special treasure with thugs wanting them eliminated, a step family that seems untrustworthy, a hurricane ready to destroy the duo, and dubious bureaucrats ready to dry-dock the pair. Doubloon would be another run of the mill treasure seeker thriller except Jay Amberg has had a great time providing insight into various seafaring processes that his enthusiasm becomes contagious. Fans receive a taut albeit standardized thriller but it also provides insight into treasure diving and the state of artifacts in salt water (think of some of monuments like the Statue of liberty or Washington Monument needing a cleaning), etc. This is cleverly intertwined into the plot, bit also done with such elation that many readers will consider a vacation off the Florida coast.

The World's Finest Mystery and Crime Stories, Third Annual Collection, Vol. 3
Ed Gorman and Martin H. Greenberg
Forge
ISBN: 0765302357 $17.95

As usual the G and G (great goldies) team has put together a powerful anthology consisting of thirty-nine tales from 2001 that run the mystery-crime-thriller spectrum. Obviously all the inclusions have seen print elsewhere, but not under one tome before this compilation. The contributions for the most part are excellent depending on the reader's taste, but none are terrible regardless of palate. In addition three articles report on the general state of the genre during 2001 and four country specific reports (Great Britain, Australia, Canada, and Germany) furnish insight into the trends. The World's Finest Mystery And Crime Stories, Third Annual Collection, Vol. 3 provides the audience with a delightful slice of some of the year's better short stories.

The Blue Widows
Jon Land
Forge
ISBN 0765305992 $25.95

Palestinian American detective Ben Kamal and former Israeli police official Danielle Barnea work in America for Security Concepts. A powerful Arab businessman hires the duo to extract his kidnapped son from the People's Brigade. The mission goes terribly wrong and to save Ben's life, Danielle is forced to kill a number of men including a FBI agent. Unable to stay in the country after that debacle, she accepts the post of Commander of Israel's National Police. Leading a raid on a terrorist enclave in Gaza, she discovers a document written in Arabic that she faxes to Ben in America for translation. They learn that it is a plan to bring about the bible prophecy to cause the end of all things. meaning the destruction of America. A supply of small pox is stolen from a military fort and ends up in the hands of the leader of the People's Brigade. Layla Aziz Rahani who is the daughter of a Saudi Arabian billionaire is the mastermind behind the plot to destroy America. Her plan is even more diabolical than what it first seems because she plans to unleash a biological weapons a million times worse than smallpox. When Ben and Danielle realize what her fiendish ploy is, they vow to stop her or die trying. Jon Land is an insightful, creative and colorful storyteller who has a grasp of the politics and the divisiveness that exist in the Middle East. Readers also gain a fascinating glimpse into the culture of Saudi Arabia as seen from the perspective of the women. The Blue Widows is an action-packed provocative tale that has more curves than a twisted pretzel. The plot is action-pack and the two protagonists are easv to admire.

Jubilee
Jack Dann
Tor Books
ISBN: 076530676X $27.95

This seventeen-story anthology contains tales published over the last twenty-five years in a vast range of publications. The contributions are powerful entries that highlight how capable an author Jack Dann is in his ability to portray and describe the inhumanity of humanity. The tales never look out into the extended future, as they are either historical or present with even the near future feeling contemporary. They rarely leave earth, but even when Mr. Dann visits another orb, the characters are eerily earth-like. Besides the powerful tales that run much of the earthbound speculative fiction gamut, Mr. Dann includes a delightful introduction and afterward. Anthology fans will sing Jubilee with this "best of" works from a strong science fiction author.

Dragon And Thief
Timothy Zahn
Tor Books
ISBN: 0765301245 $24.95

His parents died years ago and his only living relative Uncle Virgo recently passed away, leaving fourteen year old Jack Morgan by himself except for the virtual essence of his deceased guardian. Jack has been set up to take the fall for stolen valuable cargo. He is an easy frame, as he is guilty by association or in this case blood, as his late uncle was a known con man. Jack flees to a remote planet, but in the skies observes a fight with one of the combatant ships crashing near him. The only survivor of the wreck is the K'da dragon Draycos. Ja

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