Dan Baldwin's new short story collection, Dank Summit: The Collected and Other Stories, was published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform in May, 2016.
What happens when the preacher's wife really gets a dose of the Spirit and takes her husband's commandment to confess to heart - in the middle of the service? What really goes upstairs at Miss Purdy's Saloon and Euphemism saloon when Sheriff Matt Dullard goes out of town? Who comes out on top when Arizona Territory is invaded by an all-girls baseball team taking on all comers in high stakes baseball? How does a simple misspelling turn a quiet afternoon at a small country store into the scene of a near riot and a revelation about the nature of small town humanity? And why would things have worked out better if only Gomez had been a girl? Enter the realm of human folly personified by the citizens of the small Southern town of Dank Summit. Also enter the realms of the Old West, the possible near future, and some places that are beyond understanding.
Also, Dan has another new book "a love note to Arizona." It features 21 photos he's taken in the Arizona deserts and mountains, each accompanied by a relevant poem or statement. Wildflower Stew is the first of four books on this subject. It's available in paperback and e-book formats. https://www.createspace.com/6423701
Victor E. Smith's 2nd major novel Channel of the Grail: A Novel of Cathars, Templars, and a Nazi Grail Hunter was released on May 3, 2016, and is now available for purchase either in print or eBook through Amazon.com
Even death cannot stop two hearts that beat as one.
In May 1939, German newspapers announced the untimely death of 35-year-old author Otto Rahn, applauding him as "comrade, decent SS-man and creator of outstanding historical-scholarly works." But his Swiss lover Raymond knew that Otto had neither died accidentally nor as a member of the infamous SS.
Before the Nazis, Rahn had researched the medieval French Cathars, a heretical sect exterminated by war and the Inquisition, and he published his account of this tragedy as Crusade against the Grail.
His book fascinated Reichsführer-SS Heinrich Himmler, an occult fanatic, who then enticed Otto into the SS as a historical researcher. Gambling that Otto's psychic talents might lead to the recovery of the coveted Holy Grail for the Nazis, Himmler coddled the writer, even condoning his illegal homosexuality. Then Rahn came to discover that the SS and its operations were far from benign.
After Otto's demise, Raymond knew that his partner's work deserved recognition, but as a genuine Grail bearer and not as a member of the SS. To do this, Raymond had to recover his own unique gift: a phenomenal memory that took him back to the Cathar era where the men's mutual mission, which could only be carried out with them riding two to a horse in the way of the Knights Templar, was first entrusted to them.
Channel of the Grail is a visionary novel, historically based on the medieval Cathar persecutions and the 20th century life and times of Otto Rahn.
Lois Schwartz, Green Valley author who writes as Lois Carroll, has had her 40th novel, His Prisoner, published this summer. Since moving west from New York six years ago, she sets her stories in the west too.
In this historical romantic suspense:
Tempting fate, a hapless witness to a robbery and murder takes the stolen money
from the robbers' stash to support himself and his daughter, Kate. Over her objections, they plan to head west separately to start a new life.
Jake, a Pinkerton agent, traces the gold to Kate and her missing father. He holds her prisoner to force her to take him to her father and the loot. Jake intends to take him back to face charges and return the gold.
Meantime the real robbers also trace the spent coins to Kate and her Father and start closing in to get their gold back.
Jake now has two reasons to hold his prisoner close—real close.
Lois donates profits from her book sales to Sophie's Smocks, a service project that gives a free feeding smock to kids and adults with Angelman Syndrome. Her granddaughter Sophie has AS and the project was started after making smocks for her as she grew. Lois has mailed out nearly 700 around the world. You can order copies of His Prisoner directly from her at LoisCarroll@cox.net or from LoisCarrollBooks at Amazon. Thank you for your support.
Gene Twaronite's new poem "Wizards at Heart" was just published by the online magazine New Myths — https://sites.google.com/a/newmyths.com/nmwebsite/poems/wizards-at-heart
Stuart Watkins had his article, "A Story about $2.72" published in the SaddleBag Notes, about the value of trophies one might win during their lifetime, and what they are worth when melted down and cashed in when one is not winning trophies any more. "I hope you enjoy the write, and wishing everyone success in their writings."
Betty Webb presented her "Writing the Contemporary Novel" workshop in June—but with a twist: "This time around with the focus on plot structure, development of a unique authorial voice, and creating a sympathetic yet flawed protagonist your readers can relate to." her workshop was at Changing Hands Bookstore in Tempe AZ. For information on future workshops call 480.730.0205.
