1st Edition, September 1, 2012

Madam Librarian Recommendation
Elizabeth, Librarian, Brigham City Library

Dead Scared by S.J. Bolton
When a rash of suicides tears through Cambridge University, DI Mark Joesbury recruits DC Lacey Flint to go undercover as a student to investigate. Although each student’s death appears to be a suicide, the psychological histories, social networks, and online activities of the students involved share remarkable similarities, and the London police are not convinced that the victims acted alone. They believe that someone might be preying on lonely and insecure students and either encouraging them to take their own lives or actually luring them to their deaths. As long as Lacey can play the role of a vulnerable young woman, she may be able to stop these deaths, but is it just a role for her? With her fragile past, is she drawing out the killers, or is she herself being drawn into a deadly game where she’s a perfect victim?

Author Spotlight: S.J. Bolton
We asked S.J. Bolton so questions, and she was very happy to give us an interview.

CanyonLand: What was your inspiration for this story?
S.J. Bolton: Books, for me, are rarely inspired by a single idea, more often they represent an amalgamation of several thoughts that I may have been mulling around for a while, sometimes several years. I know the time is right for me to start work when I see the thread that binds the diverse parts together. In the case of Dead Scared, I'd been grimly fascinated for a while by the growing rate of internet-driven suicides. Depressed and desperate people, with nowhere left to turn, seek solace on the web, only to find themselves prey to internet trolls, who feed off and actively encourage the misery of others. I wanted to explore to what extent murder could be committed with no direct contact between perpetrator and victim. At the same time, I was very interested in the notion of how we are all scared in different ways. What is it about spiders, the dark, heights, etc, that can cause people to lose the ability to think rationally? I wondered whether it was possible to scare someone to death. Finally, I wanted to write a story that deals with bullying and that looks at what drives groups of young, intelligent people to gang up on those they perceive to be weaker. The binding thread was my new series character, the young undercover detective, Lacey Flint, who has as many demons of her own to battle, as the women whose lives she is trying to save.

CanyonLand:Are there any more stories in your future?
S.J. Bolton:I've just finished the third in the Lacey Flint series, title yet to be confirmed, but due for US publication in the summer of 2013. In this work, Lacey is back in her home city of London, struggling to deal with the events of Dead Scared, and wanting nothing more than to be left alone.

When a serial killer appears to be targeting young boys, abandoning their bodies on the banks of the River Thames, she resists being drawn into the investigation. Until the son of the man she loves becomes the latest victim.

CanyonLand:Where can your fans find you?
S.J. Bolton:‘Readers can contact me directly via my website www.sjbolton.com. I am also on Facebook (S J Bolton) and Twitter (@authorsjbolton) and Goodreads (SJ Bolton)

Don't forget to browse the right side for all the librarian recommendations. They are all nominated for the inaugural Canyonland Press Readers Choice Awards coming up! don't miss out on some excellent reader! Then VOTE!

Banned Books Week 2012 – Read What You Choose!
By: Amy Durham

When I was in high school, the censorship craze was in full swing. During my junior year, my English teacher assigned a book report and gave us a lengthy list of books from which to choose. When I saw "The Catcher in the Rye" on the list, I immediately decided that was the book I would read. I chose it solely because it was one of the titles being bandied about as "inappropriate" for students. Thought it's been a few years and, admittedly, there are many things I don't remember about it, I do remember thinking that Holden Caufield was just a high school kid, like me and the kids I knew. His language and his actions didn't shock or offend me. He was a teenager. And... big shocker here... teenagers sometimes misbehave and cuss. Holden was a teenager with baggage struggling to find his way. Sure, his drinking and cavorting around New York City wasn't all that smart... but kids don't always make smart decisions. And besides, it's fiction, right?

This year, the annual “Banned Books Week” begins on September 30. In preparation of the observation of this cause that’s very near and dear to my heart, I recently visited the Banned Book Week website (www.bannedbooksweek.org). I encourage all of you to peruse the website as well. On the “about” page, you’ll find a list of the 10 most challenged books of 2011. On that list… The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins (due to violence, among other things) and To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee (due to offensive language and themes of racism). I was simply aghast. In 2012, are we really still arguing about the racist references in a book that is widely considered to be the finest work of fiction of the 20th century? Are we really still ignoring the fact that the book was set in Alabama in the 1930’s, when racism and all that came with it ran rampant? Are we really still ignoring the greater message of the book, that Scout and her brother, with their father’s help, grow into compassionate, kind, color-blind young people who see the value and the good in every person? Are people in this country really jumping on the anti-Hunger-Games bandwagon because of the violence in the book, and failing to see that the series teaches incredible lessons about the value of human life and what it means to be a compassionate individual in the midst of greed and debauchery? Let me be clear – there is a big difference in being an involved parent and taking an active role in the books your kids read, shielding them from things you feel they aren’t ready for and just blindly striking a book from the list of possibilities because you’ve “heard” it’s violent or has bad language. I encourage good parenting. I discourage blind censorship.

I thought I couldn’t be anymore surprised, and then I clicked on the “mapping censorship” tab. That censorship is still so widespread in this country is a staggering thought. This year for “Banned Books Week”, I encourage you to take a look at the website and find a book to read. Visit your local bookseller or library and tell the person who assists you that you are observing banned books week by exercising your right to read whatever book you choose!

2nd Edition, August 15, 2012

Ask an Author
by Marie Higgins

The question was asked, "What does it mean when your characters talk to you?"

This is a good question, ML Blue. I have told so many people that I don't write my stories - but my characters do. If you have a friend who is a writer, you have probably heard them talk about 'voices' in their heads. Well...I'm quite sure some hear voices. Some see scenes flash in their head. Some dream about the story. When characters 'talk' to us, it means we (writers) are in touch with our muse - our creativity so much that we know what kind of story our characters want us to write. Most of us aren't crazy for hearing voices - or seeing scenes flash through our minds. (Now Stephen King...he's a different sort of writer. hahahaha)

When I sit down to write a story, I usually have an idea of what I want my characters to do. The more in-depth we write our characters, the more we'll hear them. I'll start a dialogue, and I can see my characters talking to each other... They are 'talking' to me so-to-speak. I once had a story 3/4 of the way written when an editor told me to change the hero's name. I took that advice, then I wished I hadn't because my hero was upset and didn't like his new name. For six weeks he didn't talk to me...which means my muse (creativity) didn't work. I couldn't see the story and I couldn't 'hear' my characters. Finally the name grew on him, and Damien started talking once again.

Please email your questions to me for next month's issue of "Ask An Author".

Book Titles
by Anna Sugg

I think book titles are a great way to hook a reader. What do you think?

Many times I’ve been drawn to a book just because of the title. I checked Goodread.com’s 100 lists of great titles, a few that you might recognize were Where the Wild Things Are, The Grapes of Wrath, A Wrinkle in Time, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (hmm, don’t recognize that one!), Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Okay, that’s their opinion. A couple of titles that I like are Wuthering Heights, Charlotte’s Web, and of course, The Lord of the Rings. Actually, I could list more, but I’ll let you think of the titles you like the best. There have been titles that I really liked, but discovered the novel wasn’t for me, for instance, Eat, Pray, and Love.

Did you know the publisher has the last say for a title and not the author? For instance, would you be drawn to this title Trimalchio in West Egg? This was the first title of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby. Now, we all recognize that title. Would you have bothered to read it with the first title splashed across the book cover?

One of my favorite books that I read when I was young was Gone with the Wind (love the title). Did you know the original title was Pansy?

Authors spend hours pondering over what to name their novel and many times it’s changed by the publishers. Titles should be an overall impression of the novel, even create the tone of the book, don’t you think? It’s frustrating when you’ve read a book and wonder how they came up with such a title.

Maybe titles for well established authors aren’t as important as new authors looking to be discovered. When you hear the title Twilight, everyone immediately associated that title with Stephenie Meyers’ books. Or, how many of you have the Bourne trilogy? Did you read Hunger Games before the movie? Did these titles hook you?

To attract readers, titles as well as book covers, are highly important. Don’t you think? Please check out the list of book titles in Canyonland Press and let us know what you think about the titles our authors have on their books.

New fun things at the Library!
by Mary Martinez

Once again I've gone to the library, this time for a meeting. I asked the branch manager what she likes as a reader. As in, what does she find interesting about authors. You're going to have to wait for the answer. In the next few months we're going to do some articles based on her answers.

While I was there I browsed as I usually do. I love books. I have an iPad, which I have several Apps; for Kindle, Nook, iBooks, Kobo and now I have a new one. It's called overdrive. What is it? I'm more than happy to tell you.

It's how you check out books from the library to use on any of your devices. I for one would love to be able to check something out at 2 a.m. instead of go to the cyber book store and pay $$ for a new book when I can't sleep. Or any time for that matter. Anyway...

Once you've downloaded the app (you can also get it from from the App Store on your device) it goes to a screen that has a Get Books option you can great a book shelf with libraries. You can add as many libraries as you'd like from New York to San Diego, all over the world, or as I've done, my local library. Any time, any place, as long as you have 4G or a WiFi connect on your device, you have instant books, for free.

There are some conditions, just like checking a book out does, you have to have it turned in, in time. It has some type of time code and after three to four weeks, depending on the libraries policy, it will automatically delete from your device. You can't horde books in otherwords. And you cannot have an overdue eBook, so no fees!

The library manager of my local library, you may notice she has recommended a few books for us, Trish Hull, was a guest on Studio 5, a local studio morning show if you'd like to view a video with instructions you can find it here...

Now go out and enjoy the wonderful world of books!

1st Edition, August 1, 2012

Madam Librarian Recommendation
Liesl Seborg, Senior Librarian, Salt Lake County Library Services--Hunter Library

Some Sing, Some Cry. “This is an incredibly well-written story of the generations of Mayfield women and their connections and disconnections over lifetimes. Music and perseverance pervade this saga where richly crafted characters travel the world from South Carolina through wars in Europe and Vietnam to modern day France. Well worth a read or listen!”

Left - Ifa Bayeza, Right - Ntozake Shange

Authors Sportlight: Ntozake Shange and Ifa Bayeza
We were unable to reach Ms. Shange and Ms. Bayeza for comment, but the public link an bio can be found on aalbc.com the number one site for African American Literature, www.aalbc.com:

“Award-winning writer Ntozake Shange and real-life sister, award-winning playwright Ifa Bayeza achieve nothing less than a modern classic in this epic story of the Mayfield family. Opening dramatically at Sweet Tamarind, a rice and cotton plantation on an island off South Carolina's coast, we watch as recently emancipated Bette Mayfield says her goodbyes before fleeing for the mainland. With her granddaughter, Eudora, in tow, she heads to Charleston. There, they carve out lives for themselves as fortune-teller and seamstress. Dora will marry, the Mayfield line will grow, and we will follow them on an journey through the watershed events of America's troubled, vibrant history -- from Reconstruction to both World Wars, from the Harlem Renaissance to Vietnam and the modern day. Shange and Bayeza give us a monumental story of a family and of America, of songs and why we have to sing them, of home and of heartbreak, of the past and of the future, bright and blazing ahead.”

Expanding Your Reading Experience
By: Amy Durham

Many times, after finishing a book I've thoroughly enjoyed, I find myself a little sad. Sometimes I even slow down the pace of my reading as I near the end of the book so I can draw out the experience. It's actually a rather sweet feeling, to have enjoyed a book so much that I'm sad when it ends.

If you've ever found yourself in a similar situation, I'd like to suggest a few ways that you can expand that experience, so that when you finish the last page and close the covers of the book, it feels less abrupt and leaves you with a fun sense of anticipation.

When you realize, in the course of your journey through the book, that the story is speaking to you and pulling you in, decide at that point that you will visit the author's blog or website once you finish the book. It's a simple process in this day and age to contact an author, and while I'm certainly not condoning author-stalking, authors love reader feedback. A comment on a blog post or a sincere email, letting the author know how moved you were by his or her story, will not only provide affirmation to the author, but it also expands the reader's experience, allowing you a "positive closure" for an enjoyable reading experience.

Next, consider reviewing the book. This is yet another way to let the author know - as well as other enthusiastic readers - that this is a book worth investing in. Readers value the opinion of other readers, so reviewing the book at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or other retailers will help others find and choose the book that you enjoyed so much. It also allows you a way to process your feelings about a good book, a way to extend the experience in a way that expresses your thoughts and enthusiasm for the story you loved.

Finally, check out the author's other titles, if you haven't already. Many times the style of writing that you loved in one story will also be present in other books by the same author. While it's true that particular character types and story lines appeal to you, you may find that the author's particular style appeals to you. So, it's worth your time to take a look at an author's back list, or watch his or her website for news of upcoming releases.

Rather than bottling up your enthusiasm when you finish a great book, try these suggestions! They will expand your reading experience, offering ways to "close out" the experience of reading a book you loved by giving the author feedback, telling other readers how much you loved the book, and giving you a sense of anticipation for other books you might love even more!

2nd Edition July 15, 2012

Why are some genre's more popular than others? That is the theme of our issue.

Empress Theater Magna, Utah 

Paranormal - What goes bump in the night?
By Mary Martinez
Why do people read what they do? I don't know. Why do some people absolutely love to be scared, sit on the edge of their seats and can't wait to turn the next page to have something jump out at them? And yet other people won't even pick up a scary book?

This is a bit off the subject, but what I find fascinating is that not everyone watches the same thing on TV as they read in a book. Do you? I love to ghost hunt, yes back on subject, but yet I don't watch all those paranormal, ghost hunter series they have one now. Once in a while I watch an episode of Phsych, but it's more comedy than anything.

So why do people read paranormal? I know I asked this question before, but is it the unknown? Does it make them wonder, could this really happen? Be happening? I guess it depends what you're reading, I mean how many people read about vampires and think those two questions?

Ridiculous right? Maybe not. I'm reading Discovery of Witches right now. There are Witches, Vampires and daemons (author's spelling, not mine) all walking around intermingling with the humans. Have I looked around at the people on the bus and wondered, could he be... Yes! Well if you'd seen the people on the bus you'd wonder too.

Back to why do people read paranormal? True it's a matter of taste, but also paranormal is an umbrella that covers so many different things. I for one do not like to read vampire stories. I may not have started the book I'm reading now if I'd known, yet I'm finding it interesting. But vampires or werewolf's do not do it for me. But witches, ghosts, druids, faeries, I love all of those. I even like a bit of time travel.

Some paranormal is like suspense, it can keep you on the edge of your seat. You know there is a creature in the basement and you just want to scream at the character not to go down the stairs. Yet, you can't wait until he or she does. Isn't it the same when you know the killer is down there?

Summing it all up, I don't know why one person reads paranormal and another person hates it. It's all a matter of taste. Please take a minute to take the survey on the right and let Canyonland Press readers know what you like about paranormal.

Suspense or Mystery?
by Anna Sugg
Which do you like to read? Suspense? Mysteries? Do you know the difference between suspense and mystery?

I’m a suspense person myself. One great author that comes to mind is Mary Stewart. She started writing romance suspense, as well as historical fictions, in the mid-1950s through the 1980s. You’re in for a treat if you’ve never read her novels, which continue to be reprinted over and over again.

Alfred Hitchcock, the master of suspense, said that suspense isn’t related to fear, but “a state of waiting for something to happen”. As you read a good suspense novel, you feel the tension, alert to what is surely going to happen, and hold your breath, waiting. This is suspense. Hitchcock kept the audience informed as the story progressed with that suspense building. He was a master.

Mysteries, on the other hand, are puzzles. Usually asking who and why the crime was committed. An intriguing mystery revolves around something that has already happened, as opposed to something that’s going to happen. Of course, you do find mysteries containing many elements of suspense, especially while the villain is still at large. Mysteries, typically lack surprises, but the puzzled drama of whodunit keeps us turning the pages, like a game.

Simple differences: suspense is the imminent danger that needs to be resolved; mystery is the intellectual game of puzzles that need to be unraveled.

Mystery Writers of America listed their best 100 mysteries and at the top was the complete Sherlock Holmes by author, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Also on the list was Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None, John Grisham’s A Time to Kill, and the 100th was Ira Levin’s Rosemary’s Baby. Here’s the link: http://www.bestcrimebooks.com/top-100-mysteries-of-all-time-mystery-writers-of-america/

Do you agree with their list of best 100 mysteries? Really now, are these the best? What would your list look like? Of course the above list is different from the top ten best-selling mysteries of all times: http://top-10-list.org/2010/10/22/top-ten-best-selling-mystery-writers/

One of Amazon’s top ten picks for romance suspense authors listed Naked in Death by J.D. Robbs and the fifth place was my favorite book by Catherine Coulter (love that author) The Maze an FBI Series.

After asking several friends about their favorite authors, and if they knew if they were suspense or mystery writers, they didn’t seem to know or care if they were one or the other. Bottom line, it’s the content that’s important.

All in all, by the time I completed my research on the difference between suspense and mystery, it was not so complicated to tell the difference between the two. But while searching for the top best mystery and suspense authors, I discovered many authors were listed under both, and there are so many lists, that when it comes right down to it, it’s a certain person or group’s opinion. Hmm, maybe I should do my own list. What do you think?
Please take a minute to take the survey on the right and let Canyonland Press readers know what you like about Mystery/Suspense.

Historicals - a wonderful getaway
by Marie Higgins

When I first started reading romance novels, my first book was a historical by Kathleen E Woodiwiss, "A Rose in Winter".  I was swept away in another world where men were gentlemen and women were proper...and everyone had manners and etiquette.  Times were so different back then that most people don't believe things like that happened.  Did women really wear dresses all the time? Did gentlemen really wear top hats and walk with walking-sticks? And really...did all they ever do was go to balls or have tea parties?  But really, it doesn't matter!  What matters to me is that I'm swept away in another world where I can imagine myself wearing a beautiful ball gown dancing with a charming gentleman (or rogue).  My two favorite eras are Regency and Victorian.

REGENCY (1795-1837) - The era was a time of excess for the aristocracy: for example, it was during this time that the Prince Regent built the Brighton Pavilion. However, it was also an era of uncertainty caused by several factors including the Napoleonic wars, periodic riots, and the concern (threat to some, hope to others) that the British people might imitate the upheavals of the French Revolution.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/British_Regency

VICTORIAN (1837-1901) - When 18 year old Princess Victoria pictured in the header above, became Queen in 1837 no one dreamed she would reign for the rest of the century for another 64 years. The name Victorian to describe the whole period is a misnomer as for some years at the beginning of the era, Regency attitudes prevailed. After 1840 when Victoria married Albert we see the heyday of Victorian attitudes of prudery and a strict outwardly moral code that lasted until about 1890 when Prince Edward the Prince Of Wales and his more spirited lifestyle was echoed in society.  http://www.fashion-era.com/victorians.htm

I love these eras because of their manners, their language, and their courtesy.  I've always thought reading books in these eras were more romanctic.  And I know I'm not the only one.  Historical romance is booming!  More and more authors are writing in this genre almost to the point that the publishing companies have too many!  But that's okay with me.  The more...the merrier!  I encourage you to pick up a historical romance (any era you like) and read. I can pretty much guarantee you'll love it!

 

1st Edition, July 1, 2012

Madam Librarian Recommendation
Trish Hull /Manager Magna Library

Liver Let Die 
by Liz LippermanThe title almost put me off at first, because I hate liver. Rest easy, the book has nothing to do with liver. (Well maybe foie gras does play a prominent role). Anyway, this gem of a mystery had me laughing and confused the whole way through. This first novel has lots of twists and turns with a thoroughly engaging heroine who you can’t help but root for. This is a great variation on the chef as detective cozy. I may actually try these recipes, especially Rosie’s potato chip chicken.

Author Spotlight Liz Lipperman

Canyonland: Liz can you tell our readers a bit about yourself, please.

Liz:  A retired nurse, I began writing as a hobby over twenty years ago. Until recently, I thought I was a romance writer despite the fact that my stories all had bad guys and murders. When my agent broke it to me that I was a mystery writer, I argued, but in the end I knew she was right. I was born and raised in the Midwest, but I’ve lived in Dallas for enough years to call myself a Texan. When I’m not writing I spend my time with family and grandchildren and anything that even resembles sports. Read the rest of the interview...
Check out the book nominations to the right! Read them and be prepared to vote for your favorite. Canyonland Press will be having their first annual Readers Choice Awards. So read up!

Setting – The Canvas of the Story
By Amy Durham

Obviously, I read. A lot. And since you’re here, you probably do too!

My family and I just returned from a two-week vacation out west. We drove from our home in Kentucky to San Diego, California, and took time to enjoy several really amazing places in between, such as the Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo, Texas (If you don’t know what it is, Google it! It’s SO cool!), the Grand Canyon, and several other Route 66 attractions. In San Diego, we saw the Pacific Ocean in all it’s glory… the flat, sandy beaches of Coronado, the rocky cliffs of La Jolla, and the simple beauty of the Silver Strand. During the trip, we saw farmland, desert, mountains, coastal areas, cities, small towns, Native American reservations, and many different walks of life.

As a reader and a writer, it made me really think about the importance of the setting in a story. I love such a variety of settings in the stories I read, but what makes the story come alive is when the setting becomes such a part of the story that it’s a character itself.  Perhaps is a story set in New Orleans, and the descriptions of the food and the quirky phrases used by the characters make the setting such a strong presence. Or maybe it’s a book set on the coast, and the sounds of the ocean waves and the smell of the salty air transport me to another place for a while. Or maybe the green fields and craggy cliffs of Scotland give me a glimpse of what life is like there.

Whatever the setting of a book, it has the power not only to drive the story, but also to offer readers an escape. It imbues the story with its personality, creates an atmosphere in which the characters can interact, react, grow, and overcome. It becomes the canvas on which the rest of the action comes to life in brilliant color. It creates for the reader a space to “crawl into” in which to experience the story along with the characters.

My trip across the country, where I experienced such different landscapes and ways of life than I’m used to in my every day life, gave me the opportunity to think about the books whose settings have truly captured me and the authors who’ve so skillfully integrated the settings into their stories. It made me appreciate the fact that although I haven’t traveled extensively, reading books in various settings can take me to exotic and amazing places. And it made me even more aware of the way the setting of a story can truly become another character.

If you have a favorite type of setting, or even a particular book that used setting in a beautiful way, we’d love to hear about it!

2nd Edition June 15, 2012

Summer Reading
by Mary Martinez
This issue seems to be on reading... Whether it's short or long, summer is the time where, for some reason, everyone wants to read. Do you have time? What is summer to you? Do you make more time to read? Or is it wishful thinking--picturing yourself on a beach reading, the cabana boys keeping you supplied with fruity drinks. Okay I got a bit carried away. But is that all it is? Or do you really read more in the summer?

Barnes and Noble, Amazon and other bookstores capitalize on the term 'summer reading'.  Do you read a different genre during the summer than you ordinarily read in the fall, winter, and spring? Is summer the time when you pull out the heavy romance? Or is that in the spring.

When the bookstores start their summer campaigns, I always wonder if they have an agenda? After all come fall aren't they pushing thrillers? Happy Santa stories for December.  So by this theory Valentines is actually the heavy romance time. So really what does that leave for Summer? Women's Fiction? Mystery, I think a good mystery or whodunit is good any time.

Please take the poll on the right sidebar about what you like to read in the summer. It will be interesting to see.



When Short is Sweet: In praise of the short story
by Sarah Baker

     Writing a good short story is considered, by some, to be the gold standard of an author. It’s actually quite difficult to incorporate all of the elements of a good story, such as a well-developed plot, fleshed-out characters, a hook and a satisfying ending, all into a story that is less than 15,000 words long. It’s a challenge that a lot of authors meet and surpass, while others struggle with mastering their entire careers.
     The genre is supposedly derived from the oral story-telling convention, but it came to enjoy immense popularity during the 1850s and flourished from the Victorian era well into the current day. Magazines and newspapers became the preeminent source for short stories, and then many of these short stories were gathered together and published in volumes.
     For readers, a short story can be a satisfying read because it doesn’t involve the kind of commitment that a full-length novel commands. You can rest assured that you will get the entire story before you go to bed rather than having to stay up all night reading.
     I really like short story collections, and I have several that are knee-jerk go-tos whenever it’s a certain season or if I am feeling a particular way. The Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are not complete until I have read all of Truman Capote’s memoirs of those holidays with his cousin Sook. And I love reading Capote’s “The Glass Jar,” which is fictional but still a perfect read for Christmas. O. Henry’s short story “The Gift of the Magi,” is another excellent Christmas read.
     When I am feeling sick or tired, I read a collection of short essays by Colette about her mother, Sido. They are collected into one volume called “My Mother’s House.” When I want to be challenged, I read her collection of film reviews, particularly one she published about the work of Mae West. She had such a way with words, that Colette. Slicing through the excess with the precision of a surgeon.
      And, being a 1920s nerd, I can’t skip over any collection of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s short stories, originally published in magazines like Smart Set. If you want to have an idea of what this era was really like, by the man who was the chronicler of his times, then these stories are a must-read. Want to know why it was so scandalous for a girl to cut off her hair? Read “Bernice Bobs Her Hair,” and feel the heroine’s stomach drop when she sees her reflection in the mirror after chopping off her own hair. And then—her triumph when she cuts off her rival’s hair.
     Short stories often get overlooked nowadays in favor of big, rambling novels. But they still have so much to offer to readers—and they offer an important challenge to writers, too. What are your favorite short stories? What do you like or dislike about them?
  
   And...speaking of short stories, if you missed the beginning of Marie Higgins' "Dangerous Kiss" look at the June 1st issue. In this issue you will read the rest of the story. ENJOY!

Dangerous Kiss - part 2
by Marie Higgins

     Rick grinned that devilish way of his. “Actually, I’m a cop. I’m currently workin’ on a case that involves a drug dealer who always manages to get away from us.”
     I gasped, my legs growing numb. This couldn’t be right. “Do you mean . . . Ted?”
     Rick winked. “Yes. My unit has been trackin’ him for the past few months, but we lost him. Thanks to you, I’ve found him again.”
     “I don’t believe this.”
     “Neither do I.” He kissed the top of my head. “But I’m not lettin’ go of you now Miss Kelsey Manning. You’re my good luck charm, darlin’.”
     Good luck charm? Hardly! It was difficult to feel so fortunate when only bad things had been happening the past several years.  Read More..

1st Edition June 1, 2012

Madam Librarian Recommendation
Mary Taylor Huntsman/Librarian/Somerset Community College in Somerset, KY
Ms. Huntsman recommends The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak. This book was very fervently recommended to me by a high school English teacher whose school had read it as a One School-One Book project. Our college’s book group read it as our September selection based on my recommendation. It's important for any number of reasons, not the least of which is that it's a realistic (not gory or offensive) representation of the lives of young people in Nazi Germany. It's narrated by Death Personified but in a thoughtful way.
It's a great way of introducing the subject matter through literature, as a companion to nonfiction along the lines of “Anne Frank: Diary of A Young Girl” or “The Hiding Place”.

Author Spotlight--Marcus Zusak
We were unable to reach Mr. Zusak for comment and have provide his public link and bio.
Australian author Markus Zusak grew up hearing stories about Nazi Germany, about the bombing of Munich and about Jews being marched through his mother’s small, German town. He always knew it was a story he wanted to tell.

“We have these images of the straight-marching lines of boys and the ‘Heil Hitlers’ and this idea that everyone in Germany was in it together. But there still were rebellious children and people who didn’t follow the rules and people who hid Jews and other people in their houses. So there’s another side to Nazi Germany,” said Zusak in an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald.

At the age of 30, Zusak has already asserted himself as one of today’s most innovative and poetic novelists. With the publication of The Book Thief, he is now being dubbed a ‘literary phenomenon’ by Australian and U.S. critics. Zusak is the award-winning author of four previous books for young adults: The Underdog, Fighting Ruben Wolfe, Getting the Girl, and I Am the Messenger, recipient of a 2006 Printz Honor for excellence in young adult literature. He lives in Sydney.

 Dangerous Kiss--by Marie Higgins
Readers asked for it...so now we're giving it to you! Here is part 1 of a short story - a romantic suspense. I hope you enjoy it!

     Dear God, he’s found me!

I inhaled sharply and spun away from the man who stood waiting for the subway. With my heart pumping out of control, I fisted my hands by my side as I studied the crowd at station. The police had assured me Chicago would be a safe place to live. After all, it was a large city and I could go unnoticed. Obviously, their observations were wrong.

It had taken six long and grueling months before I stopped looking over my shoulder at everyone who passed. Six months of waking up in the dead of night in a cold sweat, wondering if he would track me down. These past two weeks were my first to walk out of my apartment and ride the train to work without feeling afraid.

That would all end if Ted Stone recognized me.

Taking a deep breath for courage, I peeked over my shoulder. That man stood waiting for the light rail, his hands clasped behind him as he rocked on his heels, his mouth puckered as if whistling. Perhaps he hadn’t noticed me . . . yet.

Ted hadn’t changed much—receding black hair and a bushy mustache. Though he was thick around the waist, it hadn’t prevented him from holding me down as I kicked and screamed all those months ago. His earlobe hadn’t yet healed completely from where I’d ripped off his gold-hoop earring the last time he tried to use his fists to talk.

He wouldn’t have any way of knowing how much I’d changed unless he’d been watching me. Gulping, I ran a moist palm down my waitress uniform. Would he know I’d lost twenty-five pounds? I reached to my ponytail and twisted a lock hanging over my shoulder. Hopefully, he’d never know I’d grown my hair and added reddish highlights. Maybe if I mingled in the crowd, he wouldn’t recognize me at all.

     My temples throbbed with tension, so I rubbed my forehead, praying he would disappear and I’d know this had been just a bad dream. I brushed my finger across the puckered skin above my left eyebrow. The scar! He’d left that identifying mark on my body the last time I saw him. Although it wasn’t as ugly now, it was still noticeable, and he would certainly recognize it.

Doing another quick glance around the crowd, I knew I had to leave. I couldn’t risk him seeing me. Then again . . . if I left now, I’d be back to looking over my shoulder again 24/7. What I should do was follow him to find out where he was hiding. Then I could let the authorities know. Then, and only then, could I return to a normal life.

As more people gathered to wait for the train, the crowd pushed me closer to my nightmare. I couldn’t get too close. That would be dangerous. My very life depended on keeping myself hidden, or at least the scar.

     A yell came from someone behind him, and Ted glanced my direction. I sucked in a quick breath as my heartbeat tripled in rhythm. Panic surged through every bone in my body. I had to hide. Now!

I jerked away from him, scanning for someone—anyone who might be able to help if the occasion called. Off to the side, a man stood facing the tracks, wearing dark blue Wranglers that squeezed his muscular legs, and a black cotton tee-shirt that hugged his broad chest. A black velvet cowboy hat covered his head and hair, but a fringe of wheat-streaked tresses grazed his neckline. Muscles strained against his long-sleeve shirt, giving hope that he was as strong as he looked. I hoped so in case I needed his help to fight Ted off.

Decision made, I hurried to his side and tapped his shoulder. When deep azure eyes met mine, his lips pulled into a wide smile. Gads, he gorgeous. But I couldn’t think this way. I needed him for protection only.

“Hi, I’m Kelsey Manning.”

He nodded. “Rick Jarmin.”

Lifting on my toes, I leaned in to his ear. “I’ll give you one-hundred dollars if you’ll pretend to know me.”

     When I pulled back, his eyes widened. Of course, I’d shocked him with the offer. What person wouldn’t be stunned? Hopefully, he didn’t think I was a prostitute. Then again, those types of women got paid—they didn’t offer to pay for their services.

     I snuck a peek over my shoulder to see what Ted was up to, only to see him take a step toward me. I panicked. Without waiting for Rick’s answer, I wrapped my arms around his neck and pushed my mouth against his.

     He hitched a breath and his body stiffened, but at least he didn’t move away. So I continued kissing him, praying Ted wouldn’t get curious about my identity and come closer for a more thorough inspection.

The longer I pecked small kisses on the hunky cowboy’s lips, the more he relaxed. His arms slid around my waist and pulled me closer as his mouth took over. Holy Moly!

Strange tingles danced over my skin, and my body grew warm and made me want to sigh aloud and curl next to him. Impossible! I couldn’t feel giddy at a time like this. I didn’t even know this sexy man. Yet his kisses were far better than I’d ever experienced. Heaven help me, but I didn’t want to pull away, but I did, only long enough to stare into his eyes. Passion played on his face as his gaze slid over mine for a brief second. Then he lowered his head and captured my mouth again.

Yummy wasn’t quite the word to describe how he made my insides feel.

     He tilted his head and deepened the kiss, pulling me against his muscular body. Heat moved throughout me quicker than I ever thought possible, and I prayed he’d never stop.

     The kiss had suddenly turned dangerous. Not as dangerous as being caught by Ted, but suddenly feelings I’d kept hidden for so long resurfaced and I couldn’t think straight. Yet, I didn’t care. Not at this particular moment. I wanted more!

     Sighing, I threaded my fingers through his wavy hair, knocking the hat from his head. Large hands slid down my backside and cupped my bottom, pressing me to his hips. It had been too long since I enjoyed this kind of excitement.

     The roar of the train coming closer broke us apart. I wasn’t sure who stepped away first, but he kept me in a loose hold, his grin growing wider. Out of breath, I smiled and swallowed the dryness that had formed in my throat.

     “Am I still pretendin’?” he asked as he bent to pick up his hat.

     My heart leapt from the tenderness displayed in his blue eyes. “Yes . . . if you don’t mind.”

     “Not at all, darlin’. The pleasure’s all mine.”

     No it wasn’t. The pleasure was mine.

The train stopped and opened its doors. He linked his fingers through mine and pulled me inside. Hesitantly, I peeked at Ted who walked ahead of us. Thankfully, his attention wasn’t on me.

But I didn’t feel out of danger yet.

     The gorgeous cowboy led me to a back seat, and pulled me down next to him. Without thinking rationally, I cuddled against him, pressing the side of my scarred face against his chest. As the cowboy’s arm slid around my shoulder, the rhythm of his quick heartbeat almost matched mine. He kissed my forehead and I nearly sighed aloud.

     “Darlin’?” he whispered. “I hope we’re still pretendin’ because I really like this.”

     I glanced across the aisle at my worst nightmare several seats ahead. Still, Ted kept his head turned away as he picked up a newspaper and glanced over it.

Trying to calm my nerves, I took a deep breath and in hushed tones, said, “Yes. For a bit longer, if you don’t mind.” I lifted my head and met Rick’s gaze. Tenderness warmed his eyes, making me melt. “Thank you, Rick. You’ve been a tremendous help.”

     He lifted his gaze and nodded toward Ted. “Are you tryin’ to hide from him? You keep lookin’ that way.”

     “Yes.” My voice shook so I quickly cleared my throat. Once again, panic consumed me, but for some reason Rick’s embrace soothed my frazzled nerves slightly.

     “Is he your ex-boyfriend?”

     To tell Rick the truth at this point would have been ludicrous because in another fifteen minutes or so, I’d pay him and he’d leave. I might never see him again. Disappointment washed over me and I brushed it aside. At this stage in my life, I couldn’t have a relationship. It was too soon.

     “Yes,” I answered and pressed my face closer to him. “I haven’t seen him in several months, and I don’t want to break that record now.”

     “Then there’s only one thing to do.” Rick lifted my chin with his knuckle until I met his gaze. He glanced at my mouth. “I’ll have to keep you distracted, won’t I?”

     “I—I—I don’t know. I don’t want you to distract me like you did earlier. I need to keep an eye on him.”

     “I’ll keep him in my sights. You just relax and enjoy.”

     Before I could reply, Rick’s mouth landed on mine. His lips were so very gentle, and little by little Ted left my mind. Pleasure strummed through my blood, and all I wanted to do was clutch Rick’s muscular body and cuddle closer.

     It had been way too long since I’d felt this way. Even through my panic, his kisses made me follow his instructions. Relax and enjoy.

     Dang, why did I have to pick this man to kiss? Maybe I should have chosen one that wasn’t so gorgeous. Then I could have resisted. Instead, I was content to let him kiss me to distraction.

     His hand slid down my neck. Although I enjoyed his touch . . . I enjoyed it too much, and that scared me. Breathless, I grasped Rick’s hand and broke the kiss. I gazed into a pair of very intoxicating eyes—eyes a woman could drown in.

     “I . . . I can’t let you do that.”

     Breathing just as heavy, he nodded. “Forgive me. I got carried away. It’s not very often I make out with a sexy woman.”

     His comment caught me off guard and I chuckled. “Oh, that’s a good line. But I think you’re fibbing. I’m sure a guy like you makes out with lots of women.”

     Rick pulled away and arched a brow. “A guy like me? What’s that supposed to mean?”
     Oh, good grief! He was going to make me say it, wasn’t he? Well, I might as well. “A hot guy. That’s what I mean. A hot guy like you.” So there, I said it, and embarrassment scalded my cheeks.

     His grin widened and he pulled me back into his embrace. “You think I’m hot, huh?”
     Chuckling, I shook my head and glanced at my nightmare who was thankfully still reading the paper. Should I follow Ted? I wanted a normal life once and for all, and if the only way to get that was by turning him in to the authorities. Since the police were after him, they’d probably be only too happy for a little help.

     The train slowed for the next stop, and Ted folded the newspaper and stood. My heart bounced with anxiety. Here was my chance. Should I take it?

     “Rick.” I quickly met his stare. “Thank you for helping me, but I need to get off at this stop.”

     His forehead creased as he glanced in the other man’s direction. “Why? He’s gettin’ off here, too. I thought you were tryin’ to hide from him.”

     “I am, but I need to find out where he lives.”

     “Why?”

     “Because . . .” Nibbling on my bottom lip, I pondered whether to tell him the truth. Rick seemed like someone to confide in. It was his trusting eyes that made me confess. “Because he’s wanted by the law, and I would like him arrested as quickly as possible.”

     Rick nodded, took my hand and stood. “Then I’ll go with you.”

     Was this guy for real? Although very heroic of Rick to offer, I didn’t want to involve another person.

     The train stopped and I glanced toward Ted who scooted to the aisle. “Rick, really, that’s sweet of you, but—”

     “Come on, darlin’. There’s no time to argue now. He’s gettin’ away.”

     Before I could say anymore, Rick pulled me out of my chair, and I trailed after the cowboy. I shouldn’t complain, although I didn’t want to involve him any more than I had already. Rick was well built, and appeared to have his head screwed on right. Obviously, he was adventurous, too. Perhaps that was a good thing. With a go-getter like him, he’d definitely make sure I didn’t chicken out.

     “Rick, I really shouldn’t let you—”

     “Honey, you don’t have any choice.” He winked. “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of you. Besides, you like my company.”

     That wasn’t all I liked . . .

     He squeezed my hand. “Not only that, but if you don’t want him to get suspicious, you’ll need me by you. For all he knows, we’re together.”

     I shook my head. “I can’t let you get involved. This man is dangerous.”

     “I’m not afraid of a little danger. I thrive on adventure.”

     I stepped off the train still holding his hand, my heartbeat jumped to my throat. I’d never been adventurous in my life. The closest I’d ever come was going to the grocery store at one o’clock in the morning. How pathetic!

Rick kept a good distance behind Ted as he slipped his arm around my shoulders. I enjoyed feeling so protected—like he cared more for me than himself. I wasn’t used to men like that.

     “Really, I shouldn’t let you do this,” I whispered. “This is not the time to act all macho.”

     Grinning, he stared into my eyes. “All macho, huh? Well, what would you say if I told you I do this for a livin’?”

     I swallowed the bubble of laughter rising in my throat. Sure, he did. “You’re macho for a living?”

     “Well, I try.” He chuckled.