Mark Miller's "One" Series Does It Again! Another #1 Hit With "Wheels Turning Inward"

100% of the author’s proceeds will be donated to Give Kids the World, a charitable organization where children with life-threatening illnesses and their families are treated to weeklong, cost-free fantasy vacations. www.GKTW.org. The authors, creator and publisher are in no other way affiliated with this organization.
Mark Miller’s One is a spiritual anthology examining True-Life experiences of Authors and their Faith. As the series evolves expect to discover what it means to have faith, no matter what that faith is and no matter where they live. Remember that we are all part of this One World.
In Story Nine, poet Ron Starbuck explores the world from his Episcopalian background and through various forms of contemplative prayer. These selected poems from his first collection, Wheels Turning Inward, and from his second collection, When Angels are Born, share with the reader an expressive way to view the world. Ron has also been kind enough to include an exclusive poem that can only be found in the pages of One.

Ron Starbuck is an Episcopal lay person and poet living in Texas, who, along with his wife Joanne, attends Trinity Episcopal Church in Midtown Houston. Ron began writing poetry and practicing forms of contemplative prayer as a student and young adult; he continues this practice (Praxis) in his spiritual life today, holding a lifelong interest in Christian mysticism, Comparative Religion, theology, and various forms of contemplative practice. The poetry he writes is an expression of and a response to encountering God's call.
He is also the CEO-Publisher of a new nonprofit, Saint Julian Press. Forming a nonprofit press to work with emerging and established writers and poets, and tendering new introductions to the world at large in the framework of an interfaith and cross cultural literary dialogue has been a long time dream.
Born in Leavenworth, Kansas, Ron grew up in the northeastern part of the state and the greater Kansas City area. Moving as a teenager with his family to Beaumont, Texas and then to Houston, eventually attending Lon Morris College, San Jacinto College, and the University of Houston, where he majored in psychology. In time, he moved into the corporate world as an Information Technology professional.
A former Vice President with JP Morgan Chase, he has over twenty years of experience in Program-Project Management, Business Analysis, Human Resources corporate training, demand and resource planning, executive-level planning, and staff management. He now serves in the public sector, as an Information Technology Program Manager for Harris County, Texas.
Ron and his wife Joanne, live in the Houston Heights Historic District a few miles from downtown. They share their 1940s vintage home with two dogs. One is a lovely burnt orange rust colored German Shepherd Chow mix named Cubbie, and the other, Dominick, a charming black Labrador Retriever mix. Cubbie is a University of Texas at Austin adoptee, and Dominick a hurricane Katrina adoptee; both of them are lovable and enduring creatures of God, mentioned in the poem titled “Winter Pays a Visit.”


The Amazon Kindle link for “One- Volume 9- Wheels Turning Inward” : http://www.amazon.com/Mark-Millers-One-Turning-ebook/dp/B008FF7HC6/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1340876661&sr=1-1&keywords=mark+miller+volume+one+volume+9
Mark Miller’s Amazon Author Page is : http://www.amazon.com/Mark-Miller/e/B0086TKMUA/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_2#/ref=la_B0086TKMUA_pg_2?rh=n%3A283155%2Cp_82%3AB0086TKMUA&page=2&ie=UTF8&qid=1340876769

OUT RIGHT NOW: "Amish Forever- Volume 10 - Ava's Admirers" by Amazon Kindle #1 Best- Selling Authors Roger Rheinheimer & Crystal Linn

Ava finds herself confused about Zeke’s behavior and wants to be alone to try and figure things out. Yet she finds herself in Wal-Mart with Helen Mathias, the one girl she feels she can call friend. While shopping, Helen sees her cousin, Michael, a handsome – and very Amish – young man who is obviously interested in possibly courting Ava.
In the meantime, Isaac has a talk with John about courting Helen and the two brothers, so fond of each other, almost get in an argument. Then Bliss and Abe get into a big fight about Abe’s treatment of Ava.
Roger Rheinheimer spent the first eighteen years of his life in northern Indiana. His father was the only doctor for a small town of 1200, and had a hitching rail on a side street by his office for the Amish patients. His father bought an eighty acre farm, and Roger and his older brother worked it, raising cattle and growing crops.
While he was still in high school, Roger learned woodworking skills from Elmer Schlabach, his Amish mentor. They built houses in the old-fashioned tradition, from hand-mixing the concrete for the foundations to hand-nailing the shingles. The only phase they did not do was the electrical. To this day, Roger enjoys using his wood crafting skills, making acoustic guitars and furniture.
Roger earned an undergraduate degree in Behavioral Psychology from a small private college in the Shenandoah Valley, took a Creative Writing class, loved it, and published a short story called My Brother. He was a regular contributing writer to the college newspaper.
Roger has two novels in print and ebook, Amish Snow and Yield Spread: a novel.
Crystal Linn is a free-lance writer and award-winning poet who teaches a variety of creative writing classes. Her third book, Poetry for Friends, is scheduled to be released in the spring of 2012. She lives in the greater Seattle area where she enjoys reading mysteries, writing poetry and sailing with friends and family.

Roger Rheinheimer’s Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_tc_2_0?rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Ck%3ARoger+Rheinheimer&keywords=Roger+Rheinheimer&ie=UTF8&qid=1340371654&sr=1-2-ent&field-contributor_id=B002X7SW6C
The Amazon Kindle Link for “Amish Forever- Volume 10-Ava’s Admirers: http://www.amazon.com/Amish-Forever-Volume-Admirers-ebook/dp/B008F4HB00/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1340806047&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=roger+rheinheimer+amish+forever+volume+10+ava%27s+amirers

Sam Lang's New Look! What Do You Think?

Sam Lang lived a cold, dark life. Ignored for most of his existence, he developed a fascination with things of a macabre nature. His writing explores the dark recesses of human behavior. Lang writes with heavy thematic elements and symbolism, creating harsh, hyper-realistic characters. Lang currently resides in Florida where he spends his time thinking of new ways to delight and horrify his readers.
Trestle Press has brought him out of the shadows with his series, Reprisal, a murderous tale of escaped convicts in a deserted town haunted by a mysterious shadow. The complete series is available as digital short stories from Trestle Press, starting with Making Plans, Making Memories followed by The Impeccant, Shadow Boxing, She’ll Get Your Engine Started, The First Cut is the Best, Sugar and Snails, A Mind of My Own, Vengeance Rides the Bus and Intersection of Atonement.
Sam has written with Giovanni Gelati on The Two Johns, featuring characters from Reprisal. He also has the one-shots: A Vampire’s Guide to Sex, a short tale about (you guessed it) vampires and sex, and Theoretical Fishsticks, a holiday story full of dark humor.
Not much else is known of this reclusive author.
Blog - http://langsreprisal.blogspot.com/
Facebook links - http://www.facebook.com/samlangauthor
http://www.facebook.com/LangsReprisal - Reprisal
http://www.facebook.com/GotZombies - Severed
Goodreads - http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4982868.Sam_Lang
Amazon Author page - http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B005N8WPVG
Twitter - @AuthorMark - https://twitter.com/#!/SamLangAuthor
Email - samlangauthor@gmail.com

Is Hard Working George Michael Loughmueller Taking A Break?

Time to catch my breath By George Michael Loughmueller

This past weekend, I turned in the final two sections of “An Amish Journey”. The seven months since I started with Trestle Press have flown by in a whirlwind. This writing thing is a lot harder than the usual way I tell my stories. I think I’m good at talking. I guess some of you folks think I’m good at writing, so I truly appreciate that.
So, I wanted to take a break, a little vacation from writing. But guess what? I am already hard at work on “Amish Wonder” with Mark Miller. We are hoping to have that one out before the end of July.
I end one story and start another. They are different enough that there is a good transition in it for me.
I want to keep a few surprises, so I’m not going to give away the ending, but parting ways with Allan was actually harder than I expected. I know he’s my character, but I kind of envy him. He had the strength to set himself free.
Now, I’m going to turn my attention to young Samuel Plank. This is also an emotional story for me because we have to rip this boy out of his safe, happy life. I try to imagine the shock and wonder how he will recover. I guess that is up to Mr. Miller and me. I am sure it will come down to faith. After all, that is what brings us through anything. We get that helping hand when we need it most.
Finishing my “Amish Journey” this weekend led to a wonderful Father’s Day. I took time to give thanks for my wonderful life and for both my father and grandfather. I wouldn’t be here today without them. I spent the rest of the day with my beautiful wife and daughter.
Monday morning, I’m back on the time clock. I will do my best to make some customers happy while I wait for Mr. Miller to email his next part of “Amish Wonder”.
Thanks for reading. Please visit me on www.facebook.com/LaughingGeorge or at my blog http://laughinggeorge.blogspot.com. Your friend, Laughing George

George Michael Loughmueller’s Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_tc_2_0?rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Ck%3AGeorge+Michael+Loughmueller&keywords=George+Michael+Loughmueller&ie=UTF8&qid=1340287043&sr=1-2-ent&field-contributor_id=B006KCE52G
The Amazon Kindle link for “An Amish Journey – Set Free - Volume 9- Humbled” : http://www.amazon.com/An-Amish-Journey-Humbled-ebook/dp/B008CVHCPK/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1340287046&sr=1-9&keywords=George+Michael+Loughmueller

Roger Rheinheimer/Crystal Linn Release "Amish Forever- Volume 9- Ava's Birthday Surprises"

Ava celebrates her eighteenth birthday with the local Amish community and the big day holds several surprises. The following day, Sunday, is a church-meeting Sunday and both Isaac and John are distressed to discover their beloved sister does not seem to fit in. Then, when the Troyer family arrives home, the biggest birthday surprise of all is waiting for Ava.

Roger Rheinheimer spent the first eighteen years of his life in northern Indiana. His father was the only doctor for a small town of 1200, and had a hitching rail on a side street by his office for the Amish patients. His father bought an eighty acre farm, and Roger and his older brother worked it, raising cattle and growing crops.
While he was still in high school, Roger learned woodworking skills from Elmer Schlabach, his Amish mentor. They built houses in the old-fashioned tradition, from hand-mixing the concrete for the foundations to hand-nailing the shingles. The only phase they did not do was the electrical. To this day, Roger enjoys using his wood crafting skills, making acoustic guitars and furniture.
Roger earned an undergraduate degree in Behavioral Psychology from a small private college in the Shenandoah Valley, took a Creative Writing class, loved it, and published a short story called My Brother. He was a regular contributing writer to the college newspaper.
Roger has two novels in print and ebook, Amish Snow and Yield Spread: a novel.
Crystal Linn is a free-lance writer and award-winning poet who teaches a variety of creative writing classes. Her third book, Poetry for Friends, is scheduled to be released in the spring of 2012. She lives in the greater Seattle area where she enjoys reading mysteries, writing poetry and sailing with friends and family.

Roger Rheinheimer’s Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_tc_2_0?rh=i%3Astripbooks%2Ck%3ARoger+Rheinheimer&keywords=Roger+Rheinheimer&ie=UTF8&qid=1340371654&sr=1-2-ent&field-contributor_id=B002X7SW6C

The Amazon Kindle Link for V.9, Ava’s Birthday Surprises : http://www.amazon.com/Amish-Forever-Birthday-Surprises-ebook/dp/B0085RXNKY/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1340371716&sr=1-3

NOW ON SALE: De Miller's "The Amish Mysteries - Secrets - Volume 4 - The Outsider"

As different as the Amish are from the outside world, so is the Palatin Commune from the rest of their Amish brethren. Enigmatic and strict, the leaders of the sect have guarded their privacy for generations. In Part 4 of Secrets, Volume I of The Amish Mysteries series, Jake Crew gets his latest target, an attorney the President of the United States wants investigated. When Jake sets up the appointment, he is also setting up the first in a chain of events that will unravel the very fabric of the secretive Palatin community. As we move into the new millennium, an outsider will come into the community and innocently disrupt the very fabric of their lives. Jake, a 25 year television veteran by 1999, continues his clandestine assignments for a new President. He is beginning to question the nature of those assignments and his involvement in them. At the same time, the leaders of the ever-cautious Amish sect set in motion moves that go against their time-honored practice of little or no contact with the outsiders. People and events, both inside and far outside their commune’s fences, move into place, all leading to one catastrophic day which will rock the very foundations of their simple way of life.

De Miller is a former newspaperman now living in Mount Dora, Florida. He has been writing for three decades, first as a reporter, photographer and editor for The Kansas City Star and The Kansas City Kansan newspapers, then as the Public Information Officer for the Wyandotte County Commissioners in Kansas. Over the years as a freelancer he has had material published in such diverse publications as Crafting Magazine, The Sporting News and The National Enquirer. Among other writing accomplishments, he wrote the script for and produced two direct-to-video comedy movies starring Jerry Mathers and 60s music icon the late Tiny Tim; wrote the scripts for and directed a series of children's videos and wrote scripts for informational videos for the county government. His website is www.demiller.com.
Since moving to Florida, he has been working on an unpublished series of kozy mystery novels set in his hometown of Mount Dora. He has also devoted much of his time to Christian endeavors, writing and directing a faith-themed movie, Daniel’s Lot, which stars Emmy-award winner Gary Burghoff (Radar from M*A*S*H). www.danielslot.com.
The Amazon Kindle link for the Volume 4 is : http://www.amazon.com/gp/new-releases/digital-text/157087011/ref=zg_bs_tab_t_bsnr?pf_rd_p=1348016562&pf_rd_s=right-5&pf_rd_t=2101&pf_rd_i=list&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0XW96XSCXSDBDHE1K1RQ
De Miller’s Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/De-Miller/e/B007REQFPG/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

Gay Balliet, author of "There's A Bear In The Basement", Will Be On The G-ZONE Today!

Gay Balliet will be a guest on The G-ZONE blogtalk radio show today at 4PM EST.
Here is the link for the show: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/gelatisscoop/2012/06/21/gary-vanucci-and-gay-balliet-drop-by

From the author of Touched By All Creatures: Doctoring Animals in the Pennsylvania Dutch Country and Lowell: The True Story of an Existential Pig and Lions & Tigers & Mares—Oh, My! comes another riotous book of veterinary adventures.
There’s a Bear in the Basement serves the reader a cocktail of humor, inspiration, and literary engagement. Set in contemporary America’s colorful Pennsylvania Dutch country, the Balliets’ is a timeless world seemingly untouched by modern life. Filled with lush scenery, vividly-drawn Dutch folk and, of course, the strange and tender animals of a local zoo and numerous farms, Balliet dramatically recounts medical emergencies and narrowly averted disasters.
On the lighter side, she describes adventures with a spiteful, spitting llama named Sambuca; revelry at the annual pot-bellied pig festival, Pig Stock; and veterinary medicine showcasing raccoons, deer, turkeys, and many other unusual, sometimes eccentric, animals.
Readers will be charmed by Henry, the rooster, so protective of his goat herd; Minchi Ho, a pot-bellied pig who charms from his owners a cozy nest in the barn alongside the family’s show horses; Clampit and See-No-Evil, two of a family of baby raccoons with their own tree-stump “palace”; Thunder, a horse who battles all odds and wins; Struttin’ Feather and his mate, Hot Wings, two wild turkeys with an attraction for human company, and many other wonderful and odd animal characters.
From the first page, Balliet unites the series of narrative vignettes of day-to-day vet life with the carefree spontaneity, fun, honesty, and humor experienced through life alongside animals.

Gay Balliet is as Pennsylvania Dutch in her heritage and character as many of the animal owners in her books. After receiving her Ph.D. in English from Lehigh University, she taught college English, but her love of writing along with her love of animals finally lured her into writing narrative nonfiction for young adults and adults who share her love of nature and animals.

Balliet enjoyed promoting her books during talk-radio tours for TOUCHED BY ALL CREATURES and LOWELL as well as NPR radio out of Philadelphia. Likewise, she appeared on PA Cable Network, on GOOD MORNING, PHILADELPHIA, and on WGAL-TV out of Lancaster, PA. She has spoken about her books and her life with animals during the annual HORSE WORLD EXPO in Harrisburg, PA; the local humane society gala; the Lehigh Valley Writer’s Guild annual meeting; at events for horse nutrition and wellness and the Canine Learning Experience; as well as numerous bookstores.

Balliet’s mission statement is as follows:

Our interactions and relationships with animals distinguish us as people. How humans relate to their pets and what wisdom we allow animals and our pets to impart is what truly makes us young or old-spirited, civilized or barbaric, tending toward integrity or dishonesty, being compassionate or detached in our relationships with other people.
Neither technology, education, religion, politics nor human community define us nearly as well. However, the way in which we react toward, treat, and embrace the wisdom of our animals is the prime revealer of great character in humans.


The Amazon Kindle Link for the book is: http://www.amazon.com/Theres-Bear-The-Basement-ebook/dp/B008CFV0GS/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1340104637&sr=1-3&keywords=gay+balliet

Get A Glipmse Of The Future With L.W. Rondeau's Fantasy Novel "America II : The Reformation"

Following unprecedented climatic changes, resultant pestilence and war brought the world into chaos. Eventually, each nation surrendered its sovereignty to form a global democracy, initially known as The Accord. However, the democratic government proved too weak and was soon replaced by a faux democratic rule.
The year is 2073, and current governor of Western America Province, Edwin Rowlands, is poised to become the Constitutional Government’s second president. Many fear that the sweeping reforms found in his proposed Preservation Act will set him up as a dictator. If enacted, defection both past and present would become a crime punishable by death, thus bringing all outlands into crushing subjection.
While most believe reform is critical, factions disagree on how to prevent the Preservation Act from becoming law. Ahmed Farid, second President, believes reform can be managed within the existing government. Leader of the Revolutionary Army, Jimmy Kinnear, trusts only in military intervention. However, Jacob Goodayle, Chairman of Western America’s illegal outland government, favors separatism.
As tensions rise, civil war seems imminent. Who will be the voice of reason in a world on the verge of a third dark age?


A graduate of Houghton College, Rondeau has spent a previous career in the field of human services, often engaged with families in crisis. She credits these experiences in human drama as the edge in creating unforgettable characters. Furthermore, her prior work has shaped her vision of a future world should current sociological issues remain unchecked over the next several decades.
After more than thirty years in the Adirondack region of Northern New York, Rondeau now resides in Jacksonville, Florida with her husband Steve and their cat Duffer. When not writing, she enjoys theater, golf, and hiking.
She is a member of the Florida Writers Association, American Christian Fiction Writers, and several on-line writing groups. She is the owner and founder of Pentalk, a community of writers that features networking pages and a blog. Rondeau contributes a monthly column to her former community newspaper entitled, This Daily Grind and maintains a blog of the same name. Other blogs include Back in the Daze.
Also writing under the name of Linda Wood Rondeau, other books by this author include The Other Side of Darkness.
You may contact the author on Facebook, Linked In, Goodreads, or Twitter or visit her on the web.

The Amazon Kindle for the novel is : http://www.amazon.com/America-II-The-Reformation-ebook/dp/B008CGFVUI/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1340191492&sr=1-1&keywords=l.w.+rondeau

New Release: Gay Balliet's "There's A Bear In The Basement"

From the author of Touched By All Creatures: Doctoring Animals in the Pennsylvania Dutch Country and Lowell: The True Story of an Existential Pig and Lions & Tigers & Mares—Oh, My! comes another riotous book of veterinary adventures.
There’s a Bear in the Basement serves the reader a cocktail of humor, inspiration, and literary engagement. Set in contemporary America’s colorful Pennsylvania Dutch country, the Balliets’ is a timeless world seemingly untouched by modern life. Filled with lush scenery, vividly-drawn Dutch folk and, of course, the strange and tender animals of a local zoo and numerous farms, Balliet dramatically recounts medical emergencies and narrowly averted disasters.
On the lighter side, she describes adventures with a spiteful, spitting llama named Sambuca; revelry at the annual pot-bellied pig festival, Pig Stock; and veterinary medicine showcasing raccoons, deer, turkeys, and many other unusual, sometimes eccentric, animals.
Readers will be charmed by Henry, the rooster, so protective of his goat herd; Minchi Ho, a pot-bellied pig who charms from his owners a cozy nest in the barn alongside the family’s show horses; Clampit and See-No-Evil, two of a family of baby raccoons with their own tree-stump “palace”; Thunder, a horse who battles all odds and wins; Struttin’ Feather and his mate, Hot Wings, two wild turkeys with an attraction for human company, and many other wonderful and odd animal characters.
From the first page, Balliet unites the series of narrative vignettes of day-to-day vet life with the carefree spontaneity, fun, honesty, and humor experienced through life alongside animals.

Gay Balliet is as Pennsylvania Dutch in her heritage and character as many of the animal owners in her books. After receiving her Ph.D. in English from Lehigh University, she taught college English, but her love of writing along with her love of animals finally lured her into writing narrative nonfiction for young adults and adults who share her love of nature and animals.

Balliet enjoyed promoting her books during talk-radio tours for TOUCHED BY ALL CREATURES and LOWELL as well as NPR radio out of Philadelphia. Likewise, she appeared on PA Cable Network, on GOOD MORNING, PHILADELPHIA, and on WGAL-TV out of Lancaster, PA. She has spoken about her books and her life with animals during the annual HORSE WORLD EXPO in Harrisburg, PA; the local humane society gala; the Lehigh Valley Writer’s Guild annual meeting; at events for horse nutrition and wellness and the Canine Learning Experience; as well as numerous bookstores.

Balliet’s mission statement is as follows:

Our interactions and relationships with animals distinguish us as people. How humans relate to their pets and what wisdom we allow animals and our pets to impart is what truly makes us young or old-spirited, civilized or barbaric, tending toward integrity or dishonesty, being compassionate or detached in our relationships with other people.
Neither technology, education, religion, politics nor human community define us nearly as well. However, the way in which we react toward, treat, and embrace the wisdom of our animals is the prime revealer of great character in humans.


The Amazon Kindle Link for the book is: http://www.amazon.com/Theres-Bear-The-Basement-ebook/dp/B008CFV0GS/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1340104637&sr=1-3&keywords=gay+balliet

Where Does John Reed & Jay Cody Begin & End!

John Reed’s book about growing up in Waltham in the late 1970s and early 1980s is under the category of fiction, but parts of it could very well be straight from a memoir.

The main character from the recently released book, “Another Lousy Day in Paradise,” is Jay Cody, and it’s hard to decipher exactly where Reed ends and Cody begins.

In the book, Cody gets a fake ID and sneaks into dance clubs on Lansdowne Street in Boston, just as Reed did when he was 15 years old. Later, Cody gets caught up in a major brawl at the old Wal-Lex Recreation Center, based on a real-life story that made the nightly news, and Reed was in the middle of that melee.

As Reed said about Cody, “for the most part it’s me.”

But not everything is. At one point, Cody shoplifts records from the now defunct Jungle Record Store in Waltham and re-sells them at the high school.

“I did not do that,” he said, laughing. “I know who did do that, but I did not do that.”



Just like Cody, Reed attended Waltham High School from 1979 to 1982. After graduation, he worked at Nautilus Gym in Cambridge – a perfect fit for Reed, who was an Arnold Schwarzenegger disciple and gym rat.

Once he turned 20 years old, Reed became a journalist and wrote music reviews for several publications. Nowadays, he works for Tufts University as a prospect researcher and has been the Saturday night DJ at the E Room inside the Golden Temple in Brookline for the past 10 years.

Although he had the idea to write the book back in high school, Reed said he didn’t actually start work on it until about 10 years ago.

Inspired by his English teacher, Richard Collins, Reed was drawn to the larger-than-life characters from his youth and the places and music of the time.

“There were so many colorful people, characters, people around you,” he said. “This city is full of character. I love Waltham.”

The book is strongly tied to the location and time of the story, as well as the slang. People who attended Waltham High School during the same time might recognize terms in the book such as “Hawkers,” used as a derogatory term to describe the student-athletes at the school.

Although much of the action in the book takes place at the high school, Reed said it is not meant for a younger crowd, describing it as an “R-rated” book.
Reed described Cody as a “typical 15-year-old.”

“He’s self absorbed, a little on the selfish side,” Reed said. “I don’t think he’s a bad guy, but he’s got his bad traits.”

Early in the book, Cody’s life is changed when he goes to the General Cinemas to see “Saturday Night Fever.” He is instantly attracted to the character of Tony Manero, played by John Travolta, and soon models himself after the disco king.

Reed had the same reaction when he saw the movie, which he said is often mischaracterized by many.

“If you took away the white suit and the disco soundtrack, it’s a hard edge movie,” said Reed. “It could be a Scorsese movie. It’s very harsh and rough.”

Both Cody and Reed refer to the movie simply as “Fever.”

“(Cody) really related to Tony Manero so well that the rest of his high school life, he’d always go back to, ‘how would he handle this situation?’ ” said Reed.

Reed also strove to depict the racial divide that existed in Waltham in those years, between the city’s Hispanic and white populations.

“Back in the 70s there was a lot of racial tension in Waltham,” he said.

For example, the incident at the Wal-Lex, where several people were injured, involved a gang and was deeply rooted in the racial divisions of the time.



“It just exploded one night,” said Reed.

The book ends on New Years Eve, signaling the end of 1983, a moment Reed characterizes as the end of an era.

“I felt the late 70s, early 80s were such a special time to a lot of people,” he said. “It’s not a time that’s focused on. … When 84 kicked in, the world seemed to get a little more serious and dangerous … the drugs got more serious, the AIDS virus was mainstream.”

Cody also changes, realizing the folly of his adulation for Manero.

“When he gets out of high school, (Cody) realizes, ‘(Manero) worked in a paint store,’ ” said Reed. “He’s a cliché going nowhere, which is a line from the movie. He realizes, ‘I’m probably idolizing the wrong guy here.’ ”

The title of the book comes from one of Reed’s childhood teachers who once described Waltham as a paradise. Reed said he added “lousy day” to the title because of the racial tension of the time as well as the trials and tribulations of being a teenager.
The 47-year-old Reed was born in Waltham, and although he lives in Arlington now, he said he would move back to the Watch City.

“It’s changed, but I still think it’s full of character,” he said. “I am so beyond happy and proud that I got to (write this book) and I got to put Waltham in the story. I am so happy that I was fortunate enough to have this happen.”

John Reed’s book, “Another Lousy Day in Paradise,” can be purchased for the Amazon Kindle (or for reading via computer) by clicking here.

Ignacio Laguarda can be reached at ilaguarda@wickedlocal.com .

George Michael Loughmueller & Mark Miller-Together-"What A Wonder!

What a Wonder!
By George Michael Loughmueller

By now, many of you have heard Mr. Mark Miller break the news on The G-Zone about our new project. In case you haven’t, it’s called Amish Wonder – The Exceptional Life of Samuel Plank.
I had the opportunity to work with Mr. Miller on his project series One. I contributed the story Snake in the Water, which gives a glimpse into my personal life. Kind of like a mini-autobiography (and my proceeds go to charity). After that, we got to talking (by email, if you call that talking). He took an interest in my writing and, of course, with a little princess of my own, I found his fairytales to be fascinating. From there, we circled around this idea of an Amish Fantasy. To the best of my knowledge, it hasn’t been done, so we want to do it in as different of a way as possible.
What we came up with is the story of a good Amish boy suddenly yanked from his plain life on the farm and thrust into a new, and sometimes frightening, world. The question is how does he stay true to his beliefs while coping in the outside world?
We hope to have the full novel complete by the end of July. However, I also want to finish the Amish Journey by the end of June. I know Mr. Miller is busy promoting his new release, The Empyrical Tales Book III: The Secret Queen, as well. We will do our best for you!
That reminds me, I only have two more volumes of Set Free – An Amish Journey to go. Allan’s story is almost complete. Volume 8 – The Loophole is out now and it may be one of the biggest moments of Allan’s life in Karsten Field. It is your chance to find out why “his last chance was their only hope”.
If you would, please do me a favor and drop by to “like” my author page - http://www.facebook.com/LaughingGeorge or visit my blog - http://laughinggeorge.blogspot.com
Thanks a bunch! Your friend, Laughing George

Big Daddy Abel Wants You To Laugh A Little, Okay, A Lot! : "The Jersey Shore Has Eyes"

Big Daddy Abel, author of The #1 Best Selling Amazon Kindle "Open Mic" Humor Series has teamed up with Giovanni “The G-Man” Gelati , to bring you a zombie/ horror/comedy story the likes of which has not been seen in modern fiction. What has happened to Mrs.G’s nose? How do these two good doers save the masses from the dreaded zombies? Do they? Drop the coin on this and find out.
Big Daddy Abel is the author of the highly acclaimed Open Mic Series of humorous digital shorts. Here is a little more on the man himself:
“Big Daddy” Abel wears his heart on his sleeve, and has his “real” heart in the right place. He lays himself emotionally naked for us to read, ponder and absorb. This is real, at times all too real. Be prepared; guard yourself, as “Big Daddy” takes you for a “real” ride into his real mind, real heart and real soul.
Hi.
Introductions may be in order, yes? Only proper thing to do I think. I am Big Daddy Abel. A singer, guitar player, & entertainer.Usually my "job" is to entertain. Getting people to laugh, dance and sing and just have a good fun time. However, at times... my mind goes beyond that. It goes a little deeper and sometimes, as I've been told, a little TOO deep, (I used to be a school teacher in my former life. Shhh! Don't tell anyone.) Thank you for giving/sharing your time here with "my thoughts". I hope you feel something positive on the other end of it all.
One of Big Daddy Abel favorite quotes “"So many people live within unhappy circumstances and yet will not take the initiative to change their situation because they are conditioned to a life of security, conformity, and conservatism, all of which may appear to give one peace of mind, but in reality nothing is more damaging to the adventurous spirit within a man than a secure future."
Here are some of his favorite bands/musicians: Van Halen (1976-1984), The Beatles, Aerosmith (1973-1989), The Black Crowes, Prince, Seal, Led Zeppelin, Butch Walker/The Marvelous 3, Stevie Wonder, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Alice in Chains, Love/Hate, Buckcherry, The Cure, George Clinton, Mozart, Electric Mayhem, The Soggy Bottom Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Fishbone, Too Much Joy, Beethoven, the kid down the street learning guitar.

The Amazon Kindle link for the story is : http://www.amazon.com/The-Jersey-Shore-Eyes-ebook/dp/B004YLO0UC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1338577674&sr=1-1