Sulphur River, Art Anthony’s first novel, is a historical story about the Civil War. If you are a civil war buff, or just enjoy a good story, this is one worth checking out. It’s the fictional account of two young men who serve in the Confederate Army during the “Red River Campaign”. Anthony’s research, detailed account of battles, and the daily life of a soldier during this period, make the story even more interesting.

Sulphur River is written in narrative journalism style. For those not familiar with this style of writing, sometimes referred to as literary journalism, it is story-telling without or with very little dialogue. Although not utilized to a great extent today, some famous authors have used the characteristics of this style of writing.

Anthony: “I wanted to try narrative, because it’s a style you don’t see anymore. The sequel, Return to Sulphur River, is written in a more traditional, dialogue style. ”

Anthony: “A lot! I made a ten day trip down the Red River in Louisiana. I then spent time at the Norman (Oklahoma) Public Library where I found three very old, dusty books that hadn’t been opened in many years. The books even contained some of the officers’ notes and dispatches. I spent three months pouring over this treasure. Finally, I had worked on a ranch in the area, that I then recreated in the novel a hundred years earlier.”

What are you working on now?

Anthony: “The sequel, Return to Sulphur River, which should be out in December. I am also working on a pioneer western set in Anahuac, Texas from 1828 to 1837.”

Anthony: “You must have a strong conviction and be prepared to work hard selling your work to the public.”

Finally, what advice would you give to a novice writer?

Anthony: “If you want to write, do it! If you don’t, you will never forgive yourself.”

Now here’s a profile in courage! Majel Redick had a pretty routine life going until 2008; college, business woman, happy marriage, and then the unthinkable happened. She underwent brain surgery which left her hearing impaired and legally blind. What’s a girl to do?

For when the One Great Scorer comes
To write against your name,
He marks-not that you won or lost-
But how you played the game.

Her first book, From the Porch, published in 2011, is currently available at Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble. I’ve read it and it meets my simple standard. Once I started reading, I didn’t want to stop. It’s actually three short-stories with a common thread, and one of the three, Squirt’s Kite, won an award from the North Texas Professional Writers Association. Majel has also published other short-stories and poems. This year she published her first novel.

As Majel describes Whimsy in her always humorous manner,

I previously introduced readers to Gloria Hander Lyons, a prolific author of a variety of books. At the time that story was published, her latest writing and first attempt at publishing a novel was weeks away from release. I noted that this blog would feature Gloria and her latest work once it was available. I am happy to say that Murder With A Touch Of Spice is now for sale at her website, www.gloriahanderlyons.com.

The work of fiction, of the “cozy mystery” genre, is an entertaining story of the McCormick family, whose daughters have “spicey” names. Of course, there is a murder and the McCormick sisters divert their attention from their regular pursuits to solve the crime. The story is well worth the investment of time and low price ($7.99 for paperback or $2.99 on Kindle) to get acquainted with this accomplished writer.

The novel has been received quite well as a Kindle book, having been the subject of nearly 1600 downloads on Kindle during one week of a promotion by the author. It’s great entertainment!

I also encourage you to check out Gloria’s blog Gloria’s Joyful Life, My Cancer Journey http://gloriasjoyfullife.blogspot.com/2013/03/my-cancer-journey.html for inspirational reading when facing tough times.

Christopher Cook writes just about everything. He’s written short stories, novels and novellas in fiction, he has been a newspaper journalist and crime reporter, and written scripts for plays and movies. He’s written for trade publications, and spent time in Washington, D.C. honing his skills as a speechwriter. Christopher calls Texas his birthplace, but has long since moved on. He is now a welcome visitor, usually when shuttling between residences in Prague, Czech Republic and San Miguel de Allende, Mexico.

His work has been widely recognized in various forums. Just a few include Barnes & Noble which named him in its Discover Great New Writers program. Cook’s second book; Screen Door Jesus & Other Stories, was a finalist for the Texas Institute of Letters Jesse H. Jones Fiction Award, and his memoir essay Full Moon Over Bohemia was selected for the Travelers’ Tales anthology, the Best Travel Writing, 2006.

Screen Door Jesus, a story set in a community where residents see an image of Jesus on a screen door, has been made into a feature film. His first book of fiction, Robbers, is set in Texas, and is a dark crime novel. The story begins in Austin and stretches east to the Gulf Coast. Readers familiar with the area will recognize certain landmarks and old businesses from Cook’s detailed descriptive writing. This novel has also been under film option several times in the past ten years, though hasn’t made the big screen yet.

Too many to list on this blog, my favorites not already mentioned, include Cloven Tongues of Fire and the short story, The Pickpocket. I encourage you to check out his writing and learn more at his website, http://www.christopher-cook.com/

WRITER

Some writers must learn to tell a story, but not my friend, Jack Jenkins. He was entertaining people spinning tales long before he wrote a novel. A deep voice and a knack for weaving an interesting yarn when relating something as mundane as a trip to the grocery store, made him a natural to write novels.



COP

Jenkins describes himself as a retired police sergeant who spent most of his career dealing with pimps, whores, bookmakers, bootleggers, and the like…and he is. But he’s more than that. He’s a talented story-teller and singer of good songs. In the mid-70s, I sat with him and the police chief of New Braunfels, Texas, beside a hotel swimming pool, drinking beer, as the chief strummed his guitar and Jack sang Cocaine Blues, a song first recorded by Woody Guthrie in the early 40’s. When the “picking and singing” ended, he entertained us with tales of his work in the underbelly of Houston; where heroin addicts, whores and pimps own the night.

He invites his readers, if they are ever in the area, to look him up, and come sit a spell.

I became acquainted with Troy Mason through a mutual friend, Pam Mitchell, whom he describes as his Chief Marketing Officer. Troy’s writing career began when he wrote articles and was published in the 1990’s on the subject of bow hunting. But before I tell you about his most recent writing, let me introduce him.

I asked Troy to tell me what prompted him to take on the challenge of writing a novel. Here’s what he said, “I decided to write a book when the story came to me like a gift from God in a flash in a hotel room in Rochester, NY in March 2012. I had just finished the first outlaw biker fiction book I had ever seen; The Libertines, by Max Billington. I credit him with inspiring me to write, and we stay in touch even now…”

Outlaw is Troy’s first novel and it’s a good one! He does an excellent job of developing the featured character, Jason Broaduc. He takes us through Jason’s high school sports experience, relationship with parents, the Marine Corp, returning to civilian life as a state trooper, and finally Jason’s life in the saddle of a Harley and his experiences with the IRON KINGZ motorcycle club.

Troy is writing the sequel to his first novel and hopes to have it published and available to readers by December. The working title is IRON KINGZ, but he says that’s not set in stone. I encourage any reader who likes fast action and realistic fiction to check out Troy Mason’s work. You will see another nice touch when visiting his website to buy Outlaw at http://outlawauthor.com/; 10% of al proceeds are donated to ‘Wounded Warriors’.      

Most of the authors I feature on this blog write fiction. I highlight the writing of those whose work might be of interest to my readers. Today’s author is one of those, whose efforts fit nicely with my blog posts on Crimes, Criminals and the Cops who chase them. His work, however, doesn’t include fiction.

Ron DeLord has written a number of books, including two, both very controversial, about how police unions should engage in political action to get the pay and benefits their members want. The second edition, Police Union Power, Politics, and Confrontation in the 21^st Century credits three other contributing authors.  For those interested in a behind the scenes look at methods of exerting political influence  as it relates to law enforcement, or how interest groups generally influence elected leaders decision-making,  these books will be well received.

Ron has a passion for making sure that the lives of all officers killed in the line of duty are properly memorialized . To that end, he has dedicated countless volunteer hours of research to document the deaths of officers across the nation. He is the leader in finding information on officers who were killed in the line of duty, but forgotten with time. He documents the record and makes sure they are recognized by having their names placed on both the National and State Law Enforcement Memorials. Ron’s two books, Texas Lawmen, The Good and the Bad, detailing the deaths of Texas lawmen from 1835 through 1940, were published in collaboration with another writer. Ron was the Editor-in-Chief of a book titled The Ultimate Sacrifice, the Trials and Triumphs of Texas Police, an addtional book dedicated to those officers who gave their lives. His commitment to this mission defines DeLord as a person and as a writer.

For interesting historical facts about Texas officers who made the ultimate sacrifice, or for a behind the curtain look at how police unions work to influence government, check out his writing.  Simply visit his website, http://www.rondelord.com/html/books.html, where you’ll also find interesting information about the world of politics as it relates to the law enforcement community.