New Release: China Gate - The Year of the Dragon - by Frank G. Davis

 

Joshua Brown and his team have been tasked with fighting The War on Crime. A war has begun in China and a Taiwanese triad has taken advantage of the situation. In the mountains near Taipei the Heavenly Way Alliance triad has new leaders. They use the China war as a distraction to expand their drug trade and other deadly opportunities in America. The Wu brothers, Yen and Li, begin their assault on Chinatown in Portland, Oregon. They estimate it will be an easy target to begin their growth. But things don’t go as planned. As the Lunar New Year approaches, Uncle Chen was a bigger challenge than they had imagined.

The author of 13 science fiction books, Frank G. Davis began reading science fiction in elementary school, favoring Robert Heinlein to the degree that he currently has all of Heinlein’s books in his library. He began writing his own novels when COVID 19 trapped him in his home office. As soon as he felt safe leaving the house, he joined Inklings at the Vista Grande Library in Casa Grande, meeting twice a month. One member gave him the name of an editor/publisher, and before 2020 was out, he had published his first book—a series of short stories. His latest novel is the sixth book in his War on Crime series. 

Holidays in the rear-view mirror - Happy 2025 - by Vijaya Schartz

 

My latest release, Standalone, Find it at BWL
or at: amazon - B&N - Smashwords - Kobo

For most, the holidays are a busy time, with parties, guests, food, shopping, drinks, presents, travels, family, friends, charities, and some work in between. I try to avoid most of that and only accept invitations from very good friends. This picture was taken the 20th, with JD Shipton, my BWL editor, and other BWL authors living in Arizona.

From left to right: Beverly Petrone, Vijaya Schartz, JD Shipton, Dean Hovey and his wife Julie

December 27th also happens to be my birthday. A rotten date for a kid expecting presents, but hey, that’s life. The picture was taken at Macayo’s with the traditional birthday hat and baked ice-cream. My Tai-Chi students surprised me with a birthday celebration in early December.

 

I do put up a Christmas tree… which Pasha (my feline companion) enjoys very much, especially at night when I’m not watching. On the picture (bottom right) he looks innocent enough, but believe me, he is not. Every morning, I find ornaments on the floor, all the way under the furniture. Maybe I spoiled him, holding and kissing him and telling him I love him even when he has been naughty. My philosophy is: cats will be cats.

The truth is, I’m a hermit at heart (typical Capricorn), and when I have a few days off, I like to lock myself in my cave and write… especially when I am starting a new series, like right now. Immersing myself in the story, without interruptions or obligations, is essential for my muse. My title coming next year will be about a group of Protectors, on another planet, after a cataclysm almost destroyed it. The philosophical background will be Tai-Chi.

I hope this holiday season finds you healthy, happy, loved, and surrounded by warmth (or snow if that’s what you like). Wishing you happiness, good health, and success for the year 2025.

Check out my latest series: amazon - B&N - Smashwords - Kobo

Happy New Year

Vijaya Schartz, award-winning author

Strong Heroines, Brave Heroes, cats

http://www.vijayaschartz.com

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Arizona 2024 Literary Awards Event

 On November 2, about 40 guests enjoyed camaraderie and plentiful food and drink at the Arizona Authors Association Literary Awards Reception, held at the home of AAA Vice President and Literary Contest Coordinator Jane Ruby.

Jane graciously contributed the considerable cost of renting the tables and chairs that dotted her spacious back yard. AAA President Emeritus Toby Heathcotte was on hand to present award certificates and cash prizes to winners of the 2024 contest.

The free event was livestreamed on Facebook, courtesy of our resident tech-wizard, Daniel Dickinson. Kebba Buckley Button circulated throughout the afternoon, to photo-capture the festivities.

Former Broadway musical theater actress and outgoing AAA Editor in Chief Penny Orloff acted as Master of Ceremonies, entertaining the crowd with quips and stories as she announced the prizes in each of the many contest categories. Penny, herself, had contributed $1000 toward prize money to make the contest as appealing as possible to entrants

Eva Moon’s novel, Pinocchio’s Guide to the End of the World, won the $500 Grand Prize. Other top prize winners of $200 each were Jessie Thorpe for her published novel, Bolton Roper; Jack Wulfen for his short story, Cats Know; and Judy Paris for her published children’s book, Not Funny, Harvey.

Other cash prize winners were DeVonna Allison, Bart Ambrose, Dan Baldwin, Stephen Bowling, McKenzie Catron-Pichan, Earl Vincent deBerge, Wayne Edwards, Rosemarie Garlasco, Anne Hanovich, Marsha Klopmeier-Tufft, Susan Krause, Lawrence Lenhart, Eileen Mahoney, Nancy Hicks Marshall, Jessica McCann, Isabella Sardas, Jacque Shaw, Cita Stelzer, Diane Vaszily, Steve Weitzenkorn, and Julie Wendt. For the complete list of winners, go to arizonaauthors.org and click “winners.”

The annual AAA Literary Contest welcomes authors of published and unpublished novels, nonfiction works, and novellas; unpublished essays, short stories, and poetry; and published Young Adult and children’s books. The 2025 contest opens January 1, 2025. To enter, go to arizonaauthors.org and click on Contest.

To Purchase a Copy of our 2025 Arizona Authors Literary Awards Magazine, please click on the cover in the right column.

Starting a new series involving Tai-Chi - by Vijaya Schartz

 

Find more of my books on the BWL site HERE

I wrote many series, mainly science fiction and fantasy, and each time I say goodbye to one to start another, it’s a bittersweet experience. I am sad for leaving the angel ship Blue Phantom behind. It’s like letting go of grownup children so they can have their own life.

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I wrote three series in the Azura universe, populated with strong heroines, brave heroes, and galactic supervillains: Azura Chronicles, Byzantium, and Blue Phantom. In that universe, Avenging Angels with special powers fought sinister entities to maintain the balance of good and evil throughout their galaxy. I find it difficult to leave that special world behind. But in this vast universe, I can imagine many worlds and civilizations coexisting very far apart. The new worlds I create now might even collide with the old ones at some point.

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Write about what you know is one of the golden rules of writing. I was always a Martial Artist, and maybe you can tell from my female warriors and epic battle scenes. But for well over a decade, I’ve also immersed myself in the world of Tai-Chi, the way of the peaceful warrior, and the energy of Chi-Gong. I studied, I practiced daily, and now, although I remain a lifetime student, I have also become a teacher.

Celebrating Global Tai-Chi Day in the park, with a few of my students.

So, I came up with a premise for a three-book series called THE PROTECTORS. The setting will be a post-apocalyptic planet after a cataclysmic event that wiped out most of the population. As the planet recovers slowly, the feudal society is reorganizing around the populated hubs, and among the surviving nobles, the race for power is on. Soldiers are recruited to fight the barbarians unfurling on the plains. Their weapons of choice are the sword, the spear, the bow, and they ride horses.

The heart of the series is a Tai-Chi temple built like a fortress atop a steep outcrop in the desert. At the main courtyard entrance, between two giant stone pillars, is a Celestial Gate, constructed eons ago by space travelers from other parts of the universe.

The Protectors are a special corps of elite warriors trained at the temple and sworn to protect the gate.

There will be plenty of action and adventure, some scary characters, a little romance, intrigue, and drama. Things and people are not always what they seem. But even if you get scared for the main characters, good will prevail over evil forces at the very end.

I’m enjoying plotting and writing this new series. The first book will be released in November 2025. You still have time to read my other books.

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Happy reading!

Vijaya Schartz, award-winning author

Strong Heroines, Brave Heroes, cats

http://www.vijayaschartz.com

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A Glance Back: Rodo Sofranac Remembers AAA’s Beginning

 

Internationally celebrated writer of groundbreaking books on the business practices, traditions, and languages of China, Japan, Korea, and Mexico, Boye Lafayette De Mente founded the Arizona Authors Association in 1978 and became its first president. He established a monthly newsletter and brought famous authors, agents, editors, publishers, and book distributors from around the country to Arizona to lead spring and fall writers’ seminars under the AAA banner. Within one year, De Mente had recruited over 400 members into the AAA. The following year, he created the annual Arizona Literary Contest and the Arizona Literary Magazine. While leading the AAA for the next seven years, De Mente continued as a prolific writer and small press publisher, becoming an approved vendor for leading U.S. bookstores, and shipping books to Australia, Japan, Europe, and South Africa.

Current AAA member Rodo Sofranac was brought into the AAA by De Mente during the early years of the organization. He kindly offers his memories of those crucial first years, and his ideas for the future of the organization.

Rodo: In the early 80s Boye came to address a creative writing workshop I had enrolled in at Paradise Valley Community College. He was forthright, unpretentious; he advised us to write from the heart, and not to look for fame and fortune. These admonitions were exactly what I had needed to hear—I had wanted to write children’s books, and my wife had joked that I shouldn’t leave my day job!

Boye expressed his belief that you don’t achieve anything all by yourself; he advised us not to hesitate to call on others for advice. At the time he was trying to get the AAA going as a collaborative organization, where writers could share ideas, share successes and defeats, prop each other up. He felt that the meaning of life is in building relationships, that one’s life is defined by building relationships. That was Boye’s philosophy for AAA.

A great highlight of the early years was the acknowledgment that Arizona wasn’t just a hick state with dirt and cacti, that its diversity in geology, plants, and animals extended to its people—especially regarding thought and philosophy. Boye brought widely diverse people together to share each other’s work. One suddenly felt not so alone as a writer. The communal feeling among the members was the big highlight of those early years.

About eight years ago the organization felt a bit like parents going through a divorce. But through the strength and resilience of the group, we snapped back and continued to be there for each other. As Boye had originally intended, the organization offers mutuality and relationships. I find it easy to recommend AAA to other writers—it’s financially economic to join, and there are lots of activities to participate in, lots of opportunities to learn and to teach, to pass on knowledge. That’s what distinguishes people from animals: the proclivity to pass on learning.

There’s so much talent in Arizona. I’d like to see relationships develop with Amazon and B&N, where local authors are celebrated and promoted. I’d like to see the independent community bookstores feature events with local authors. Maybe AAA could do more along those lines, could do a bit more to promote the purchase of books from local authors. I’d like to see AAA develop relationships with the schools, creating opportunities for speakers/readers, who would make presentations for minimum stipends and create markets for their books. AAA could help organize that.

With a degree in psychology from Cornell University, Phoenix resident Rodo Sofranac also has a teacher certification from Cleveland State and an MBA from ASU. Born in Montenegro—formerly Yugoslavia—Rodo fled with his family to Austria, later immigrating to the US. A writer, teacher, trainer, and translator, he has over 45 years of business, education, and community experiences. He was executive director of Phoenix Habitat for Humanity, and has chaired various local, state, and national organizations. For eight years Rodo was the program director for AZ Leader Force, bringing together political, business, faith, and other community stakeholders around Quality of Life issues. As a private sector volunteer, he has been involved in policy research and formation in the area of workforce development. Elected National Chair, he worked closely with the National Governors’ Association, Departments of Labor and Education, Congress members, public and private economic development organizations, and workforce development and education agencies from the local to the international levels. See https://rodowrites.com 

New Release: Until Italy: A Traveler's Memoir - by Debra VanDeventer

 

Find it on Amazon HERE

Her life was calm, comfortable, predictable… Until Italy

Debra has settled into a routine in retirement—planning meals in advance, scheduling laundry and grocery shopping days, and eating lunch in the same local sandwich shop. She lives her life in a bubble. A bubble that is slowly suffocating her. On the eve of a monumental birthday, she decides she must escape. Her ticket: Italy.

Along with an endearing cast of supporting characters—husband Ed and best friends Anne and Scott—Debra leaves familiar ground behind in search of adventure. How far is she willing to go? Travel with Debra as she swigs limoncello in Sorrento, ponders the mysteries of Pompeii, explores the Amalfi coast, copes with loss on the Mediterranean shore, abandons a sight-seeing bus in Sicily, considers Italian lingerie, and finds her way to sunrise over Venice.

Through Debra’s eyes, you will experience the challenges and adventures of an ordinary traveler transformed by an extraordinary country.

Debra VanDeventer is a storyteller. This skill, along with her passion for reading and writing, have served her well in her experiences as an educator. Now, she focuses her creative energy into writing. Her style can best be described as creative non-fiction as small moments bloom into words. Debra is the author of two books: "Out of the Crayon Box: Thoughts on Teaching, Retirement, and Life" and "Until Italy: A Traveler's Memoir". She is an active member of the Oro Valley Writers' Forum and has published in both of their anthologies. In addition, her short stories have appeared in the "Desert Leaf" and "Oro Valley Style" magazines. "Out of the Crayon Box" was selected to be featured at the 2024 Tucson Festival of Books.

Visit Debra's Blog:  https://seamslikeastory.com/

New Release: OJ's MOON - Untold True Stories from the Other side - by B.T. Wedemeyer

 

Find it on Amazon HERE

A few years ago, Brian Wedemeyer, an elementary school principal in rural Arizona, is watching a documentary about the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman when a question suddenly pops into his head. He expects to get a quick answer on his cell phone, but it is nowhere to be found. A former journalist, Wedemeyer does not give up. However, as he painstakingly searches through court transcripts from both criminal and civil trials, he uncovers some unbelievable stories on the other side of O.J.'s MOON. These stories are unknown to most followers of the biggest murder case in America's history because public attention is often fixated on the bright side of the moon -- whether or not O.J. did it. You know, the usual ... gloves, DNA, 911 calls and Mark Fuhrman. However, as Wedemeyer will soon learn, there is plenty more to talk about on the flip side of the "Mezzaluna," which stands for crescent moon in Italian.

Wedemeyer is the only person outside of law enforcement to interview Tom Lang, Nicole's neighbor from down the street. Prior to his death in 2021, legendary attorney F. Lee Bailey describes Lang as the "most compelling witness" of the O.J. Simpson murder trial -- but, for some reason, never takes the stand. Lang, a highly successful general contractor tasked with helping rebuild Los Angeles after an earthquake, is a very credible witness who was standing on the corner of Bundy Drive and Dorothy Street just minutes before the murders take place. In this book, Lang reveals, first-hand, exactly what he saw that night, and what does not happen afterward.

Wedemeyer also goes beyond one of many conspiracy theories to figure out exactly what happened to Michael Nigg, a former Mezzaluna waiter who knew Goldman and even hooked him up with a job at the restaurant. Nigg, who left Mezzaluna for a job at a popular Beverly Hills nightclub, is shot to death by thieves on Sept. 8, 1995 while on a date with his girlfriend. Michael's case receives very little media attention over the years and remains unsolved to this day. Wedemeyer is hoping somebody out there knows something, and that justice for Michael will eventually prevail.

Finally, this book will also reveal for the first time publicly the tragic story of Peter Argyris -- one of Ronald Goldman's best friends -- who falls to drug addiction after he and his mother are charged with arson resulting in death and insurance fraud. Just days before his trial is set to begin, Peter overdoses on cocaine.

This is not a book about O.J.'s guilt or innocence, although some of its details might sway your opinion one way or another. Instead, follow Wedemeyer in his primitive spaceship to the flip side of the O.J. moon, where some very intriguing stories are just now becoming unearthed.

Brian Wedemeyer is a former journalist now working as an elementary school principal in rural Arizona. He served as an Air Force photojournalist in Operation Desert Storm before working as a reporter and editor for nearly 20 years in Central California and Arizona. Wedemeyer had one question a few years ago about the O.J. Simpson murder case, and his search for the answer led him along an unbelievable journey and his first book, titled "OJ's MOON: Untold True Stories from the Other Side." He is a very active volunteer in his community, and serves as vice commander of his local VFW Post. He is a loving husband and father.

New Release: THE BUTTERFLY BUSH - by Josephine Defalco

 

Find it on Amazon Here

A gripping exploration of the enduring conflict between the past that defines us and the future that beckons us…

Growing up, and figuring out who you are, has never been easy. When Leandra’s mama yanks her off the family farm in Appalachia to fulfill her own big city dreams, Leandra learns that survival is best accomplished by pushing aside her country identity to fit into city life. Yet her Appalachian ways call to her heart, pulling her back to Mamaw, Papaw, the butterfly bush, and home.

While her rich, city boyfriend makes plans to start college, she struggles to find work while juggling family issues. As Mama turns to alcohol to ease her disappointment with her new husband, Leandra is left to look after her little brother burdened with trouble of his own. Soon she discovers she doesn’t belong in the city or the country and must see her journey to the end. But where that journey will lead remains both a mystery and a surprise, especially to Leandra.

“Josephine DeFalco gives us an unflinching, honest look at the struggles of the Appalachian people.”
Fannie Flagg, Actress, comedian, and author of the book and Academy Award nominated screenplay
Fried Green Tomatoes.

“Prepare to get caught up in the twisting heart of a young girl on her journey from farm country life in Appalachia to the urban streets of New Jersey. A southern girl at heart, Leandra Barker must change to survive and thrive in her new environment. Ill-prepared for the difficulties that lie in store as she navigates a tumultuous home life, she finds the courage and resolve to create a life of meaning and ultimately realizes that following your dreams can get in the way of what is important in life.”
Susan Pohlman, Founder and Director of the Phoenix Writer’s network and author of Halfway to Each Other: How a Year in Italy Brought our Family Home.

Jo Lee Kennedy—writing as Josephine DeFalco—was born and raised in Arizona. Her work as a registered dietitian and registered nurse in maternal health, pediatrics, geriatrics, and hospice confirmed her belief that fresh food is the best medicine, and preventative healthcare is the path to a long, productive life. Her volunteer work as an EMT taught her that life can change in a heartbeat, and taking safety measures now can literally mean the difference between life and death. She divides her time between the Southwest desert and farm-living in south Wisconsin. More at www.josephinedefalco.com 

Why we write and read popular fiction - by Vijaya Schartz

 

New Release: ANGEL REVENGE, Blue Phantom Book 3 (standalone) - by Vijaya Schartz

Find this and more of my books at amazon - B&N - Smashwords - Kobo 

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An unruly Valkyrie on a flying tiger, a stern angel in love with the rules, and evil pounding at the gate… What could go wrong?

Riddled with survivor’s guilt after Ragnarök, Valka wanders the universe as a bounty hunter. But when hired by angels to recruit warriors for the final battle against evil, she welcomes a chance at redemption.

General Konrad Lagarde, First Mate of the angel ship Blue Phantom, strongly rejects Valka’s methods. A stickler for discipline, he also considers this fascinating woman hazardous to his sanity, as she could make him forget all the rules.

Evil from another universe has infiltrated a secret society of former dictators hungry for power. Having massacred all the angels in his former world, the evil one wants to do the same here. The angels of this universe face their greatest challenge yet… destroy the evil one and avenge their fallen brethren… or the bringer of darkness will enslave us all.

WHY DO I WRITE AND READ POPULAR FICTION?

I always resented the authors who killed the protagonists at the end, after you invest your emotions in liking them. I usually never read another book from such authors, and I stay away from tragic endings. To this day, I cannot watch Titanic to the end although it is a true story, or suffer through the last episode of Castle. And I’m glad Shogun found a happier alternate ending in the most recent series.

If I want to wallow in sadness, I only have to watch the news. Life is difficult enough, complicated enough, hard enough, sad enough.

I read popular fiction to get uplifted, to forget about my problems, be transported to another world, another time, a place where it is safe to be scared and challenged, where justice will prevail… because I trust the author that the heroes will triumph and all will be well at the end.

It’s a secret pact between the author and the reader. No matter how bad it gets for the protagonist, even if a few secondary characters don’t make it, the hero or heroine will find a happy conclusion.

So, if I challenge my characters, if I make them suffer, be assured that it will all be worth it at the end. They will have matured, widened their understanding of life, and overcome their barriers to experience the rewards they deserve.

You can safely read my book, knowing that even if you cry a little, all will be okay at the end. 

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Happy Reading

Vijaya Schartz, award-winning author
Strong Heroines, Brave Heroes, cats
http://www.vijayaschartz.com
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New Audiobook Release: Dervla Alarms the Nanas - by By: D.R. Ransdell Narrated by: Carol Wrobleski

 

Find it on Audible HERE

A morning jog, an unlocked door, and an angry lover add up to murder!

After Dervla’s boyfriend abruptly breaks up with her, she’s ready to kill him! His own grandmother and great-aunt are furious and applaud Dervla for throwing his stuff out the window. The next morning, however, Emil is wrongly accused of murder. The police are sure he’s guilty, so they can’t take time to investigate. The nanas call Dervla. She doesn’t want to investigate either, but once the elderly women accidentally trigger Dervla's other-worldly powers, she chases after the real murderer.

D.R. Ransdell lives in sunny Tucson but grew up in Springfield, Illinois, under the shadow of the third largest carillon in the U.S. This led to her travel novel, Carillon Chase. Her moonlighting in a mariachi group led to a series about violinist Andy Veracruz. In Brotherly Love he confronts his biggest challenge so far: teaching high school students! D.R.’s newest mystery, Party Wine, takes place in her cousins’ small village in Northern Italy. The villagers make their own wine, but why do they store it instead of drinking it?

http://www.dr-ransdell.com

Two New Releases by Lewis Kirts: PRICKLY PEAR and A TUESDAY SISTER

 

Find it on Amazon HERE

After decades of ranching, her father had made at least one vengeful enemy, and incarceration had only aided in festering that need for vengeance.

Then in 1886, Just before the age of twenty-one, Rebecca Morris' father passed, leaving her the Blanca Vista ranch.

Her husband of less than a year, wants the money they could make by selling the ranch.

But when Rebecca Morris refuses to sell, how will he react?

What will Rebecca endure to keep her ranch, acquire a new herd, and fend off enemies she never knew she had?

In this sequel to Texas in the Rear View, all is well… until it isn’t.

One phone call from FBI Special Agent Manny Waters disrupts the calm Arena Autry has found among friends.

It’s a familiar danger she has learned to escape… by running. But all those times in the past, she was running to save herself. Now, there are others to protect. Friends… and one man who could possibly be more.

To divert harm from those she loves, Arena runs toward the danger, confronting it, and putting her own life at risk.

What is it that Arena knows, and is more than willing to use, to try to bring her nemeses to their knees? But, will employing empathy to this task, bring about her own demise?

Take this perilous journey with Arena, as she goes off-grid to shield many from harm, while trying to save one person's soul.

Lewis Kirts was born in Maryland, where spring smelled like mud and winter was too cold for her comfort. With dairies on the matriarch side of the family, and orchards on the patriarch side, she claims to have been raised on peaches and cream.

She credits her love of western movies to her father, and her love of reading, to the English teachers of Poolesville High.

Years of working outside in Maryland had her longing for the warmer climate of Arizona.
She now resides in southeastern Arizona, with her husband, three donkeys, one mule, two ravens and a multitude of quail.

Visit her author page on Amazon HERE