Friday, December 20, 2024

Looking for that Last Minute Gift? I Was Just a Radioman

  The perfect holiday gift for the guy who's almost impossible to buy for!


Their hearts were strong, and their courage endless.

Pearl Harbor survivor, Black Cat radioman, and decorated WW 2 veteran. ARM H. P. Lawrence, tells the true story of the fight against the Japanese in this compilation of his memoirs.

One of only a handful of non-Native American code-talkers, H. P. Lawrence became a member of an elite fighting force, the Black Cats. Flying in their nocturnal missions, the Cats claws were sharp and their aim deadly.

From devastation to victory, the story of these brave men−the deadly, mysterious, and illusive Black Cats is a journey into the past where nightmares came true and hatred reigned. A time in history we should never, ever forget.

The day which will live in infamy…was just the beginning.

Grab your copy today.

Available in 

Ebook   Paperback  LARGE PRINT Audible and Hardcover



From his words to paper. No fluff, just plain talk from Radioman H P Lawrence, WW2 decorated veteran, Black Cat, and Pearl Harbor survivor.

Grab your copy today.




Reviewed by Charles H. Bogart (NavyHistory.org)


This self-published monograph was compiled by Ms. Ackerson to preserve the family history of Aviation Chief Radioman Henry Lawrence's service in World War II. The audience at which the book is directed is family and friends. Henry Lawrence, in June 1940 at the age of seventeen, joined the U.S. Navy Reserve unit at Newport, Rhode Island. On 12 May 1941, he was called to active duty and sent to Aviation Radio School at NAS Sand Point outside of Seattle, Washington. On 19 November 1941, he arrived in Hawaii as an Aviation Radioman and was assigned to VP 22 located on Ford Island. VP 22 at this time was flying PBY-5 Catalina flying boats.

Chief Lawrence's tale of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor is told in six pages, which add little to what has already been written about the 7 December 1941 Japanese attack on Ford Island. His service in the Pacific Theater from 1943 to 1945 was as a radioman on board PBY-5 Catalinas of VPB 71. His service in VPB 71 is told through a series of vignettes that focus on the carrying out of nocturnal patrols in the waters of the Southwest Pacific and off the coast of Formosa. These flights, Black Cat Missions, were carried out by flying at 1,000 feet above the sea, searching for Japanese merchant ships to attack. These vignettes are full of nuggets of information about U.S. Navy Black Cat operations during World War II.

Chief Lawrence's account of his service in World War II ends with The war's over! I will thank Colonel Paul Tibbets, his Enola Gay, and celebrate August 14th for the rest of my life. Once discharged from the Navy, Chief Lawrence spent the next 18-years in the Naval Reserves.

This book is an interesting read, but I suspect that only the hard-core World War II naval aviation aficionado will place this book in his library.


Wind From the Abyss

 

 


Estri’s life is shattered. Her name, her memories, her past—gone. Pulled into a world of cosmic intrigue and divine manipulation, she must navigate a realm where gods test her resolve. 


Wind From the Abyss

The Silistra Quartet Book 3

By Janet Morris

Genre: Dystopian SciFi Fantasy Adventure 



Dystopia. Novel series #2 of 4. Fantasy. Science fiction. Allegory. Political.

Wind from the Abyss is the third volume in Janet Morris' classic Silistra Quartet, continuing one woman's quest for self-realization in a distant tomorrow.

Aristocrat. Outcast. Picara. Slave. Ruler ....

She is descended from the masters of the universe. To hold her he challenges the gods themselves.



Praise for Janet Morris' Silistra Quartet:

"The amazing and erotic adventures of the most beautiful courtesan in tomorrow's universe." -- Fred Pohl

"Engrossing characters in a marvelous adventure." -- Charles N. Brown, Locus Magazine.

The best single example of prostitution used in fantasy is Janet Morris' Silsitra series." -- Anne K. Kahler, The Picara: From Hera to Fantasy Heroine.

This Perseid Press Author's Cut Edition is revised and expanded by the author and presented in a format designed to enhance your reading experience with larger, easy-to-read print, more generous margins, and covers designed for these premium editions.



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Best selling author Janet Morris began writing in 1976 and has since published more than 30 novels, many co-authored with her husband Chris Morris or others. She has contributed short fiction to the shared universe fantasy series Thieves World, in which she created the Sacred Band of Stepsons, a mythical unit of ancient fighters modeled on the Sacred Band of Thebes. She created, orchestrated, and edited the Bangsian fantasy series Heroes in Hell, writing stories for the series as well as co-writing the related novel, The Little Helliad, with Chris Morris. She wrote the bestselling Silistra Quartet in the 1970s, including High Couch of Silistra, The Golden Sword, Wind from the Abyss, and The Carnelian Throne. This quartet had more than four million copies in Bantam print alone, and was translated into German, French, Italian, Russian and other languages. In the 1980s, Baen Books released a second edition of this landmark series. The third edition is the Author's Cut edition, newly revised by the author for Perseid Press. Most of her fiction work has been in the fantasy and science fiction genres, although she has also written historical and other novels. Morris has written, contributed to, or edited several book-length works of non-fiction, as well as papers and articles on nonlethal weapons, developmental military technology and other defense and national security topics.

Janet says: 'People often ask what book to read first. I recommend "I, the Sun" if you like ancient history; "The Sacred Band," a novel, if you like heroic fantasy; "Lawyers in Hell" if you like historical fantasy set in hell; "Outpassage" if you like hard science fiction; "High Couch of Silistra" if you like far-future dystopian or philosophical novels. I am most enthusiastic about the definitive Perseid Press Author's Cut editions, which I revised and expanded.'

  

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Wednesday, December 18, 2024

Dark Maiden

 

 


Dark Maiden has taken a Native American legend and created the most intense story of ghosts and horror and things that go bump in the night.

Dark Maiden

by Ian Conner

Genre: Historical Dark Fantasy



Haunting and horrifying, the tale keeps readers engaged all the way to the shocking end. Intertwined with Native American lore Dark Maiden weaves a seducing chilling tale. Dark Maiden grabs you at the first page the story sets us up in 16th century Maine, Onata Village. Conner gave readers a tale of a beautiful bewitching Maiden seen by the lake by four sisters under the moonlight. Dark Maiden takes you from past to present to past to tell this horrifying curse tale. Readers need to pay attention during the time transitions, but readers will be engrossed with fantastic writing you cannot put down.
Dark Maiden has taken a Native American legend and created the most intense story of ghosts and horror and things that go bump in the night.
Although a somber tone permeates the book, there is a recurring theme of loyalty and resilience. Each character exhibits self-determination, fortitude, and resourcefulness until the conclusion. You grow to love each person as if you belong to the fight against evil forces. Full of surprises and character growth readers will love the tale.

 

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Ian Conner is retired and spent most of his adult life as a Marine and Army Infantry Sergeant. A hundred percent disabled veteran after multiple head and other injuries, he is part of a growing number of vets classified as “neuro-diverse”, an MST survivor and have several issues such regarding comprehension, concentration, and vision issues that he has OVERCOME to write several novels. After witnessing a lifetime of destruction, the thought of creating something tangible and lasting holds great appeal.

He finds writing a cathartic way to redefine himself both in his eyes and in the eyes of others. Writing for fun, Ian has completed seven novels with an eighth near done with two more ideas in the scribble/chapter phase. He has written across four genres Fantasy, Thriller, Science Fiction and Horror.

He uses ProWritingAid, Beta Readers and professional editors keep the product readable, he has recently began querying in search of a professional agent and publisher.

Now living near San Diego California with his wife Bonnie, a cellist, and their two dogs, Cookie and Isabella. Conner spends his days fostering kittens, gardening, crafting beautiful stained glass and creating worlds on the page.

 

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Silvia Bell

 

Silvia Bell moved to New England to discover her parents' hometown and roots. Purchasing a run-down fixer-upper, she was determined to make it work. She arrived with a pocketful of hope, and a dash of reality. A feel-good short story of courage, hope, and perseverance.

The Journey Home: 

In the heart of New England, where the air is crisp and the leaves turn a myriad of colors come fall, Silvia Bell embarked on a journey that was more than just a change of address—it was a quest to connect with her past and build her future. With a heart full of dreams and a fixer-upper that was more 'fixer' than 'upper', Silvia's story is one that resonates with the undying spirit of hope and the relentless pursuit of happiness.

Silvia's adventure began with a simple yet profound goal: to discover her parents' hometown and roots. It was a path that led her to a quaint, run-down property that seemed to whisper stories of yesteryears through its creaking floorboards and peeling paint. But where many saw a house that time forgot, Silvia saw potential—a canvas to paint her new beginnings.

Armed with a pocketful of hope and a dash of reality, Silvia rolled up her sleeves and got to work. The renovation process was no small feat. It was a test of patience, creativity, and sometimes sheer willpower. But with every nail hammered and every wall painted, the house slowly transformed, and so did Silvia. Each day was a step closer to reviving the warmth and charm that the house once knew, and with it, a deeper connection to her family's history.

This feel-good story is more than just about renovating a house; it's about laying down roots in a place where family ties run deep. It's about the courage to start over, the hope that fuels the journey, and the perseverance to see it through. Silvia's story inspires us to believe that no matter how daunting the task, with a little bit of courage and a lot of hard work, anything is possible.

Join us as we follow Silvia's inspiring journey, a testament to the power of dreams and the strength found in our roots. It's a narrative that reminds us all that sometimes, the best way to move forward is by going back home. Stay tuned for more updates on Silvia Bell's New England adventure, where every hammer and nail is a step towards a dream realized.

Grab your copy today!


Love Holiday Stories? Grab the whole holiday story collection
Available in Paperback Print, Large Print, Hardcover, E-book, and Audio!
Have a good moments day!
Pam Ackerson

@PamAckerson
www.PamelaAckerson.net

Tuesday, December 17, 2024

The Life and Times of Sherlock Holmes

 

 


A must-read for Sherlockians, history enthusiasts, and anyone eager to uncover the hidden layers of Victorian England.


The Life and Times of Sherlock Holmes

Essays on Victorian England Book V

by Liese Sherwood-Fabre

Genre: Nonfiction History, Literary Criticism 



Rediscover Victorian England's forgotten history and culture.

Volume V of The Life and Times of Sherlock Holmes explores the cultural, scientific, and historical allusions found throughout Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective stories. This collection of essays unpacks twenty-four topics mentioned in the original mysteries, from everyday details like hats and plumbing to complex issues such as international spying, the binomial theorem, and relations with Russia. Through such insights, readers gain a deeper understanding of the Victorian world in which Holmes operated.

Other essays explore both the familiar and the obscure, touching on subjects like the KKK’s presence in England, the significance of whaling, and legal concepts like insanity and blackmail. Unique cultural topics—such as the role of curry in the British Empire, the rise of bohemianism, and the Victorian obsession with rejuvenation through animal hormones—reveal the rich complexity of the era. The collection also features a bonus essay on Sarah Cushing from The Adventure of the Cardboard Box, offering fresh insight into one of the most sinister characters in the Canon.

Whether examining automata, wax figures, or the legal definitions of murder and suicide, The Life and Times of Sherlock Holmes provides a compelling lens through which readers gain a deeper understanding of the historical and social backdrop of the Holmes mysteries.

A must-read for Sherlockians, history enthusiasts, and anyone eager to uncover the hidden layers of Victorian England.

 

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Master of the Art of Detection

A Collection of Sherlock Holmes Short Stories

By Liese Sherwood-Fabre

Genre: Mystery 


Decipher. Deduce. Deliver.

Sherlock Holmes, the most cerebral of detectives, finds his deductive powers put to the test in this intriguing collection of cases. Each adventure presents a web of secrets, clues, and deceptions. Only his highly honed observational skills lead him to the truth.

In a locked-room murder, did the victim succumb to “The Curse of Kisin?” And how had the daughter of Squire Northridge disappeared from her own locked bedroom? Can Holmes, an ocean away, determine if a missing treasure hunter ran off with Jean Lafitte’s fabled buried plunder? The disappearance of a beloved dog is an adventure filled with whimsy and humor, as are the return of Lady Frances Carfax and the howling dog of Baker Street.

Holmes’ unrivaled deductive powers rise to the test with each case. He shines as the consummate master of the art of detection and will captivate from beginning to end.

 

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Liese Sherwood-Fabre is an award-winning author known for her meticulously researched works of historical fiction and mystery. With a background in social sciences, she brings a unique depth to her characters and settings, particularly in her acclaimed series The Life and Times of Sherlock Holmes, which explores Victorian England through the lens of the famous detective’s world. Her essays delve into the cultural and historical intricacies of the era, uncovering hidden details that enhance her stories’ authenticity. Her fiction weaves real historical events and social insights into suspenseful plots, creating immersive narratives that captivate fans of both history and mystery.  An avid traveler and lifelong scholar, Dr. Sherwood-Fabre combines curiosity and expertise to craft stories that transport readers to fascinating past worlds filled with intrigue and insight.

 

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Monday, December 16, 2024

The Northern Witch Series

 

 


The quirky, best-selling Urban Fantasy Series.

When a Witch-in-Training falls for a Demon-Possessed Soul...

#LGBTQ


The Northern Witch Series

The Complete Box Set

by K.S. Marsden

Genre: YA LGBTQ Urban Fantasy



The quirky, best-selling Urban Fantasy Series.

When Mark decides to follow in his Nanna's footsteps, and train in witchcraft, he takes on more than he could ever have imagined. Up until now, he has been ignorant of the magical dangers, demons and monsters that his coven defend against.
Everything changes when Damian moves to Tealford. He is everything Mark has ever wanted, but he comes with his own cursed life.

Luckily, Mark has the support of his friends and family... as well as the handsome newcomer.


Containing the full 6-part series:
Winter Trials (Northern Witch #1)
Awaken (Northern Witch #2)
The Breaking (Northern Witch #3)
Summer Sin (Northern Witch #4)
A Dark Fate (Northern Witch #5)
All Things End (Northern Witch #6)

  

**On Sale for Only .99cents for December – Get it Now!!**

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Kelly S. Marsden grew up in Yorkshire, and there were two constants in her life - books and horses.

Graduating with an equine degree from Aberystwyth University, she has spent most of her life since trying to experience everything the horse world has to offer. She is currently settled into a Nutritionist role for a horse feed company in Doncaster, South Yorkshire.

Her first book, The Shadow Rises, was published in January 2013, and she now has several successful series under her belt.

  

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Sunday, December 15, 2024

I Was Just a Radioman ~~ The Perfect Gift for Someone who has Everything!

 The perfect holiday gift for the guy who's almost impossible to buy for!


Their hearts were strong, and their courage endless.

Pearl Harbor survivor, Black Cat radioman, and decorated WW 2 veteran. ARM H. P. Lawrence, tells the true story of the fight against the Japanese in this compilation of his memoirs.

One of only a handful of non-Native American code-talkers, H. P. Lawrence became a member of an elite fighting force, the Black Cats. Flying in their nocturnal missions, the Cats claws were sharp and their aim deadly.

From devastation to victory, the story of these brave men−the deadly, mysterious, and illusive Black Cats is a journey into the past where nightmares came true and hatred reigned. A time in history we should never, ever forget.

The day which will live in infamy…was just the beginning.

Grab your copy today.

Available in 

Ebook   Paperback  LARGE PRINT Audible and Hardcover



From his words to paper. No fluff, just plain talk from Radioman H P Lawrence, WW2 decorated veteran, Black Cat, and Pearl Harbor survivor.

Grab your copy today.




Reviewed by Charles H. Bogart (NavyHistory.org)


This self-published monograph was compiled by Ms. Ackerson to preserve the family history of Aviation Chief Radioman Henry Lawrence's service in World War II. The audience at which the book is directed is family and friends. Henry Lawrence, in June 1940 at the age of seventeen, joined the U.S. Navy Reserve unit at Newport, Rhode Island. On 12 May 1941, he was called to active duty and sent to Aviation Radio School at NAS Sand Point outside of Seattle, Washington. On 19 November 1941, he arrived in Hawaii as an Aviation Radioman and was assigned to VP 22 located on Ford Island. VP 22 at this time was flying PBY-5 Catalina flying boats.

Chief Lawrence's tale of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor is told in six pages, which add little to what has already been written about the 7 December 1941 Japanese attack on Ford Island. His service in the Pacific Theater from 1943 to 1945 was as a radioman on board PBY-5 Catalinas of VPB 71. His service in VPB 71 is told through a series of vignettes that focus on the carrying out of nocturnal patrols in the waters of the Southwest Pacific and off the coast of Formosa. These flights, Black Cat Missions, were carried out by flying at 1,000 feet above the sea, searching for Japanese merchant ships to attack. These vignettes are full of nuggets of information about U.S. Navy Black Cat operations during World War II.

Chief Lawrence's account of his service in World War II ends with The war's over! I will thank Colonel Paul Tibbets, his Enola Gay, and celebrate August 14th for the rest of my life. Once discharged from the Navy, Chief Lawrence spent the next 18-years in the Naval Reserves.

This book is an interesting read, but I suspect that only the hard-core World War II naval aviation aficionado will place this book in his library.


Friday, December 13, 2024

The Moldy Orange Bandage

 

 


As much as we may love our families and friends, they possess the ability to drive us crazy!


The Moldy Orange Bandage:

Playbooks and Short Stories

by Lirio Blanco Show

Genre: Literary Fiction



As much as we may love our families and friends, they possess the ability to drive us crazy!

In this pair of theatrical playbooks (with a few short stories as an added bonus), two family-friendly plays for tweens and up showcase two different dramas.

In The Moldy Oranges, married life between an American husband and his Latin immigrant wife never proves dull . . . especially when the mother-in-law lives under the same roof. And then, when their trusted neighbor requests a mysterious brown bag be hidden in their closet, it provides the trigger for family secrets, suspicion, and intrigue. What is in the brown bag? A diary? Stolen jewelry? A secret detonator for a kitchen stove, perhaps?

Based on the events of Atlanta's 2014 ice storm, a group of middle school girls are trapped in their after-school classroom, seemingly abandoned by the last faculty member, who flees to protect her own family during the crisis. Three girls and the class bully must learn to cooperate for survival until help arrives in The Box of Bandages.

From architect/author Lirio Blanco Show, these stories provide a peek into family life with an in-law, stranded girls struggling to cope with a bully, as well as a handful of short animal stories . . . some based on true events, some completely fiction. Who dares to say which is which?

The answers lie within...

 

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Albalis Vargas-Smith, a.k.a. Lirio Blanco Show, is an architect, painter, muralist, and writer from Panama. She received her undergraduate and graduate degrees in architecture from Universidad Autonoma de Centroamerica in San Jose, Costa Rica. In addition, she received a Bachelor degree in Fine Arts from Auburn University, Montgomery. She has more than twenty years of experience in architecture, having worked both in Montgomery, Alabama, and the Atlanta area. She has done theatrical scene and set design as volunteer work for community theatre groups. Back in July 2016, Albalis went solo as an entrepreneur, architect, and painter, founding the Vargas-Smith Studio. The reason? To spend more time with her daughter. In 2020, she decided to finish a series of backburner short stories and theatrical plays. One of the theatrical plays is presented in this book. Currently, Albalis lives in Johns Creek, Georgia, with her daughter, husband, her dog, Toni, and a precious bird, Ruperta.

 

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Thursday, December 12, 2024

Vincent's Women

 

 


What if everything we think we know about Vincent van Gogh is all lies?


Vincent’s Women:

The Untold Story of the Loves of Vincent Van Gogh

by Donna Russo

Genre: Historical Biographical Women’s Fiction



Donna Russo's 'Vincent's Women' is the untold story of Vincent's loves: how they shaped his life, his art, and his death. It writes against the 'myths, ' exploring the possibility that none of them are true. It is the only novel to bring into question his sexuality, how he lost his ear, who he lost it for, and how he might have died, all through the eyes of a woman. We learn of Her; we learn all of it through Her.

The story is guided by Johanna van Gogh Bonger, Vincent's sister-in-law, as she decides to reveal the truth about Vincent to her son. We are then taken on a journey through Vincent's life, each section bringing a pivotal moment of Vincent's life alive while showing us the part she played in bringing it about. Between each woman, our guide, Johanna, gives us the transitional periods, right up to his death, which is now in question.

Hundreds of the nearly thousand letters between Vincent van Gogh and his brother Theo, now considered one of the greatest documents of the human experience, were used to help construct this novel, its narrative, and dialogue, especially the dialogue of Vincent himself.

Vincent van Gogh is one of the most well-known artists of all time. The world knows of his madness, traumas, and suicide. But what if all that we know isn't true? What if this knowledge is based on rumors and nothing more? What if his true story is vastly different when based on factual material and forensic information? What if the truth of Vincent's life-his madness and his genius-is defined by his never-ending search for love?

 

Advance Praise:


“Arresting…masterful…  a provocative and compelling look at one of history’s most enigmatic artists.”  -Publishers Weekly

 

 “A symphonic novel that sheds new light on an elusive genius.” -Kirkus Reviews

 

“Vincent’s Women represents historical fiction at its best…astute, thought-provoking, and revealing.” -Midwest Book Review

 

“One of the most wonderful books about an artist I have ever read." -Stephanie Cowell, Author of Claude and Camille: a novel of Monet, and Marrying Mozart. Recipient American Book Award.

“A powerful and satisfying read." -Lynn Cullen, Bestselling Author of The Woman with the Cure and Mrs. Poe

“The writing and dialogue are all so well done, and the use of a fictional narrative makes it all feel authentic. Very highly recommended.” -Readers' Favorite 5-star Review

 

“This novel is not just a book; it is a masterful painting in itself, portraying the vibrant, volatile, and often tragic life of one of history's most renowned artists.” -5-Star Amazon Review

 

“This is historical fiction at its best…a tour de force!” -5-Star Goodreads Review

 

“This is easily the best book I’ve read this year!” -5-star NetGalley Review

 

A Foreword Reviews Editorial Selection 

FINALIST Next Generation Indie Book Awards

 


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Donna Russo is the bestselling author of historical fiction, women’s fiction, and fantasy including the international bestselling Novels of Newport: Gilded Summers and Gilded Dreams as well as her latest release, Vincent’s Women. Her critically acclaimed work has been praised with multiple awards and has received a starred review in Publishers Weekly. (For more awards and reviews, please visit https://www.authordonnarusso.com/books). Additionally, Donna worked as a model and actor since the age of seventeen, working on such projects as Martin Scorsese’s The Departed and Showtime’s Brotherhood. Donna is also an award-winning screenwriter, ghostwriter, and painter. She holds two degrees from the University of Rhode Island. Her two sons—Devon, an opera singer; and Dylan, a chef—will always be her greatest works. 

 

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