Argus Publishing takes on Carl Watson’s historical, mid-grade/YA novel, Kid Clay, a tale of the old West set in the late 1800s.

Based on the real memoirs of Mr. Watson’s grandfather, this story follows Kid Clay through the Old West in search of a cowboy adventure. During his escapades, Kid Clay leaves his comfortable Kentucky home at the age of fifteen and sets out to discover what it’s like to be a real cowboy. During this time, he encounters many colorful characters such as Indians, Buffalo Bill, and members of the Dalton Gang.

Along the wagon trail, he encounters typhoid, cattle rustlers, stampedes, bank robbers, and a beautiful Indian maiden. Kid Clay has the determination and bravery he needs to survive, but as he makes his way along the trail, he discovers that the West is beginning to change. That’s when he makes a momentous decision that will affect the rest of his life.

Was the West more than Kid Clay bargained for?

A former educator, Carl Watson has taught Language Art classes in both elementary and junior high environments. He is a graduate of North Texas State University and Texas Wesleyan University (ME). Instrumental in writing a Boy Scouts of America Leadership Training Manual, he went on to assist in creating a syllabus for Social Studies in the Fort Worth Public School System. Then, the Fort Worth National Bank awarded him a fellowship to continue his studies in creative writing. A published author, his work has appeared in both adult and children’s magazines, as well as church school stories for the Methodist Publishing House, Child Life, and in True West Magazine. Kid Clay – A Cowboy’s Life on the Range is an article Watson wrote about his grandfather. Open, you can see the real Kid Clay. The quotes were taken from Kid’s journal.https://carlwatsontx.com/ Represented by Loiacono Literary Agency  Published by Argus Publishing (release spring 2018).

Argus Publishing acquires Bracha Goetz’s memoir Searching for God in the Garbage

Searching for God in the Garbage, an extremely candid chronicle of how Bracha Goetz became an observant Jew and overcame anorexia, told through actual diary entries and letters, spanning through the 60s, 70s, and 80s.

Searching for God in the Garbage reflects changes in both the inner and outer world of the Goetz during these exciting and turbulent times. The reader experiences the loss of her innocence through adolescence, struggles with increasingly riskier behaviors, and the emergence of a gradually developing anorexia.

Groundbreaking insights are realized, impacting her recovery from a wide range of addictions. The thesis of this psychological and spiritual detective book is that eating disorders stem from hungry souls. As demonstrated through the author’s recovery and eventual epiphany, these destructive traits are simply desperate cravings for spiritual nourishment.

Searching for God in the Garbage will not only help those with eating disorders, but anyone with an addiction or doubt about their faith — no matter the culture, race, or religion — and it also encourages, supports, and validates the role of mothers, whether they choose to work in or outside the home, single or married. It speaks to our souls, nurturing the beauty in each of us.

Bracha Goetz is a Harvard-educated author of over thirty children’s books. Amazon Author Page – Bracha Goetz Her first published piece was a poem that appeared in McCall’s magazine when she won a “Junior McCall’s” contest as a twelve-year-old. Years later, she helped coordinate and contributed an essay to the anthology, Women Look at Biology Looking at Women, while at Harvard, which became a text for many women’s studies courses nationwide. In addition, she writes articles for many newspapers and magazines and has had essays published in Chicken Soup for the Soul anthologies and Torn: True Stories of Kids, Career & the Conflict of Modern Motherhood. She also coordinates a Big Brother, Big Sister Program for Jewish Community Services in Baltimore, Maryland. Goetz is represented by Loiacono Literary Agency. Bracha Goetz’s interview with David Clarke on Blog Talk Radio  Up Close with Bracha Goetz

Tick-Tock, Tick-Tock, Time Stops, Time Stops will make you fear the tick-tock of a clock…

During the Civil War, The War of Northern Aggression to Southerners, General Elijah Beauregard was heralded, although not within earshot, as a demon. Known for shooting his own men for running from carnage, he had no less respect for his beloved Virginia. She’d prayed for his demise, yet only received absolution in her own and her child’s death in childbirth. No one else, who dared live in his house, ever died in peace…nor left the premises.

Over a century later, and many mysterious deaths and events, he would have his Ginny… again.

David LeMaster published over thirty plays and scenes for young people with Brooklyn, Heuer and Encore Publishers.  His plays are included in Smith and Kraus’s collections and anthologized by Prentice Hall.  His short stories have been in Eclipse Literary Journal, REAL, Story South, Exquisite Corpse, Fiction Warehouse, Eclectica, Antithesis Common, Spoiled Ink, The Southern Anthology and Kennesaw Review, among others.  He’s taught English, theatre, and speech at the college level for twenty years. LeMaster has penned three previous works: They Say I Shake a Little, The Parkinson Photographer’s Big Book of Butterflies, and The American Gator.  This, his latest foray into the literary world, is a true page-turner of the first order.

In March 2008, LeMaster was diagnosed with Early Onset Parkinson’s and decided to go public with it. Since that time, he has written a play, Shaken, to chronicle his experience. It premiered with great success at the Powell Arena Theater in Pasadena, Texas.   He also began dabbling in the world of photography.

Represented by Loiacono Literary Agency 

Published by Champagne Book Group  

Think today’s political climate is bad? Look at Civil War Missouri, where atrocities between neighbors were commonplace! By Ed Protzel, author of The Lies That Bind http://us11.campaign-archive2.com/?e=c6aaad4b04&u=8a8aa71e4b920613d70246196&id=8894fbe47d

Quantrill’s infamous raid on Lawrence, Kansas

 From Thursday, August 31, to Monday, September 4, John L. Flynn, Ph.D. will be attending DragonCon 2017 in Atlanta as an attending professional. In tribute to Dr. Flynn’s Everything I Know about Life I Learned from James Bond, special events have been planned throughout the weekend specifically for James Bond fans. On Saturday morning, for the first time ever, there will be a contingent of James Bond fans in the DragonCon Parade wearing costumes from the Bond Movies. Not only is Dr. Flynn joining these eager cosplayers in the parade, but Trina Parks, who played Thumper in Diamonds Are Forever (1971), will ride in a yellow Mustang ahead of the cosplayers. (The relationship between the Ford Mustang and the early Bond films is a unique one, having appeared in no less than five movies.) On Saturday night, Trina Parks will be John’s guest for dinner, meeting other Bond fans in the Atlanta Hilton. Throughout the weekend, there will be other events at DragonCon, celebrating Spy-Fi, including James Bond, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Our Man Flint (1966), Austin Powers, etc. Dr. Flynn will also be signing copies his James Bond book, and Ms. Trina Parks has agreed to sign photos of Thumper, the very first African-American Bond girl. Lots of other wonderful 007 events planned by Matt Sherman, the #1 James Bond fan in North America.

John L. Flynn is the author of twenty books, including Everything I Know About Life I Learned From James Bond and Future Prime: Top Ten Science Fiction Films (published by Library tales Publishing and co-authored with Bob Blackwood). His first novel, Intimate Bondage was published by BelleBooks. The other three in the series, Architects of Armageddon, Murder on Air Force One (2017), Terror at G-20 (2017), and Merchants of Death (contract pending) are published by Argus Publishing. He is represented by Loiacono Literary Agency.

Author Bob Blackwood

As I edit the manuscript Treason on the Mississippi by Jack Martin, and ponder the hell our great nation has gone through — all the birthing pains, learning to walk, to run, and to soar — I am reminded of so many great men, leaders and grunts alike. As in any chain, we are only as strong as the weakest link. “One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.”

Many great, original quotes in this novel were profound for that era, but they can also be easily applied to us now. Here are a few I would like to share:

• “It is well to remember, some days are better than others, and there is a world of tomorrows.” — Bierce
• “There are all kinds of slavery; not all of them involve physical chains and formal bills of sale.” -— Lot
• “I bore it, for my father’s sake. He told me this was now the white man’s country, and that I should go to his schools and learn his ways, for it was no sense to wish for yesterday to come again. Still, it was years before I understood fully what he meant when he said it would take more courage to live than to die in battle.” — Major Parker
• “Sir, I mean no disrespect; but I would pose this question: if someone cannot resist the pull to treason, how can they be expected to show gratitude for mercy?” — Clay
• “I would answer your question with a question, Captain. If someone has once killed to no purpose, how could they be relied upon not to do so in the future? Well, Captain, if it consoles you, it may come to what you desire. If they surrender, most will live to see their homes again. But if they do not surrender, then I will maintain this siege until every, last one of them starves, if that is what it takes to possess Vicksburg. Someone must want mercy before it can be granted. Let’s hope that Pemberton realizes the hopelessness of his situation.” Grant took a pull on his cigar and grimaced.
• “Alphonso, there’s been cruelty and injustice since the Fall,” said Lot quietly to his cousin and friend. “You can’t solve it all; you can only keep from adding to it.”
• “This whole war is inappropriate, Captain. One can either jeer at the folly of man or go mad with the tragedy of it; I prefer to jeer.” — Bierce
• “Here, here,” chimed in the fidgety Sherman, who was constantly shifting about in his chair, thin fingers drumming incessantly on the table. “I’ve supply difficulties to attend to. Steamer with all kinds of things destined for my corps blew up today, somewhere south of Memphis. Only good thing about the disaster is there were half a dozen newspapermen aboard. I guess we’ll have the news from Hell by breakfast.”
• “‘Treason doth never prosper; what’s the reason? For if treason doth prosper, none dare call it treason!’ There is a great truth hidden in those lines. People who commit treason seldom admit, even to themselves, that they are so doing. They justify it by appeals to “states’ rights,” “the people’s will,” “the greater good,” etc., and know that if they are successful they will be hailed as great men, not traitors. However, it is still treason in my eyes. — Clay

Now consider how political parties and the media are forcing a united country to choose sides yet again — not North and South, but Democrat or Republican. Parties be damned! We are all Americans who want this country to thrive, not survive. We must think of it as our HOME. No one wants druggies, burglars, robbers, rapists, murderers, or terrorists in their homes, nor do we want them in our land. Extreme vetting is necessary. It’s hard enough policing legal citizens, but when you have those here you can’t account for, how can you? Look these words up: nefarious and malevolent. Those who come here and seemingly assimilate into our society with nefarious and malevolent intentions are not our friends. They are here to harm us.

In the same way, the media or celebrities that do not tell the truth (Walter Cronkite has gone to be with Jesus and he was the last true journalist) and assist in blocking, disrespecting, and hindering the president on every turn, is not a loyalist but a traitor. If they despise the USA so much, they can turn in their passports and leave. You are either with us or without us.

All President Trump wants is the best for us, just like President Lincoln did, who was determined to keep the Union, no matter the cost. We must adhere to the Constitution, which was founded in Biblical principles, support President Trump, and stand united against all evil, political and spiritual, around the globe.

We have come a long way for such a young country, endured many wars and hardships, but only together shall we move forward with confidence to MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!

• Jeanie Loiacono

DAYS OF WINE AND WATERCOLOR by Rochelle Wisoff-Fields

Rochelle is the author of Please Say Kaddish For Me, From Silt and Ashes, As One Must, One Can, and the soon-to-be coffee table book, A Stone for the Journey — all published by Argus Publishing and represented by Loiacono Literary Agency

If you would like to meet Rochelle and purchase art or books, she is having a 4^th of July picnic today! Join her in celebrating the birth of our nation, the greatest country in the world, THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! 

Promise of the Black Monks is now on audio!

 

Nisei by J.J. White tells the story of Hideo, or Bobby, Takahashi, a young Hawaii-born Japanese-American, and his adventures during World War II, as revealed in a memoir that his son discovers after his death and his son’s reaction. Unlike the Japanese on the West Coast, the Hawaiian Nisei were basically left alone—with some exceptions. Bobby’s family is one of those exceptions, since his father sent scrap iron home to Japan until the eve of the war and some drawings Bobby made of Pearl Harbor found their way into the hands of Japanese pilots. Soon, the family is sent to a series of mainland internment camps. Bobby had hoped to marry his sweetheart, a white Hawaiian, but her parents now forbid it. Instead, his father forces him to marry the Japanese-born Chiyoko, whose family knew his in Japan, and who’s a bit of a trollop. Bobby finally gets the opportunity to enlist in a Japanese-American regiment and prove his loyalty, but his troubles are just beginning—his sergeant is Big Eddie, a huge Hawaiian bully who terrorized him during his teens.

White is an excellent writer, and he’s one of the few fiction writers who basically follows the rules of brevity laid out by my journalism professor—three sentences per paragraph, 30 words per sentence. I was fascinated by his recreation of Hawaiian Pidgin, a dialect that islanders frequently use, even those who are educated. Nisei also has great historical detail—I always wondered about the relationship between Hawaiian-born Japanese and California-born Japanese in the World War II army, and this book provides the answer. Above all, I must applaud J.J. White for getting a handle on the Japanese-American culture. For those who are interested in the story of Japanese-Americans during World War II, Nisei is a must-read. An excellent book.

— Reviewed by Raanan Geberer for Readers’ Favorite

God bless President Trump and God bless America!

“The price of liberty is eternal vigilance.”   Patrick Henry

The card simply read, “Happy Birthday, America…for 241 years old, you’re looking pretty good.”

Inside was a small scroll. On it read these words:

Dear America:

My, how you have grown. From a few stout souls to what, over 315 million now? My plan seems to be working, even though I continue to keep my fingers crossed.

Frankly, I’m surprised you’ve lasted this long, given the red and blue political divisions. You seem to have another civil war seething inside. It’s confusing to me.  But I have not abandoned you yet, although that thought has occurred to me more than once.

Your body is showing the strains of wear. It’s hard to recognize you from your baby pictures. Lesser mortals and countries would have folded their tents and ridden off on their camels.  But not you. You’re of hearty stock, chiseled by conflict, raw-boned, with a tough hide and courage of steel. Perseverance is your nature. A national Spirit lives within you. It’s my gift.

You were born of a Higher Power for a Higher Purpose…Liberty.  For that worthy cause you have strived. You were born by the shedding of blood, not by cunning words crafted from philosophical dictates. You were given a Manifest Destiny, a calling to create something new…a new nation, a nation under God, whose cornerstone is Freedom. That Divine Destiny still lives within you.

Freedom costs. Every generation must earn it. The blood of your patriots, your martyrs, your fearless founding fathers cries from their graves even today. Their collective hearts still beat for freedom beneath your feet as you walk the dust and dirt of battlefields everywhere…from Bunker Hill to Ft. Washington, from Atlanta to Gettysburg, from Europe to Viet Nam, from Korea to Iraq.

America, your soil is stained from 384 battles in a Civil War waged to preserve this Grand Vision of a United States. Some 625,000 of your countrymen perished in this endeavor. The wound remains fresh, the scar permanent.

Lately cracks are eroding your former staunch resolve. Ice is forming in your soul. The work ethic once instilled in you is flagging. Ease and prosperity sap your strength. You’re getting soft, fat and satisfied.  Idleness is rewarded; creativity punished. Your taxes and your laws are balls and chains. You sing songs with lines, “God shed His grace on thee,” but you ignore ‘grace’ and enact laws and tolls that load your citizens with burdens grievous to be borne.

America, allow me to remind you of this wisdom, “When the will fails, so do the hands, and you live at the expense of life.”

Grab yourself by the neck and shake off the innate laziness that so easily besets you. Stir up the vision and determination that sustains your life. There is no free lunch here. Your destiny is not written by lines in the palms of your hands but in the toil and sweat of your collective efforts. These are the marks of your greatness.

July 4, 1776 commemorates the birth of America, something new and bold, a noble experiment in the belief that all men are created with inalienable rights: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Was it an illusion? No! From the compost pile of these ideals emerged your great nation.

Will you remain great? Will you embrace this gift of Freedom, preserve its heritage, protect it and pass it on?  Or will the grit of discontent grind away the grace you have been given? Will the flag still be there for the next generation? The choice is before you every day…Yes or No.

But for now, let’s celebrate your birthday. So strike up the bands, march in parades, grill up the hot dogs, slice up the watermelons, scoop up the ice cream, break out the beer and crown it all with traditional fireworks. Have fun!

You are a beacon of light to nations. As your fireworks explode and light the night’s darkness, then sing praises for your flag that’s still flying there…flying over the Land of the Free!

Happy Birthday, America from The Spirit of Freedom.

Bud Hearn

June 30, 2017