Royersford author self-publishes debut novel

Royersford author Michael McManus has published his debut novel, "The 51st State" (Outskirts Press, 2011, 5 x 8 paperback, 337 pp., $23.95; Hardcover: $37.95 ), a political fiction book.

The self-published book is available on book retailer websites such as Amazon and Barnes & Noble. To learn more, visit www.outskirtspress.com/the51ststate.

Below is a summary of the novel released by Outskirts Press:

When U.S. diplomat Jack Locke is contacted by an old friend about a suspicious conversation regarding a month-old plane crash, he doubts it’s anything interesting. After all, Locke is used to dealing with the most delicate and dangerous tasks in American Intelligence. But Locke soon finds out that the plane crash is part of a hornet’s nest of deceit, power plays, and covert operations which run deeper than anything this experienced operative has ever seen.

Locke finds himself in a race against time, matching wits against the Shepherds, a clandestine group of international billionaires who are plotting to overthrow the U.S. government. If they are successful, the map of the Western hemisphere will be altered permanently, and several governments will topple. Locke’s attempt to abort a threatened assassination triggers an incredible series of events, uncovering corruption in organized labor, the military, the Republican administration … and even the White House itself.

As events unfurl with lightning speed and the body count rises, will Jack Locke live to see the results of his amazing skill? The 51st State presents an all-too-plausible story about how life as we know it could change overnight, and also gives us a hero whose daring and integrity embody the best kind of patriotism.

A native of Lynn, Mass., McManus graduated from the General Electric Apprentice Program in 1970. He worked for The International Union of Electrical Workers for more than 10 years and was ultimately selected for a position on its New England Region executive board. He returned to work for General Electric, where he remained involved with both air and sea military propulsion manufacturing until his early retirement in 1997. Since then he has worked as a consultant for labor contract negotiations. McManus resides in Royersford with his wife, Linda. They have three grown children and a number of grandchildren.

Pottstown native publishes 'An Illogical, Improbable, Incredible Love'

Here I call myself a book blogger and I haven’t ever mentioned the Contemporary Christian Fiction genre before.

Before today that is.

I recently received an e-mail from a former resident of Sanatoga and Boyertown, Theresa (Buckwalter) Yerkes asking for a little publicity for her latest novel.

Yerkes (pictured at right), currently a resident of Woodruff, S.C., published her second full-length novel through Outskirts Press in July.

A 1958 graduate of Pottstown High School, Yerkes grew up on a farm on Rupert Road in Sanatoga and, after marriage, lived in the Hill Church area, outside Boyertown, for several years.

While in the Pottstown and Boyertown area, Yerkes a horse lover, rode with the Blue Spruce Riding Club of Alburtis and the Good Fellowship Riding Club of Birdsboro. She is now retired after a career in business.

According to Yerkes’ bio on the Outskirts Press site, "the author herself is a ‘country girl,’ now living in quiet retirement in Upstate South Carolina after raising four children and working in the business world. She now delights in family gatherings with her children, their spouses and her eleven grandchildren, and she rejoices in God’s providential care and leading in their lives."

Her first book, "From Earth’s Sorrows," was published by Outskirts Press in March 2010; her second, "An Illogical, Improbable, Incredible Love" was just released the end of July.
Her books are written under the pen name, Terry Mae — a name she chose while a student at Pottstown High School, she said.

Yerkes described her books as being "of the Contemporary Christian Fiction genre with action, adventure and romance woven into these stories that have their primary settings in modern day Colorado."

Her 336-page paperback, "From Earth’s Sorrows," is the first in a two-book series that tells the story of a young Wyoming rancher who experiences a grievous personal loss in the tragic death of his beloved wife and young son.

"He is so traumatized, overwhelmed with grief and despairing of life itself that he is committed to a psychiatric hospital. After many weeks of treatment and counseling, he sets out on a journey to see if there really is any reason for him to go on living. What he finds is more than he could ever imagined or hoped for, when circumstances lead him to experience a whole new dimension in his life and a future with far different values and priorities from those of the past," she writes. The sequel, "To Heaven’s Joys," is slated for release this fall.

Yerkes’ most recently released book, "An Illogical, Improbable, Incredible Love," is the first of a companion series, with some interlinked characters and events between the two series. The 324-page paperback, is about the life and most unusual whirlwind romance of a middle-age divorcee from Charlottesville, Va.

"It has its setting in the charming Colorado mountain resort town of Frisco," she writes.

Yerkes plans to follow this book by a sequel entitled, "An Enduring, Endearing, Extraordinary Love."

She says that her books are all priced at $14.95 (or $5 per Kindle download) and are available through the O

utskirts Press website. Her books are also available through online booksellers including Amazon.com and Barnes & Noble.

Phoenixville author to hold book-signings in December

The Mercury's policy (in print) is to refrain from reporting on self-published books. But on my blog, well, the rules get a little bendy.

And so to I introduce you to A.P. Morris, a Phoenixville author who is releasing a non-fiction book, "They're Not Gone: A Collection of True Stories from People Reunited with Their Loved Ones Who've Passed Away " this holiday season through Outskirts Press.

Morris, pictured at right, will be appearing/signing books at the following area locations next month:

• Saturday December 12, 2009 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Holiday Bazaar at Phoenixville Middle School, 1330 Main St Phoenixville, PA 19460. (484) 927-5200 (hosted by the National Junior Honor Society).

• Tuesday December 22, 2009 from Noon to 4 p.m. at Spring Run Natural Foods, 909 E Baltimore Pike, Kennett Square, PA 19348. (610) 388-0500. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to a nonprofit organization Urban Compass located in Southern California. Urban Compass was formed in partnership with local schools to combat poverty and violence and make a difference in children’s lives by providing tutoring support, enrichment activities, and field trips to keep the children engaged in a positive learning experience and off the streets.To learn more or donate directly you can go to http://www.urbancompass.org/

I have not read this book, but if you'd like to learn more about it, read on. The following is excerpted from a press release about the book:

"They’re Not Gone" shares stories of 13 people whose loved ones passed away and their eventual ‘reconnection’ through the assistance of local psychic medium Ricky Wood. Each story contains ‘evidence’ that their spirits are still very much alive.

Wood delivers specifics from names and dates to mannerisms and jokes to verify the spirit who is communicating.

“I wanted to share my story to give others hope, especially during the holiday season when missing them can be even more difficult. I am now 100% positive that our loved ones don’t vanish with death, they are still very much alive,” Morris said.

Morris tells of the loss of her brother to suicide when she was just 16. After hearing from him through the psychic medium, Wood, her life was transformed.

“I spent so many holiday seasons sad and depressed because I missed my brother so desperately. If I’d only known that he wasn’t just gone, I think it may have been a whole lot easier for me,” said Morris.

Following each story, there is a question and answer section where the reader gets to learn more about Wood’s beliefs based on his years of experience working as a medium.

“I’m very excited to have the opportunity to share some amazing true life stories. The information contained in this book could change so many people’s lives. I know - it changed mine,” Morris said.

Morris said her hope is that by sharing these stories it will bring peace to those who need it, especially during this holiday season.

To purchase a copy of “They’re Not Gone” for $16.95 visit http://www.amazon.com/ or http://www.theyrenotgone.com/.