Book Notes
Compiled and edited by Margie Meyer
The Bible Guy, written by Max Carlson (BA-71), Julesburg, is a mystery novel about a Boulder, Colorado, psychologist who tracks down a religious killer who leaves a page of the Bible at each crime scene. Max served as a Sedgwick County judge for 33 years and enjoys writing and photography.
CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform December 2014
Joyce Waller (BA-75), Buffalo, Minn., and Connie Nelson (BME-72), Sterling, collaborated on a children’s book, The Lizard’s Secret Door, a story about a friendship between a little girl and a lizard. Illustrated by Joyce, the book is based on Connie’s own adventures sharing a mountain cabin with a lizard.
Homestead Press March 2013
Adam Jones (BA-08), Pecos, N.M., wrote The Vendetta of Felipe Espinosa, a saga about Confederate guerillas, marauding Indians, a severe religious order, vigilante miners, and a migrant family looking for peace in a violent country. Adam is the recipient of the 2012 Homestead Foundation Fellowship from the Western Writers of America. His short fiction and articles have appeared in numerous publications, including Southwestern American Literature, Wild West, and Darker Times (UK).
Five Star November 2014
Diane Baublits (BA-60, MA-85), Las Animas, spent nearly 15 years researching her family genealogy in preparation to write The Monhollon Homesteaders: Kansas, Oklahoma and Colorado 1859-1987. Inspired by her mother’s journal, the book was edited and published by Diane’s daughter Jennifer Baublits (BA-91), Florissant. The biography depicts the life of western pioneers who participated in the Oklahoma Land Run, encountered Jesse and Frank James, and survived drought and the dust bowl. Diane taught high school speech and English, served as an assistant principal and worked as a school district media specialist.
January 2015 Renatus EduWorks
Michael Bierwiler (MA-79), Bedford, Texas, has written his sixth book, Dogfight: A J-3 Pilot’s Call to War. The novel was inspired by his mother’s experience as a teenager being trained as a civilian pilot in a J-3 on a grass landing strip during the war.
Create Space Publishing December 2014
Are You Lucky? by Brian Hale (BA-83), Lincoln, Nebr., explores the origin of luck and the many ways people attempt to court luck to their favor. More than Brian’s own story, the book explores love, war, sports, the casino and many twists and turns of everyday life. Brian has worked as a public relations professional and writer for 25 years.
Outskirts Press 2015
Bar None: A True-Life Pioneer Story, written by Val Orr (BS-77), Greeley, chronicles Val’s personal struggle against an unfair legal system. Her journey took her to the U.S. Supreme Court three times and won, with the case covered by high profile television and front page news. Val is a speaker, author, and standard-bearer for individual rights.
Barnone Press May 2014
How We Can Save Sports: A Game Plan, was written by Ken Reed (EdD-95), Littleton. The book, with a foreword by Ralph Nader, was written to inform and empower sports stakeholders who care deeply about the impact of today’s sports issues on individuals and society as a whole. Ken is the sports policy director for the League of Fans.
Rowman & Littlefield Publ February 2015
Thirty Works of Art that All Students Need to Know and Understand, written by Andrew Svedlow, professor of Art and Design at UNC is an introduction to the world of the visual arts. Students will become familiar with a broad range of subject matter, style, and medium, as well as with the historical and cultural contexts in which the visual arts have been made.
Ebook published December 2013
Jim R. Jacobs (BA-94, Denver, wrote Driving Lessons For Life: Thoughts on Navigating Your Road to Personal Growth, a collection of short stories about change, self-improvement and leadership that strengthen individuals and relationships. Jim has worked for more than 20 years as an author, professional speaker, counselor, professional coach and entrepreneur.
Aviva Publishing September 2014
Mary Jo Wisneski Johnson (EdD-79), Calistoga, Calif., wrote Doggie Delicious. The juvenile fiction book is about Bibi, an unusual dog, who models faith, trust and the greater wisdom of life and illustrates what can be accomplished with determination and courage. Mary Jo is a retired reading specialist who taught at levels ranging from kindergarten through graduate school during a 44-year career.
Outskirts Press Oct. 2014
The Alex Connor Chronicles Book One is the first in a series written by Samantha (Dill) Shannon (BA-98), Virginia Beach, Va. The novel features Alex Connor, a smart, complex and intriguing female character, and was written under Samantha’s pen name Parker Sinclair.
Published Nov 14
Neil Williams (BA-83), Denver is retired and a member of the Rainbow PUSH Coalition. His autobiography, My American Life, From Brooklyn to Denver, is the story of life, love, activism, self-identity, fatherhood, joy and pain.
Publish America May 2013
A Marathon Journey, written by Thomas Mayberry (BS-81), Hermitage, Tenn., is an inspirational look at how to achieve goals no matter how daunting they may seem. It is told through the point of view of a man in his fifties who pursued running to lose weight.
Published CrossBooks September 2014
Trauma Recovery Handbook, co-written by Charlene Slover (BA-73, MA-87), Arvada, and Debra Tasci (PSY-98), Golden, provides insight into all aspect of trauma effects and how to deal with them. Published Nicoletti-Flater Associates 1999
Degree Decoder: B.A. - Bachelor of Arts; B.S. - Bachelor of Science; B.M. - Bachelor of Music; B.M.E. - Bachelor of Music Education; L.C. - Limited Certificate; M.A. - Master of Arts; M.S. - Master of Science; M.A.T. - Master of Arts in Teaching; M.M. - Master of Music; M.P.H. - Master of Public Health; Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy; Psy.D. - Doctor of Psychology; Ed.D. - Doctor of Education; D.A. - Doctor of Arts; D.N.P.-Doctor of Nursing Practice; Ed.S. - Educational Specialist
