Tag Archive for: Books

Rookie policewoman Valorie Dawes is smart, tough, and intuitive. But she’s learning on the job, and every mistake costs lives.

Camas, WA — Award-winning Camas author and playwright Gary Corbin has announced the release of his eighth novel, A Better Part of Valor, the third in his acclaimed Valerie Dawes Thrillers police procedurals series.

A Better Part of Valorwas released to all retailers, including local bookstores, and signed copies of the paperback are available to order on the author’s web page (www.garycorbinwriting.com).

About A Better Part of Valor

In this exciting, character-driven police procedural by acclaimed author Gary Corbin, rookie policewoman Valorie Dawes returns to hunt down a serial killer, who targets high school girls—and leaves them drowned, barefoot, and bearing the same strange, fresh “girl power” tattoo.

Val wrangles a coveted spot on a high-profile task force dedicated to finding the killer, nicknamed by a muckraking blogger as the “Shoeless Schoolgirl Slayer.”

But the killer is clever and elusive, and somehow has gained inside knowledge of the task force’s tactics and plans. Moreover, his targets, methods, and timing are shifting in unpredictable ways, putting those close to Val—and perhaps Val herself—in mortal danger.

How can Val stop the Shoeless Slayer before he strikes down another innocent victim?

“Because of the pandemic, I’ve decided not to hold a public event, like a book signing, for this release,” Corbin says. “But copies will be donated to the Camas library and will be available at local bookstores, as well as online.”

The book is available in paperback in both regular and large-print editions. “My own terrible eyesight prompted me to go with a large-print version,” he adds, laughing. “It started getting tough to read my own books!”

More information is available on the author’s website, garycorbinwriting.com. You may also purchase the paperback version here: https://www.amazon.com/Woman-Valor-Gary-Corbin/dp/0997496797/

What Early Reviewers are Saying about A Woman of Valor:

“A Better Part of Valor: another thrilling adventure. Gary Corbin’s witty and fast paced story is a must-read that will keep you hooked at every turn.”

Briar’s Reviews

“Exploring the gritty intersection between precinct politics and life on the streets, A Better Part of Valor is a powder keg of intrigue ready to explode. Valerie Dawes’ sharp mind and dogged persistence make her the ideal hero to root out the moral depravity at the city’s core. An exciting read that leaves me wondering what’s next.”

 Erick Mertz, author of The Strange Air series of paranormal mysteries

A Better Part of Valor’s intricate plot, likeable central character and sense of authenticity kept this reader turning the pages way past her bedtime.”

What Cathy Read Next

Other Books by Gary Corbin

Gary’s other published works include:

A Woman of Valor (2019): rookie policewoman Valorie Dawes has a mission: take serial child molesters like Richard Harkins off the streets of her small hometown of Clayton, CT–for good. But Valorie’s past includes childhood abuse trauma of her own, and her battle with this cunning, vicious criminal awakens memories and emotions she’d rather forget.

In Search of Valor (2020): In this prequel to A Woman of Valor, Valorie Dawes fights an international kidnapping syndicate on behalf of a new college friend–and harbors serious doubts about her future as a police officer.

Lying in Judgment (2016): A man serves on the jury of a murder trial – for the crime that he committed! Lying in Judgment was selected as “Book of the Week” on Bookworks.com July 11-17, 2016 and an “Indie Spotlight” featured novel on literarylightbox.com in Winter 2016-17.

Lying in Judgment (2016): A man serves on the jury of a murder trial – for the crime that he committed! Lying in Judgment was selected as “Book of the Week” on Bookworks.com July 11-17, 2016 and an “Indie Spotlight” featured novel on literarylightbox.com in Winter 2016-17.

Lying in Vengeance (2017): 33-year-old Portland man Peter Robertson must choose between two horrible options, as a former fellow juror blackmails him to kill her stalker ex-boyfriend – or have his violent past exposed.

The Mountain Man’s Dog (2016): Rustic forester Lehigh Carter never suspected that adopting an injured stray on the highway would entangle him in the complex world of crooked cops and power-hungry politicians—or force him to flee into the forest in fear for his life.

The Mountain Man’s Bride (2017): Lehigh must prove that his fiancée is innocent of murdering a popular Acting Sheriff — but evidence of a secret affair makes even Lehigh wonder if he should fight for her freedom against the corrupt local machine that accused her.

The Mountain Man’s Badge (2018): Lehigh Carter never asked to be sheriff. And he sure never wanted to arrest his new father-in-law for murder.  Can Lehigh uncover the truth behind Everett Downey’s murder without becoming the killer’s next victim?

Seth Sjostrom’s Latest FBI Thriller Tackles the Horrors of Human Trafficking

Author Seth Sjostrom releases his latest FBI thriller this April, Penance: Unredeemable.

FBI Agent Alex Penance chases after a cartel’s human-trafficking ring, uncovering horrific scenes as the gang’s safe houses are found throughout abandoned farmhouses of rural Mississippi and swamps of Louisiana. Each location he uncovers reveals a more sinister treatment of a group of missing girls who find themselves in the middle of the cat-and-mouse chase. Working alongside Assistant District Attorney Annie Hunt, Penance zeroes in on the cartel’s headquarters outside of New Orleans.

Complicating Penance’s work on the case and his budding relationship with Annie, the agent is tasked with providing security for beautiful and flirtatious country music star Marla Hendricks. A promotional concert to benefit the beleaguered town of Sawyer, Mississippi, the star proves to be a distraction Penance doesn’t need as lives are on the line.

As kidnappings devolve into murder scenes, the race is on to save the girls before it is too late.

A serial entrepreneur, adventurer and author, Penance: Unredeemable, is Sjostrom’s tenth published novel. The thrillers Blood in the SnowBlood in the Water, Blood in the Sand, Penance, and Dark Chase, as well as the romances, Finding Christmas, The Tree Farm, The Nativity and Back to Carolina were his first books published. All of Seth’s books are available through Ingram.

View the video trailer for Penance: Unredeemable https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1qxF90iOyg.

For more information or to order his books, visit www.sethsjostrom.com.  

Penance
Camas author Seth Sjostrom.

Camas Author Seth Sjostrom released his latest book, The Tree Farm, a holiday novel, on November 1st. 

When the Shepherd family loses everything right before the holidays, they find joy in what matters most, rekindling fading Christmas traditions for themselves and for their town. They find that like trees, Christmas miracles come in all shapes and sizes.

“I wanted to write a story the depicts the struggle that a lot of families have during the holiday season. While they strive create the ‘perfect’ Christmas for their family, there is a lot more to the season than presents and an elaborate meal,” Sjostrom shares.

In the Tree Farm, the Shepherd family struggles to keep up with bills and maintain a roof over their heads never mind fashion a magazine-worthy holiday. A local tree farm with struggles of its own, presents as a safe haven for the Shepherd family. Forced to live simply, they discover a great gift, the magic of the holiday is accessible to all, regardless of material offerings.

A serial entrepreneur, adventurer and author, The Tree Farm, is Sjostrom’s ninth novel. The romances Finding Christmas, The Nativity and Back to Carolina along with the thrillers Blood in the Snow, Blood in the Water, Blood in the Sand, Penance, and recently released paranormal thriller Dark Chase were his first books published. All of Seth’s books are available anywhere books are sold. 

For more information regarding Seth or his books, visit www.sethsjostrom.com.  

Sjostrom
Author Seth Sjostrom.

Camas author, Seth Sjostrom, releases his latest thriller this September. Dark Chase, an FBI paranormal thriller uses rural America as the setting for the novel.

Why are the residents of a quaint farm town inexplicably dropping dead?

An FBI team has been called to investigate why the population of the seemingly sweet town of Hope, ND appears to be being literally scared to death.

Professor Ryder Chase and his team of paranormal researchers have been assigned to assist with the 
investigation, much to the bane of no-nonsense FBI Special Agent Devon Jeffers. The oppositional mix of 
Professor Chase, Agent Jeffers and their respective teams struggle to manage their stark, at times comical, differences.

Faced with unexplainable events, weathering brutal storms and wild chases through cornfields, the team takes the case deadly serious as one of their own go down.

Can they pull together in time to solve the mystery before more people die? 

A fascination with finding scientific facts to explain the seemingly unexplainable inspired Sjostrom to write Dark Chase. A lifetime of family trips to Hope, North Dakota to visit his grandfather and extended family inspired him to make Hope the setting for his latest thriller. “I always love visiting Hope. There is such charm and the epitome of Americana. The kindest people you would ever meet, overwhelming sense of peace, just a wonderful town in the middle of our country. I wanted share it with my readers and pay homage to my family,” Sjostrom shares.

Sjostrom
www.champpizza.com

“I’ll admit, I was a bit nervous making Hope one of the stars of the book. After all, it is a thriller with unpleasant things happening there and a brash FBI agent with no qualms turning his nose up at the simple, hardworking community…I wanted to make sure that the town and the people of Hope were represented as the way I see them. Kind, generous and welcoming,” Sjostrom added.

A serial entrepreneur, adventurer and author, Dark Chase, is Sjostrom’s seventh novel. The thrillers Blood in the SnowBlood in the Water, Blood in the Sand, Penance, as well as the romances, Finding Christmas and Back to Carolina were his first books published.

Dark Chase all of Sjostrom’s books are available anywhere books are sold, including online through Bookshop.org and Amazon.com.

For more information regarding Seth or his books, visit www.sethsjostrom.com.  

Sjostrom
Book author, Seth Sjostrom.

The Camas Public Library is pleased to announce racial equity as its first annual ‘Read for Change’ theme. Launching next week, the community reads initiative will feature speakers, exclusive access to a local documentary, discussion groups, a book giveaway, and racial equity community lending library—all at a safe social distance.

Starting Monday, August 17th, patrons can contact the Library to request a free copy ofHow to be an Antiracist and/or Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You, both by Ibram X. Kendi (the latter coauthored for young readers by Jason Reynolds). There is a limit of one of each title per household, while supplies last. Library staff will treat the items like a curbside pickup request and place the book(s) at the 4th Ave entrance at an appointed time. When the recipient is finished with the book, the Library suggests they pass it along to a neighbor or friend. All books have been purchased and donated by the Friends and Foundation of the Camas Library (FFCL). 

Read for Change will feature two keynote speakers to bookend the 12-week program. Portland-based equity speaker Alexis Braly James hosts Building Bridges: Race as a Social Construct on Tuesday, August 25th at 5:30pmAt 6pm on Thursday, November 12th in partnership with Humanities Washington, the Library will host Timothy Golden for Equality on Trial: Race, Fairness, and the US Supreme Court. Both speakers will present via Zoom.

Library
https://www.lesschwab.com/store/?storeId=714

Between the two keynote speakers, the Library will offer exclusive online access to local filmmaker Melissa Lowery’s documentary Black Girl in Suburbia. In addition, community facilitators are teaming up with Library staff to host book discussion groups for both titles, and the Library is also adapting several of their regular programs to tackle racial equity. Finally, a small “take-one-leave-one” type lending library at the Library’s curbside pickup with racial equity themed books donated by the community will round out the offerings. All details can be found on the Library’s website at www.camaslibrary.org.

“We are thrilled to kick off the inaugural Read for Change program with such an important theme. We have already had incredible community support, just in the planning stages. We knew we had to adapt and make this work in a virtual environment because the timing is so crucial. Providing a place for community conversations around race is key,” said Connie Urquhart, Library Director.

Back to Carolina is a cozy beach romance set in coastal North Carolina. 

Dean Taylor is excited to tackle the final assignment before officially making partner at his firm, that is until he learns he must return to his hometown to close the deal. Driving past road signs and ball fields, he is overwhelmed by images from the past he had run away from a decade ago and of which he had no desire to return. 

Dean’s plans to get in, grab a signature, and get out quickly are abruptly dashed as the CEO of Cape Fear Commercial demands that Dean spends a week getting to know each of the company’s facilities. Compounding Dean’s challenge, Cape Fear’s Public Relations Director assigned to take him on the tour is a college ex-girlfriend, a relationship that he acknowledges he did not end in particularly gallant fashion. At every turn during his stay, Dean runs into people from his past. Unresolved relationships weighing on him, he launches into an ill-advised apology tour. 

As Dean confronts his past, he finds himself unwittingly smitten with Shelby James, a wary military widow struggling to move past the heartbreak of losing her husband. Life’s turns continue to pit the two together as they begin to build a fragile, reluctant relationship unlocking hearts and healing wounds of the past, cultivating a warm, coastal Carolina romance.    

A work trip inspired Sjostrom to write Back to Carolina.

Carolina
Seth Sjostrom.

“I left my hometown at such an age that my tail was on fire, ready to conquer the world. There was surely scorched earth in my wake. As I drove through my old college town, I couldn’t help but to consider friends and relationships that I either left behind or were simply overwhelmed by the overgrown weeds of time,” Sjostrom shares. 

Back to Carolina follows Dean Taylor as he struggles to overcome the fears of facing his past and rebuilding relationships that were once dear to him. In doing so, he finds his mature self finally ready to accept present day relationships, such as his budding romance with Shelby.

Seth is a Camas, Washington resident. A serial entrepreneur and author, Back to Carolina, is his fifth novel. The thrillers Blood in the SnowBlood in the Water, Penance, as well as the holiday romance Finding Christmas were his first books published. 

For more information or to order his books, check out www.sethsjostrom.com for pre-launch discounts. Back to Carolina goes to print May 1st.

Award-winning Camas author and playwright Gary Corbin has announced the release of his sixth novel, A Woman of Valor, with launch events and book signings in venues around the greater Portland/Vancouver area.

A Woman of Valor will be released to bookstores on June 27, 2019, although it is available for pre-order on Amazon.comSmashwords.com, and on the author’s web page (www.garycorbinwriting.com).

About A Woman of Valor

In this exciting, character-driven police procedural by acclaimed author Gary Corbin, rookie policewoman Valorie Dawes has a mission: take serial child molesters like Richard Harkins off the streets of her small hometown of Clayton, CT—for good.

But Valorie’s past includes childhood abuse trauma of her own, and her battle with this cunning, vicious criminal awakens memories and emotions she’d rather forget. Battling sexism within the department and vilification in the media as a reckless incompetent, Val finds few allies in the pursuit of this elusive, cruel criminal, even as he continues to victimize women and girls in the community. 

Can Valorie overcome the trauma she suffered as a child and stop Harkins from hurting others—or will her bottled-up anger lead her to take reckless risks that put the people she loves in greater danger?

Book Launch and Signings: Caps ‘N Taps, Vintage Books, and more

To help promote the book, the author will kick off a series of release events and book signings. The first event is a launch party at Camas’ popular taproom, CapsN’Taps, on June 28, from 6-8 PM. Corbin will sell and sign books directly, and CapsN’Taps will offer $2 off any beer to customers who purchase a copy of the book at the event.

“CapsN’Taps hosted the launch party for my very first novel, Lying in Judgment, which was a blast,” Corbin says. “Beer and books—what a great combination!”

On July 13, Corbin will read from the new novel and sign books at local favorite Vintage Books, 6613 E Mill Plain Blvd in Vancouverat 2 PM. Copies of all books will be available for sale at the event.

“Vintage Books has been amazing at finding readers for my books, and they’re incredibly supportive of local authors,” Corbin says.  “Vintage was one of the first to put my books on its shelves. It’s a great local bookstore with great selection and terrific event programming. I can’t say enough good things about it.”

Another “Beer and Books” event will take place Thursday, July 18 at Portland’s new books-and-beer tavern, the Rose City Book Pub.

“I’m very excited to hold an event in Northeast Portland, the area where I lived for 15 years before moving to Clark County,” Corbin says. “Rose City Book Pub’s informal atmosphere is perfect for hosting an event, and since they’re also a bookstore, they’ll also be stocking the book for sale. I don’t know if I’m more excited about the beer or the books!”

Other events include book signings at Jan’s Paperbacks in Aloha, OR on July 28, and participation on Cascade Library’s 2019 Words and Pictures Festival in October.

Full details of all events are available on the author’s website, garycorbinwriting.com.

New York Times Best-Selling book author, Kristina McMorris, will be meeting with the Salud Wine Co. Book Club Monday, February 25, from 7-8 pm to discuss her book, “Sold on a Monday,” and will be available for book signings. Everyone is welcome to attend, and encouraged to bring a friend.

Salud! Wine Co. is located in Downtown Camas on 224 NE 3rd Avenue.

About her book, Sold on a Monday

The sign is a last resort. It sits on a farmhouse porch in 1931, but could be found anywhere in an era of breadlines, bank runs, and broken dreams. It could have been written by any mother facing impossible choices.

For struggling reporter Ellis Reed, the gut-wrenching scene evokes memories of his family’s dark past. He snaps a photograph of the children, not meant for publication. But when it leads to his big break, the consequences are more devastating than he ever imagined.

Books
Available at Amazon.com

At the paper, Lillian Palmer is haunted by her role in all that happened. She is far too familiar with the heartbreak of children deemed unwanted. As the bonds of motherhood are tested, she and Ellis must decide how much they are willing to risk to mend a fractured family.

Inspired by an actual newspaper photograph that stunned the nation, Sold on a Monday is a powerful novel of love, redemption, and the unexpected paths that bring us home.

To learn more about the author, visit www.kristinamcmorris.com

Salud! Wine Company is a wine bar, event center, and wine storage business that offers memberships. They regularly host events with live music and offer a nice variety of small plates to accompany your event. To learn more, visit www.saludwine.com

Artful Attic
www.ArtfulAtticBoutique.com

The Camas Public Library has some fun upcoming events!

TEEN OVERNIGHT MOVIE LOCK-IN!

Teens, spend the night in the library! Vote for and watch movies all night long. More information and permission slip. Deadline for turning in the permission slip is Tuesday, January 29th.

We are still looking for adult chaperones! Email [email protected] if you are interested and want more information.

BOOK TO ART, JR.

A new book group for students in grades 6-8 and their adult. Pick up your free copy of the book at the Library. Read the book, make some art, meet at the Library to discuss both, and then you get to keep the book for free!

We will be discussing The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett on Thursday, February 28th at 6:30pm. Sign up required, and space is limited.

Call the Library at 360.834.4692 to sign up.

NEEDLE FELTED BIRDS

A workshop for teens and adults. Led by visual artist LeBrie Rich. Supplies provided; sign-up required. Saturday, January 26th at 1:00 

 

OREO COOKIE CHALLENGE

Can you guess the flavor? For 6th through 12th grade. Friday, February 15th at 4pm.

MAKE ME!

A fun drop-in craft opportunity for teens! Every month we will make something different. Middle and High School students welcome. Tuesday, March 27th 4-5:30pm.

 

TEEN ZINE CLUB

Are you the creative type? Come to our Teen Zine Club! Work alone or in groups on zines, comics, artist books, or other paper projects. The first Wednesday of every month 4-5:30pm. For 6th-12th grades.

CROCHET CLUB

All ages and skill welcome! Instruction and yarn provided, and loaner hooks available. Thursdays at 3:30-5pm. Led by Laurinda Reddig from ReCrochetions.

 

ALL AGES BOOK SWAP

Trade your used books with others, and take home as many as you bring. Saturday, February 23rd at 3-5pm. Come any time!

 

JAPANESE ANIME AND CULTURE

Teens! Take a look at Japanese anime and learn the connections it has to modern Japanese culture. Come if you love anime or want to learn about Japan! Japanese snacks provided. Tuesday, March 5th at 4:30pm.

Presented by Camas High School Senior Megan Shellman.

 

Camas, WA — Former Seahawks star running back Curt Warner and his wife, Ana, along with writer Dave Boling, are excited to officially release their new book, “The Warner Boys: Our Family’s Story of Autism and Hope,” this weekend.

Published by Little A, an imprint of Amazon Publishing, “The Warner Boys” is a raw, emotional depiction of the reality of dealing with twins with severe autism, and the closeted life that ensued.

Curt is a two-time All-American at Penn State, a 2009 College Football Hall of Fame inductee, and a former All-Pro running for the Seattle Seahawks and the Los Angeles Rams. A three-time Pro Bowler, Curt was inducted to the Seattle Seahawks Ring of Honor in 1994.

Ana has dedicated her life to the care of her family, and the study and treatment of autism spectrum disorder. Both have served as keynote speakers at the National Autism Conference at Penn State, and the Texas Autism Conference in San Antonio.

The couple were prominent figures in Seattle during the 1990s, and when they dropped from the public eye following Curt’s retirement, the reality of their situation was a closely guarded secret.

“When Austin and Christian were born, everything seemed normal,” said Ana, who was already the mother of 18 month-old Jonathon. “But as they got older, they were really hard to control, and were nothing like Jonathan. By age 2, we started noticing really odd behaviors. They were very hyper.”

Ana said they wrote the book in part to explain why the disappeared from people socially.

“We were forced to isolate ourselves for their safety,” said Ana. “We were in survival mode for a long time.”

Curt said the book is also a story of hope.

“We take them from diagnosis at age 5 and prior to that the issues we were dealing with, and where we are today,” he said. “It’s not a fix-it book, it’s a book that is testimony of what we’ve been dealing with for the last 23 years. We just happened to find the right channels from point A to point Z. We ended up speaking at a 2013 Autism conference at Penn State, and after that we realized we do have something to share with people who are going through this. We are able to help people, and to promote awareness because there are families dealing with the autism spectrum and still looking for answers. We can relate to families coping with this. Ultimately, you’re not alone when it comes to this.”

Autism

Their new book is available at www.Amazon.com

Ana explains the autism spectrum of 1-10, with 10 being severe.

“You have people who can go to college and be successful and you have the other end of the spectrum,” she said. “We are at the 7-8 of the spectrum. Our kids are probably in the more severe end of spectrum. They need 24-hour assistance.”

Like the book, during our interview the Warner’s were very raw and candid about their daily struggles. During the two-hour interview, Curt acknowledged the daily roller coaster ride.

”As fathers, we’re supposed to be solid, not show emotion, we have to be strong,” Curt said. “But, this thing is tough. It’s tougher than any football game, any strategy. It’s tougher than anything I’ve had to deal with. There are moments of sheer frustration, anger, pain, and moments of total gratitude and love. We love our children.”

Ana said she escapes through sleep, and they are currently going through times when they can’t take the boys out.

“Mentally, they’re at 5-6 years old,” said Ana. “It’s hard to manage because they’re men.”

The book addresses the physical activities they do, and what foods work best. The couple provides counsel to other families, and encourages families to never give up.

“Our advice would be to not give up on your child or your marriage,” said Ana. “Try not to isolate yourself (like we did) and ask for help. In the case of someone who had never encountered anyone with autism before, be kind, don’t judge, if possible try to help.”

You may purchase the book here: The Warner Boys