Local Author Books

Do Indians Eat Soup?  by Sherry A Dalton.  This is an informative story about a tribe that lived in the Northeast corner of Missouri and Central Illinois in 1700–before the presence of white men.  It begins with a modern family having watched a shoot-em up western on television and the questions that arise from a four year old’s curiosity. 

A New Day-A New Beginning by Sherry A Dalton.  This books talks about life on a farm being a 247/365 commitment. 

Pescadero Creek by Victoria Williams-Fisher.  Pescadero Dreek is the location of a watery grave for beautiful young women who have been raped and strangled to death, and not necessarily in that order.  When the bodies of these young women begin surfacing in Pescadero Creek, special agent Rob McAllister, and Dr. Morgan Warren, are thrown together to bring the killer of this five-year murder spree to justice. 

Hard Times–Happy Memories  by Lloyd Helmreich.  A lot of things change in 90 plus years.  At the age of 95, Lloyd Helmreich decided to write a few stories of his life.  Lloyd writes about school days, growing up on a farm, good times with friends and neighbors, and much more.  He also tells about being in a tornado, a drought, and a plague of grasshoppers. 

The Coach and the Kid  by Ivan Paul.  Growing up, Ivan Paul was a troublemaker. At heart he was a good kid, but growing up in several dysfunctional family situations, there wasn’t much to keep Ivan on track.

That is, until one man came along and changed all that.  Read about how Mr. Gunion, the baseball coach, came into Ivan’s life at a pivotal moment, providing words of encouragement that Ivan needed.  Learn how these words of wisdom left a lasting impression and how they affected the rest of Ivan Paul’s life.

A Toast to Warm Friendliness-Quincy’s Heidelberg German Band–by Lavern Wagner.   Learn how the band started, how they played at the Illinois State Fair, the problems which surfaced in the 1970′s, and how they became a finer musical group.  Great photos of this great band. 

Taking Jenny Home–by Carolyn Kane  On mysterious Merlin’s Island off the coast of Maine, twelve-year-old Kaitlin Delaney gazes out to sea and silently prays for the assistancce of Manannan Mac Lir, a sea wizard who is the fabled protector of Irish people.  This book contains numerous wonderful characters, great touches of humor, and especially all the Irish Lore and poetry. 

Carolyn Graham’s    Lift–Life’s Inspiration and Fun Times.  This is a book of jokes and more.  Old–New–Corny–Blonde–Redneck–Yadda, Tadda. 

LIFT-Means laughter if free therapy.  An example from the book: 

A Typical Day in the USA

John woke to his alarm clock–made in Japan

While his coffeepot–Made in China

was perking, he shaved with his electric razor-Made in Hong Kong.

He put on a dress shirt-Made in Sri Lanka

designer jeans-Made in Singapore

and tennis shoes–Made in Korea.

He put on his sandals-Made in Brazil. Poured himself a glass of wine-Made in France and turned on his TV-Made in Indonesia and wondered why he couldn’t find a good paying job in America.

Author Leisha Kelley–Leisha passed away in February 2011.  We will all miss her are her great stories.  All of Leisha’s book are available at Great Debate.  They include:

• The House on Malcolm Street–When tradegy steals her future, can Leah learn to trust again?   This is a beautiful story about the complexities of life.
• Julia’s Hope-They needed a home.  She needed a family.  What they found is a miracle. 
• Emma’s Gift-In a time of confusion, in the midst of grief, they discovered something beautiful. 
• Katie’s Dream-She wanted a father.  They wanted the truth. 
• Till Morning is Nigh–A Christmas of Healing.
• Rorey’s Secret–When all seems lost, out of the ashes redemption arises. 
• Rachel’s Prayer-War threatened to pull them apart.  Hope bound them together. 
• Sarah’s Promise–The final installment of the Wortham family series!
• Tahn-One man.  Two noble families. A looming conflict that could destroy them all. 
• The Scarlet Trefoil-Noble lords, a royal bride, and a plot that could threaten them all. 
• Return to Alstair–Tahn searches for the truth, where he encounters old adversaries, deadly threats, a long-lost sister, and the distrust of the entire town.                                              

The Weaver’s Loom–by Pamela Reid.  This historical novel was published in October 2010.  The Weaver’s Loom is a story about the special bond between gypsies and Jews–of which the gypsies, and a good many of the jews–are keenly aware.   This is a story about forgiveness.  This book explores the struggles between two beautiful cultures, bound together by a great human tragedy-the Holocaust.  This is an illumination of an enduring friendship between two unlikely women with a strong will to live.  This is material that everyone should know.  

Makenna’s Magic Ear–by Ellen Waters.  This book-told through the eyes of three year old Makenna is the story of getting a cochlear implant from the discovery of the hearing loss at birth.  Ellen Waters works with speech disordered children.