Merry Christmas and to all and to all a good read by Antoinette May What gives with those elves? Half appear to be on Zoloft, the other on roller blades. With so many errands and obligations, your ho-ho-ho persona can easily flip to bah humbug. Yet where is the guarantee that Christmas is an endless Dickens Faire? It is what it is. Take a stroll down Christmas Tree Lane. Breathe deeply and think: warm and fuzzy. The holidays come as a year-end wake up call that forces us to focus our attention on the people who really matter. (Including yourself.) Suddenly plastic cards flash like stars: Use me! Use me! (Maybe it’s time to be a Santa to yourself as well.) Now brace yourself for a scary warning: The days have dwindled down to a precious few. Only 19 left till Yuletide! You better believe the Ghost of Christmas Present is driving traffic. The good news is that area writers have been busy sprites cranking out books on every subject. With something out there for everyone on your list, their creative offerings should go a long way to guarantee that yours is a cool Yule. Score one for a Tiny Tim convert and then settle in for a true story of hope, hard work and, hopefully, a Christmas success. It began with Monika Rose’s poetry collection, “River by the Glass,” which was published exactly one year ago. The book sold briskly at signings, fairs and in stores. Happily—thanks to internet guru Lou Gonzalez—“River of Glass” has taken on a new life just in time for the 2012 shopping season. Lou worked intensively with Monika to fit her poetry into an eBook format. Not an easy task. Think about it. The length and spacing of each line is an integral part of a poem. Though the hard copy of the book is still available from Amazon ($21.99), you can now alternatively download “River by the Glass” as an Amazon Select Premier eBook on an Amazon Kindle or laptop/computer. “It's there right now,” Monika says, “like a juicy, ripe fruit dangling from a lush, tree in the family orchard! You can pick a copy for yourself for just $4.99.” Monika welcomes reviews. “This,” she says, “is an important thing. Don't feel you have to rank it a 5, either, even though it might be a 5. It's better to just give it a 4 or a 3 if you think that's where it sits. I can handle imperfection. I'm an entity that always strives for improvement. A diamond in the rough. A slightly bruised apple. A comfy pair of old jeans.” Lou Gonzalez, Monika’s internet mentor, is a true year-round Santa who has helped so many people transition into the eUniverse. Though a novelist, Lou has worked as an engineer and computer programmer. “Creating Your eBook,” Lou’s new primer, combines an engineering and programming background with experience in computer design and the conversion of more than 20 manuscripts into Kindle and Nook eBooks. The book sells for 4.99 on Kindle. Lou has chosen the pseudonym Stephen Reikert to distinguish his technical books from his fiction, the latest of which is the newly completed “Power Broker.” The novel is set for publication in January. The price on Kindle will be $3.99.   * * * Sutter Creek resident Tami Trevaskis has a debut novel out just in time for the holidays. “Raising Jacob” is about bringing up a son in a small community. It’s a struggle, for the boy causes lots of trouble for himself and his family during his teen years. As Tami explains, “It’s a story about family, marriage, parenthood, and just working really hard to make it through the most difficult of situations. I guess you could say it’s a story about life.” Tami, who works at the Jackson Cleaners, began her book as a series of journal entrees during a tough time in her own life. Later, writing after- hours and on weekends, she novelized her story, altering names, towns, and businesses. She’s working now on a new novel with a very different plot; this one is about a girl—“a little princess.” “Raising Jacob” is for sale at bookstores and on line at www.friesenpress.com and at Amazon. The price is $15.99. * * * Sarah Lunsford of Murphys is a lady of many facets. Well known to Lodestar readers as both an investigative reporter and a wide- ranged feature writer, she also authors an inspiring spiritual blog. Now there’s an exciting new development in Sarah’s career. Her debut novel, “The Knife's Edge,” is a young adult paranormal book laced with interwoven elements of romance and mystery. Priced at $1.99, the book is sold on Amazon and at Barnes & Noble. Here are the basics: Tallis Studden, the novel’s protagonist, is gifted with the ability to see visions that others can't. When she moves from the city of Atlanta to Angels

Camp, she discovers the area to be anything but angelic. On her 16th birthday, Tallis inherits a gift from her Native American grandfather, but when a portion of the present is stolen she is plunged into a world of mystery and intrigue. Along the way, Tallis meets new friends who have gifts of their own. She also encounters the irresistible Trevor who can't seem to escape his family's dark allegiance. Sounds like a romp! Surely you know a teen who will love this one. * * * Bill Manville’s book, “Cool, Hip & Sober” doesn’t exactly sound like a stocking stuffer, but you never know. It has received the most superlative reviews I’ve ever read. The Groveland author’s book has been in print for ten years and is now being reissued in a new edition by Tor Publishing as both as a trade paperback and an e-book. Here’s what the literary giant, Michael Korda, then editor-in- chief at Simon & Schuster, had to say about Bill’s novel which is also soon to be re-issued: “...the work I know best is your novel ‘Goodbye,’ which I edited. What first attracted me was the dazzling prose; I was equally impressed by plot and characterization. “A considerable literary accomplishment but also a Book of the Month choice, bringing an impressive price at paperback auction. What may also interest your students, I’ve heard you in discussion with writers like Joe Heller, Patricia Bosworth, Lois Gould and Gay Talese, and remember thinking more than once, Bill ought to be teaching…” Wow! And aren’t we lucky! That’s exactly what he’s doing. Author Bill Manville has again agreed to teach his “Writing to Get Published” class at the Groveland Branch of Tuolumne County Library. Bill’s writing sessions will run for six Saturday afternoons early in the new year. The free class is open to students of all ages. Bill’s only requirement is the desire to really learn how to write. You can sign up at the Groveland library or by phoning 962- 6144. Bill also teaches a master class year-round. It is limited to only eight students, but currently there is one vacancy. Wouldn’t that be a meaningful gift for a talented young person . . . or perhaps for yourself? * * * Linda Abbott Trapp is an exciting new arrival to the area’s literary scene. Recently settled in Valley Springs, she's already heavily involved in leading workshops on memoir and “Writing to Heal,” as well as showing her paintings in galleries and shows.  Linda is the author of seven books, but possibly the most timely for this season is “Letters to My Granddaughters.” ($12) You’ll find it an inspirational guide to many of life’s most complex and challenging issues from the understanding and celebration of love to the wisdom of having it all. The topics grew from feedback following the author’s participation in more than 3000 seminars. “They are designed,” Linda says, “to encourage and assist all those who search with open hearts and wondering minds for the secrets of life. ” A former dean at the California School of Professional Psychology, she holds a doctorate from Iowa State University, the CSP award from the National Speakers Association, and a Certificate in Ecotourism. Linda’s most recent book, “Intentional Living,” ($15) highlights how changing our thoughts can change our lives. A feature is using the Tree of Life as a paradigm and tool for deepening knowledge. The Tree of Life, possibly the ancestor of the Christmas tree, seems a perfect symbol for the holiday season. Both Linda’s books are available in bookstores and through Amazon. * * * Exciting things are happening in Kathy Fellure’s life. First of all, she completed “Nana’s Tin of Buttons,” the last in her four-part Blake Sisters Adventure series. “Buttons” and the three other Fellure hits, “When the Birdies Came to Tea,” “Mr. Snowman Ate Our Picnic Lunch,” and “Bear Cub Adventure,” make perfect Christmas gifts for toddlers. Hardbacks may be purchased exclusively at Lulu Press Inc., for $26.95. Soft backs are $16.95 through Lulu and Amazon, and eBooks $8.95 at eNooks, iStore and Barnes and Noble. Kathy’s second major achievement this year is the completion of an adult novel, “Language of the Lake” which has been accepted by an agent and is currently being shopped. Look out world! Kathy’s riveting plot involves family secrets that trigger a journey of self discovery for the protagonist. It is the first in a trilogy. As in the children’s series, Lake Tahoe has a strong presence in the narrative, a character in itself. “The lake is part of me,” Kathy confided to me. “I was born in July and out on the beach in August. After that I spent every summer there with my grandparents.

I think the Blake Sisters series grew out of that experience. The stories emphasize strong family values.” Sounds like a holiday winner. * * * Cynthia Kumanchik of Copperopolis, who wowed everybody last year with her fiction thriller, “Deception,” has now come out with a new book, available on Kindle, iBookstore, Barnes & Noble, Baker & Taylor, Gardner’s and eBookPie. “The Estrogen Chronicles,” an e- reader was published by babybook.com under the pseudonym, Marie Bohland. It tells the story of Lucinda, a woman newly separated from her husband who moves to a small town in the Sierras. Recently divorced and hoping to begin a new life, Lucinda takes a job as a clerk in Sierra Hospital’s emergency room. A deadly virus overtakes the quiet town causing chaos and attacking its young people. Nothing can stop the virus as hundreds of people rush to the ER, waiting for a vaccine. A desperate father with a gun, determined to find a cure for his baby could end it all. Time is running out as the town of Sierra crumbles under the pressures of this fatal virus. Who and how will it survive? Ooooooh! Sounds exciting doesn’t it? For more information, call Cynthia at 559-9968. * * * Exciting news for journalist Scott Thomas Anderson! His long awaited, “Shadow People” was published this year and is generating rave reviews. Meth-driven crime is a serious issue in Calaveras, Amador and Tuolomne counties. We all know that. Most of us have read Scott’s hard-hitting feature stories on the subject. Now at last comes his book, a culmination of the journalist’s experiences as an embedded reporter with law enforcement agencies not only in the Foothills but around the country. The title “Shadow People,” sounded a bit like fantasy fiction to me. Remember “Twilight Zone”? Guess again! Scott’s “Shadow People” is hard-driven fact, a nightmare that is all too real. “Sleepless and paranoid, methamphetamine addicts often see ‘shadow people’ in the darkest hours of the night,” Scott explained. “Yet it’s the addicts themselves who cast a shadow over the most peaceful corners of America, driven in large numbers to commit fraud, indentify theft, burglary, domestic violence, elder abuse child abuse, assault and murder.” The Kindle e-book edition has just been released. It's $2.99 at Amazon.com and can be read on Kindle, Kindle Fire and most smart phones and Ipads with the Kindle app.  Scott has received the California Newspaper Publishers Association’s highest honor for writing, followed by a second-place win for investigative journalism. He has worked as a foreign correspondent for Radio Kerry in Ireland and been published in the Irish Independent, Ireland’s largest daily paper. He was one of nine reporters to be awarded the Robert Novak Journalism Fellowship. Whatta guy! And now he has a book out. “Shadow People” sounds like a good read for all of us. * * * Big news! Jackson author Helen Bonner’s “Dolphin Adventure” was a finalist for the Eric Hoffer First Horizons Book Award. The Eric Hoffer award, established as a means of opening a door to writing of significant merit, highlighs salient writing as well as the independent spirit of small publishers."   “I’m thrilled,” Helen told me, “to be pasting gold award stickers onto every copy of “The Dolphin Papers.” I hope it will expand readers' understanding of dolphins and stop the killing of 1,800 whales and dolphins and the deafening of 15,900 more by ceasing the operation of the Navy's underwater sound system in the Hawaiian Islands, the California and Atlantic Coasts, and the Gulf of Mexico." Helen grew up near Lake Tahoe where her parents ran a roadside café. She learned story telling from sitting behind the stove on snowy nights listening to travelers spin their tales. She went on to be a "housewife", mother, secretary, news reporter, honor student, and finally, university professor while writing stories for publications ranging from “True Confessions” to Writers Forum. In addition to “Dolphin Papers,” Helen has written another novel, “Cry Dance,” and two memoirs, “The Laid Daughter” and “First Love Last.” All are available on Amazon. Her third novel, “MsDemeanors, a historical novel of the ‘60s and ’70, is in its final editing and will be published in February. “It was so exciting for me,” Helen says, to revisit the tough but rewarding work we women did in those times. Although it is a novel, many of the situations I dramatize came from my own life—I am proud to say--and many others from the real lives of women I knew and worked with at the time.  We cannot stop now, women, there is still plenty to do.” And that’s a resolution for the New Year! In the meantime, happy holidays to all!