For The Love Of Trains - The Illinois Railway Museum

I’ll be happy to admit it up front; I’m a bit of a train nut. That doesn’t mean I know a lot about trains, it just means I’ve always had an interest in them. It’s probably because, when I grew up, trains were still in wide use across the country.

And, because of my love of trains, I included a train, as a major element, in my new book, Barney and the Runaway. That book will be coming out later this fall.

Several years ago, while on a film production assignment up in Canada, I had the opportunity to ride on the Polar Bear Express. What great fun!

So, when my older brother Lane, and his wife Jill visited recently, I took them to the Illinois Railway Museum in Union, Illinois.

This is America’s largest railway museum, with steam trains, streetcars, interurbans, and diesel trains. On holiday weekends, they bring out the big steam trains and make a ten-mile run.

On the day we were there, only electric trains were running. We went out on this interurban car for about ten miles, and then rode around the grounds on an electric streetcar.

Everywhere you look, at the museum, there are trains of every kind. And not just one or two, trains are everywhere.

There are so many, that several have to be kept out in the elements. Over 400 locomotives and rail cars are stored on the grounds. But the lucky trains are the ones that are kept in long barns where they are lovingly restored, mostly by volunteers.

Some of the steam locomotives are simply monstrosities. It hurts your neck to look up at them. My brother is over six feet tall. Just look at the massive wheel behind him. And this engine has several on each side.

Hollywood often comes calling, when they need a train for their production. This train, the silver Zephyr, was used in the film, A League of Their Own. Many other productions are listed in the brochure.

You can read more about the museum at http://www.irm.org/  If you live anywhere near Union, Illinois, and if you care anything at all about trains, I encourage you to make the trip to the Illinois Railway Museum. You won’t be disappointed.

These are a couple of old railroad timetables in my collection. The Chicago NorthWestern is from April 24, 1949 and the Milwaukee Road is dated April-May 1938.

Comments about Lost Island Smugglers

Reviews are coming in, and that will continue over the next several weeks. Here are a few comments...


--"Sam Cooper Adventures are like good, family movies . . . as an ordinary kid finds himself in exciting and extra-ordinary adventures!" Bill Myers - author


--"As usual, Anderson injects strong principles to live by in a way that children can understand."



--"We did Lost Island Smugglers as a bed-time read aloud, and everyone thought that it was great. It is certainly an exciting, action-packed adventure story that both boys and girls will enjoy."


--"I would say that this is probably going to be my favorite of his books. That is until the next one comes out and I read it."


--"Lost Island Smugglers is a quality book full of family values that will keep your preteen boy entertained."


--"This book moves at a fast pace. There are no slow parts where your child will lose interest. It’s full of “Oh, no”s and “Now what are they going to do”s. My children enjoyed it thoroughly."


--"Because my son is such a reluctant reader, I knew he would not read anything I handed him, so we read this aloud. My daughter enjoyed the story just as much as my son did. I believe my son may actually read (on his own) the next book in the Sam Cooper Adventure."


Author Web Site
http://www.maxbooks.9k.com

Keeping Reluctant Readers Reading

Please see the feature interview & article about my action-adventure and mystery books for readers 8 and up, Keeping Reluctant Readers Reading, at Eclectic Homeschool Online http://www.eclectichomeschool.org/articles/article.asp?articleid=662

Tall Ships Chicago 2010

As end of summer comes into view, I’ve had the opportunity to do a couple of unique things that may be of interest. Today I’ll report on the Tall Ships Chicago 2010. And a few days from now, I’ll post information, and pictures, from my visit to the Illinois Railway Museum. Be sure to come back for that one.

20 tall ships made the trip to Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois. I live about 90 miles west of the city.

I went there with my son, Jim, who lives with his wife in the city. Both are attorneys.


Ships came from around the world, including The Netherlands, Germany, the US, and Canada. Special wristbands allowed us to board any of the ships.


Before driving in to Chicago, I had read about the ships that would be on display.

Immediately I set my sights on the HMS Bounty. This is the full-rigged tall ship used in a number of Hollywood films.


It was built for the 1962 film, "Mutiny on the Bounty."

This same ship was also seen in “Treasure Island” and “Pirates of the Caribbean – Dead Man’s Chest.” My son and I waited in line for over one hour to board that great ship, but it was worth every minute of it.

We were allowed to walk freely above and below deck.

Bounty is outfitted with gigantic
masts, intricate rigging...

...and a beautiful, wooden ship’s wheel.
As we walked along the pier, and boarded other ships, it was easy for my mind to drift back to another day and time, when these mighty vessels sailed the seas.

And who knows? Maybe one or more of them will find their way into one of my future action-adventures or mystery books for boys.

Lost Island Smugglers Homeschool Review

NEW!
This review is for another of
Max Elliot Anderson's
books for boys, that girls enjoy reading just as much.

Rating: 5 stars (EXCELLENT)




Reviewed by Wayne S. Walker


For readers 8 and up, especially boys.

For more information e-mai homeschoolbookreview@gmail.com

http://homeschoolblogger.com/homeschoolbookreview/784750


Anderson, Max Elliot. Lost Island Smugglers: A Sam Cooper Adventure #1 (published in 2010 by Sharks Finn, an imprint of Port Yonder Press LLC, Shellsburg, IA).

How do you think that you would react if you were caught in a storm at sea and landed on a deserted island only to find out that it was the hideout of drug smugglers? Samuel Clement Cooper, age eleven, lives with his dad, who is a research biologist, and mom. Mr. Cooper’s job has kept the family moving frequently during Sam’s short life, so he’s always the new kid in school and has difficulty making friends. Now, they are moving to Harper’s Inlet, FL, and his dad will be working on a project in the Everglades. The contract is for two years, but they might get to stay five. At Sunday school in the church where the Coopers decide to attend, Sam meets Tony and Tyler. Tony’s father owns a marina, so Tony invites Tyler and Sam to take free scuba lessons.


One day, while Tony’s father is away on a buying trip, the boys decide to try out their new skills by taking one of the rental sailboats, a catamaran, and scuba diving in the ocean. The only problem is that they don’t have permission and don’t let anyone know. Everything seems all right until a big storm blows up suddenly. Their boat is smashed to pieces and they find themselves stranded on Lost Island, where they build themselves a shelter, find a wrecked boat with some food, and think of how they might survive until help arrives—if it ever does. But that is not the worst news. The three discover that the island is a secret hideout used by drug smugglers with high powered speed boats. Sam and his friends know that they need to do something to stop the men. But what? Will they succeed or get themselves killed? And will they ever be rescued?


Author Max Elliot Anderson grew up as a reluctant reader. Therefore, he has written action adventures and mysteries for readers eight and up, especially boys. We did Lost Island Smugglers as a bed-time read aloud, and everyone thought that it is great. It is certainly an exciting, action-packed adventure story that both boys and girls will enjoy. In addition, I liked two other things about the book: that religion is portrayed as a normal part of people’s lives, and that good character traits are emphasized. Yes, Sam, Tony, and Tyler make a terrible mistake in sneaking off without telling anyone and suffer some serious consequences as a result. However, they learn a valuable lesson from their disobedience, and so will children who read the book. Book #2, Captain Jack’s Treasure, is already in production, and Book #3, River Rampage, is also planned. Several of Anderson’s other books for boys are being republished as well by Comfort Publishing. They’ll release Barney and the Runaway this fall and follow that by republishing The Newspaper Caper, Terror at Wolf Lake, North Woods Poachers, Mountain Cabin Mystery, Big Rig Rustlers, Secret of Abbott’s Cave, and Legend of the White Wolf.

Television VS Reading

Recently I heard a speaker who talked about the negative effects of television viewing on our children. My father used to call it the idiot box, but this speaker went a step further by calling it hellevision.

Here's why.

He said that the average child in America today, watches between 5 and 7 hours of TV every...single...
day!


If you tried to do that, just for a couple of days, you'd be shocked at the content. And when you realized what your children were watching, hour after hour, you’d do something about it. These same children spend only minutes a day interacting with their parents. The balance of their time is spent on video games, computers, cell phones, homework, and if they have to...reading.

   Coming This Fall

 I’ve set out to try to change that, by writing the kinds of action-adventures and mysteries that readers, 8 and up, would enjoy. Even though I speak of them as books for boys, they are still equally enjoyed by girls. Many report that reading one of my books is like 

being in an exciting or scary movie.

  Released August 1

If you doubt the positive effects you will see, in your own home, by turning off the TV and giving your children exciting books to read, let me relate a true story in an attempt to change your mind. And if there is a TV in your child’s bedroom today, I hope you’ll be encouraged to remove it.

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to speak to a group of children in the Cabrini Green housing project in Chicago. These kids need all the help they can get, in order to break out of the cycle of poverty all around. I told them about this same true story.

GIFTED HANDS: This is a true story of a child who felt he was the dumbest student in his fifth grade class. Through the demands of his single, working mother, who didn’t know how to read, he learned the value of the public library and learned to read. He discovered that he enjoyed learning.


Benjamin Carson, M.D started out on the mean Detroit streets. His mother knew he had it in him to get out of the Detroit ghetto where they lived. She believed he could make something of himself. His mother demanded that Ben, and his older brother, turn off the TV and begin bringing home books from the library.  Their TV viewing was cut to one hour per week. Can you imagine? Even though she could not read herself, Ben’s mother required her sons to read their books and write book reports which they had to read to her out loud.


But Ben's beginnings were certainly not easy. Signs of determination showed as young as the age of 10. He started out as the "class dummy" in school, frequently getting every single question on his math tests wrong. But then, through hard work and a lot of reading from the local library, he expanded his knowledge in every subject. Soon, "good" wasn't good enough. Ben was driven to be the best. In fact, he was so driven that he won a full scholarship to Yale University.


Ben Carson ought to be regarded as a role model for today. Those not on the right path to a successful future could especially benefit; as a story like this could assist in a serious straightening out of priorities.


He is an inspiration to all because the life he began with wasn't as easy as many other families who have attended good colleges for generations. Ben, and his older brother Curtis, were the first in the family to ever attend college. Curtis went to the University of Michigan, and Ben enrolled at Yale University.


In the last chapter, Carson gives recommendations to students on ways to live and to achieve.


* You can also look for the feature film on DVD wherever you get your videos. I would encourage you to rent it, sit down with your children, and watch it together. You might even go a step further by watching it yourself first. Then write out a few questions. Turning off the TV in your own home, and requiring more reading, could be the difference in your child’s success or failure in the future.

Expect a lot of yelling at first. But in the long run, it'll be worth the struggle.

Next time, turn it off...and turn your kids on to reading!






Send this link on to other parents and grandparents who you think should see it.    http://booksandboys.blogspot.com/


Author Web Site http://www.maxbooks.9k.com

Early Reviews for Lost Island Smugglers

Reviews are beginning to come in for Lost Island Smugglers. I'll post more as we get them.

Ask for it at your bookstore today orBuy it at Amazon or others

Fiction you can feel good about giving your child!

By L. M. Sedmina

If you are looking for a book for a young boy aged 9--13, check out Lost Island Smugglers. The first installment in a new series by Max Elliot Anderson, the book follows the adventures of Sam Cooper and his two new friends, Tyler and Tony. Follow the boys on a scuba adventure that leaves them marooned on a deserted island. As they draw on their survival skills, the boys face an even greater danger when they discover the island is not so deserted but is actually the lair of drug smugglers.

Lost Island Smugglers is a quality book full of family values that will keep your preteen boy entertained.



Sam Cooper Adventure Series

A Kid's Review


This is the first book in the Sam Cooper Adventure Series. Sam's father is a marine biologist. Just about the time he gets settled and makes friends his dad's job takes them somewhere else. Now Sam's family has moved to Florida. Sam has made two new friends, Tony and Tyler. Tony's father owns a marina. Tony invites Tyler and Sam to take free scuba classes. After, they have successfully passed their classes. Tony invites his friends to go diving in the ocean. He takes his father's catamaran without permission. Sam knows his parents have said no. Will his decision in this matter be the right one or will he find himself in deep water?


I am familiar with this author's works. Once again he has not disappointed. I would say that this is probably going to be my favorite of his books. That is until the next one comes out and I read it.


The lesson about being honest and obedient is a good one. I love the fact that Max always has a clear lesson and a Christian theme. However, he is never preachy. One of the things I really liked about this book is that it takes place in Florida which is where I live. I know this will be a selling point to my students. The fact that the three main characters are all young boys the age of my students is another plus. This is a book that I believe both boys and girls who are looking for adventure will thoroughly enjoy. I know that this is the first book in the series but, I have hopes that we will learn more about Sam's father and his job in the Everglades. This is a hope on my part because the Everglades is one of my favorite places to visit. I can't wait to place this series on my shelves at school.

Coming Soon!

Click on cover to enlarge

3 boys + 1 Sailboat + 1 Ginormous storm = Lost Island Smugglers

NEWSRelease



FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


CONTACT: Max Elliot Anderson


PHONE: (815) 877-1514


DATE: 8/5/2001


Email: mander8813@aol.com  



Books for Boys blog: http://booksandboys.blogspot.com


Author Web Site: http://www.maxbooks.9k.com


3 boys + 1 Sailboat + 1 Ginormous storm = Lost Island Smugglers


Author Max Elliot Anderson has published his latest children’s adventure, Lost Island Smugglers, on August 1st. This is book #1 in the new Sam Cooper Adventure Series from Port Yonder Press.


“A traditional series is a departure for my writing,” Anderson said, “because all of my previous books have had completely different characters and settings.” Other titles to be released in this series include Captain Jack’s Treasure and River Rampage.


Sam Cooper had just moved to Harper’s Inlet where he met Tony and Tyler. While Tony’s father was away on a buying trip, the boys took one of the rental sailboats out for a diving adventure. Everything went well until the biggest storm Tony had ever seen blew up from out of nowhere, and the boys found themselves stranded on Lost Island.


But, if they thought the worst had happened, they were wrong. The boys discovered a secret hideout that was used by men in high powered speedboats. Sam and his friends knew the men were up to something, only they didn’t know what. They had to


find a way to stop them, but how? And, even if they did, the boys could never tell anyone about it. Lost Island Smugglers is a story with danger, excitement, and heart-pounding action.


In addition to this series, Mr. Anderson will publish Barney and the Runaway later this year, with Comfort Publishing. The publisher also plans to republish his first seven books which include Newspaper Caper, Terror at Wolf Lake, North Woods Poachers, Mountain Cabin Mystery, Big Rig Rustlers, Secret of Abbott’s Cave, & Legend of the White Wolf. Plans for additional titles are in the works.


Author Bill Myers reports, "Sam Cooper Adventures are like good, family movies . . . as an ordinary kid finds himself in exciting and extra-ordinary adventures!"


And author Jerry B. Jenkins adds, "Max Elliot Anderson brings a lifetime of dramatic film and video production to the pages of his action adventures and mysteries."


“My books will be available to bookstores through Ingram, and online at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Borders, and others,” Mr. Anderson said.


Young readers report that reading one of Anderson’s action-adventures or mysteries is like being in an exciting or scary movie. His Books for Boys blog http://booksandboys.blogspot.com often ranks in the top ten in Google searches.

Author Web Site

http://www.maxbooks.9k.com

- 0 -

Cover art and author’s photo available from mander8813@aol.com

3 boys + 1 Sailboat + 1 ginormous storm = Lost Island Smugglers

Lost Island Smugglers - Released August 1, 2010

ISBN 9781935600022

Lost Island Smugglers is book # 1 in the all new Sam Cooper Adventure Series.

Sam, Tony, and Tyler took scuba lessons together.

They decided to try their new skills in the ocean without permission.

A gigantic storm blew up from out of nowhere, and they found themselves...

...stranded on Lost Island. If they thought the worst had happened, they were wrong.

REVIEW # 1


Sam Cooper Adventure Series


A Kid's Review


This review is from: Lost Island Smugglers (Paperback)


This is the first book in the Sam Cooper Adventure Series. Sam's father is a marine biologist. Just about the time he gets settled and makes friends his dad's job takes them somewhere else. Now Sam's family has moved to Florida. Sam has made two new friends, Tony and Tyler. Tony's father owns a marina. Tony invites Tyler and Sam to take free scuba classes. After, they have successfully passed their classes. Tony invites his friends to go diving in the ocean. He takes his father's catamaran without permission. Sam knows his parents have said no. Will his decision in this matter be the right one or will he find himself in deep water?


I am familiar with this author's works. Once again he has not disappointed. I would say that this is probably going to be my favorite of his books. That is until the next one comes out and I read it.


The lesson about being honest and obedient is a good one. I love the fact that Max always has a clear lesson and a Christian theme. However, he is never preachy. One of the things I really liked about this book is that it takes place in Florida which is where I live. I know this will be a selling point to my students. The fact that the three main characters are all young boys the age of my students is another plus. This is a book that I believe both boys and girls who are looking for adventure will thoroughly enjoy.  I can't wait to place this series on my shelves at school.


REVIEW # 2


Fiction you can feel good about giving your child!


This review is from: Lost Island Smugglers (Paperback)


By L. M. Sedmina


If you are looking for a book for a young boy aged 9--13, check out Lost Island Smugglers. The first installment in a new series by Max Elliot Anderson, the book follows the adventures of Sam Cooper and his two new friends, Tyler and Tony. Follow the boys on a scuba adventure that leaves them marooned on a deserted island. As they draw on their survival skills, the boys face an even greater danger when they discover the island is not so deserted but is actually the lair of drug smugglers.


Lost Island Smugglers is a quality book full of family values that will keep your preteen boy entertained.


HOW TO ORDER


1. Since the book is distributed through Ingram, you can go to any local bookstore and it should be in their system.


2. You can find it on any of the online bookstores like Amazon and Barnes & Noble and others.


3. You can order signed copies from me. If this interests you, send an email to mander8813@aol.com  for details. Great for birthdays or Christmas - my wife is always buying Christmas presents W A Y in advance!


4. You can order copies from the publisher at http://portyonderpress.com/default.aspx  


Lost Island Smugglers is book # 1 in the new Sam cooper Adventure Series. Captain Jack's Treasure and River Rampage are due out in future months.


My author web site is located at http://www.maxbooks.9k.com/  


If you're looking for action-adventures & mysteries, that boys will read...you've come to the right place.


ENDORSEMENTS


"Sam Cooper Adventures are like good, family movies . . . as an ordinary kid finds himself in exciting and extra-ordinary adventures!"  Bill Myers - author


"Max Elliot Anderson brings a lifetime of dramatic film and video production to the pages of his action adventures and mysteries." Jerry B. Jenkins, Author

Coming Fall 2010

Barney and the Runaway

PRESS RELEASE - Max Elliot Anderson Publishes New Children’s Adventure - http://www.free-press-release.com/news-max-elliot-anderson-publishes-new-children-s-adventure-1280624164.html  (Release was picked up by USA Today)

Tomorrow!

Tomorrow!

3 More Days!

3

More

Days!

ISBN 9781935600022

Lost Island Smugglers releases on August 1st. There are several options for ordering copies.

1. Since the book is distributed through Ingram, you can go to any local bookstore and it should be in their system.

2. You can find it on any of the online bookstores like Amazon and Barnes & Noble and others.

3. You can order signed copies from me. If this interests you, send an email to mander8813@aol.com for details. Great for birthdays or Christmas - my wife is always buying Christmas presents W A Y in advance!

4. You can order copies from the publisher at http://portyonderpress.com/default.aspx

Lost Island Smugglers is book # 1 in the new Sam cooper Adventure Series. Captain Jack's Treasure and River Rampage are due out in future months.

My author web site is located at http://www.maxbooks.9k.com/

If you're looking for action-adventures & mysteries, that boys will read...you've come to the right place.

Max Elliot Anderson

Author

Speaking to the kids at Cabrini Green in Chicago

I’ve been in some rough places in my life. Right after I was discharged from the army, and while the Vietnam conflict was still raging, I went there to shoot a film project.

In the middle of the worst “troubles” as they called it, in Northern Ireland, I made another film in the heart of Belfast.

Cabrini Green is a rough place for kids to grow up.


Earlier this week, I had the honor and privilege to speak to a group of students in Cabrini Green, in Chicago, Illinois. If you want to know more about Cabrini Green, just enter that name into your search and you’ll find plenty.

For several years my son, Jim, has tutored at Cabrini Green, even though he has a very demanding law firm schedule downtown. He was the one who opened the door for me to speak there. He tutors at a place called By the Hand Club for Kids http://www.bythehand.org  I hope you’ll take the time to learn more about them.

And they’re making a difference in the lives of the kids they serve both spiritually and academically.


Their children ended the school year with 45% making As, Bs, and Cs. This was a 45% increase over the 1st quarter.


130 students made the honor roll.

12 students graduated from high school. Of those, 11 are going to college and one will be going to the army.


I spoke to the students for about an hour and a half. I gave my presentation on using the imagination. This includes music and sound effects that come out of my film and video production background.

Jim accompanied me to the event along with my daughter, Sarah, who teaches 2nd grade in a public school in the Orlando area. I gave out several books, bookmarks, and an information sheet about the book and motion picture called Gifted Hands, written by Cecil Murphy, as we talked about how important reading is in their education.


What impressed me most is that these kids could have been anywhere else doing any number of other things. It’s summer. It’s hot. But they chose to come to the center to learn.


In all, it was a great time.

Five More Days!

5

More

Days

!

Must we be gross to attract boy readers?

Note! Bloggers and web site owners are welcome to republish this column.

Must we be gross to attract boy readers?

By Max Elliot Anderson

     A few articles are circulating on the Internet that ask how gross we have to be, in our writing, in order to attract boy readers. I won’t quote the titles out of respect for the readers of this blog and children who might also be visiting it today.

    In recent months, a number of books have been published that make use of toilet humor, gross words or situations, and certain sounds. Are dirty or questionable words funny? Of course they are. Are certain body parts, sounds, and functions funny? No question. But that is no excuse to use them in our writing, especially when children are the intended audience.


     There are two kinds of comedians. One can tell a side-splitting joke, or set up a situation and deliver a line so funny that it hurts our stomachs and makes our eyes run, all without reaching down into the gutter. Others come out on the stage with crutches. Their crutches are nasty situations, dirty words, swearing, and a gross use of humor. Just because it’s funny is no excuse for us to say it or write it.

     As writers we have a responsibility, especially to the next generation, to set positive examples in the language we use. Our daughter teaches 2nd grade, in a public school, in the Orlando area. “Dad,” she’ll say, “you can not believe what these kids say to each other, to me, and to other teachers.”


     Where does this come from? Truth is, they see it on TV, listen to it in their music, hear it in their own homes or from friends, and read it in some of their books.

     We can do better. And we owe it to them.


     The Internet articles I mentioned take the position that the more gross we can be in our writing, the more likely we are to attract boys back to reading. While the premise might be true, I reject the concept. Even though one might be able to point to skyrocketing sales figures, what is the long term effect going to be. Am I just a prude? Please! I spent two years in the army.


     My favorite styles of humor are either sight humor, where something is visually funny, humor where something that is said or seen earlier, gets a funny punch line later, and humor you can see in your head.


     You might ask, “Okay, so you’re saying we can write for kids, and clean humor will attract boys to reading?” That’s been my experience so far. Not only can we, I believe it’s our responsibility.


     Humor is an important component of all my books for boys. Over the next six months or so, nine of my books should be published. I grew up hating to read, so I write for readers 8 –13, especially boys. And girls enjoy reading them just as much. Here’s a list of those titles:


Lost Island Smugglers


Sam, Tony, and Tyler took scuba lessons together. Tony’s father owned a marina, so Tony got them in for free. After the boys completed the course, they decided to try their new skills in the ocean. The only problem was, none of them had permission to go, or to take one of the sailboats out for their diving adventure. Everything went well until the biggest storm the boys had ever seen, blew up from out of nowhere, and they found themselves stranded on Lost Island. But, if they thought the worst had happened, they were wrong. What about those high-powered speedboats that mysteriously disappeared? And what were they going to tell their parents, even if they did get off the island?


Barney and the Runaway


Summer had no appeal to Mike Ellis. But neither did homework, or class assignments, or self-discipline. He especially disliked his parents always telling him what to do and punishing him when hew didn’t. Wanting to teach his parents a lesson, he decides to pretend to run away from home for a day with his dog Barney. His plans go terribly wrong when a day later he finds himself halfway across the country and very lost. Meeting an old clown who also ran away as a child teaches Mike the importance of home, family, and doing what’s right. But can Mike and Barney save the circus in time?


Newspaper Caper


Tom Stevens was a super salesman. He and his friends delivered newspapers early every morning. Along their route, the boys often saw some pretty strange things. Then one day they actually became the story. Readers will like the humor, attack dogs, car thieves, and the chop shop Tom and the others uncover. This story reminds us of how important friendship is. It also teaches God isn't just for emergencies. He wants to guide our lives every day.


Terror at Wolf Lake


Eddy Thompson was known for one thing and one thing only. Eddy was a cheater. He cheated on anything, anytime, anywhere, until something happened up at Wolf Lake. It wasn’t the brutal cold. It wasn’t when he fell through the ice. It wasn’t even when two scary men arrived at their remote cabin. What happened would change Eddy’s life…forever.


North Woods Poachers


The Washburn families have been coming to the same cabins, on the same lake, catching the same fish, for about as long as Andy can remember. And he's sick of it. This summer would be different he decided. Only he never imagined how different. The story is filled with excitement, danger, humor, and drama. In the end, Andy learns the concepts of family tradition, justice, and it is important to follow the rules. Readers will enjoy the gigantic, jet-powered floatplane, computers, home made radio transmitter, and naturally, no one will ever forget Big Wally. He’s a fish of course.


Mountain Cabin Mystery


Scott and his friends had dreamed and prepared for their first wilderness camping adventure. When they become separated from their group in a mountain fog, trouble begins. There was that bear, the decrepit suspension bridge over a bottomless gorge, the sheer cliff in the dark, those terrorists in the remote cabin, the Army, the helicopter ride, and…


Big-Rig Rustlers


Todd and Amanda live with their parents in a Midwestern city. The family doesn’t go to church. The children are invited to visit their uncle, aunt, and cousin Drew, on their Wyoming ranch over spring break. Todd learns, in a unique way, why stealing is wrong. He decides to choose a new path for his life because of his uncle’s positive example. A band of high-tech cattle rustlers are caught, revealing that Todd was also wrong about Travis, a shadowy character. Read about the round up, rattlesnake, and rustlers.


The Secret of Abbott’s Cave


A detective, a police scanner, and a cave offered possibilities for danger and excitement. Who are the real heroes in America? Randy and his friends pooled their resources to go cave exploring, discovered the hidden loot from a bank robbery, and learned they weren't heroes at all.


Legend of the White Wolf


They didn’t call him a liar; they just couldn’t believe his story. Brian Fisher was determined to prove it was true even though it involved the risk to his own safety. His rescue of a wolf pup from a steel trap results in a mysterious relationship with surprising results. The story is set in the lower elevations near Yellowstone

     Let's close the lid on toilet humor. When it comes to our writing, we’re talking about the next generation. And shouldn’t we try to leave this world a better place than the way we found it? As the adults in the room, we should be looking for ways to raise the bar, not lower it.


Your comments are welcome.


Note! Bloggers and web site owners are welcome to republish this column.

Please visit my Author Web Site at http://www.maxbooks.9k.com