Local authors tackle mysteries, histories and the desert

By The North County Times | Saturday, March 29, 2008 10:05 PM PDT ∞

The California desert, mysteries and history are among the works recently published by area authors:

North County Times outdoors columnist Ernie Cowan has written and photographed "Anza-Borrego: A Photographic Journey" (Sunbelt Publications, $19.95). Cowan, a former mayor of Escondido, has also been a photojournalist and professional photographer. Many of his images of Anza-Borrego have been used in state park brochures and numerous publications. He says he has always had a love affair with the desert, which he documents thoroughly in this book.

T. Jefferson Parker of Fallbrook has written "L.A. Outlaws" (Dutton, $25.95), a crime caper featuring an eighth-grade teacher who steals from the greedy at night as a modern-day Robin Hood.

Sandra Wilks of Rancho Santa Fe has written "Lorenzo Lullaby" (Dog Ear Publishing, $24.99), a collection of humorous short stories about her Italian greyhound.

Patrick Davis of Poway has written "Fate's Time of Turning: A Century Apart" (iUniverse, $17.95), a novel about two people in different time periods whose lives become intertwined through a mystery concealed in an old piano.

"Of Doggerel and the Dean" (iUniverse, $15.95) is the third mystery from Escondidan Patrick I. O'Donnell featuring the sleuthing team of Phil and Paula Oxnard. In "Doggerel," Phil Oxnard is called to a private college to investigate a slew of robberies ---- followed by murder.

Valley Center author Elle Newmark has written "Bones of the Dead" (iUniverse, $16.95), a novel set in Renaissance Venice about an underground network of humanist chefs who teach subversive ideas disguised as recipes.

The Rev. Richleigh Hale Powers of Carlsbad has written "The Romance of the Wedding Ceremony: Beautiful Words for your Ceremony" (Powers Ministries, $24.95), a collection of readings, prayers and traditions from the more than 4,000 weddings Powers has conducted in Southern California.

"Beyond the Secret" (Hampton Roads, $15.95) by Lisa Love, an Encinitas therapist specializing in sexual and physical abuse, looks beyond the "Law of Attraction" made so popular by the book "The Secret." Love argues that we must move beyond "getting and spending," and instead use the "Law of Attraction" to develop an authentic spirituality, not just focus on acquiring material things.

Award-winning author Jincy Willett of San Diego offers "The Writing Class" (Thomas Dunne Books, $24.95), a tale of a university extension writing class with a deadly twist: When one of the students is murdered, everyone becomes a suspect.

Winona A. Foreman of Carlsbad has written "A Way to Win: A Memoir" (AuthorHouse, $23.49), tracing her life from her childhood in Chicago through her early marriage and child-rearing to a successful business career.

"The Panda Who Would Not Eat," by Rancho Santa Fe resident Ruth Todd Evans (Sunbelt Publications, $9.95), is a children's book about a picky panda bear at the San Diego Zoo. It's based on the true story of one of the first pandas at the zoo's Giant Panda Conservation program, whose problem was solved by people at the Quail Botanical Gardens.

Military writer Jay A. Stout of San Diego has written "Slaughter at Goliad: The Mexican Massacre of 400 Texas Volunteers" (Naval Institute Press, $29.95), a look at a little-known segment of American history. When 250 prisoners, mostly Americans, were taken after a battle during Texas' fight for independence from Mexico, they were marched back to the presidio at Goliad. There they were joined by more than 200 other prisoners ---- and were nearly all eventually slaughtered on Palm Sunday 1836 on the orders of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna.

Escondido resident Sharon S. Esonis has written "It's Your Little Red Wagon: 6 Core Strengths for Navigating Your Path to the Good Life" (Positive Path Publishing, $19.95), a book exploring the Positive Psychology movement and how you can use its principles to make the life you want.

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