Scent of the Wild – 2017, Fiction
by Andi Gregory Pearson (has a home in Golden, and Pinewood Springs, CO)
MacKremmon, a small town nestled in the mountains of Colorado, is where the Evans family saga began, where Chet and Edie met, and Ken and his younger brother Reggie were born. Neighbors gossiped about Edie’s unconventional behavior and appearance and often watched Chet take young Ken with him to his job at the garage. Still, the population seemed surprised when it discovered that one night Edie had climbed into Chet’s treasured Chevy and drove off never to return. What happens when a mother leaves a family? What happens to children when love and familiarity are subtracted from their lives? As the older child who took responsibility seriously, Ken’s life and choices were shaped by being abandoned. (Pinewood Springs residents may recognize some of the places described in the book).
Red Licorice and the Five Goddesses – 2019, Fiction
by Stephen Leon Pearson (lives in Pinewood Springs, CO)
This is Louis’ introspective memoir that spans 50 years. He first focuses on when he met his future wife, Susan, in 1969. She is a successful feminist artist in Chicago that specializes in figurative art. A year later she and Louis drive to Boulder, Colorado after camping in Rocky Mountain National Park. While crossing the University of Colorado-Boulder campus, Louis meets Sylvie who is playing her flute on a bridge. Sylvie is the 16-year-old daughter of two of the music faculty. Louis and Sylvie hit it off and Sylvie insists that they trade addresses so they can write to each other. Louis fails to tell Susan of the meeting. The rest of the novel tells how their paths cross, and then she disappears for several years. He then becomes obsessed with finding out “Who is Sylvia?” (Boulder County residents may recognize some of the places described in the book)
Your Love Is Blasting in My Heart: A Grandmother’s Journey – 2020, Memoir
By Marilyn Saltzman (lives in Golden, CO)
This memoir features conversational, inspirational stories about a Jewish grandmother and her two grandchildren, adopted from China and Ethiopia. Each chapter presents anecdotes about a different “Mussar soul trait,” like compassion, generosity and gratitude. The title of the book comes from an statement one of her grandchildren said to her. Each Chapter concludes with suggested journal prompts to give the reader an opportunity for self-reflection.
Mussar, a time-honored Jewish spiritual and ethical practice, is experiencing a modern resurgence through synagogues, online communities and study groups. The practice offers a unique perspective on mindful personal growth in the service of others.
The Semester of Our Discontent (Lila Maclean Academic Mystery #1 of 5) – 2016, Mystery. ✦ Agatha Award, Best First Novel
By Cynthia Kuhn (Metro State University professor)
English professor Lila Maclean is thrilled about her new job at prestigious Stonedale University until she finds one of her colleagues is dead. She soon learns that everyone, from the chancellor to the detective working the case, believes Lila—or someone she is protecting—may be responsible for the horrific event, so she assigns herself the task of identifying the killer. More attacks on professors follow, the only connection a curious symbol found at each of the crime scenes. Putting her scholarly skills to the test, Lila gathers evidence. She is threatened by a nemesis, a suspicious investigator and a secret society, plus a possible death threat. The author is a professor and can reveal the true competition and fights behind the scholarly facade of professors.
~~~~~The Lyons Recorder does not endorse or give ratings to any of these books. They are being presented as books written by Front Range Colorado authors, on a variety of topics.~~~~~
