Oro Valley author D.R. Wise's book The Dreamzappers has been awarded its second national award in 2010.

Earlier this year, The Dreamzappers was named the best gift book by the National Indie Excellence Awards. Now, USA Book News named it a finalist in the same category in its 2010 Best Books Awards competition.

Book Summary (from publisher):

Via lyrical verse, young Amy travels to meet the Great Sage and to ask him why it is so difficult to achieve one's dreams. The Sage, in his wisdom, explains the general obstacles - dreamzappers - and how to overcome them. Illustrated in whimsical pen and ink drawings by the author, The Dreamzappers is a complex message that is delivered in a delightful simplicity. This is the first in a series of other D. R. Wise books, all with positive messages, that will be released twice a year. The ultimate goal of the books is to create beautiful pieces that stir positive feelings which make the books a pleasure to keep and a joy to give to others. A portion of the books' proceeds will go to organizations that benefit mankind or the environment.

About the author (from publisher):

D. R. Wise's background has been in the field of art and (award-winning) advertising where she has gained many skills in inspiring and moving an audience to action. Presently she is a speaker at nationally acclaimed Canyon Ranch Resort & Spa. Her talk this year is entitled "Zapping Life's Obstacles - Turning Change into Opportunity". Wise has channeled her knowledge and passion for writing - along with her art experience - into books designed to motivate adults to revisit their dreams and achieve their goals.

Local actor and author William Killian's new book All the Faces I Have Been: An Actor's Notebook has been published by Imago Press (146 pages, $11). In addition to being an author and actor, Killian has another identity as "The Free Throw Doc." He works with teens around Tucson to improve their free-throwing ability in basketball. He also has a DVD out called Nail It that details his nine-step process toward improving your free throwing skills. It can be purchased online at the Free Throw Doc website.

Book summary (from publisher):

One definition of acting is "living on stage." All the Faces I Have Been is an actor's notebook, notes in the form of poems written from the perspective of characters the author has played on and off set, backstage, and in the audience. In his living and acting, Killian does not distinguish between art and life - a painful blessing, indeed. In his writing, he has aimed at poetic truth, not historical accuracy. He chooses not to identify the characters, nor has he labeled most of the events that serve as background to the poems. But please don't miss the cast party. It will be held in your home as you entertain the characters you have played.

Local author Kathleen G. McKay's book, Perceptions Through the Mist, contains McKay's poetry and photographs by Barbara Ries. Locale of photos are Arizona, California, New Mexico, Ireland and Taiwan. The book may be purchased at barnesandnoble.com, amazon.com and xlibris.com. Xlibris copies are on glossy paper.

Author statement:

All my life, I have been fascinated by human behavior and experience. That people can experience the same event, but because of each person’s: mental, physical, emotional, and personality makeup; what is experienced; observed; or perceived, is quite different, because it is seen, or perceived, through the lens of, individual perspective. This is a book of experience and observation expressed in poetry from the perspective of an extremely visually impaired woman.

From poet-author Kathleen McKay and photographer Barbara Ries come a thoughtful poetry-photo anthology, Perceptions through the Mist. With pensively penned verses of various themes and vividly captured photographs of landscapes, poetry lovers and art enthusiasts are sure to enjoy this creative journey.

In this book of photographs and poetry, readers will find themselves on a journey of sorts. The poetic pieces will take them from “The Sky” through the “Moments in Time” and “In The Courtyard” to “The Future.” With beautifully written verses that let readers appreciate “Forms and Shadows,” see the eyes of “Sorrow,” experience the paradox of “Joy and Torment,” and understand the weight of “Choice,” Perceptions through the Mist is truly a visually captivating read that stirs the eyes, mind, and heart.

Local author C. Michael Bennis' new book, Rules of Engagement, has been published by Book Surge Publishing ($18.99, 258 pages).

Book summary (from publisher):

Unrestrained passions and exotic locales are key elements of Rules of Engagement, a savvy debut by C. Michael Bennis. With a pitch perfect prose and unforgettably naughty characters, new romance author Bennis offers a winning combination that tells of the underbelly of the advertising world and the softest sides of true love. In the summer of 1964, two college graduates meet in a London club. While their attraction is palpable, Nicole is engaged to the premier’s son and is Parisian aristocracy; dutiful to a fault she can’t help but fall headfirst for Alec, a Colorado native who is a little rough around the edges. As they decide the course of their affair, Nicole comes up with the Rules of Engagement. Over the next nine days they agree not to fall in love and not to reveal their identities. Reunited by chance over two decades later, the magic is still there. One is married, one is not—both will begin to understand that love and passion endures despite time, circumstance, and reason.

About the author (per a press release):

C. Michael Bennis is a toy and advertising industry executive. Bennis attended Universidad Complutense in Madrid and later graduated from the University of Colorado, where he was a member of the 1961 Big 8 Champion football team and the 1962 Orange Bowl squad. Bennis also graduated from the Thunderbird School of Global Management. He is bilingual in English and Spanish and lives in Arizona. Rules of Engagement is his first book.

Local authors Peggy Pickering Larson and William Ascarza's new book, Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum has been published by Arcadia Publishing, and is part of the Images of America series ($21.99, 127 pages).

Summary (from publisher):

Since 1952, Bill Carr and Arthur Pack, the founders of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, have inspired visitors to live in harmony with the natural world by fostering love, appreciation, and understanding of the Sonoran Desert. When the museum opened it had only four employees. Today it has more than 100 paid employees, nearly 200 docents, and close to 300 volunteers. About 85 percent of the museum is outside, where visitors can enjoy native and the endangered animals exhibited in award-winning naturalistic habitat enclosures, an innovation in exhibitory developed by the museum.

About the Authors (from publisher):

William Ascarza is the author of the Arcadia publication Tucson Mountains and is also the author of Zenith on the Horizon: An Encyclopedic Look at the Tucson Mountains from A to Z. Peggy Larson is the archivist for the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum and author of Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum: A Scrapbook, Deserts of America, and co-author with Lane Larson of Deserts of the Southwest.

We mentioned the Rigor Amortis reading at Revolutionary Grounds last week, but if you missed it, we recorded two of the authors reading their work from the book, which is available from Amazon:

John Nakamura Remy:

Andrew Penn Romine:

If you didn't get your fix of zombies on Halloween, check out this book reading of Rigor Amortis at 10 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 7, at Revolutionary Grounds, 606 N. Fourth Ave. 620-1770. Robert Paul Nixon illustrated the cover (pictured) and local artist Galen Dara illustrated many other images in the book.

Information per press release:

Zombie romance at a coffee shop?
It could happen. Well, in fact, it WILL happen this coming Sunday, Nov. 7.

A little background first: Rigor Amortis is the newly published anthology of zombie romance and erotica, a collection of 32 short stories and poems by 32 authors. (It’s definitely not for the faint of heart.) Local artist Galen Dara did many of the illustrations throughout the book. She and contributing authors John Nakamura Remy and Andrew Penn Romine will have a table at Tucson’s Comic Convention, but also wanted to arrange for an official Rigor Amortis reading as well.

Enter Revolutionary Grounds. Galen had been intrigued about that little coffee shop ever since hearing about it on KXCI, but was a political activist hot-spot the right place to come with one’s zombies and one’s, well, you know … erotica? But Revolutionary Ground’s stated mission was so compelling: To be a place where a diverse group of people can come together to talk, plan, and dream; a safe place for people of all sexual orientations! Who could beat that? So, after some hesitation, Galen approached owner Joy Soler to see what SHE thought. After a bit of hesitation herself, Joy agreed to the reading.

In Joy’s words: “It is certainly not the regular fare one will find at RG and we did a bit of a double take when approached to host the reading, but it does fit within our mission to provide a safe space for marginalized voices. Who could be more marginalized than an undead lesbian erotic dancer?”

So, yes! Amorous zombies are gonna hang at Revolutionary Gounds this Sunday, where entertaining readings will provide a great springboard for discussion about the social commentary underlying the monsters we create and the various ways we experience and express love, longing and loneliness.

Local author Ethel K. Coffey's new children's book, Cloud Watchers, has recently been published ($23.99).

Summary (per a press release):

Cloud Watchers is a story set in the magnificent Sonoran Desert. The main characters are based on two very real characters- the author's own dogs, Meg and Baylee. In the story, Baylee is unhappy and unable to stop worrying. Meg thinks that, perhaps, a wise old coyote who lives on the peak may be able to help.

Author Bio (from author's website):

Ethel K. Coffey was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. She currently lives outside of Tucson with her partner David, two dogs (Meg and Baylee) and two cats (Cougar and Benney). After teaching for many years, Ethel was ready to embark on a new journey. She is now writing children’s stories which include characters and settings she dearly loves. Although Cloud Watchers is the first to be published, she has written six other stories which will soon be made available.

Local author William Ascarza's new book, Tucson Mountains, has been published by Arcadia Publishing, and is part of the Images of America series ($21.99, 127 pages).

Summary (from publisher):

The Tucson Mountains are located several miles west of downtown Tucson. For thousands of years, this mountain range has been inhabited, explored, and traveled by Native Americans who settled near the Santa Cruz River. Homesteaders, prospectors, and ranchers arrived in the late 19th century, drawn by the area's close proximity to Tucson and the Southern Pacific Railroad, as well as the promise of land and mineral wealth. During the past 100 years, conservation efforts to preserve and enhance the community's understanding of this geologic treasure have led to the establishment of museums and parks, including Tucson Mountain Park, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum, and Saguaro National Park West. Old Tucson Studios has used the surrounding Tucson Mountains as a movie backdrop for more than 70 years. The White Stallion Ranch and the J. W. Marriot at Starr Pass make the Tucson Mountains a popular destination for visitors who want to experience the rugged beauty and character of the American Southwest.

Author Bio (from publisher):

Author and photographer William Ascarza has lived in the Tucson Mountains for more than 10 years and has written a previous book about the mountains titled Zenith on the Horizon: An Encyclopedic Look at the Tucson Mountains from A to Z. He is an avid researcher and hiker. He holds a master's degree in Information Resources & Library Science and works in the library field of government documents at the University of Arizona. He is also a docent at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum.

Local author William Esmont's book The Patriot Paradox has been published in Kindle format ($2.99).

Summary (per a press release):

Ex-CIA analyst Kurt Vetter and enigmatic foreign agent Amanda Carter race across Europe in a quest to unearth the truth behind the murder of Kurt's brother. Trying desperately to stay ahead of a government that has forsaken them, they discover a conspiracy that threatens the very foundation of world stability. The clock is ticking and Kurt and Amanda must find a way to halt the plot before millions die.