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This month’s Local Author Spotlight features poetry, a reverend’s story and the tale of a 13th-century thief.
“Sodium Balls: A Reverend’s Journey”
By Robert B. Mitchell
Author’s hometown: Grew up in Lock Haven
Author’s current location: Bushkill
Page count: 267
Publisher: Rosedog Publishing
Local connection: Mitchell says, “I served St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Hughestown for almost three years. My wife has been serving two UCC churches, one in Plains, the other in West Pittston for six years now. I also was involved in a lecture series sponsored by several local Lutheran churches from 2010 to 2013. I served as pulpit supply to a number of churches in the WB-Scranton area over the same time period. I also sang a concert (classical music) at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church in Scranton in 2014.”
Synopsis: “Sodium Balls” details Mitchell’s 40-year journey towards being a Christian reverend. Mitchell says, “I consider God’s call to the pulpit my ‘Jonah-Journey.’ When God first called me as a teen, I ran the other way because I wanted to sing opera. It took Him nearly 40 years to corral me into the pulpit.”
Available: www.amazon.com, www.bn.com, from the publisher at RoseDog books, local bookstores.
Upcoming speaking/signing appearances: 3 p.m. April 2 at Lackawanna County Library Center in Steamtown
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“The Thief’s Countess”
By Cecilia Mecca
Author’s hometown: Scranton
Author’s current location: Roaring Brook Township
Page count: 268
Publisher: Altiora Press
Author’s local connection: She grew up in Scranton and attended the University of Scranton as both an undergrad for a degree in secondary education and as a graduate student for a master’s in English.
Synopsis: “The Thief’s Countess” follows Sir Geoffrey, a thief bent on revenge on the people who killed his family. His plans are put on hold when he is asked to protect a wealthy countess, Lady Sara. The countess is bridling against being controlled by various men in her life, but as she faces more and more threats to her life, she finds it harder to resist Geoffrey’s charms. Mecca’s book is the first in the Border Series, novels set in Northumbria in the 13th century.
Available: www.amazon.com
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“Caught Looking”
By Charles Carroll
Hometown: West Pittston
Page count: 33
Publisher: WordTech Editions (in July 2017)
Local connection: Carroll teaches English at Misericordia University, in the Expressway Program, which gives adult learners the chance to pursue a bachelor’s degree part-time. He earned his undergraduate degree in English from Bloomsburg University and his graduate degree, also in English, from University of Scranton. “Caught Looking” contains 20 original poems about baseball, including “Finding Bill James” and “The Backyard Boys.”
Carroll says: “These poems are the result of a singular period of time for me. It seemed that every thought I had or every observation I made filtered through the prism of this splendid and often heartbreaking game.”
Available: www.amazon.com
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“Injured, Misdiagnosed and Left for Dead”
By Lance Kubik
Author’s hometown: Hazleton
Page count: 82
Publisher: Tate Publishing and Enterprises
Synopsis: When Dr. Kubik was in college, he was involved in a car crash in which his vehicle was hit from behind. He was initially misdiagnosed and suffered for years from pain to the extent that he had to close his chiropractic office. Eventually, through copious research, Kubik learned he had spinal meningeal syndrome. His book details the condition, as well as his life and job. He examines why the condition has not received more public exposure as well.
Available: www.amazon.com, www.bn.com
