Murder Is A Family Affair, by Donalie Beltran, (Killing Time Press, LLC, 2013, 352 pages).

Book Review by Dennis Moore

November 8, 2013 (San Diego)--Donalie Beltran, an author with strong religious convictions, has written an historical true crime novel that uncovers the ancestry of a sordid and evil past that belies her faith: Murder Is A Family Affair. The author sets the stage for this story and  the tone of this well-written novel by asking a rhetorical question: “Do you have a murderer in your family – maybe a violent tempered wife beater – those who feel they have a right to take a life?”

The Black Book: Lessons from American History – Abraham Lincoln to Modern China, by Senator Adlai E. Stevenson, III (The Stevenson Family, 2009, 299 pages).              

Book Review by Dennis Moore            

  “Once a man holds public office he is absolutely no good for honest work.” --Will Rogers

September 22, 2013 (San Diego’s East County)-- The Black Book: Lessons from American History – Abraham Lincoln to Modern China  is a guide-- a road map for future politicians authored by Adlai E. Stevenson III.  He  laments changes in the electoral process and the loss of civility in politics, also speaking of opportunities in politics being limited by money and a media which restricts comments to one or two minutes while focusing on the game, the trivial and the sensational.

The book began as a brown loose-leaf binder in which the author ‘s great-grandfather, Adlai E. Stevenson  (1835-1914), collected anecdotes and maxims, stories and sayings during his life as a county prosecutor, congressman, assistant postmaster general and U.S. vice president under Grover Cleveland. His grandson, known to friends and family as “the Guv,” expanded the collection in a large black binder during his life as an official in the Roosevelt and Truman administrations, governor of Illinois, Democratic presidential candidate in 1952 and 1956, and U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations in the Kennedy and Johnson administrations.  

September 9 (Monday, 7:30 pm) — Warwick's will host debut local novelist Lacy Crawford, who will discuss and sign her book Early Decision. This event is free and open to the public. In order to be signed the author's most current book must be purchased from Warwick's.

Background: A delightful and salacious debut novel about the frightful world of high school, SATs, the college essay, and the Common Application-and how getting in is getting in the way of growing up.

August 29, 2013 (El Cajon) – The presidents of sister colleges in the Grossmont-Cuyamaca Community College District will be among the performers in a pair of staged readings of the poetry of Edgar Allan Poe at 7:30 p.m. Friday, September 6, and Saturday, September 7, in Room 220 of Building 26 on the Grossmont College campus.

Presidents Mark Zacovic of Cuyamaca College and Sunita V. Cooke of Grossmont College will read some Poe poems that have held them in their thrall since their childhoods.

By Janis Mork

August 26, 2013 (El Cajon) - On August 12, Brian Castner, author of  The Long Walk, delivered a speech to faculty and staff at Grossmont College on how to reach out to military veterans.

His book, The Long Walk, tells the story of Castner’s outward struggle of serving in combat and inward struggle to find himself again after he had been home for a couple years.  

By Don Harrison

August 8, 2013 (El Cajon) – In the shock that followed the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on New York City and Washington, D.C., partners Mary Carouba and Susan Hagen sat stunned across the country in California.  After a while it dawned on them that whenever they turned on the television, there were news stories and other acknowledgments about the men who were the first responders at the World Trade Center.  Always the men.  Weren’t there any women there?

Carouba recalled that New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani, standing on the rubble of the World Trade Center, asked for a round of applause for “the men we lost” as well as for those other men who helped people to survive the collapse of the Twin Towers.  Later, President George W. Bush came to the site of the tragedy to praise “all the men,” Carouba related to a convocation of classified employees Thursday, Aug. 1, at Grossmont College.

July 30, 2013 (San Diego) – WANT TO READ BOOK REVIEWS OF LOCAL AUTHORS? Go to: http://sdwriteway.org/readers_lounge/book_reviews/1a_reviews_book.htm

FOR ALL SAN DIEGO COUNTY LIBRARY EVENTS, Go to: http://www.sandiego.gov/public-library/news-events/index.shtml

July 21, 2013 (San Diego) – Two of Sunbelt Publications’ titles received awards from Foreword Magazine at The American Library Association Meeting in Chicago.

July 11, 2013 (Lemon Grove) – Elected officials and representatives from the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department, Lemon Grove Firefighters, Lemon Grove School District, and other local public agencies will kick off “Operation Safe Summer for Kids” at the new Lemon Grove Library on Saturday, July 13, 2013, starting at 1 p.m.  The library is located at 3001 School Lane, Lemon Grove, CA 91945.

Sponsored by Thrive Lemon Grove, the event is focused on encouraging child safety and invites the public to take a more active role in the community.

“This new grass-roots community group aims to provide a voice for the Lemon Grove community, said spokesman Scott Robinson.  “Our goal is to work with elected officials and community organizations to bring a full spectrum of improvements to the City with the best climate on earth. These include adding vibrancy to the local economy, encouraging community involvement, supporting healthy initiatives to improve the lives of its residents, and supporting the revitalization of our aging neighborhoods.”

June 12, 2013 (San Diego's East County) – Sunbelt Publications' authors of books on East County’s history and cultural heritage will join East County Magazine’s “Celebrate Our Roots” event on Wednesday,  June 19 at Heritage of the Americas Museum from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m.

The authors will speak and autograph their books. Sunbelt has also donated books as prizes for this event, which celebrates our region’s  cultural and agricultural roots.  For tickets, call (619)698-7617 or email editor@eastcountymagazine.org.  The event benefits East County Magazine’s nonprofit media outlet and is cosponsored by Sullivan Solar.

June 6, 2013 (Crest)--U.S. Retired Marine and author, Joe C Noriega will discuss his new book “The Arizona Rangers” and will be available for book signing at the Crest Library at 6 p.m. on June 11.

This is Joe Noriega’s second book. His first book is titled “03 Why Me?” He is a freelance writer who is currently residing in El Cajon where he is a sharecrop farmer who plants red grape vines and makes red wine.

For complete Calendar including Authors Events, go to www.SDWriteWay.org

May 15 (Wednesday, 5:00 pm) — Greg van Eekhout, San Diego-based author of the middle-grade novel Kid vs. Squid, The Boy at the End of the World and the adult novel Norse Code will be signing copies of his books at Barnes & Noble, Oceanside, 2615 Vista Way, Oceanside.

Lisa Kovach - Community Relations Manager, at 760-529-0270 or crm2153@bn.com for additional information.

May 7 (Tuesday, 5:30 pm) — Barnes & Noble Oceanside, 2615 Vista Way, Oceanside, presents Gretchen Wendel who will talk about her book, Becka and the Big Bubble series.

May 7 (Tuesday, 6:00 pm) — Barnes & Noble Oceanside, 2615 Vista Way, Oceanside, presents Kevin Gerard, who will talk about his book, Diego's Dragons.

May 7 (Tuesday, 7:30 pm) — Warwick's will host Dean of Arts and Humanities at UCSD Seth Lerer, who will discuss and sign his memoir Prospero's Son. This event is free and open to the public. In order to be signed the author's most current book must be purchased from Warwick's.

April 27, 2013 (El Cajon)--An award winning short-story writer and an Iraqi poet will headline Grossmont College’s Literary Arts Festival April 29 through May 2.

Tobias Wolff, a Stanford professor, won The Story Prize in 2008 for his collection of short stories, “Our Story Begins.” He has published several novels and memoirs, and his work regularly appears in magazines and literary journals, including “The New Yorker,” “The Atlantic” and “Harper’s.” Wolff will read and sign his books from 7 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, May 1.

April 23 (Tuesday, 7:30 pm) — Warwick's will host bestselling author and Pulitzer Prize-winning columnist Anna Quindlen, who will discuss and sign her memoir Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake. This event is free and open to the public, however Reserved Seating is available. Please call the Warwick's Book Dept. at (858) 454-0347 for details. In order to be signed Lots of Candles, Plenty of Cake must be purchased from Warwick's.