ALL BOOKS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE AND AT SELECT BOOKSTORES

AS WELL AS  External link opens in new tab or windowBOOKSHOP.ORG, SUPPORTING LOCAL BOOKSTORES


"Struggles Against Time, a philosopher's journey through life, is nothing short of amazing. It's brimming with adventure, profound philosophical quandaries, and relatable, evocative experiences." Readers' Favorite 5-star review

You can purchase Ted Shigematsu's latest book here: External link opens in new tab or windowLink

Volume 2 of Andrea Carter's Young Adult (YA) Mystery Series set in the small Orange County Town Santa Raymunda in the 1970's. Purchase Here: External link opens in new tab or windowLink

Cold War Thriller by David Madsen, set in the Bay Area in the 1950's. Purchase Here: External link opens in new tab or windowLink

Richard Opper's Second Volume of the Mona Oakheart Trilogy set in 1970's Guam. Purchase Here: External link opens in new tab or windowLink

Refuge on the Mountain, a Vega and Greg Stern post-apocalyptic mystery, "is a thrilling and emotional novel that explores the resilience of the human spirit in the face of insurmountable odds." ~Readers’ Favorite 5-star review by Natalie Soine

"A must read for anyone who is intrigued by the idea that this talented writer can combine mystery, sci-fi, Zen Buddhism, and art history into a compelling read." ~Tamara Merrill, author of Shadows in Our Bones

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“Skating on Thin Ice: A Zen Path of Self-Realization will show you the guidelines to true contentment, the root causes of happiness, and three life-affirming exercises. Using personal anecdotes, stories, and examples, Ezra Bayda explores the human condition from many angles, providing helpful ways to solve some of the most fundamental challenges we face. Bayda emphasizes the importance of practices and meditation and advises readers against indulging in addictive behaviors that take a toll on the body, mind, and soul. Skating on Thin Ice is a handbook that will help you negate work-related anxiety and stress, foster deeper relationships, and lead you to a path of a happy and fulfilling life. To put it simply, an enlightening book that I highly recommend.” 

Readers’ Favorite, 5 star review

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Written by Physician and Historian Edward Lewis Goldberg MD, Presidential Health Matters explores the history of the US through the lives of 46 presidents, purchase here: External link opens in new tab or windowLink

The 5th book in Corey Lynn Fayman's Rolly Waters PI series set in San Diego county locations. Buy here:External link opens in new tab or window Link


Set in 1942, WAVES ON THE POTOMAC tells the story of Meg, a WAVE, (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) assigned to break Japanese codes in Washington DC, available for purchase here: External link opens in new tab or windowLink


The Body in the Barrel


The Body in Barrel, is a crime noir novel set in 1973 San Diego, available for purchase here: Link


 Spring of Tears, by Cornelia Feye: An award winning art mystery set in France, available for purchase here: External link opens in new tab or windowLink


The Bell Tower: A cozy mystery set in an Arizona retirement community, available for purchase External link opens in new tab or windowHere.

Susan Lewallen's second novel is set in Tanzania, where the author spent twenty years working as a medical doctor.

Available External link opens in new tab or windowHere


 


Corey Lynn Fayman’s Ballast Point Breakdown won the San Diego Book Award for the Mystery Category AND for the Grand Geisel Prize.

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 The anthology Crossing Borders published by the San Diego Chapter of Sisters in Crime won the San Diego Book Award for best anthology. It includes a story by Konstellation Press founder Cornelia Feye, entitled Bahnhof Friedrichstrasse, about a border crossing between East and West Berlin. Available External link opens in new tab or windowHere

A murder mystery set in a remote Zen monastery, available for purchase External link opens in new tab or windowHere 

A Review of Death of a Zen Master

Ezra Bayda, Zen teacher, April 6, 2023

As a long-time Zen meditator, I was intrigued by the title "Death of a Zen Master." In fact, I was a little skeptical. But I have to say I was hooked from page one. Not only was the plot compelling, and the characters clearly defined and interesting, but I even found the Zen stuff accurate and also seamlessly woven into the plot. Added to this was the author's subtle sense of humor, psychological insight, and ability to create surprising twists and turns. All in all - this book is very well written and a great read. I highly recommend it.


Modern Metamorphoses: Stories of Transformation - a Short Story Anthology, available for purchase: External link opens in new tab or windowLink

 A police procedural set in Sonoma county, available for purchase: External link opens in new tab or windowLink

 The fourth book in the Rolly Waters series, set in Point Loma, available for purchase here: External link opens in new tab or windowLink 


The first Novel by Ted Shigematsu, a story of a Japanese family in California, available for purchase here: External link opens in new tab or windowLink


 House of the Fox, by Cornelia Feye, available for purchase here:External link opens in new tab or window Link


The story of two women in Tanzania, by Susan Lewallen, available for purchase here: External link opens in new tab or windowLink




A Young Adult (YA) Mystery set in SoCal in the 1970's, available here:External link opens in new tab or window Link


a tender force by melissa joseph, available here: External link opens in new tab or windowLink



Barefoot Monks with Sullied Toes Poems by carlos carrio


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"Carlos’ poems are a plethora of evocative and pithy metaphors for the reader to take away, remember, and reflect upon. When you read poems such as Space and Time, you will see for yourself. He has touched love, contemplated loss and rejoiced in togetherness. He has indeed witnessed himself as evident in this exquisite book of poetry."

Melissa Joseph, author of Moments with Baxter and a tender force

 

 

Crown City by the Sea by Jennifer M. Franks

 

Set during the waning years of the Victorian era, 1885-1900, this historical novel tells the compelling tale of the creation and early years of the Hotel del Coronado. As entrepreneurs Elisha Babcock and Hampton Story quickly discover, it takes more than a dream to turn the barren island of Coronado, California into a world-renowned, destination resort. The story is told through the eyes of young Ava Hennessey, whose family runs the island’s stables. Ava’s adventures, along with historical characters (John D. Spreckels, Jesse Shepard, Kate Morgan, L. Frank Baum) are intertwined with the trials and triumphs of the audacious founders.


Visit Jennifer's website here: Homepage: External link opens in new tab or windowhttps://jennifermfranks.com/ Books: External link opens in new tab or windowhttps://jennifermfranks.com/books/



 Private Universe by Cornelia Feye

Available External link opens in new tab or windowHere as well as External link opens in new tab or windowLa Playa Books, 1026 Rosecrans St, San Diego, CA 92106


"Ms. Feye’s Private Universe is a compelling and engaging story that weaves adventure, colorful characters, picturesque settings, and unrelenting suspense into a multilayered and uniquely-crafted novel. Its non-linear narrative describes a metaphysically-infused journey into the authenticity of self through the eyes of Vega Stern, an intelligent young women who’s lured into the drug scene of 1970s Germany by a seductive “bad boy.” When this dangerous relationship reaches the tipping point and Vega is faced, suddenly, with the prospect of unredemptive addiction and probable death, Vega chooses instead to transform her self-directed recovery into an exploration of spiritual significance, meaningfulness, and genuine self-love. With the symbolism of Great Art her signposts and the Great Masters her mentors, Vega pivots her alienation and exploration into a revelatory breakthrough that illuminates her life and empowers others seeking a "second chance."


                             -Glen Vecchione, author of The Dream Box



 

Lessons in Disguise by Kate Porter

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Lessons in Disguise follows the journey of a handcrafted book from its printing in 1820 to its eventual home in 1975. As the book is passed from person to person, each finds within its pages parables, fables, and practical lessons that shape their lives. Stories form the era of slavery, Civil War, women’s suffrage, and Jim Crow are told by the eight caretakers of the old book, making this novel read as though it were an intimate memoir.

"Lessons In Disguise" is a true epic novel, with an aging, much handled little lesson book -- a character in itself -- as its enduring Hero. "Lessons..." unfolds episodically over the span of many generations. The characters we meet all speak with distinct, authentic voices. Ms. Porter's prose is compellingly readable, creating a real page-turner; every episode is completely self-contained and satisfying; and all episodes join together seamlessly, making an impact even greater than the sum of its parts. And the book itself, as an object, is lovely! One may even be tempted to pass it along from generation to generation."


                                 – Bill Dam (Amazon Reviewer)


 


Family Myths
by Tamara Merrill

Book Three of the Augustus Family Saga

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The dramatic final chapter of the Augustus Family Trilogy. Once again an Augustus is protecting themselves and the family name with lies. In 1960, rich, pampered, Elizabeth Augustus leaves college and disappears into the developing, San Francisco, California hippy scene. Her father, who is tormented by guilt over his unwillingness to tell his daughter Elizabeth that she was, in fact, his child, hires a detective. The search goes on for years as Elizabeth hides in plain sight, living a life completely unlike the one she imagined when she ran away. Eighteen-year-old Elizabeth created afake identity. As she matures her new identity matures with her, and she becomes whoever she believes she needs to be in order to be accepted. Beneath the shield of her lies, Elizabeth’s deceptions become her truth and the truth of all who know her.







Magic, Mystery, & Murder: An Anthology Collection

Anthology Collection by April Baldrich, Cornelia Feye, Max Feye, Tamara Merrill, Kate Porter, Claire Rann


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A serial killer, a magical salamander, a long-dead Irish ancestor, a Navajo Medicine Man, a dragonfly, an abusive husband, a murderous surgeon, and an assortment of dysfunctional family members and ghosts, make up some of the characters in the 2nd Thursday Coronado Library Writers anthology Magic, Mystery & Murder.


Winner of the 2019 San Diego Book Awards!


Book Launch: December 2, 10"30 AM - 12 noon, Coronado Library

 

The wine tasted sweeter in the paper cups
by carlos carrio

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Divided into four seasons of romance – tenderness, passion, madness, longing – the poems in the wine tasted sweeter in the paper cups reflect passionate desire, quixotic idealism, and melancholic pathos in the great tradition of sensual love.
"In this convoluted, complex world, it is refreshing to find a writing that so simply speaks of human emotions and positive love, writing stripped of convoluted wordplay, yet filled with raw yearning and the closeness of humanity. “Your remedy writes these words” extols a yearning notdisguised and welcomes a new poetic voice."

                  –Nick Samaras, poet