from Staunton, Virginia

Mark Kearney wrote his first novel, "Twisted Obsession", in the evenings while balancing his role as co-founder and President of the Book ‘Em Foundation, his job as the crime prevention officer in the Waynesboro Police Department and his most important job in his life to date of being a father, role model and husband to his family.

Kearney believes he is in this world to help create a better place for everyone by promoting literacy through Book ‘Em and his literacy programs. So, he still scratches his head at times when he thinks on the chilling, spine tingling novel he wrote that will send shivers down the stoutest spines. How did he come to create a character that is downright evil?

"Twisted Obsession" is a thrilling novel that will take you places where you do not want to go. That is the joy of reading fiction. Your mind can experience something via the pages of a book and not have the need to experience it in real life. There is also an undertone in the book… a message if you will. We need to take care of our fellow humans. Watch over each other. We are all in this world together, so let’s all do our part to make it a better place.

Kearney will be signing copies of “Twisted Obsession” at Book ‘Em.

So, try to attend Book ‘Em to meet all of the authors who are traveling here from across the country and across the ocean. Book ‘Em is here to help the community help itself.

                   from Sullivans Island, South Carolina

Mary Gordon Kerr grew up on St. Simons Island in Georgia where she developed her love of the ocean and the coast. The mystery of the sea and its rich history fuels her imagination. She has been writing stories since she was a child and holds a Masters of Arts degree in Journalism. She has published news articles, but this is her first published children’s book.

Kerr began the process of writing The Mystery of the 13^th Coin when her oldest son was a second-grader at Mount Pleasant Academy in South Carolina. After writing the first chapter, she read it to her son’s class and pledged to involve them in the chapter by chapter development of the story. That was the beginning of a year-long interactive project that resulted in The Mystery of the 13^th Coin.

   from St. Petersburg, Florida & Bridgewater, Va

Possessed Mentalities is designated as both Editor’s Choice and Reader’s Choice by the publisher. The author has been given a Top Performance award by the publisher. Kleier has signed books with great success in many different sites within five states and Washington, D.C.
 Please see www.maxenekleier.com for more information and to read some media articles about Possessed Mentalities
 Possessed Mentalities, bottom line, was written for everyone wishing to read about joyfully surviving traumas and making intelligent decisions. Possessed Mentalities, because of the inclusion of some extremely heart-wrenching events, was very difficult for the author to write.
 One major reason for writing Possessed Mentalities was because of requests made by many people that believed the experiences of the author uniquely qualified her to speak credibly to many current issues of concern. Therefore, the book’s scope is not limited to mental health issues as might be suspected from its title.
 The book was written to conversationally ask each individual reader,” If you are fortunate enough to own your mentality, how do you use this fortunate personal possession?”

                     from Langley AFB, Virginia

Monique Lamont was born and raised in San Diego, CA and now currently resides in Virginia with her loving husband and two wonderful children. She loves to travel, read and write. She holds degrees in both education and counseling. She has always enjoyed working with people. Currently, she is pursing her M.A. in Teaching English and Professional Writing. An active member of Chesapeake Romance Writers, as well as Romance Vets. Monique has been published since 2001 and with her second book won the publishers award for favorite book.

Learn more about her and her books by visiting her at: http://moniquelamont.blogspot.com

                          from North Carolina

Registered Nurse. Homemaker. Mother. Writer. Publisher. Romantic Suspense novelist Dixie Land brings a wealth of experience to her writing and to her latest venture as a publisher. Born in Iowa, Land and her high school sweetheart, Larry, have lived in North Carolina for 40 years where they raised their only son, Brad. After he was grown and raising a family of his own, Land decided to pursue a dream she had set aside for years—to write a novel.

    Twelve years and eight books later, Land not only continues to weave stories that garner favorable reviews and recommendations from such publications of Our State Magazine and Writers’ Digest, she has launched her own publishing company, Alabaster Book publishing, with partner David Shaffer. Only three years old, the company has published 35 books and continues to attract a growing number of authors.

      Land is a founding member of Triad Writers Roundtable and helped organize the first Triad chapter, Sisters-in-Crime. In the fall of 2006, Land was recognized in FORSYTH WOMAN MAGAZINE as one of the region’s “Women on the Move.”

                           from Strasburg, Virginia

Marcy McCann writes in various forms including an online column Adventures along Route 11, a collection of observations about her travels along Virginia’s historic corridor. Currently the Fair Manager of the Shenandoah County Fair in Woodstock, Virginia, Marcy spends her spare time restoring a 200 year old brick Federal home in neighboring Strasburg. The first in her series of children’s books geared to bridging gaps in families undergoing change highlights the positive side of belonging to a stepfamily.  

Chelsea’s Tree features a tree planting adventure, activities, maps, stickers and photo album to aid in fostering a healthier understanding of how a child fits into their particular stepfamily.  Chelsea’s Tree comes with a soft handle and photo album section so a child feels ownership of his or her family photos.  The non-custodial, extended family and those living at a distance now take on a clearer place within the family structure. She is  committed to developing this series of resources for families undergoing change.

                        from Charleston, South Carolina

                from Columbia, South Carolina

Sam Morton is the author of a 2006 fiction thriller titled Disavowed, published by Echelon Press of Laurel Creek, Maryland. A 1985 graduate of The Citadel, Sam is co-author of four fiction anthologies, and is also author of Ramblings, a collection of his own short stories and poems. His past occupations include a 12 year-stint as a robbery/homicide detective for the Richland County Sheriff’s Department in Columbia, S.C., a ten-year career as a professional wrestler, and one long week as the blade changer on the potato cutting machine at the Frito Lay plant in Charlotte, N.C. He has won numerous writing awards such as, Silver Moon magazine award for Horror short story, 1^st prize in the Sumter County Cultural Council 2000 Literary Contest, and Writer’s Digest 76^th Annual Writing Competition—honorable mention in the “Feature” category. He resides in Columbia with his wife, Myra, and two children, Alexey and Nikki.

             

                        from Suffolk, Virginia

Nancy O’Berry loves a good story.  She has been writing for her own enjoyment since 1968. With encouragement from friends, she decided to try publishing. 

Enchanted is her first published work for Midnight Showcase. She is currently working on several full length novels and short stories which she hopes will soon find a home.

When not writing in her own little world, Nancy lives in Southeast Virginia with her husband and family.  Nancy is actively teaching writing to her class in elementary school. She serves as president of the local Romance Writers of America chapter which meets at Russell Memorial Library, behind Chesapeake Square mall, the first Saturday in each month.

You may reach Mrs. O’Berry at peanutgallery14@charter.net