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Letter to the editor

Give them a book to keep warm

By ALESSANDRA DA PRA, Times Staff Writer
Published December 14, 2007

Mid December, and what a shame: You've still got holiday shopping to do, don't you? Here's an idea: Give a book. Better yet, give a book by a Hillsborough author who literally could be your next door neighbor. We know, it's not that GPS thing that everyone wants. It's not one of those fake guitar games that mask your lack of skill or another wool sweater that won't be worn this "winter" in Florida. No, a book would actually require the use of brain cells - but not many because we've done the work for you. Check out these published writers whose latest works span everything from high-energy stories for young boys to that of a 64-year-old woman who turns into a wolf. They are available in bookstores and online.

The Distant Shore

by Debora Coty, Seffner

Debora Coty calls her first book inspirational historic fiction.

It's about a young girl, Emma Palmer, who finds herself estranged from her family on Merritt Island in 1904. She searches for love, for a family and for her place in life.

The book is based on the memoirs of a friend's grandmother and is geared toward teenagers, but Coty says it attracts all ages.

It retails for $13.99 and also includes an educational section in the back designed to pique young people's interest in writing.

The journey was long to publication for Coty, 50, an orthopedic therapist who lives in Seffner. It took two years to write; then she was rejected by nine publishers.

"You kind of pull your hair out," Coty said of the process.

She finally found her match with Vintage Romance Publishing and her book was published in August.

She's also found her niche as a writer and public speaker, having booked 20 engagements so far for 2008.

Readers are invited to contribute to her next book, a sequel to The Distant Shore. Go to her Web site: www.deboracoty.com.

Jan Wesner, Times Staff Writer

Al's World Series

By Elise Leonard, Temple Terrace

Temple Terrace author Elise Leonard has a simple description for her Al's World series: They're "high-energy, funny, kick-butt kind of books" for young boys who are reluctant readers.

"But girls like them too," said Leonard, a 47-year-old former educator.

The exuberant easy-read books follow Alphonse Netti and his best friend Keith on wacky adventures involving everything from helicopters and an escaped killer to a kidnapped old man and a runaway monkey.

Three books - Killer Lunch Lady, Monday Morning Blitz and Scared Stiff - are already available in stores or online from publisher Simon & Schuster Inc. for $5.99.

The fourth installment of the series, Monkey Business, has a Jan. 8, 2008, release date.

Amber Mobley, Times Staff Writer

Florida Then & Now

By Bruce Hunt, Palma Ceia

Bruce Hunt's latest photography book is a journey through the Sunshine State's past and present beauty. Florida Then & Now exhibits 130 historic photographs juxtaposed with the author's shots of the original locations in a "comprehensive telling of the history of Florida."

"I got a very intense sense of wonderment to be there where those pictures were taken," said Hunt, 50, who lives in Tampa's Palma Ceia neighborhood. "It gave me a feeling I was traveling back in time."

The collection displays landmarks such as Ernest Hemingway's home on Whitehead Street in Key West; the Ochopee Post Office in the Everglades, which is considered to be the smallest official post office in the nation; the Don CeSar Beach Resort in St. Pete Beach; and Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa.

Florida Then & Now is available in bookstores from Westcliffe Publishers for $39.95.

Midnight Rambler

By James Swain, Odessa

Odessa's James Swain built a seven-book bestselling series around one character: retired cop and gambling expert Tony Valentine.

His latest novel introduces someone new: vilified ex-cop Jack Carpenter.

"I wrote the book without anyone knowing," said Swain, 51. "I like to challenge myself. I wanted to do something different and I found that the subject matter was incredibly gripping."

Carpenter's personal and professional lives unravel after he pummels Simon Skell, the serial-killing Midnight Rambler he helped convict. Swain modeled Skell after Oscar Ray Bolin, sentenced to death earlier this month for the 1986 murder of Stephanie Collins.

Like Bolin, Skell is a master manipulator and the case against him starts to crumble on a technicality. Carpenter must zigzag the state - Tampa, Disney World, South Florida - to find new evidence against Skell, who is out for revenge.

Ballantine Books published Midnight Rambler, which retails for $24.95.

Can Swain fans expect more of Carpenter in the future?

"I just finished the sequel," he said.

Expect Night Stalker in bookstores next fall.

Rodney Thrash, Times Staff Writer

Tourist Season

By Enid Shomer, Beach Park

A Jewish speech therapist is believed to be the reincarnation of a Buddhist lama; a 64-year-old woman rejuvenates, then transforms into a wolf; two feminist pornography writers end up in jail after a trip to Las Vegas.

These are a few of the unexpected and sometimes surreal scenarios in Enid Shomer's Tourist Season.

Shomer is an award-winning author who lives in Tampa's Beach Park community but doesn't like to talk about her age, revealing only that she has surpassed 50.

As for the characters in her book, each of 10 short stories reveals a crucial moment in a woman's life, whether she is a retiree or a high school student. All are looking to reach a certain destination, be it a real place or a state of being. They are tourists dealing with change.

"All of us are tourists in our own lives in some way," Shomer said, "or we wish we were."

Tourist Season is published by Random House and is available for $13.95.

[Last modified December 13, 2007, 07:50:28]