Local Author Showcase
Join Douglas County Libraries on Saturday, March 15 at 1pm for the Local Author Showcase. It will be at the Castle Rock location, and it features twelve Colorado authors who will each talk for five minutes about their books.
The authors and books featured at this showcase are:
Time Billionaire: Poetry by K.G. Newman – In KG Newman’s fifth collection of poems, Time Billionaire is simultaneously in reverence of, and at war with, the clock. The book examines how time is our most important asset, and through the lenses of self-identity, love, fatherhood and the finite nature of being, how the memories we develop ultimately are our most precious commodity. This collection via Bainbridge Island Press is a counter-balance to smartphones, the fleeting feelings brought by our technology-driven lives and the impermanence of our closest relationships. It is the bottling of the alpenglow as sons outgrow gloves.
Shaking off the Ashes by Melanie Hicks – This compelling anthology showcases 59 previously unpublished poems from a diverse group of neurodivergent and neurotypical poets. Each poem delves into the nonlinear, often unpredictable journey of healing wounds that leave deep, invisible scars— those that can never be fully erased. The collection offers a dynamic and thought-provoking exploration of recovery, capturing the meandering process of growth, transformation, and resilience. Through a range of voices and styles, the poets offer intimate reflections on the complexities of returning to oneself after pain, loss, or trauma. They challenge conventional ideas of healing, suggesting that it is not a straight line, but rather a series of cycles: falling, rising, and beginning again. The collection provokes readers to rethink their own journeys, embracing the messiness of recovery while finding beauty and strength in imperfection.
Branching Out by Joy Jarrett – Willow wants just two things in life: to be the best possible guardian to her younger brother and to care for the birds of prey in her raptor rescue center on the Oregon coast. Finding love doesn’t factor into her plans. And if it did, it certainly wouldn’t be with the son of the man who ruined her family. Yet Willow can’t help falling for Jake Bartlett, even after the stunt he pulls at the grand opening of her tree house hotel that she hopes will fund her bird rescues. Jake’s not what she expects, and she finds herself drawn to him. But Jake’s silly prank has serious consequences. When he accidentally damages The Old Tree on Willow’s land, he awakens a dark ancient force that ties his fate to Willow. Owls begin mysteriously arriving on her property followed by far more frightening things, endangering the entire town of Cedar Beach. If they can’t destroy the evil taking root in the forest, their love will die before it ever has a chance to grow and so might Willow and Jake.
Are You Stronger than an Ant? By Karen – Embark on an extraordinary journey into the captivating world of nature, where animals from around the globe showcase remarkable abilities that leave humans in awe. With detailed information presented in a concise and engaging format, young readers will delight in learning as each page invites them to ponder the question, “Could you?” followed by interesting and informative facts about animals who do. This book showcases the diversity and ingenuity of the animal kingdom.
A Fish in Time by Heather and Andrew Pulis – A story of an optimistic fish who encounters obstacles on his adventure to reach his ultimate goal, to go FAST! Imagination and exploration will help him discover more of his world. They will also talk about their ABC board book – Time To Learn Letters Book.
Beach Song by Jessica Steiner – Each page of Beach Song introduces young readers to fascinating beach creatures and their habitats. You will meet brave sea turtles, playful ghost crabs, mighty whales, jazzy jellyfish, and more. Through engaging illustrations and whimsical poetry, this book builds vocabulary with natural, musical and movement themed terms while immersing children in the beauty and excitement of costal life.
Homer: A Mouse’s Tale by CinDee Paladino – The simple life of a country mouse named Homer is changed forever when he travels to the big city. There is adventure, danger, new foods, and new friends. Along the way Homer learns the true value of trust, friendship, self-worth, love, but mostly family; and it’s not always about who you are directly related to either.
Spawn at Dawn: Held by the Sea! By Chelsea Witherell – When the Cyclops Return . . . Katelyn, Cara, Noah, and Colbey have all found Alry. What else could go wrong? Colbey and Alry are sent on a quest to find the third Lochsey, for Dawn Creek, far across the ocean. Not only that, but the Cyclops are striking the islands, and with both Lochseys on a quest, no one will be there to save them. Deep Seas is troubled as well, clinging onto Meri as the Cyclops try to take her. Colbey realizes the islands’ safety rests upon her shoulders, and she struggles to surface. Amidst all the turmoil, back on the cruise, heads turn as well.
Woodwillow: The Crosswinds of Further by KC Jazwa – A cursed book, a seven-sided stone that opens it and a world where every fear, every myth and legend, and every mystery comes to life leading you through a labyrinth of the unknown. And the only way to get back to your own world is to get through each portal; and each portal is more treacherous than the last. Michael Quinn, an intuitive thirteen-year-old, is given a stone that once belonged to his world-traveling, legend chasing, archeologist grandfather who found it on one of his trips through the Australian Bush. Now, as Michael starts seeing things pop up in his small rainy Vermont town, things he’s only read about in mythology books, he begins to wonder if maybe the stone has more magic than his Grandma Butter let on. Especially after his sister Tess falls through a river portal. With help from his best friends Sam and Fiona, Michael sets out to break a centuries old curse, bring peace to a world his grandfather created before The Others destroy it, and return the book to its rightful owner.
Medical Illustration in the Courtroom: Proving Injury, Causation and Damages by Lindsay Coulter – Medical artists are frequently challenged with illustrating injuries and medical conditions that can’t be seen by the naked eye. And while using medical photography and imaging for illustrative purposes can be helpful, to an untrained eye it can often be unclear or confusing. This is where the medical illustrator enters the equation. Medical illustrators can reveal to people what’s going on inside the person, an invaluable asset to attorneys in the courtroom, especially for personal injury and medical malpractice cases. While many attorneys utilize medical artists, nonvisual people don’t always recognize the value of demonstrative aid until they see them first-hand.
The Return of Man by Jimmy Graham and Tyler Weinischke – Blending stories from Jimmy Graham’s Navy Seal and CIA background this book is a guide for men to embrace integrity and faith-based values. Through scripture and Able Shepherd teachings, the book invites men to rediscover their strength and purpose. It goes beyond the cultural myths of masculinity to challenge readers to pursue true, righteous manhood—serving God, family, and community with humility and honor.
King Cotton II: Kentucky Gold by Rick Noble – In the spring of 2023, a Kentucky farmer was plowing his fields when he noticed the earth behind him begin to sparkle in the sun. He jumped off his tractor and discovered that he had just unearthed hundreds of beautiful gold coins. Confederate gold coins, as it happened, the newest of which dated 1863. And no one knows how or why they got there. Well, maybe one man does. Cotton trader, photographer, philanderer, and Civil War veteran Jack Bailey returns in this sequel to King Cotton. Just moments after Lincoln’s assassination at Ford’s Theatre, Bailey flees Washington fearing he’ll be implicated in the conspiracy. During his travels he gets tangled up with many of the famous characters of the day including Wild Bill Hickok, Buffalo Bill Cody and many other notable characters of the time. Bailey’s exploits put him in the scene of a variety of events in U.S. history in this quick-paced sequel.
