On an Alaskan island beset by climate change, a Native seeks to preserve history: “An enthralling, engaging, mind-bending, time-bending story collection.” —Garth Stein, New York Times–bestselling author of The Art of Racing in the Rain Tova Agard’s world is literally falling apart: she’s just been disowned by her father in a violent confrontation over her sexuality, and climate change is about to wreak havoc on the world around her. In the midst of catastrophe, Tova meets Smithsonian Institute ethnologist John Swanton on an Alaskan-ferry time machine, trapping Swanton on Tova’s small hometown of Wrangell Island. Tova convinces Swanton that the island’s contemporary stories are worth collecting despite their strangeness: in Tova's oral traditions, a woman becomes a bear, a man marries trees, a UFO hunts deer, and the dead go to Seattle. These forty-three linked tales in the story-cycle are not stories that the Smithsonian intended to collect, but by the time all the tales are told, their reconstruction of history will make a greater impact on the world around them then either Tova or Swanton could have ever imagined. “Cleverly framed, these stories capture a rich island community that is steeped in oral traditions . . . a collection that rewards rereading and rumination.” ―Foreword Reviews

What readers are saying about the Alaska Sampler: “One of the best trips I ever took was to Alaska. This book is a chance to visit again, with a variety of fascinating viewpoints, and without even packing a suitcase! Led to it by one favorite author, walking away with several new favorites.” “Laughter and tears brought to you by my most beloved state. Thanks to the multitalented for sharing. A real treat.” “Loved this sampler. Left me wanting to read more.” “Seeing Alaska from several different viewpoints, and each written in a different style, this is a delightful read.” The Alaska Sampler returns with a fresh collection of Alaska-inspired fiction, memoir, and biography from a big place with big tales to tell. Among the dozen featured authors, you’ll discover old friends and new favorites, including Heather Lende (If You Lived Here, I’d Know Your Name), C.B. Bernard (Chasing Alaska), Deb Vanasse (Cold Spell), Rich Chiappone (Opening Days), Gerri Brightwell (Cold Country), and David Marusek (Counting Heads).

DIVDIV /divDIVAn amateur ballroom dancer is targeted by a serial killer in this riveting mystery by veteran John Lutz/divDIV /divDIVMary Arlington only feels alive when she is dancing. The rest of her life, dominated by a violent boyfriend and a mother intent on drinking herself to death, isn’t worth being awake for, but when she dances the tango her troubles disappear. She’s gotten so good that her studio is taking her to the national competition in Ohio, where she will prove to the world and to herself that her hobby is more than a pastime. That is, if she can stay alive until the music starts to play./divDIV /divDIVAt dance competitions across the country, amateur dancers have been turning up with slit throats. Mary follows the killing spree in the newspapers, morbidly fascinated by the deaths of women so similar to her. When the killer comes for her, she will need more than rhythm to survive./divDIV /divThis ebook features an illustrated biography of John Lutz including rare photos and never-before-seen documents from the author’s personal collection. /div

The varieties of music venues in Seattle have been as vital and vibrant for the people of the Emerald City as the genres that have graced these famous halls. These houses of music have nurtured the entertainment legacy of this region. Each holds a beautiful, haunting, and unique history that has helped shape the Pacific Northwest's musical culture, which, in turn, has helped shape our community. Out of the ashes of the Great Seattle Fire of 1889, the vaudeville age took Seattle by storm. The cultural and community centers harmonized with operas and symphonies. From the 1962 World's Fair to world-famous street musicians, Seattle's Music Venues will take the reader on a pictorial journey through 100 years of images compiled from the photographic collections of the Seattle Public Library, Seattle Municipal Archives, Library of Congress, and the author's personal collection.

The book introduces the life and career of the late Andrew Wood, a key figure in the Seattle pre-grunge music scene, from his early band Malfunkshun to Mother Love Bone, up to the process that ultimately gave birth to Pearl Jam, via Temple Of The Dog. First released in 2016 as the very first publication on Andy Wood worldwide, the book includes conversations with people in Wood's closest circle; among others, his mother, Toni Wood, his brother Kevin Wood, his longtime friend and bandmate Regan Hägar, former Mother Love Bone members Stone Gossard, Greg Gilmore and Bruce Fairweather, Seattle producer Jack Endino. and Mudhoney's Mark Arm and Steve Turner. Plus, the book includes previously unseen pictures and documents, which testify an unrepeatable time in music, and help understand Wood's multifaceted and unique personality. Often referred to as "the pioneer of grunge", Wood was a true groundbreaking – and gender-fluid icon, whose legacy is still relevant. Now more than ever.

A fascinating story exists just below Seattles surface, buried in the citys many historic cemeteries. Founded in 1872 on land acquired from Doc Maynard, Lake View Cemetery holds the remains of one of Seattles favorite sons, Bruce Lee, whose son Brandon Lee is buried beside him. Maynard is also buried here, along with most of the Seattle pioneers, including the Dennys, Borens, Maynards, Yeslers, and Morans. Princess Angeline, Chief Sealths daughter, was buried here in a canoe-shaped coffin, and Madame Damnables remains supposedly turned to stone. Evergreen-Washelli Cemetery, founded in 1884 by the Denny family, contains Judge Thomas Burke, known as the man who built Seattle; a Veterans Memorial Cemetery dating from the Civil War; and two cannons from the USS Constitution, famously nicknamed Old Ironsides. Mount Pleasant Cemetery, founded in 1883 in Queen Anne, is the final resting place of the labor martyrs of the Everett Massacre and William Bell, of Belltown fame. Remembrance benches for Nirvanas Kurt Cobain and Jimi Hendrixs memorial are also local landmarks.

Marine operating engineer, 82nd Airborne paratrooper, Special Ops Army Ranger, an entrepreneur who circumnavigated the globe, are a few of many pursuits that insatiable curiosity led the author to explore. He takes the reader on a ninety-year journey from near death as a child, through an unhappy childhood, leading to dropping out of high school. He found success in the military and after honorable discharge, returned to school become an educator earning BA, MEd, and ATA degrees. With wisps of humor throughout, he describes one of his special needs students with a very loud voice. “If she had hooked up with Joshua outside the walls of Jericho he would not have needed any trumpets!” He received a Fulbright appointment to England, and was presented to the Queen Mother at her garden party. He taught every level from elementary to engineering students at the college level, taught at a Job Corps center, and a state institution for incorrigible youths, His greatest success was teaching public school special needs students using materials and methods he developed. Read about their remarkable achievements that were both inspiring, and astonishing. He survived two open heart surgeries, two heart stent implants, cancer, and a stroke, outlived two wives, and happily remarried at age 83.

Down through the ages, people have been fascinated by horror stories! There had always been mystical stories of the spilling of blood, like blood sacrifices to the gods for a good harvest or the consumption of blood from a warrior to gain the dead warriors strength. Look no further than our own Bible. Look at Cain and Abel, the Aztec, Toltec, Inca, and many of the Central and South American tribes. A person walking past a narrow alley in the daytime will give it a quick glance and think nothing of it. But add the darkness of a late night or a sudden wind or a sudden noise or a shadow upon the wall and have that same person walk past that same alley, and he will conjure up within his mind all kinds of things hiding in that alley. Many people are fascinated by eternal life and staying young forever. As an example, look at the money we spend on makeup to camouflage our age. A vampire can accomplish staying young forever by drinking the blood of the living. It is the ancient ritual of consuming the blood of the living to extend ones life or to absorb virility, strength, and youth of the one that was killed. There are stories that have been handed down through the ages about the existence of vampires in the Far East, like China and Japan, all over Europe, but mostly in Eastern Europe, particularly in Romania and Bulgaria.

They knew it could happen - scientists had been warning them for years. Yet, nearly two million people living in the greater Seattle area went about their daily lives as usual. A Detective Agency thought they had found a missing woman, an upstart radio station was on the air, and an eccentric banker had just started a round of golf. Thousands were driving on freeways, shopping in malls, awaiting flights, working in downtown high-rises, and on buses in the bus tunnel. They knew -- they just didn't believe it could happen to them. (This book is dedicated to Ham Radio Operators all over the world who open the lines of communication after a disaster. Although it was written over 20 years ago and the technology may be a little out of date, this book still honors their hard, behind the scenes work.) Search Terms: women's fiction, contemporary, woman sleuth, tsunami, earthquake, suspense, disaster

A seasoned FBI agents expression of law enforcement is a bit unique. Unexpected adventures arise as criminals are offered the choice of punishment, death, or... life. The main character rarely enters The Seattle Office -- hes just too busy. A specialized FBI man with a background of history and religion, he gives his attention to unsolved cases; this is where he has the most fun. If bad guys want to pay their debt to society, so be it, but they are offered life instead of imprisonment or death, and what a turn around. Good really is greater than bad. What do-gooding adventures can arise if one good man invites professional bad guys to stop, join in his work, and clean up corruption? Could the whole world be affected? The Seattle Office is just the beginning! Join the fun! Life is being offered! Maybe you would be interested!