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Cry Watercolors

A child’s life becomes displaced by fantasy; but in middle age, Mark discovers writing could no longer provide him the refuge from his own suppressed emotions. Cry WaterColors (D2 Edition) is a romantic, introspective, literary adventure. It is a coming-of-age story — yet even when confronted by the prospect of death. Indie-Book readers: “…a superb, sometimes soaring piece of writing!” “…His keen eye and mind for detail creates a canvas so rich, characters so deep - it's magical to read.” “…Beautifully written, gorgeously layered, Cry WaterColors is a treat for the mind and the imagination.” When Mark’s sensitivities are heightened by an overwhelming sense of his loneliness had become a desperation, Mark becomes receptive to Emilia’s curiosity and her pursuit of love with grace. Emilia’s unabashed desire to seek out the truth from wherever it may arise, and amidst the splendor of Lake Tahoe, Mark is influenced to resolutely follow the joy of their developing romance—until he learns there may not be much time--Mark and Emilia must then deal with the consequences of love and life. Life's tribulations, Oscar Wilde suggested, are best when less spoken about; whereas the color, the beauty, and the joy of life should be the focus of our sympathy. But what becomes of a man who withdraws from the distinction? Can the balance of his life be safeguarded by transposing his passions onto the characters he writes about? Cry WaterColors is a romantic, introspective literary adventure; a coming of age story of a man, who, when a child, was confounded by the guilt he silently accepted to the accidental death of his father. Fearful his emotions should betray him once again, Mark Balcon finds comfort and success by withdrawing into his writings on an esoteric subject, mining Ghost Towns in the California Sierras. Eventually, events of his life become interpreted through the tales he writes about. In his early forties, a physical ailment heightens Mark's sense of loneliness. As if with a remedial purpose, he journeys to his vacation home in Lake Tahoe. His emotional vulnerability becomes keenly reflected by the people he meets on the route. The shell of his cloister is then ripped open when Emilia reveals her interest in him. Their physical pleasures keep Mark from submerging his feelings into his laptop. But when his sickness is found to be more than a quirky circumstance of middle age, Mark and Emilia must deal with the consequences of love and life.

Tujunga

At the core of Tujunga is a medically unflappable theory for the origin of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); but, the story’s focus is on the love and prejudice that let to its pandemic distribution. It is a romantic literary story of two couples living in different time periods. Their stories lovingly converge for an emotional resolution. In 2004 the Bush Administration announced plans to reinstate manned flights to the moon. Xochitl Arias, a genetic anthropologist studying the impact of viruses on human migratory patterns, suspects an unspoken motivation. Applying her laboratory studies to blood samples she inadvertently discovered and presumed to be from Apollo astronauts, she finds what could be the reason thirty-two years lapsed since the last manned lunar mission. Xochi is threatened by an agent of the Department of Homeland Security when she intends to publish her findings. Xochi’s car is found at the bottom of a cliff and her death is ruled a suicide. From the love they had shared, Robert Corelli knew the strength of her heart. Finding clues at the site of the accident that were carelessly disregarded by the investigators, he resolves to find the reason Xochi would have been targeted for murder. Courtney and Claudia McKillon became lovers for the wrong reasons, but yet their love flourished in marriage. Overwhelmed with guilt by feelings she had entrapped Courtney, Claudia eventually encouraged him to live out the passion buried within him. In the process of enlightenment, a series of coincidences results in a catastrophic conclusion to living out the passion buried within.