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Set in early 20th-century Pittsburgh, Lara Brenckle Malmont's Three Rivers Home brings us the life and times of Francesco "Frankie" Fortunato, on Sunbury's Milford House imprint. The tale of a tenacious orphan, Frankie overcomes loss while battling callous adults, corrupt systems that care nothing for children such as himself. All the while, Frankie promises to reunite with his siblings.A Pittsburgh native, Lara Brenckle Malmont brings Frankie and other colorful characters to life, specializing in stories about the people and places that call us home. A manga cum laude graduate of the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University, Malmont is an award-winning newspaper reporter before transitioning to corporate communications. She lives in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.

Ronald Rand is known throughout the world as an actor, author, educator, poet, and painter. He is also a traveler, having visited more than two dozen countries as a US Cultural Ambassador. His new book, The Marsh in May and 30 Poems with 29 Paintings by Ronald Rand, is an immersive experience that taps into human experience through word and paint.While praised for his post-modern and post-Impressionist style at the easel, Rand's poetry draws from the masters he first heard read to him by his mother, to his contemporaries. His words and phrasing are unique and draw the reader in, as do his landscapes and portraits. This book, available on the Lucky Shoe Press imprint of Sunbury Press Books, is another of Rand's methods to embrace life, in all its joys and mysteries.Best known for his role as former mentor Harold Clurman in the long-running Let it Be Art!, Ronald Rand has appeared in dozens of films, stage productions, and television programs. He founded and published "The Soul of the American Actor" newspaper, has received a series of Fulbright Awards, and received the Jury Best Actor Award at the Bitola 26th International Monodrama Festival in North Macedonia. His upcoming work includes the production UBUNTU, the film "Group Paradise," and "Ibsen," the first opera of Henrik Ibsen.Ronald Rand lives in Asheville, North Carolina.

While not the first literary detective, Sherlock Holmes is one of the most read, viewed, and heard. Holmes has been depicted more than 250 times; with his partner, Dr. John Watson, the pair have not only captured the imaginations of mystery (and non-mystery) lovers, but also authors, the world over. Fan fiction about Holmes and Watson dates back to the 19th century, often featuring playful, satirical, or even harsh wit. On this episode of Milford House Mysteries & Histories, Tory Gates sits down with P.A. O'Neil as she recounts her fascination and her identification with Watson.Two Sides of the Same Coin: In-between Stories of Sherlock Holmes and John H. Watson comes from O'Neil's pen, a series of tales that take the good doctor's point of view. We follow Watson, mustered out of the British Army after being wounded, not quite himself as he navigates Victorian England and tries to find his place once more."On That Last Day" chronicles Watson's meeting with a potential flatmate, the enigmatic Holmes. In the stories that follow, including "The Curse of the Scottish Play," "The Case of the Venetian Glass," and others, O'Neil fashions tales in the tradition of Arthur Conan Doyle, but more from Watson's frank and direct view. O'Neil also offers her inspiration for these stories, and her assessment of Watson, his place beside Holmes, and how the pair never seem to die.P.A. O'Neil is originally from Southern California. Her writings have appeared in numerous anthologies, journals, and magazines. A further collection of Holmes and Watson works can be found In for a Penny. She is also the author of Witness Testimony and Other Tales. She is a member of Sound of the Baskervilles and the John H. Watson Society. Her piece "The Great Burro Revolt" won her the 2023 Mustang Flash Fiction Award. Her writings can be found through Clarendon House Books -- she now lives in Olympia, Washington.

Edward V. Bonner is a man of many passions. From his early years in the steel town of Hazelwood, Pennsylvania, Bonner has combined his love of history, literature, and education with sports. A lifelong martial artist with a specialty in Shotokan Karate, Bonner has participated in numerous tournaments across the US, operated his own school, and still instructs, primarily younger students. He has also competed in several triathlons and running competitions.With degrees in Aeronautics and Business, Bonner has worked for US Airways (later American Airlines) for more than three decades. He is the author of The Final Resting Place -- Calvary Cemetery on Sunbury's Local History Press.Speaking with host Dr. Lawrence Knorr, Bonner talks about his life and times, and what is on his horizon.

Andrea van de Loo has lived a life with many experiences and transformations. In a series of short chapters, Andrea brings out her more than 80 years of human experience in "The Pressing Stones: The Healing Journey of a Nazi's Daughter."Andrea's early life in the Netherlands during the Second World War is recounted, and in particular, that of her father. He joins the SS in an act of self-preservation. Convicted of war crimes, he serves time in prison and a mental institution.  Unable to deal with her early trauma, she lives the first half of her life dissociated from her innermost feelings.Also documented are travels to Paris and later to India, where Andrea meets the Mother, the spiritual companion of Sri Aurobindo, and lives at the experimental community She inspired, Auroville. Andrea's experiences in her ongoing search for self lead her to California, and her long relationship with a shaman, Hara Ra.   All through this book, Andrea discusses her psychological journey, her struggles, her process of grief, and also the past of her father. Available through Untimely Books, The Pressing Stones is a remarkable, honest, and unapologetic memoir. Andrea van de Loo lives in Santa Cruz, California.

In a land of hard-bitten lawmen, Ed Earl Burch may be the toughest of them all. An aging, but still difficult and dangerous character, Ed Earl has worked both sides of the law. Now, he's back in the borderlands of West Texas and Northern Mexico, where a shadow of his past has again arisen.A series of grisly, straight-razor murders leads Ed Earl to believe that a man he thought he'd killed is still very much alive. With his ex-Army Ranger wingman Bobby Quintero, Ed Earl has to navigate gun runners, drug dealers, racist gangs, cartels, and fellow cops with questionable allegiances. Then add to the mix a femme fatale boss, who, like Ed Earl, is in the sights of the killer.Jim Nesbitt knows these backcountry lands as a journalist, horseman, pilot, and hunter. The Fatal Saving Grace is the fifth of the Ed Earl Burch series, which includes The Last Second Chance, The Right Wrong Number, The Best Lousy Choice, and The Dead Certain Doubt. You can find out all about Jim at his website. A diehard Tennessee Vols fan, he lives in Athens, Alabama.

Two brothers are traveling from Iowa to Indiana for the funeral of their father. On the way, their reminisces paint a portrait of the man, with colors Midwest rural life might not expect.The life and times of Wilbur Rife are replete with abuse, alcoholism, exotic dancers, crime, tragedy, persistence, and love. The testament by one of his sons tells a tale of survival but also of navigating life in an uncertain time. Douglas Rife earned bachelor's and master's degrees in History at Iowa State University. He is the author of more than 25 books and is a developer of products for educators and school administrators. His passion for American history has led him to republish local histories, preserve historical sites, and assist in drafting legislation to protect cemeteries in his home state. You can find out more about this pursuit at the website Gravely Speaking.He lives in Bloomington, Indiana.

In this personal memoir, Eric Gnezda tells of his passions: music, running, and service to others. His life journey has been one with the expected twists and turns, joys, heartaches, and all in between. Through these experiences, Eric discovers life's true meaning and provides hope for a world with renewed humanity and true empathy.An award-winning singer and songwriter, Eric is the creator and host of the acclaimed PBS series, Songs at the Center. His music has been featured on ESPN, All Things Considered, and Entertainment Tonight. Eric was nominated for an Emmy Award for his work in TV journalism and taught public speaking at the college level for twelve years. He also travels the country to speak before corporations, trade associations, and general audiences. You can find out more about Eric Gnezda at this website.

Detective Oliver Tucker is dead...but he's not done solving crimes, including his own murder. In the first of Tj O'Connor's Dead Detective series, "Tuck" must navigate the afterlife to help his widow, Professor Angela Tucker, and their dog Hercule find his killer and solve a deeper mystery. Gold coins, mobsters, a psychotic hitman, and a possible Civil War burial ground are all part of Dying to Know, the first of a four (soon to be five) volume series. Tj O'Connor brings Tuck and the gang to life in a compelling series of novels, described as "Topper meets the Thin Man" by some. An award-winning author of mysteries and thrillers that include The Hemingway Deception, Tj is an international security consultant who has served overseas in times of war and draws on his experiences and contacts for accurate and exciting works.A native of the Hudson Valley of New York, Tj now lives in Virginia. You can find out more about him and his books at this website. 

Diana Long is a widow facing middle age, and has rented out her East Hampton home to boarders. Needless to say, the parade of tenants that passes through at times reads like a Rogue's Gallery, with characters, incidents, and the occasional dog who make Diana's home their own...temporarily. In Three Rooms, Shared Bath: A Landlady in the Hamptons, Eileen Obser takes the reader in Diana's shoes as she traverses the famous, exclusive Hamptons in the late summer of 2008. The restaurants, shops, and events that make this part of Long Island unique are viewed as affairs beyond take shape. These include the Olympics and the rise to prominence of a certain politician from the Midwest. Along the way, Diana considers life after her late husband, Gary, and the close friendship of Frank, a reporter who at times thinks he knows better than Diana. Then, these tenants, the erratic Basia, Teresa, Kenneth, and others, make Diana's life less-than-typical. Through all this, Diana knows she has decisions to make.Eileen Obser does indeed own a home in East Hampton, and still has one tenant. A Queens, New York native, Eileen has lived on the island since 1975. A writer since childhood, Eileen is also an essayist and educator. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing and Literature from Stony Brook University. Her writings have appeared in The Washington Post and Newsday, plus numerous magazines and anthologies. Her memoir, Only You, was published by Brown Posey Press as a second edition in 2019. You can find out more about Eileen at her website.

Robert "R.B." Swift has marked a half-century of journalism, best known for his coverage of the State House in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He is the author of three books on Colonial American History, including Life, Liberty and Death on the Appalachian Frontier, released by Mastof Press in 2024.Speaking with host Dr. Lawrence Knorr, Swift discusses his interest in history, his journalistic career, and his writings. A native of western New York, Swift is a graduate of Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania, with a bachelor's degree in American Studies. He lives in the Harrisburg area.

Gerri Almand has entertained and regaled readers over the past several years with her tales of RV travel, through The Reluctant RV Wife, Home is Where the RV Is, and Running from COVID in our RV Cocoon. Health issues, however, prompted Gerri and her husband to cut back their "Life on the Road" and move into an Over-55 community in the Eugene, Oregon area. From the Brown Posey Press imprint, Over-55 Conniptions: An Old Biddy Battles Aging is a humorous, angsty, and insightful work that examines aging, but as Gerri notes, it also led her to rediscover her personal resilience. You can find out more about Gerri Almand on her website. 

24th Century New Earth is a world ravaged by war, climate change, and factions. Within these are the haves and the have-nots. One of the latter, Kat Wallace, escapes slavers to find herself in the island kingdom of Bosch, where piracy is the game and the illicit "glitter" drives the economy. Motivated by revenge, Kat seeks to join the Pirate Force, but her plans may well be derailed by human need and a test of loyalty in a land where both are discretionary."A Merry Life" is the first of a (so far) four-volume collection by Sarah Branson. Her first taste of a futuristic, swashbuckling world came at age seven, when she and her family hopped a freighter to Australia. Sarah has taught science and history to students in the US, Brazil, and Japan. Her various careers also include being a licensed midwife. In addition to Kat Wallace's escapades, Sarah has written of those of her protagonist's children. "Unfurling the Sails: A Grey Shima Adventure" and "A Pirates' Pact: A Kik and Mac Adventure" are among those for middle-grade and young adult readers. Sarah Branson currently lives in Connecticut; you can find out more about Sarah and her writings on her website.

"Who is my father?"The question has haunted Lydia Hamilton since she was five. A mixed-race girl growing up in early 19th-century Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Lydia navigates her youth, her marriage, and eventual separation from Jacob Smith, to her dual role as housekeeper and business manager for an attorney named Thaddeus Stevens. From the Heart of Lydia is her story, available on the Loch Ness Books imprint.Darlene Colón is the visible presence of Lydia Hamilton Smith. Performing in period costume, Colón shares Lydia's life and her accomplishments with local students and at historical events. She is the founder of the Lydia Hamilton Society and cofounder of the African American Historical Society of Southcentral Pennsylvania. Colón is also president of the Christiana Historical Society; she has received awards from the NAACP, the YWCA, the Junior League of Lancaster, and the Lancaster Historical Society for her first-person interpretations of local African American women. 

Dr. John LaCasse returns to the Sunbury Press Books Show to discuss quantum physics, science, spirituality, and philosophy, along with a few light-hearted sidetracks. His new book, Fight for the Quantum: Essays on Spirituality and Science, is a collection of takes, described as a lively polemic that examines the "hard problem" of consciousness--why physical states give rise to subject experience.The talk with Dr. Lawrence Knorr ranges from questions about the argument against the "flat earth," due to birds and magnetic fields, to the question of whether SpongeBob SquarePants could possibly exist in the world as we know it.Dr. John LaCasse is also the author of Deals, Danger, Destiny, The Hunters, and Floppy Feathers, all available at Sunbury Press. He is a member of The American Association of University Professors, holds academic honoraria in Kappa Delta Pi and Golden Key, with a biographical profile in MARQUIS Who's Who. Dr. LaCasse is also is the 2025 winner of the 59th Street Medal for Literature. He lives in Seattle, Washington.

John P. Deeben is a historian, government archivist, and genealogist with a passion for Civil War history. Currently a reference archivist and Subject Matter Expert (SME) for Early American Records at the National Archives and Records Administration in Washington, DC, Deeben provides research assistance for military records from the Revolutionary War through the early 20th century. A frequent lecturer, Deeben's writings have appeared in national publications that include American Ancestors, NGS Magazine, and Civil War Times. He has self-published five books on various lines of his family within Northumberland County and researched the histories of several local Lutheran churches.Deeben is also the author of Well and Eager for the Fray, Volumes 1 and 2, on Sunbury's Local History Press imprint. These two works chronicle the letters and correspondence of young Northumberland Countians who fought on the Union side in the Civil War. Their accounts, not to mention their fervor and optimism in dark times, make for intriguing reading.A native of Sunbury, Pennsylvania, John Deeben holds degrees in American History from Gettysburg College and Penn State University. He lives in North Beach, Maryland.

In this episode of "The History Stacks," Col. Terrence W. Beltz discusses his love of the subject from his youth (which included dragging his parents to Civil War battlefields such as Gettysburg). This extended into Beltz's career with the US Army, from which he retired with the rank of colonel, and he also served with the Virginia Housing Development Authority in Richmond.Beltz recounts the historical research that led to the Sunbury Press release, Unclaimed Valor: The History of the 130th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. His paternal great-grandfather, Pvt. William H. Seifert of York, PA, served in Company C of the 130th. Beltz tells of the company's history under the command of Col. Henry Zinn and his fate at the Battle of Fredericksburg.A native of Canton, Ohio, Terrence W. Beltz earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration at Bowling Green University and a Master of Arts (History) at the University of Richmond. He served in Texas and South Korea during his military career. A member of the Sons of Union Veterans and the Sons of the American Revolution, Beltz devotes his spare time to family genealogy and volunteers with Find-A-Grave. He lives in Earlysville, Virginia. 

The roots of rock n' roll run deep in the blues, soul, R&B, and gospel music. Undoubtedly, one of the hubs is Jackson, Mississippi. Jacktown USA: The Capital City of American Music chronicles the history of the music and profiles several of the artists who exemplify its spirit. Included in this book are stories, anecdotes, and especially photographs that tell the tales of the music, the people who played it, those who championed these artists, and the respect for those who left the footprints they follow.For example: which Mississippi vocal group went viral after an impromptu performance at a fast-food joint? Why was a Grammy Award-winning arranger from the Delta kicked out of junior high school? Who changed his direction back to the blues...after walking his dog?In this edition of the Brown Posey Press Show, Kamel King and Joe Lee discuss some of the history of "Jacktown, USA" and their roles in bringing the music forth and keeping a unique art form alive. Among these artists are Zac Harmon and Stevie J. Blues (whose music you will hear bits of), Four Washington, Eddie Cotton, Dexter Allen, and others, who appear on an accompanying CD and an upcoming documentary. The book is available at Dogwood Press, Lemuria Books in Jackson, plus all online retailers.Kamel King is an attorney who specializes in entertainment and intellectual property law; he is also the head of Emerald Tiger Artist Management. Joe Lee has a background in radio and television and is the author of a dozen books of suspense and non-fiction.

In a tale described as "Fargo meets Miss Marple," Ginny Fite brings her latest work, Mrs. Goodman's First Murder to the Milford House Press imprint. A darkly comic twist on the murder mystery genre, an amateur sleuth investigates crime in a small town, where no one is an angel, everyone has an agenda, and fate deals from the bottom of the deck.Ginny Fite has written widely across the literary spectrum with her numerous releases. Mrs. Goodman's First Murder is her tenth novel. Her previous works include Sanctuary, The Physics of Things, and the Sam LaGarde series, which can be found on the Sunbury Press website. She has also produced three works of poetry and a collection of humorous essays on aging. A graduate of Rutgers and Johns Hopkins Universities, Ginny Fite has had a 40-year career in communications, with experience in newspapers, magazines, universities, politics and a robotic R&D firm. She lives in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia. Find out more about Ginny Fite here.

Nina has grown up in a family haunted by its past; generations of misfortune and untimely deaths have led Nina to believe her family may be cursed.While writing a novel, Nina has discovered her descendent, Elspet Bruce was accused of witchcraft in the 18th century. Fiction appears to become fantasy, bordered on reality. Nina passes into the spiritual realms, to make contact with Elspet and to break the family curse in A Witch's Penance.Drawing on Scottish history and their background, J.K. Divia brings mythology, the supernatural and the paranormal in their latest work. An "American Selkie," J.K. has forged their own path with works that include What the Sea Knows, Berja, and A Sea of Blood and Tears. They live in rural Maryland.

Dr. Melvin Donalson's journey from the American South of the 1950s, across the US and the world, is a remarkable tale of finding oneself. Dream Warrior: Passages of a Creative Scholar reveals a Black man's artistic and educational journey. Speaking with Sunbury Press Books Show host Lawrence Knorr, Donalson discusses the difficulties of racism and prejudice in his native Georgia and early life in Florida. Replanted within the integrated world of Massachusetts and Maine in the 1960s and 70s, and later to the Midwest and Los Angeles, Donalson's imagination was fueled by reading, music, and film. Earning his undergraduate degree at Bates College, Donalson earned his Master's from the University of Iowa. His educational experience culminated in a Ph.D. from Brown University. Donalson's travels took him to Europe and South Africa, as experiences shaped his journey as both a creative and a scholar. He eventually landed in Los Angeles, where he continued his work as a writer, filmmaker, and Black scholar. You can find out more about this groundbreaking work here.

Ruby Dee Philippa has led many lives and careers in one, and she is still creating. In this episode, Ruby discusses her three-volume series, Bag of Tricks: Mixed Stories of Life as a San Francisco Punk in the early 80s, on Earth Island Books.Ruby's recollections of the Bay Area during the heyday of punk and hardcore, the music of Dead Kennedys, X, 7 Seconds, Intensified Chaos, Tragic Mulatto, and other bands reflected not only the angst and fury of the times, but also art, music, and storytelling. The short stories in these three books are stark, sharply written, gritty, and uncompromising; for some, they will be disturbing. The characters, drawn from Ruby's past, are a mix of those she knew, with the rest made up. These stories shine a light on a time when many turned to the punk scene for an outlet, a home, a sense of belonging, but also acceptance.Ruby Dee Philippa grew up in Northern California and West Texas. She attended San Diego State University at the age of 15, and during these formative years was drawn into the punk scene of San Francisco. Ruby also cofounded the Northern California Earth First! Chapter, was a restaurateur in Seattle, and is cofounder of the long-running Ruby & the Snake Handlers, a group with several recordings of rockabilly, roots, Americana, and country music. The audiobook of the first volume of Bag of Tricks is now available, and she will be contributing stories to the groundbreaking underground publication, "Wimmen's Comix."

Ronald Rand should be a person who requires no introduction. A US Cultural Ambassador, Rand has performed for 25 years as Harold Clurman in his solo play, Let It Be Art! in dozens of countries worldwide. The Marsh in May features Rand's poetry and paintings on the Lucky Shoe Press imprint. The journey through these writings and artworks is described as transformative, with odes to Thomas Wolfe, Edwin Booth, Jean-Claude van Itallie, and places that include Kathmandu, Olympia, and Fez.Rand discusses what inspired him to bring these pieces together while touring the world, and how one can keep their heart open, remain vulnerable, and appreciate every moment.Ronald Rand studied at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts, earned four Fulbright Awards as a Specialist Scholar/Visiting Guest Professor. He founded and published The Soul of the American Actor and is the author of Solo Transformation on Stage. He is also a screenwriter and the librettist of Ibsen, the first opera written about Henrik Ibsen. He has appeared in several off-Broadway plays and regional productions, plus more than a hundred films and TV shows. He lives in North Carolina. Find out more about his Sunbury Press releases here.

Statistics, numbers, figures, sports, and history have all been a part of Dr. Paul Semendinger's life. In this episode of "The History Stacks," Semendinger outlines the first of a three-volume series, West Point at Gettysburg. Speaking with Dr. Lawrence Knorr, Semendinger discusses the ideas that sparked this series. The three volumes will, in alphabetical order, profile the 154 men who matriculated at West Point, only to stand beside (and opposite to) one another in the Battle of Gettysburg.The officers will include names familiar to even casual readers of history, such as Robert E. Lee, George Armstrong Custer, and Abner Doubleday. The series will also shed light on those officers who distinguished themselves in battle and those who did their duty without attention. Described as a lifetime educator, Dr. Paul Semendinger taught history and served as a principal for over three decades before becoming an adjunct college professor. The author of several books, these include examinations of the New York Yankees, such as Roy White: from Compton to the Bronx, The Least Among Them, a chronicle of obscure Yankee players, and the novel Scattering the Ashes. Semendinger writes about the Yankees on his website, Start Spreading the News. To this day, Semendinger still plays competitive baseball; he has also run 27 marathons. You can find out more about him here.

Sydney Hayes leads a double life. An Army counterintelligence officer, Sydney masquerades as a nurse, with no one in her family aware, apart from her Aunt Gina, who has her own expertise, and can't resist blowing things up!Hometown Murder opens the series. Recovering from injuries suffered in a failed mission, Sydney returns home to Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and immediately finds herself investigating the murder of an old friend. Navigating a family that she has to largely keep in the dark, Sydney, Gina, and two chickens try to solve the case. All the while, Sydney runs afoul of a hard-headed detective and a local politician.Misty Lynn has brought Sydney Hayes to life in Hometown Murder, Mischief in the Morgue, and the forthcoming Boom, Bang and a Body, which comes out in January 2026. A Registered Nurse, Misty lives with her family in the Shippensburg, Pennsylvania area. You can learn more about Misty on her website. 

Sixteen years after a bloody civil war in which King and Queen Nuada and their family were massacred,   the usurper, King Brés dé Morrigan, reigns. Under his rule, all druids and magic were exterminated, and he presides over a kingdom of tyrannical royals, downtrodden Kingdomers, secret druid societies, and the children of the nobles. The uneasy peace in Éiliria is broken when tribal warriors and druids thought to be extinct kidnap Rionach dé Lir, who joins her captors and takes the lead to recapture her homeland. Meanwhile, Fionn dé Lir seeks out the remaining druids to help him find the last remaining member of the royal family.Abigail Henson debuts on the Hellbender Press imprint with The Winds of Éiliria, Book 1 of The Druids' Queen trilogy. Henson, who holds a BA in English from Millersville University, has also earned an MFA from Cedar Crest College's Pan European Program. She lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with her Basset Hound, Daisy Mae, and can be found traveling to new places and seeking out good bookstores and coffee shops. 

Tataboline "Ta" Enos joins the Sunbury Press Books Show to discuss her new book, Proudly Made: A Story of Reinvention in the Big Woods and Small Towns of the Pennsylvania Wilds. Founder and CEO of a regional nonprofit, Enos is at the forefront of revitalizing the rural Pennsylvania Wilds region through what she describes as intentional outdoor recreation development.A fourth-generation native of Warren County, Enos discusses the untouched wild country where she hails, and how its population and public lands can be used to create a brighter future for communities. More can be found at the PA Wilds website.Ta Enos is nationally recognized for her work in rural development. She holds a bachelor's degree in Journalism and Public Communications from the University of Alaska-Anchorage. She spent ten years as a news reporter and editor in the state, writing for the Anchorage Daily News, Anchorage Press, Dutch Harbor Fisherman, Bristol Bay Times, and other publications. She has earned awards from the Alaska Press Club and the Society for Professional Journalists. She lives with her husband and family on 65 acres in the PA Wilds.

Stephanie Peterson is the author of the long-running Welcome to Keystone series, which brings readers to the Southern California town of the same name. Drawing on her adolescent experiences, as well as her years as a high school English teacher, Peterson chronicles the lives of the Lawrence and Riches families. In detailed and timely scenes, we learn of family life, local politics, and the drama of middle and high school. Adults who seek to maintain their position on the social ladder, while the kids navigate their own circles, determine their own identities, and in some cases, try to survive.Self-published (including her original artwork), Peterson produced the first of the series in 2013, and there are 14 volumes available (and many more to come). Peterson has also written fairy tales with a message, An Irish Tale, and Charisma. She has also written poetry and several episodes of the unpublished teleplay, Super Teacher.A New Jersey native, Stephanie Peterson grew up in Jackson and graduated from Georgian Court University. She also taught in the Harrisburg schools for 12 years, including Bishop McDevitt High School. You can find out more about her works on her website. She lives in the Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania area.

The summer of 1859 serves as a crossroads for three women of divergent lives, and a hotel in Bedford, Pennsylvania is the backdrop for a pivotal time in American history.Kris Schaale (Shaw-Lee) debuts on the Catamount Press imprint with Summer of Meteors. At the luxurious Bedford Springs Hotel, Harriet Lane, a niece of President James Buchanan, Anne McCoy, a Quaker widow, and Juba, an enslaved nursemaid to a high-profile guest, meet and become entangled in an Underground Railroad escape plan. Loyalties are tested, and all must question what they know, what they believe, and what they will do to risk justice for one another. Kris Schaale presents a novel of historical fiction that brings real people and places to life in her debut work. A holder of bachelor's and master's degrees in psychology from Penn State University, Schaale writes of people's behavior, motivations, and life journeys. You can find out more about Kris at her website.

Joshua Penrod brings late 19th Century Pennsylvania to life in These Restless Hills. It is the time of the Gilded Age, however, it is anything but that for most of the residents in and around the city of Johnstown in 1889. Thomas Houghton, a Civil War veteran who has not completely left the conflict behind is an inspector and enforcer for the infamous Coal & Iron Police, who follow the bidding of the corporate barons. Houghton is on the trail of a labor agitator; his pursuit through shantytowns, mills and mines puts him not only at odds with hostile workers, but his own superiors and demanding capitalists. Through the gritty, tough and uncompromising background, the tension rises to an explosive climax.A native of Johnstown, PA, Dr. Joshua Penrod is a business executive and author, with a Ph.D. in Science and Technology Studies from Virginia Tech. His works include articles and essays published in several journals and periodicals, including the Northern Appalachia Review. His books include Johnstown Industry, Johnstown Waters, and Ethics and Biopower in Neuromarketing. 

Joe Farley's short stories, poems and novellas dip into the supernatural, the paranormal and the strange. His new collection, Beware the Cartoonist, on Alien Buddha Press is a series of tales spanning back several years. In this episode, Joe returns to discuss these works, including the title piece, and offers insights into his inspirations and writing style. His previous collections include Nightmares and Hiccups, Farts and Daydreams, The Dog Scowls Instead of Biting, and the recently-released novella, Once Upon a Time in Whitechapel, which will put a twist on a famous detective and his partner.Joe Farley's writings have appeared in publications that include Alien Buddha Zine, Voices from the Fire, Horror Sleaze Trash, Tales from the Blue Gonk Cafe, and Night Walkers. He lives in his home city of Philadlephia.

Mike Stack was born into a Philadelphia political family, and followed his father and grandfather into the "Ring of Fire." After a series of defeats, Stack served in the Pennsylvania Senate, and later as Lieutenant Governor from 2015-19.In his new book, City of Brotherly Blood: My Political Adventure of Power, Corruption and Redemption in Philadelphia, Stack pulls no punches in his analysis of big-city politics. He discusses the influence of his family, and those of national figures, such as former Mayor Frank Rizzo, and one-time political adversary Vincent J. Fumo (aka "The Prince of Darkness). Amid corruption investigations, Stack navigated the minefield of party politics and in this book, tells the stories of these times, but also lessons learned. Speaking with host Lawrence Knorr, Stack discusses Democratic Party politics, how your enemy today may be your ally tomorrow, and his assessment of the national political scene.Mike Stack's books is available through the Radio Free Press imprint of Sunbury Press Books. He earned his Bachelor's Degree at La Salle and his JD at Villanova University, respectively. He also works as an actor and standup comedian. 

The product of an eight-year-long investigation, Failure Factory: How Baltimore City Public Schools Deprive Taxpayers and Students of a Future examines how one of the most highly-funded school systems in the US has failed not only its students, but taxpayers as well.In 2024, despite a budget of $1.7 billion, only 10 percent of Baltimore City students tested as proficient in mathematics. Through interviews with teachers, parents, and a deep examination of documents, Chris Papst and his team uncovered systemic failures. In this discussion, Papst uncovers an emphasis on securing taxpayer dollars and hiring administrators and educators, while spending almost nothing to educate the children whose futures they are charged with. The book uncovers practices that include data manipulation, grade-changing, and even the enrollment of "ghost" students in order to fill out the rolls.These issues are not only confined to Baltimore, but to many districts across the country. Papst notes that a national discussion on public education, how it is funded and dispensed, is required.Chris Papst is an Emmy Award-winning investigative reporter and the 2023 recipient of the Maryland State Conference NAACP Vanguard Award. His works include Failure Factory, on the Radio Free Press imprint, and Capital Murder: An Investigative Reporter's Hunt for Answers in a Collapsing City, which examines the life and history of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

Football has ingrained itself into Pennsylvania's history since the late 19th century, and at the high school level, one program stands out for its enduring success. Established in 1962, the Southern Columbia Tigers, based in Catawissa, PA have seen hard times in its past which nearly caused its end. Since 1979, however, there has been one head coach, Jim Roth--more than 500 regular season victories and 14 PIAA state championships later, the Tigers have never known a losing season.Author Merrill Shaffer chronicled the history of this team, its coaches and players through the first edition of "Roaring Tigers." Now, a second edition has been released, and Shaffer returns to the BookSpeak Network to tell more tales of the Tigers.Speaking with host Lawrence Knorr, Shaffer discusses how Roth and the Tigers developed a no-nonsense, efficient style of football, which plays for the long haul. Numerous former players went on to play in college, and some even made it to the NFL. More importantly, Shaffer notes how many players went on to be successful in life.A retired law enforcement officer, Merrill Shaffer is an avid football fan who has also written "A Super Steelers Journey," which coincides with another favorite club. He is a student of sports history and attends several games every fall. He lives with his family in Palmyra, Pennsylvania.

The Mortal Guardians are preparing for war, but for Raven Naelo, this battle is personal. A necromancer has taken a fellow Guardian captive, and stolen the corpse of Raven's sister. Raven's rescue mission is underway, but it's going wrong. In a world where allies are scarce and the enemy is at hand, Raven's magic has now become erratic, even dangerous. Raven must decide whether to deal with the monsters she swore to destroy, while the reality of her past and truths she has tried to forget inch ever closer. The Abyss Realm awaits as Raven and a crew of pirates, bounty hunters and Draakgoons descend "Into the Inferno," the sequel to "Arcane Assassin--Path of Annihilation." Both of these are available through the Hellbender Books imprint.R.A. Fischer is in fact two people: Rachel Ann Fischer and Ann-Marie Knorr-Fischer, the latter of whom appears in this edition of the Sunbury Press Books Show. Rachel Ann is an Army veteran with a background in Auto-Cad and Interior Design, and her creativity was spurred by fantasy and role-playing games. Ann-Marie has been a writer of short stories and poems since childhood, which includes work for school literary publications, film scripts plus direction and production of plays.They live in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

A bomb rips apart the home of an older couple in Bloomington, Illinois during an otherwise peaceful summer evening. The target: a Jewish couple who found love in the Sobibor concentration camp during World War II. Motivated by antisemitism at a time when the American Nazi Party challenged the US Supreme Court, the perpetrator, Michael undergoes an experience and possibly, a transformation.In "The Scent of Violets," Joe Regenbogen raises questions about redemption and forgiveness. Speaking with Lawrence Knorr on this edition of The Sunbury Press Books Show," Regenbogen examines a time in the 1970's when the Nazi Party began to again make inroads in the US, and also his own career as an educator. Joe Regenbogen taught history in the public schools for four decades, first in his native New Orleans, Louisiana, then later in St. Louis, where he now lives. He has written several books, including "Questioning History," and "Relearning History," as a means to deepen students' historical understanding. He is also the author of "Longs Peak," and "Dying of the Light," as well as interview-derived works, "The Boys of Brookdale" and "Making a Difference."

On this edition of "The History Stacks," Dr. Lawrence Knorr invites Brady Crytzer to discuss the American Revolution and his quest to not only keep this part of history alive, but to make it accessible for those interested.A professor of history at Robert Morris University, Crytzer is an Associate Editor of the Journal of the American Revolution, and winner of the 2023 Judge Robert K. Woltz History Award. He is the author of eight books, including The Whiskey Rebellion: A Distilled History of an American Crisis, Fort Pitt: A Frontier History, and Guyasuta and the Fall of Indian America.Brady Crytzer has been featured on several cable networks, including C-SPAN, Fox News, and NBC Peacock, as well as Sirius/XM, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post and USA Today. You can learn more about him and his various projects here.

Hilary Hauck has created detailed, researched, and yet thoughtful novels that take the reader to parts of the world they may have only read about or seen in films. She has firsthand experience; self-described as an "Italian-speaking Brit living in the US," Hilary has traveled throughout the world and lived in Italy for twelve years. Her writing encompasses historical fiction, adventure, and defining moments with characters who struggle to find "their inner amazing."When the Stars Were All I Had, on Olive Rose Press, is a collection of short stories, with the title tale one of loneliness and uncertainty during war. Others include real people from Hilary's time ("Saving Red"), and in "The Cookie Table," we are reunited with old friends from another of Hauck's works.From Ashes to Song tells of Italian immigrants who find their way to Coal Country in Pennsylvania, and was a WCoNA Book of the Year Nominee. The Things We'll Never Have, which follows a woman's journey to Italy to find her missing fiancé, earned the HFC Award of Excellence and was an Eric Hoffer Book Award Finalist.A translator and localization specialist, Hilary Hauck studied at City, University of London, and holds the Chartered Institute of Linguists Diploma in Translation. She lives somewhere in Northwest Pennsylvania with her husband and dog, Phineas. 

In a life of service, Rev. Dr. Reginald Davis feels a nation's problems must be solved by one and all, and his belief that through the Word of God this can be attained. "We Need Each Other--To Transform America--The Call for Unity to Solve Our National Problems Together," from the Scriptoria Press imprint, examines what Dr. Davis has experienced, a program he takes to chruches, university and colleges nationwide.A native of Memphis, Tennessee, Reginald Davis earned a Bacholor of Arts from Incarnate Word College, a Masters of Divinity from Colgate Rochester Divinity School, and a Ph.D. from Florida State University. He has also served as the Dean of Students at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois. His affiliations include the Baptist General Convention, the National and Progressive Baptist Convenstions, and as pastor of The Historic First Baptist Church. Davis' previous works include, "Depart from Me--The Dreadful Words of Christ to Many," and "God's Truth to Youth in a World Full of Lies and Decepttion." He lives in Williamsburg, Virginia.

Steven Richard Smith has lived through several "careers," all which have led to literature, both as an author and a teacher. A former Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agent in the 1990's in California, Smith returned to Ohio to seek his twin passions. Smith earned his Master of Arts in English from the University of Akron. He created the game Sentence Smackdown to teach grammar to students, and is the author of novels, short stories and poetry.Speaking with host Dr. Lawrence Knorr, Smith recalls his Ohio boyhood in the new novel, The Boys of Rubber City, available on the Local History Press imprint of Sunbury Press Books. Akron of the 1970's is a time Boomers and Gen X'ers will recall with fondness (hopefully), of growing up in a working class neighborhood where kids made their own fun, and not under the watchful eyes of parents.Smith's other works include King of Methamphetamine Valley, stemming from his days as an ATF agent, The Trial of Agent Whitehall and The Accidental Girlfriend. He lives in Massillon, Ohio.

"What happens when the saviors of the world are falling apart at the seams?"Fifteen years ago, six college housemates unwittingly opened a portal which unleashed monsters upon the world. Of the six, only Charlie touched this portal, and has paid the price, in the loss of his family. In addition, his friends' memories of the incident were erased.Now the Nowhere Men are coming home, and Charlie must drop concerns about his mess of a life and teach his old friends what he knows (and they forgot) in order to stop the onslaught, but also to be able to face their pasts. "The Way We Used to Walk" is the collaboration of Megan Engelhardt and Mark Beall. The pair met just before their freshman year of college. They have gamed, podcasted and written together. Speaking with host Tory Gates, Engelhardt and Beall explore their times together, and how Charlie, Smitha, Joe, Alice, Inez and Mona came to be. The long walks, sometimes for hours on their college campus provide a foundation for the facing of pasts, the friendships, found families, and that love always remains the one answer anyone needs.Megan Engelhardt, aka Mad Merry Meg has seen her writing in publications that include Asimov's, Crossed Genres and Daily Science Fiction. She lives in Northeast Ohio with her family.Mark Beall is the founder and operator of Retrograde Orbit Radio and Retrograde Orbit Dice and Leather; he lives in Millerstown, Pennsylvania.

Michael L. Hawley has become an authority on the mass murderer known as Jack the Ripper, and his contributions have brought us closer to finding out his true identity. He is the author of several books on the subject and related matters, which you may find at his author page. His titles include Jack the Ripper Suspect Dr. Francis Tumblety, and The Watchmaker Revelations series.Hawley write both true crime non-fiction, plus mystery and crime-related fiction. He has appeared as an expert on documentaries on the History Channel and the Travel Channel, lectured in Liverpool, England and across the eastern United States. He is also the co-host of NBC Radio's House of Mystery. A retired commander and naval aviator in the US Navy, more about Michael L. Hawley can be found at his website.

The second volume of The Castatine Chronicles, Into the Red Realm carries on Joseph Mazerac's series that effortlessly combines young adult fiction, coming of age, adventure and fantasy on Sunbury's Milford House Press imprint.In book one, Into the Attic of the World, Charles Miller and his friends join the ageless Captain Kid on an adventure through layers of reality in an effort to rescue the Patch Fairy. Through endless trials, Charles now finds himself essentially alone in the "Red Realm," a place not even the captain wants to venture. Here, a black unicorn rules and awaits the delivery of the Patch Fairy. Joined only by Cyclops the Great, who has prophesized his next-level immersion, Charles must face horrors unknown. What will he find in the Red Realm, and will he survive?Joseph Mazerac traveled through much of his early life, with many "friends" who have made their way into his writing. For over two decades, Mazerac worked as an unexploded ordinance technician, or "bomb guy." A winner of the Royal Palm Literary Award, Mazerac is working on the third and final Castatine Chronicles volume, plus an adult fantasy work, Tournament Moons. He lives in Jacksonville, Florida; you can find out more at his website.

Philadelphia, 1950. Ben Green, a war veteran, soon to be college graduate, aspiring author and a husband with a child on the way finds himself at a crossroads in his 25th year. Ben finds himself pulled in different directions, with a need to find a job to support his family, an old-school Jewish culture that he finds himself both at odds with and respectful of, and questions about what he really wants in life. All of this plays out in Whiz Kid, available on Sunbury Press Books' Milford House imprint.Amid the culture clash, anti-Semitism, racism and bigotry, there is one thing that unites the city and provides hope: the Philadelphia Phillies are playing inspired baseball and are contending for their first National League pennant since 1915. The "Whiz Kids," players like Robin Roberts, Richie Ashburn, Del Ennis and Jim Konstanty are driving the team on, and the city's passion for the game is at a fever pitch.While Ben's wife Debby struggles with her pregnancy, Ben must fend off the advances of classmate Ilene, and deal with the attitudes of those around him. Through it all, Ben's novel burns within him as he tries to finish the work and see if there is a future as a writer.Joel Burcat credits his father David Burcat, whose own unpublished novel marks Whiz Kid, with the genesis of a story he began over 15 years ago. Speaking with Brown Posey Press Show host Tory Gates, Burcat discusses his father's growing-up life in South Philadelphia, the infusion of Jewish culture, baseball, and his own writing process.A longtime attorney, Joel is the author of a series of crime novels focused on the environment, including Drink to Every Beast, Amid Rage, and Strange Fire. You can find out more about Joel at his website. He lives in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

The roots of baseball and the avenues the national pastime has taken are not only a part of American history, but also politics. J. B. Manheim is the author of several books on the "Deadball Era," uncovering tales of names who left those footprints for superstars to follow, which you can find out about here.Manheim speaks with Dr. Lawrence Knorr about his decades of research, and past releases, which include The House Divided: The Story of the First Congressional Baseball Game and the parallels, political and otherwise we face today. What's in Ted's Wallet? is the story of how Manheim and Knorr stumbled across a set of ancient cigarette cards, owned by the grandson of Thomas Edison.J.B. Manheim is Professor Emeritus at The George Washington University, where he developed the world's first degree-granting program in political communication. He was also the founding director of the School of Media & Public Affairs. Manheim is also a member of the Society for American Baseball Research and the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America. He lives in Maryland.

Author and historian Wylie McLallen returns to the BookSpeak Network to discuss his life, career, and biographies, which have left a lasting impression when considering the subject matter.Growing up in Memphis, McLallen earned a degree in History and English. He studied under Professor Robert Drake, a close friend of Flannery O'Connor, who exposed his students to poet and novelist James Dickey. A programmer and analyst by profession, McLallen's work includes Tigers by the River, a history of the early pro football team that his father was a fan of, and examines the roots of what would become the National Football League. McLallen may best be known for his two-volume biography of Ernest Hemingway, Unbridled Dreamer, and A Man of Modern Letters: Hemingway and the Rise of Modern Literature. McLallen speaks with host Dr. Lawrence Knorr about these subjects and previews an upcoming biographical release, Electric Bluesman: The Life and Times of Jimi Hendrix.Wylie McLallen lives with his wife, Nickey Bayne, in Vancouver, British Columbia.

In this episode of The History Stacks, we hear from Carol Schultz Vento, political science professor, attorney, and chronicler of the life of a father whose real-life exploits were immortalized in film.Vento is the daughter of World War II veteran Arthur "Dutch" Schultz, a member of the 82nd Airborne Division and a paratrooper whose experience in the D-Day invasion was portrayed in the film The Longest Day. In her Sunbury Press releases The Hidden Legacy of World War II (now in its 2nd edition), and Twisted Strands: Family Secrets and Intergenerational Trauma, Vento discusses Schultz's experiences in Europe, his postwar activity in counter-terrorism, but also his Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Advised to write about "the impact of my war on you," Vento discusses her father's struggles with alcoholism and PTSD, and his redemptive work to help others who suffered. A native of Philadelphia, Carol Schultz Vento earned her undergraduate degree and doctorate from Temple University and her law degree from Rutgers University School of Law. She lives in Palmyra, New Jersey. You can find out more at her website.

A foremost authority on the American Revolution, Eugene Procknow is the author of a series of scholarly articles for the peer-reviewed Journal of the American Revolution. Speaking with Sunbury Press Books founder and program host, Dr. Lawrence Knorr, Procknow discusses how his career as a management consultant with one of the largest global firms allowed him to transition to becoming a writer and historian of the Revolution. He speaks of the discoveries that have provided insights into the thought processes of the Founding Fathers, unique documents, including diaries and the rebel army's order of battle (a copy of which somehow ended up in the hands of the British), and how much more there is to learn.Eugene Procknow is the host and curator of a website that helps casual and professional researchers locate diaries and memoirs, plus other Revolutionary War sources, which you can find here. In addition, he is the author of "William Hunter: Finding Free Speech" (2022), which is available through Sunbury's Oxford Southern imprint.More information is available at his professional site. He lives in Washington, DC.

A love of baseball, its players, characters, and quirks has sparked numerous books over the decades, including a series by Chris Williams. In an avowed tongue-in-cheek manner, Williams bestows "honors" on players who were members of some of Major League Baseball's greatest teams but didn't necessarily stand out in terms of stats. The Flip Side of Greatness: The Baseball Bozo Award, 1920-1999 takes a look at some familiar players one might not think belong on such a list. Williams, along with host and Sunbury Press Founder/CEO Lawrence Knorr, discusses some of those who made the cut and delves into which of their beloved Philadelphia Phillies might rate a spot in a future work.A broadcaster for over three decades, Chris Williams is a veteran freelance writer with several books and three volumes of historical baseball essays. He is a regular contributor to the Baseball Almanac website and a former member of the Central Pennsylvania chapter of the Society for American Baseball Research. His works on Sunbury Press include Stealing First and Other Old-Time Baseball Stories, and I am Not a Baseball Bozo: Honoring Good Players Who Played on Terrible Teams - 1920 to 1999.Along with being a writer and essayist, Chris is a Certified Level 3 Dog Trainer. He lives in Hanover, Pennsylvania.

The BookSpeak Network debuts a new podcast, dedicated to history and those who have devoted their time and lives to keeping the world's past alive.Dr. Lawrence Knorr, founder and CEO of Sunbury Press Books, invites a familiar voice to be his inaugural guest. Mark Carlson is a lifelong student of military history. For the past two decades, Carlson has regularly contributed to more than a dozen publications devoted to the subject. In this program, Carlson discussed his experiences meeting and interviewing veterans, fellow historians, actors, and writers. Furthermore, Carlson has produced several works of history and historical fiction for Sunbury Press. These include When Yamamoto Ran Wild, The Marines Lost Squadron, and the unique fictional Vengeance of the Last Roman Legion Series.  Despite being legally blind, Mark Carlson works with advanced computer software and travels with a guide dog. He lives in San Diego, California.