Fresno author Paula L. McElwee takes on two new series

When not busy working with the local Tail Waggin’ Tutors program that uses dogs to encourage youngsters to read, Paula L. McElwee has found time to write the first parts of two very different book series.

Both series are being written under the name Lynette Endicott.

“Both books are contemporary romance, with a warm but not too racy rating,” says McElwee, an Illinois native who has lived in Fresno since 2000. “While I didn’t set out to write Christian romance, I suppose my values show. I am a preacher’s kid and knew my Mom would read my first book, so I even toned it down a little — but she thought it was still too racy.”

“More Than a Job” (Desert Breeze Publishing, $5.99), is the first of the “Starting Over” series. It published March 1. The book is about a woman who loses her job and learns that there is much more to life than her work.

The second book in that series, “Return of Joy,” is scheduled for release on Oct. 15; the third book will come out in July of 2013.

The other series kicks off with “Animal Instinct” (Desert Breeze Publishing), the first in the “Time After Time Saga.” The book was co-written with Stockton author Tami Dee and will be available Aug. 21.

McElwee says the “Time After Time Saga” looks at what happens when a vengeful enemy is thrown through time and attacks the women in a family who have a Heartmark, a heartshaped birthmark.

The books will initially be released for iPad, Nook and Kindle. If the sales are strong enough, print versions will be released.

For more information, go to lynetteendicott.com.

Here are some other books of local interest:

“I Am Joaquin — An Historical Novel” (CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, $12.99): Dr. Tomas Martinez tells the real story of Joaquin Murrieta who, at the age of 21 and the height of his notoriety in 1853, commanded 500 riders. He became California’s answer to Robin Hood by fighting against corrupt groups blinded by their lust for gold.

“His story is also about how young, innocent love turned into a challenge, a calling to counter the rampant evil and injustice,” Martinez says. “Joaquin’s story must be kept alive and relived through our imaginations. It has been an honor for me to experience an inspiration and a literary vision of this remarkable man.”

The book is available at amazon.com.

“Local DJ” (self-published, $7.99): Peter Cavanaugh, who had a long history in radio, has released the 10th anniversary edition of his book. The Oakhurst resident has been honored by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his efforts to pioneer the evolution of FM Radio and launch the careers of Alice Cooper and Ted Nugent.

His book documents his years in radio, where he promoted and produced hundreds of early concerts from Chuck Berry to The Rolling Stones.

It’s available at amazon.com.

“Valley of Shadows and Dreams” (Heyday Books, $40): Ken and Melanie Light’s latest book is a collection of black-and-white photos that capture life in the Central Valley. Their images range from sun-dried fields to aerial views of fields and roads.

In the preface of the book, they write: “If you look behind the fantasy of the California Dream, so carefully crafted, you will see there are shadows, too. The Great Central Valley has provided the dream for many, but it is deeply shadowed.”

The book is available in bookstores or on online.

“Katrina and the Magic Skates” (Xlibris, $21.99): This story of a young girl’s dream to be an Olympic skater was written by Susan Carro McBride and illustrated by her daughter, Meghan Allison McBride. Both live in Clovis and are nurses.

The book is available online.

By Rick Bentley